Question Period Note: Future of Wellington Street

Public Services and Procurement Canada has been in discussions with the City of Ottawa since 2022 to acquire Wellington Street.

• Formal negotiations have been on-going since 2023 and have so far been unsuccessful in aligning federal and municipal governments on a fair and justifiable level of compensation for the acquisition
  • Acquiring Wellington Street will enhance the safety of Parliamentarians and Visitors to Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is committed to fairly compensating the City and working with local residents and businesses to reimagine Wellington Street

In 2022, Wellington Street was the site of illegal protests. In response, the city temporarily closed the street to vehicular traffic and directed its staff to engage the federal government on acquiring it. A public inquiry and two parliamentary studies were also launched and recommended that the street be transferred to the federal government.

Since 2023, numerous engagements have taken place between the department and City of Ottawa officials regarding the plans for the federal government’s plan to acquire Wellington Street between Elgin and Bank Streets. These discussions have been supported by several due diligence activities including a land survey, an independent appraisal, and a study to assess the impact and costs of reinstating vehicle restrictions.

A non-binding draft framework agreement for the transfer of the roadway was co-developed by the City and Public Services and Procurement Canada in 2023 to fairly compensate the City for the appraised value of the street and the potential costs of mitigating the reinstatement of vehicle restrictions. [Redacted].

The threat and risk environment in the Precinct is evolving. Within a decade, 50% of all parliamentary offices will be permanently located south of Wellington Street. Several global capitals have or are moving to restrict vehicle traffic around their legislatures in a way that enhances security while creating more vibrant public spaces. The objective in Canada is to redevelop Wellington Street in a similar manner. Restricting private vehicles on Wellington Street will help to balance security and openness and create opportunities to realize savings in projects by creating building-setbacks and reducing building hardening.

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• Within a decade, 50% of all parliamentary offices will be permanently located south of Wellington Street, with the Office of the Prime Minister
  • Restricting private vehicles on Wellington Street will help to balance security and openness and create opportunities to realize savings in projects by creating building-setbacks and reducing building hardening