The Wellington Street debate: Should vehicles be allowed to drive by Parliament Hill?
The future of a prominent stretch of road in front of Parliament Hill is being debated. Wellington Street remains closed since the convoy and some, including one city councillor, would like it to stay that way, while others argue it’s another blow to local businesses.
Only a handful of authorized vehicles, including tour buses, can drive down a half-kilometre stretch of Wellington Street, between Bank and Elgin streets. The prominent Canadian road, which offer a post-card perfect view of Parliament Hill, was blocked by trucks during February’s “Freedom Convoy” occupation, and then closed and barricaded, after police removed the trucks.
On Tuesday, Ottawa Coun. Catherine McKenney told a House of Commons committee that they believe it should remain closed to vehicular traffic permanently.
“We see many protests in front of Parliament Hill; we welcome protests, we welcome many visitors to the area, and by closing the block between Elgin Street and Bank, we will be able to increase that public realm for all Canadians to walk, to cycle, to take photos, to show pride in their nation,” says McKenney. “Our downtown has ample capacity to absorb any vehicular capacity that has routed away from this section of Wellington Street … Having chairs, just having space in the public realm is always going to benefit residents, people who work downtown and visitors.”
Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle also supports the plan for a pedestrian walkway and potentially a mall which would front the future site of the south block of Parliament. Bélisle was before the committee to push the city’s interprovincial tramway project—a street-level train which would carry passengers between Ottawa along Wellington Street, and across to Quebec, down Laurier Avenue.
But Sam Elsaadi, who owns two shops along Sparks Street, a pedestrian mall one block south of Wellington, does not agree that the street should close.
“You close it [Wellington Street], you are eliminating traffic to this neighbourhood,” says Elsaadi. “Tourists, they come by car drive around, they always drive in the front of the Hill, so if they see the Parliament, they find parking and they go up to the Hill … they worry about closing the street. Open the street and find a solution for parking.”
Elsaadi adds the bigger problem for Sparks Street and the surrounding downtown core is the lack of parking spots, which he says deters visitors and shoppers from coming to the area, especially during non-peak seasons.
“People always think, ‘Keep Sparks Street closed.’ If you’ve been here in the middle of the winter, this street is empty,” he says. “Even if there is more cars, traffic and parking, it might make the business make more money in the hard times.”
Christine Ledman, executive director of the Bank Street Business Improvement Area, says that surrounding businesses lost hundreds of thousands of dollars each day because of the convoy protest and that closing Wellington Street will only further hurt shop owners, who were already barely hanging on after COVID-related shutdowns.
“These losses were based on the lack of access to the area by visitors, clients, employees and local residents,” says Ledman, adding that, in Ottawa, people tend to travel more by car, and that in order to change how people get in and out of downtown, transit must become more reliable.
“Everything else has to align in order for the businesses to survive.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: Traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.
'Terrifying': Manitoba resident speaks on wildfire and evacuation
As a pair of wildfires burn near Flin Flon and The Pas, a number of Manitobans are being told to evacuate their homes.
Ontario's need for nurses, PSWs to top 33K and 50K by 2032: document
Ontario will need 33,200 more nurses and 50,853 more personal support workers by 2032, the government projects — figures it tried to keep secret but were obtained by The Canadian Press.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
No concert ticket? No problem — Swifties can still gather at 'Taylgate' in Toronto
Whether you were lucky to nab tickets to one of Taylor Swift's six sold-out Toronto concerts in November or not, a new 'fan experience' hopes to get you into the party spirit.