On Monday, Ottawa’s Public Works and Infrastructure committee voted against a motion put forward by Coun. Rawlson King (Rideau-Rockliffe) to defer the construction of all proposed sidewalks, as part of the City’s integrated infrastructure renewal project.
The construction of sidewalks along Arundel Avenue, Braemar Street, Jeffery Avenue, and Kilbarry Crescent in the Manor Park neighbourhood has been a contentious topic, with one local opposition group gathering together under the slogan “Don’t pave paradise.” According to a survey undertaken by Coun. King, 52 per cent of respondents were in opposition to the sidewalks, while 40 per cent were in support.
But the voices against the proposed motion were numerous at Monday’s committee meeting. Among those voices was Rob Attrell, a board member of Bike Ottawa, who was also representing community organizations such as Ecology Ottawa, CAFES Ottawa, the Ottawa Disability Coalition, Walkable Ottawa, and the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment — among others.
“Debates like this that divide a neighbourhood threaten to set a dangerous precedent for the entire city,” said Attrell. “When a community group challenges the Official Plan, trying to opt out of minimum safety and accessibility standards, it should be based on more than a desire to maintain the status quo.”
He added that the construction of sidewalks now, during a time when roads are scheduled for other maintenance, is cost-efficient. “If the city skips putting these sidewalks in now, you’re all voting to lock in known safety deficiencies for decades.”
Safety and accessibility were two recurring themes brought up by delegations who came to Monday’s meeting to oppose the proposed motion. Opponents also expressed concerns over this setting a precedent in other neighbourhoods.
“Don’t allow communities to opt-out of the evidence-based plans based on vibes,” said Attrell. “If the ‘no sidewalks’ group succeeds in delaying or canceling these plans, you can be sure that other areas are going to be lining up to be excluded, probably for their own unique reasons.”
Coun. Glen Gower (Stitsville) noted that the policy to install sidewalks in Ottawa is “based on a foundation of some pretty solid policy.”
“In new neighbourhoods in our community in Stitsville, there’s sidewalks installed not in every street, but in most streets, because we know that’s the right thing to do, for accessibility reasons, for equity reasons,” he said.
Coun. King concluded the debate by clarifying that he supports sidewalks and pedestrian safety.
“Supporting sidewalks and questioning their placement here are not contradictory positions,” he said. “This is not about ideology, it’s about getting the location, the sequencing, and the prioritization, and the timing right.”
Ultimately, the motion was defeated in a 7–5 vote against deferral.
