Ottawa sees Canada's largest decrease in commuters driving to work
Ottawa sees Canada's largest decrease in commuters driving to work
Ottawa, Ontario (Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash)
Ottawa-Gatineau saw the largest drop in commuters driving to work in Canada in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced more people to work from home.
New census data from Statistics Canada shows Ottawa-Gatineau saw a 26 per cent decrease in commuters driving to work in May 2021 compared to 2016.
Toronto had the second-largest decline (24.3 per cent), followed by Hamilton (23.1 per cent).
Across Canada, there were 2.8 million fewer commuters in 2021 than in 2016 across Canada.
In the national capital region, Statistics Canada says 10 regions saw a decrease in car commuting ranging from 20 to 35 per cent: Ottawa, Gatineau, Cantley, Chelsea, La Peche, Merrickville-Wolford, North Grenville, Tay Valley, Mississippi Mills and Lanark Highlands.
Another 45 areas saw a decrease in commuting between five per cent and 19.9 per cent, including Pontiac, South Glengarry, South Stormont, Cornwall, South Dundas, Clarence-Rockland, Casselman, Russell, Prescott, Carleton Place, and Renfrew.
Ottawa-Gatineau also saw one of the largest declines in average car commuting time, at 2.1 minutes.
Ottawa data
The census data shows there were 164,150 fewer commuters travelling to work in Ottawa in 2021 compared to 2016.
With federal public servants, Shopify and other employers moving to a remote working model during the pandemic, the commuting patterns shifted with fewer people driving, walking, riding a bicycle or using public transit to get to work.
Of the 275,700 commuters with a "usual place of work or no fixed workplace address", 211,755 people commuted in a car, truck or van in 2021, compared to 300,870 in 2016.
Here is a look at the main mode of commuting for Ottawa residents in 2021 (2016 figures in parenthesis)
Car, truck or van – as a driver: 190,190 (275,620)
Car, truck or van – as a passenger: 21,565 (25,250)
Public transit: 31,015 (90,690)
Walked: 19,395 (32,450)
Bicycle: 4,260 (11,465)
Other method: 9,265 (4380)
The majority of commuters said it took less than 30 minutes to commute to work.
Canada's capital for walkers
Ottawa-Gatineau has the highest proportion of downtown commuters who walk to work in the spring of 2021.
The data shows 29.8 per cent of people who live downtown walk to work in the capital region.
Victoria, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto rounded out the top five.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
After years of reports and allegations detailing a 'toxic' workplace, Canada's RCMP says it is trying to evolve, focusing on diversity in its organization and repairing relationships with communities as it marks its 150th anniversary.
The Memphis police chief on Saturday disbanded the unit whose officers beat to death Tyre Nichols as the nation and the city struggled to come to grips with video showing police pummelling the Black motorist.
When the cold and snow have people hunkering down, these outdoor enthusiasts find motivation in braving the Canadian winter through community and sport.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos insists the federal government is going to 'work flexibly' with the provinces on the terms of a possible health-care funding deal and avoid 'micromanaging' how they deliver health care to Canadians.
When 1990s suede fringe jackets started making a comeback last year, a U.K.-based vintage clothing company decided to order four tonnes of suede from a supplier in the United States. Along with that shipment came a once-in-a lifetime discovery.
According to a new study, showing university students the health risks of vaping through experts and personal testimonies can help deter them from using e-cigarettes.
Health Canada says it will continue to recommend COVID-19 prevention drug, Evulsheld, despite U.S. FDA pulling back its emergency use authorization due to concerns around its efficacy against Omicron subvariant 'Kraken.'
Canadian police chiefs condemned on Friday the death of a Black man who was savagely beaten by police during a traffic stop in the United States, saying the officers involved must be held accountable.
Some faculty members at Cape Breton University have walked off the job. Their strike started Friday, with the faculty's union saying the administration has disrespected it at every turn, leading to a large number of labour grievances.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
Late Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is being remembered for the many ways she contributed to not only to the city she led for 36 years, but also the province.
Anti-poverty activists are praising the Quebec basic income program as a good step toward helping people meet their basic needs — but say strict eligibility criteria exclude many of the province’s lowest-income residents.
Some Indigenous communities in Quebec that are patrolled by provincial police say the established system does not fully meet security needs and needs improvement.
A ceremony will be held this evening to mark the sixth anniversary of Quebec City's deadly mosque shooting. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, several senior federal cabinet ministers and Quebec Premier Francois Legault are among those expected to attend.
Northern supporters of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ mark the anniversary of last winter's demonstrations across Canada by holding a gathering of their own this weekend in North Bay.
W5 goes deep into the narco heartland to interview a commander with one of Mexico's most brutal cartels. W5's documentary 'Narco Avocados' airs Saturday at 7 pm on CTV.
More than 50 people came out on Saturday for a walk, organized by the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury through the Laurentian University 'green space.' The 200 hectare piece of land has been a concern for many, given the questions around the university's financial stability and debts.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
The supporters outnumbered the protesters more than 20-to-one. As drag queen Amanda Villa prepared to sing and read to children in Sarnia, a small group of protesters marched outside, while more than 100 supporters of the rally “All You Need is Love” spent time chasing them around the parking lot, and having peaceful discussions about acceptance and hate.
Only a few days after a large winter weather system rolled through southern Ontario, Environment Canada has once again issued a special weather statement for the London region, warning of a snow-rain mix expected to begin Saturday night.
As extreme cold weather brings wind chill values nearing -40°C, it's impacting everything from winter recreation to the city's most vulnerable population.
The Region of Waterloo has lost a court bid for an injunction to evict residents of an encampment on municipally owned land at Victoria Street North and Weber Street West in Kitchener.
A drag queen show in Elora will continue Saturday night as planned, despite organizers saying concerns were raised after online comments targeted the event.
With art displays and activities to bring out the best of winter for a one-day festival of fun, Winterloo has returned after three years of pandemic alterations.
An organization helping Ukrainian newcomers settle into their new lives in Edmonton is hosting a furniture donation blitz to help restock their warehouse.
Canadian police chiefs condemned on Friday the death of a Black man who was savagely beaten by police during a traffic stop in the United States, saying the officers involved must be held accountable.
BC Emergency Health Services saw a slight decline in 911 calls for overdose and drug toxicity last year, but some areas saw a dramatic increase, and the death rate doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Advocates are predicting this year's Metro Vancouver Homeless Count will be higher than previous years' due to lingering impacts from the pandemic, job losses and inflation.
Ottawa, Ontario (Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash)
