Welcome Hill visitors, yes, but at that cost? | Letters to the Editor

The news about the NCC board of directors approving Centre Block renovations, including the new welcome centre, at the cost of $4.5 billion to $5 billion (before taxes) brought back memories from my trips to Parliament when I was Language Instructor to Newcomers to Canada (LINC) with the Catholic school board.

Those trips were always very interesting and moving. We were being guided by young people telling us about work going on in this magnificent building. We were able to see the House of Commons and the Senate. Later on in class, there were many questions about Canadian history and our democratic system of government.

I understand that security needs have changed and it will affect such visits. But do we really need such an enhanced experience for visitors at a very high cost for the taxpayers?

Maria Barczyk, Ottawa

It ought to be self-evident that public art belongs in public spaces. Like public transit stations, public markets … and public libraries. But what happens when a public building is sold to a private buyer?

In the lobby of the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library on Metcalfe Street are two beautiful mosaic murals created by prominent local artist Gerald Trottier, explicitly commissioned by the library for its then-new building in 1973. Soon, however, that building will be sold off to private interests and the library will relocate to its long-awaited new home in Ādisōke at 555 Albert St. There are no plans to relocate the murals to Ādisōke or any other public space, in blatant disregard for the wishes of the Trottier family and also, I assume, the wishes of a wide swath of Ottawa residents and tourists. With a municipal election campaign underway, this is something many of us will bear in mind.

I would point out that Gerald Trottier (1925-2004) had deep roots in the Ottawa area and was a significant figure in the art and cultural spheres, not only locally, but nationally and internationally as well.

Ottawa is marking its 200th anniversary in 2026, a time when we should certainly be celebrating important Ottawans. Doesn’t Mr. Trottier deserve a better legacy than this?

Barbara Kaye, Nepean

As a resident of Sandy Hill, here is a question for those seeking my vote, whether as councillor or mayor.

I understand the need for Ottawa’s 311 system to be report-based, but why do bylaw officers, who drive up and down our streets multiple times a day looking for parking infractions, turn a blind eye to other issues?

Anyone standing at the corner of Wilbrod and Coburg over the past week will have seen an abandoned freezer on the sidewalk, an abandoned garbage bin and several city-owned wooden barriers used to block the street two weeks ago due to a fire.

Bylaw officers have passed the corner multiple times per day. They must have noticed the issues and yet nothing will happen unless a resident files three separate 311 reports to three separate departments.

This is a minor issue compared to many of the issues facing the downtown core, but, if the city can’t deal proactively with the minor issues, what hope do we have that it can deal with the bigger issues?

Robert A. MacDonald, Ottawa

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