Business leaders call on governments to make downtown Ottawa a 'top priority'
The Ottawa Board of Trade has unveiled a 'roadmap to transformation' for downtown Ottawa, and is calling on all three levels of government to declare the core "their top priority."
Business leaders held a media conference in downtown Ottawa Friday morning to announce a 5-pillar action plan, with the objective of mobilizing all stakeholders to join in building a "roadmap to transformation for our downtown core."
"Downtown Ottawa serves as the heartbeat of our region and has a direct impact on businesses, citizens, and visitors alike," the Ottawa Board of Trade said on Twitter.
"The absence of a focused plan could result in a negative ripple effect on the property tax base and the ability to provide essential services."
The Ottawa Board of Trade wants the city of Ottawa and the Ontario and federal governments to work together on a plan to ensure downtown Ottawa remains a "key driver of economic development and community prosperity."
The 5-pillar action plan for a 'Vibrant and Resilient Downtown' includes:
- Create affordable, walkable amenity rich communities
- Flexible and efficient government regulation and approvals
- Public and private investment in infrastructure
- Support growth of private and public sector employment
- Ensure safety and security for employers, residents, tourists
"The time has come for unparalleled collaboration and support from all levels of government and stakeholders. Urgent action is necessary to prevent further deterioration of the downtown core and avoid irreversible consequences," The Ottawa Board of Trade said on Twitter.
Traffic has been slow to return to downtown Ottawa following the COVID-19 pandemic, as the federal government and several businesses move to hybrid work models to allow employees to work from home part time.
"Ottawa is Canada’s capital, and a preferred destination for tourists. It makes sense to involve all levels of government to collaborate on our downtown core," Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said on Twitter. "It’s win-win-win."
Last month, the federal government unveiled plans to dispose of 10 buildings in Ottawa and Gatineau as it looks to reduce its office footprint and shifts to a hybrid work model.
The buildings include the L'Esplanade Laurier east and west towers in downtown Ottawa, the Brooke Claxton Building near Tunney's Pasture and the 1500 Bronson Building and Annex, the former CBC building.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.