What should the future of Downtown Ottawa look like?

Downtown Ottawa is in desperate need of revitalization. 

The once sprawling area for federal public servants became abandoned when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, resulting in people working from home instead. This had a devastating impact on the local businesses, which relied on the working-class clientele to pay their bills. 

To make matters worse social challenges started to spread. Ottawa is in the midst of a homelessness crisis. There is an opioid epidemic taking lives on the streets. And rates of crime in Centretown are up. 

Even as hybrid work stabilizes and workers are back in the office three times a week, it hasn’t been enough to bring back pre-pandemic levels. Now the federal election candidates in Ottawa Centre are releasing their downtown-oriented platforms to bring a new vision to the core. 

Revitalization of LeBreton Flats  

Liberal incumbent Yasir Naqvi said it’s all about bringing more attractions and housing to the area. He referenced the new Ādisōke Central Public Library, which will open in 2026. The $334-million building will have more than 216,000 square feet of space spanning five floors. It’s just one of multiple projects planned for the LeBreton Flats site which could see massive development in the next number of years. 

“You've got Dream LeBreton, a project that's going up, which is a great mix of not-for-profit, affordable housing, by multifaith housing initiative, and for-profit housing in a community together,” Naqvi told the Lookout. “Behind it is the Pimisi LRT station, right behind that is where the Ottawa Senators arena and events space is supposed to go, and then behind is the Ottawa Library, which is going to be transformative as a public space for our city. To the right of that is where the French public secondary school — the very first in Ottawa Centre — is scheduled to go up.”

The land for the French school is currently owned by the NCC, and Naqvi said he’s been working to broker a deal. There is hope that Ottawa Community Housing can build on top of the structure to bring more affordable lodging to the area. The Ottawa Centre Liberal candidate also said he'd like to work with the neighbouring Good Companions Seniors Centre to see housing for seniors built there. 

Converting downtown office buildings 

Ottawa Centre NDP candidate Joel Harden is focusing his downtown platform on finding a new use for former federal office buildings. He said instead of handing them over to for-profit developers, they should be retrofitted into housing with the support of social service agencies that are already located downtown. 

“There are so many organizations ready, willing and able to help people who are looking for a respite, looking for a meal, looking for a place to be. If you’re homeless or if you’re struggling with an addiction during the day, there is no place for folks to go,” said Harden at a press conference held at Live on Elgin Tuesday. 

That has led to people who are struggling congregating around small business doorways, which can lead to conflict with neighbours, said Harden. 

“When I'm talking to neighbours, one of the things I bring up the most is the need for us to act with urgency. I think we have to set the goal that the Government of Finland set, and that is eliminating homelessness.” 

Harden said many Canadian cities are ahead of Ottawa in this regard. He referenced a trip to Vancouver where he saw a person intoxicated, nearly getting hit by cars. As the NDP candidate ran after the person to encourage them to use the sidewalk, a man emerged from a building and pulled the person to safety. Peeking inside, Harden saw rows of bunk beds. It sparked curiosity over what was going on. 

 “The city of Vancouver for years now has been actively repurposing vacant public spaces — even the tourist areas like where I was —  to give folks places to go who are trying to sleep after using drugs during the evening or to find a meal, to find some comfort, find some respite,” said Harden. “What that has done in Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax and Montreal is reduced conflict between neighbours. It created opportunities for people to sleep off something that they're struggling with. It’s also created opportunities for social services to be available for neighbours who are struggling with homelessness and addiction.”

In 2023, the federal government announced that 10 federal office buildings in Ottawa were up for disposal. Public Services and Procurement Canada said at the time they could one day be used for housing or community space. 

During his presser, Harden took aim at the federal government for not repurposing a single building. But Naqvi said it’s not that easy. 

“Remember three years ago, nobody was talking about Downtown Ottawa. Nobody was talking about revitalizing downtown. We did not sit back. We actually convened a group of people who all wanted to contribute, and what we learned is that the community had a lot to say as to the way in which we should revitalize downtown,” responded Naqvi. 

”That report has become a catalyst. Now what we are seeing is actual action coming into place. What's really important is some of the bigger pieces, which require a lot of diligent work to make sure that you've got the right partners in place, that you've got funding in place, that you've done the appropriate feasibility study,” the Liberal candidate added.

“It's really easy to show up and just talk about something you want to do. The real work is to roll up your sleeves and do the hard work and arrange those conversations and find those partners, advocate for those dollars.”

Naqvi said among his plans is to convert the Jackson Building on Bank Street into housing for Indigenous people. 

Other local priorities 

There are many hidden gems in Ottawa, including at Dow’s Lake, the Central Farm and neighbouring Dominion Arboretum, which Naqvi said he would like to turn into “community destinations.”

That would total investments, including upgraded walking trails and family-friendly amenities. 

In addition to that, Naqvi noted the importance of enhancing existing bike paths and active transportation routes. 

“As a lifelong runner, I use these paths daily — and I see the potential to do more,” said Naqvi. “Active transportation should work year-round, for everyone. Whether you’re walking, biking, rolling, skiing, or using a mobility device, our federal lands should serve you.” 

The Ottawa Centre Liberal platform includes wider, well-maintained paths, improved lighting, better snow clearing, and full wheelchair accessibility across core routes. It also prioritizes segregated pathways that clearly separate pedestrians from cyclists and fast-moving e-scooters. There is also a commitment to expand winter trail funding and reimagining public spaces as safe, multi-use corridors 

For Harden, he said creating a better transit system is needed to help bring people downtown from other communities. He said the current system — which will face even more cuts when New Ways to Bus is implemented Monday — is “not like anything I grew up with.”

“I could count on my bus arriving on time, whether I was waiting for it in January or in July. That is not the case today, and more and more neighbours, because of that are deciding not to take transit. They're taking personal vehicles, they're taking Uber. We do not blame them for their choices. However, we do want to find ways in which transit can be part of the solution in our downtown to stop the congestion that we have seen during the rush hour of the day.”

In Canada, municipalities have the goal of doubling transit usage by 2035. Harden noted that would be the equivalent of taking 20 million cars off the road. For reference, there are a little over 25.7 million motor vehicles registered in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.