Other: Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs—May 17, 2022
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Future of Wellington Street
Key messages
- The National Capital Commission (NCC) continues to work closely with other federal partners to assess impacts of the temporarily closure of Wellington Street between Kent and Elgin streets to motor vehicles
- The NCC will work with its partners on options for Wellington Street, including potentially making a portion of Wellington Street for pedestrians only and providing more space for cyclists
- The NCC is working with federal and municipal partners to secure Wellington Street as an ideal site not only for the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais (STO) Tramway, but as an opportunity for public place-making
Key data points
- Wellington Street constitutes a critical component of Confederation Boulevard, the ceremonial route within Canada’s Capital—a concept that was developed through the 1990s by the NCC and inaugurated by the NCC in the early 2000s, in collaboration with federal and municipal partners
- Running 7.5 kilometers, Confederation Boulevard forms a loop that connects both sides of the Ottawa River, linking Ontario and Quebec
Background
Confederation Boulevard follows several symbolically important streets along federal lands and past national landmarks, and comprises 3 sections:
- the central loop, in which Wellington Street is included, crosses the Ottawa River to encompass the downtown cores of Ottawa and Gatineau. Some of Canada’s most important institutions, heritage sites, monuments and festival plazas are here
- the northeastern section follows Sussex Drive, passing through the capital’s international sector to Rideau Hall, the residence of Canada’s governor general
- the southern section provides a grand approach along Elgin Street to the National War Memorial
Aside from providing an elegant streetscape for some of the nation’s most important sites and institutions, the boulevard is often a focus for national celebrations.
The continuing preservation, evolution and management of Confederation Boulevard are the responsibility of the NCC and its partners. In collaboration with the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, the NCC ensures that the distinctive streetscape elements of Confederation Boulevard are preserved and enhanced to maintain the unique character of this key feature of the Capital.
In January 2021, the NCC’s board of directors endorsed, with conditions, a new transit connection proposed by the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais, along Wellington Street, as it aligns with the long-term plans for Canada’s capital, acts as an integral part of Confederation Boulevard, and represents a more affordable and technically sound solution than a tunnel.
In the summer of 2021, following consultations with federal, provincial and municipal partners, as well as other key stakeholders, the NCC completed its analysis and provided a recommendation to the Government of Canada for the development and facilitation of the STO tramway that would connect Gatineau and downtown Ottawa (via the Portage Bridge). The NCC’s recommendation is that the STO tramway alignment into Ottawa take place along the surface of Wellington Street. Next steps to advance the proposed tramway project include further engagement with partners and implicated stakeholders and the coordination of studies to assess traffic, transit and other key considerations.
In a press release issued by the National Capital Commission on August 13, 2021, the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, stated “The Government of Canada is in full support of the Gatineau Tramway and is pleased with the National Capital Commission’s recommendation for a surface tramway design to link the west end of Gatineau to downtown Ottawa, allowing us to continue working with the Government of Quebec and City of Gatineau to advance this important project.”
Following the convoy protests in downtown Ottawa on February 2022, the City of Ottawa temporarily closed Wellington Street to motor vehicles between Kent and Elgin Street. That closure has continued and it is anticipated that it will continue at least until the end of 2022. The NCC is continuing to work with federal partners and the city to assess the impacts of this closure.
Interprovincial Transit Project Office
Key messages
- In Budget 2021, the National Capital Commission established an interprovincial transit project office that will study and plan for potential interprovincial tramway connections between Ottawa and Gatineau
- In alignment with visions set in the 2013 Interprovincial Transit Strategy, this initiative, along with a confluence of transportation initiatives currently underway, offers an opportunity to rethink connections within the urban core of the National Capital Region
Key data points
- The interprovincial crossing system in the National Capital Region includes 2 ferry crossings and 5 active bridges, and the potential for a sixth bridge is currently being studied
- Planning and coordinating interprovincial transportation initiatives requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders and service providers, such as:
- Public Services and Procurement Canada
- National Capital Commission
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario
- Ministère des Transports du Québec
- City of Ottawa, including OC Transpo
- Ville de Gatineau
- Société de transport de l’Outaouais
Background
Over the course of the past few years, there has been an increased focus on interprovincial transportation projects in the National Capital Region. The NCC has remained at the centre of a growing number of complex interprovincial transportation planning initiatives in the region, such as the development of the Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan and the refresh of studies to support the demonstrated need for a sixth interprovincial crossing in the National Capital Region.
As directed in Budget 2021, an interprovincial transit project office has been created within the NCC and the project office was assigned to study and plan for potential interprovincial tramway connections between Ottawa and Gatineau, in addition to consulting and collaborating with municipal, provincial, and transportation partners.
The NCC is also engaged with the City of Ottawa in light rail projects (Confederation Line and Trillium Line extensions) and, more recently, an interprovincial tramway proposal by the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais, which would establish an interprovincial tramway linking Gatineau, Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario.
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