The Honourable Paul Calandra…

The Honourable Paul Calandra
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Toronto, Ontario

Dear Minister Calandra,

Re: Our Opposition to modifications to Ottawa’s Official Plan listed in Bill 162

On behalf of Guildwood Residents Alliance, a registered citizens’ association and member of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa, we wish to express our opposition to the retroactive reinstatement of the modifications requested by the City of Ottawa to its Official Plan under Bill 162. These modifications – numbered 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 – are listed in Schedule 3 of Bill 162 (Item 8 of the Table to section 1 of the Official Plan Adjustments Act) and are intended to increase building heights along minor corridors from 4 storeys to 6-9 storeys.

The City of Ottawa’s request to amend the Ottawa Official Plan was made to your Ministry without any public consultation and without any planning analysis of the long-term impact of building height increases on minor corridors located in many neighbourhoods throughout the City. Isn’t this reckless and irresponsible land use planning for minor corridors across Ottawa?

The City’s requested amendments to the Official Plan clearly contravene the procedures prescribed by the Planning Act (proper advance notice, opportunity for public input, review by Committee). Those amendments also deprive Ottawa citizens of any opportunity to provide comments on a major planning decision and take away their democratic right to give input on the evolution of their neighbourhoods in which they have heavily invested. Moreover, as far as we know, the City has not linked its request to the urgent need for and commitment to affordable housing.

Enacting the modifications requested by the City of Ottawa to its Official Plan − adopted in accordance with due process pursuant to By-law 2021-386 − would have an adverse effect on public trust and public engagement and would undermine a democratic process. We urge you to withdraw Item 8 of the table to section 1 of the Official Plan Adjustments Act set out in Schedule 3 of Bill 162, Get it Done Act, 2024.

We have attached for your information FCA’s letter of opposition dated March 19, 2024.

Respectfully,
Lynne Davidson-Fournier
President, Guildwood Residents Alliance

cc.: Mr. John Fraser, MPP for Ottawa South