History/Charter

History:

Nine community organizations joined together in 1997 to found the City Centre Coalition in order to present a united position on regional transportation issues. In particular, opposition to the then Region of Ottawa-Carleton’s plan to add two north-facing ramps on the Airport Parkway at Hunt Club Road was the initial cause that the Coalition fought. From the beginning, the CCC has adhered to the principle that it would not support moving problems to other communities. Thus, the communities that founded the CCC included some that border on Bronson Avenue and were thus threatened by the Region’s step-by-step moves toward creating a Bronson Expressway (such as new ramps to the Airport Parkway). Similarly communities were also threatened by plans to run another expressway through the Alta Vista Corridor.

Realizing that it is not enough to oppose expressways, the CCC supports community-friendly sustainable modes of transportation, including public transit (light rail rapid transit in particular) as well as functional and well-maintained facilities for walking and bicycling. CCC, working with others both on City Council and in civil society, has contributed towards the achievement of results such as:

• delaying (although not stopping) the ramps at Hunt Club Road

• stopping another north-facing ramp at Walkley Road

• introduction of the O-Train service (2001)

• a compromise regarding the threat of an Alta Vista expressway (a result which requires continued monitoring), including a delay in the planned implementation of Ph2 and Ph3 of this project to beyond the 2031 time horizon (achieved in 2013)

• re-examination of the plans for the downtown LRT tunnel to reduce the depth below ground of the downtown LRT stations

• the implementation of a successful new sidewalk design.

• accelerating the pace of investment in cycling infrastructure (2013 Transportation Master Plan)

• significant delay in planned widening of Prince of Wales Drive to beyond 2031

• securing a commitment for a comprehensive assessment of a downtown tunnel connecting the Hwy 417 to the Macdonald-Cartier bridge as a potential solution to the downtown truck problem (2013)

Since 1997, membership in the Coalition has grown from the original nine organizations to eleven.

Charter:

Since its inception the City Centre Coalition's strengths have been its close relationships with its member associations and local politicians, its focus on transportation issues that affect central Ottawa, the substantial level of volunteer effort, and a continuing emphasis on making full use of all of the tools of the planning process at all levels of government.

1. The City Centre Coalition (CCC) is a grouping of mainly central Ottawa organizations and other groups, including:

1. Action Sandy Hill,

2. Carleton University Students' Association and

3. Centretown Citizens’ Community Association,

4. Citizens for Safe Cycling.

5. Dalhousie Community Association,

6. Dow's Lake Residents' Association,

7. Glebe Community Association,

8. Hintonburg Community Association,

9. Old Ottawa South Community Association,

10. Ottawa East Community Association,

11. Westboro Community Association,

Other organizations – community associations and other groups –may join in future.

2. The CCC acts as a single, coordinated, forum for community-oriented information exchange, discussion and action on selected transportation issues which impact central Ottawa.

3. While each issue is addressed on its merits, the CCC strongly supports community-oriented planning that emphasizes walking, cycling, and transit. The CCC strongly opposes road construction and expansion intended to accommodate peak-hour car demand; such roads only induce environmentally and community-destructive car use.

4. The CCC engages in political advocacy, media advocacy and advocacy among the general public.

5. CCC decisions will be taken by consensus at scheduled meetings, normally held once each month, which are attended by representatives of the member associations and other interested individuals representing either themselves or groups which share goals similar to those of the CCC. These decisions will respect the mandates and positions of the member associations and will be implemented by CCC participants. An underlying principle in decision-making is that solutions will not be found by shifting problems to another community.

6. The CCC seeks to work co-operatively with municipal, provincial and federal governments and other relevant organizations.

7. The Coalition does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

8. Meetings will be chaired by a Chair elected by the member organizations at the first CCC meeting following Labour Day for a term of one year. The Chair will be responsible for the efficient conduct of meetings, including the preparation of the draft agenda and coordinating the implementation of agreed actions, and will be assisted by a Vice-Chair (elected at the same meeting, also for a term of one year) and a Meeting Secretary. The Vice-Chair will be responsible for the Chair’s duties in his/her absence. There is a guideline that the Chair and Vice-Chair should not serve for more than two consecutive years in that particular office. There is a strong expectation that this guideline be followed.

9. At its monthly meetings, CCC committees may be established to handle defined issues; committees shall report on their activities to the monthly Coalition meetings.

10. Any funding required for CCC activities will be provided by participants and/or the member organizations.