Note from Jeff: I want to thank Ben Kerr-Wilson who is in my office for a few months as part of his course work for his government relations studies. He has been working on communications and briefing materials in support of some of the policy directions that I and the team are pursuing.
Imagine for a moment that you’re living in 1955. Close your eyes if you need to—I’ll wait. Welcome back. How did you imagine life 70 years ago? How did you talk? How did you dress? Who were your friends? Were you all smoking indoors?
Parts of life in 1955 look alien to us in 2024, but one thing hasn’t changed. Whether in 1955 or 2025, when you’re invited to a social gathering, you’ll likely ask, “How’s the parking?”
I bring up the ’50s because Ottawa is currently working to bring its zoning and planning policies out of that era. This involves encouraging diverse and efficient use of city land, and one major change is the removal of mandatory parking minimums for new developments.
At first, this might seem inconvenient—after all, How’s the parking? is a question we instinctively ask before we choose where to live, work, or socialize. But here’s the thing: our reliance on parking isn’t the result of a natural societal need. It’s a habit we’ve developed after designing cities around cars. It’s a crutch we’ve leaned on ever since we divided our communities into separate zones for living, working, and shopping.
Just trying to get downtown during rush hour is evidence enough that this model has run its course.
Times Have Changed
In 1955, the Ottawa-Gatineau metro area had 342,000 residents. Today, the City of Ottawa alone is home to over 1 million, and we’re projected to reach 1.4 million by 2046. Do you want 400,000 more cars competing for road space during your morning commute or downtown parking spots? Neither do I.
The good news is, this doesn’t have to happen. By planning Ottawa’s growth thoughtfully, we can create a city that’s more accessible, sustainable, and connected. The changes we’re discussing now are the first steps toward that future.
A New Way to Get Around
In some Ottawa neighborhoods, this shift is already happening. In Kitchissippi, for example, around 20% of households don’t have a car, and many students rely on walking or public transit to access amenities. Cars will always have a role—no one’s asking parents to bus their kids to hockey practice—but as a primary mode of transportation for large numbers of people, they’re simply inefficient.
If driving everywhere is outdated, so is designing our city to encourage it.
A Smarter Use of Space
This new approach to zoning isn’t just about cars; it’s about creating compact, mixed-use communities where people can live closer to the services they need. A neighborhood previously zoned only for housing might now include a grocery store or a small restaurant. This kind of development makes better use of our land and strengthens connections within communities.
Of course, change often comes with concerns. Residents worry about the character of their neighborhoods or fear the city becoming unrecognizable. These concerns are valid and deserve respect. But I’d argue that a community’s character isn’t defined by the number of buildings, their uses, or even how much parking they have. Communities are defined by the people who live there.
If Ottawans continue to be the kind of neighbors who take pride in their local communities, their character will remain safe and sound.
The Ottawa We Deserve
The goal of this work is simple: to tackle the challenges we face today, adapt to those we see coming, and build a city that offers equal access to all its opportunities—no matter where you live or how you choose to travel.
It’s ambitious, and the conversation is just beginning. But it’s a discussion that needs your voice. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read the proposed changes at https://engage.ottawa.ca/zoning and share your feedback.
Or come by my next pop-up—I’d love to chat about my vision for Ottawa’s future. Together, we can imagine a city where “How’s the parking?” is a thing of the past.
Read more about parking minimums and the new zoning by-law here.