Wellington Street Pedestrian Mall

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Mister F

Does the federal government even have the authority to expropriate a municipal street? The City is under provincial jurisdiction, not federal.

The expropriation act seems to indicate it is possible.

Provincial lands

(4) If it appears to the Attorney General of Canada that any land, interest in land or immovable real right to which a notice registered under section 5 relates belongs to Her Majesty in right of any province, he or she shall immediately cause the attorney general of the province to be notified of the registration and its particulars.

[Kelnoz]

Originally Posted by Mister F

Does the federal government even have the authority to expropriate a municipal street? The City is under provincial jurisdiction, not federal.

I think this would fall under Munro vs the NCC.

When the Greenbelt was being expropriated, the Supreme Court decided that zoning and municipal stuff is under the provinces, but that the national capital region is special so the feds can do whatever they want.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by LRTeverywhere

You don't need to go through security unless you are entering the actual parliament buildings, to suggest that we will suddenly get security checkpoints several blocks from Parliament when you can currently go to their doorsteps without them, is hyperpole to the extreme.

Perhaps, but I can recall an event when bags were checked to enter the Parliament Hill lawn. I don't remember the circumstance. We don't know what the future will bring regarding security but with each 'abnormal' event, security has increased. If the next security problem involves pedestrians, we cannot predict what the next step will be.

[acottawa]

Lots of city trucks this morning painting bicycle lanes. Barriers are gone (just construction cones left).

[rocketphish]

Wellington Street to reopen to traffic in front of Parliament Hill Friday
The stretch between Elgin and Bank streets was officially closed at the end of January 2022, after the four-lane roadway was taken over by convoy protesters.

Staff Reporter, Ottawa Citizen
Published Apr 27, 2023 • 2 minute read



More than a year after the last big rig left town, the city of Ottawa will reopen Wellington Street to vehicle traffic Friday.

The actual reopening time has not been released.

In a letter to council Thursday, traffic services director Philippe Landry said: “Wellington Street will be re-opened to traffic between Elgin Street and Bank Street in the afternoon of Friday April 28.

“A new temporary bike lane with flex posts separating the bike lane and the single traffic lane will be in place in each direction at that time,” Landry wrote.

Landry said that the city will complete the installation of green thermoplastic material in certain areas along Wellington Street over the “next few weeks” to demarcate bus stops and loading zones.

As well, “green supersharrows” will be installed on the approach and egress of the bike lane. Sharrows are the painted markings that identify bike lanes.

The stretch between Elgin and Bank streets was officially closed at the end of January 2022, after the four-lane roadway was taken over by protesters and their vehicles.

While the protesters were evicted at the end of February 2022, Wellington remained closed to all but parliamentary traffic and other exemptions.

The street is city-owned, but it’s possible it won’t stay that way.

After debating on the matter at council’s transportation committee in January, chair Tim Tierney acknowledged a link between the municipal push to reopen Wellington and discussion with the federal government about the future of the street. Possibilities include an ownership transfer and the permanent pedestrianization of Wellington, a key boulevard for tourists and Parliamentarians alike.

Earlier this month, Public Works and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek wrote a letter to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, offering to buy the section of Wellington Street with the goal of keeping the street permanently closed.

“(This would) address … security imperative by maintaining the current road closure, while providing the City and the federal government time to establish a fair deal and launch planning activities,” Public Works and Jaczek said.

In a response April 6, Sutcliffe wrote that Wellington Street would be reopened, in line with council’s February decision to do so, with a traffic lane and bike lane in each direction.

Sutcliffe said it would be “premature to enter into an interim care and control agreement that has the explicit objective of maintaining the current road closures.”

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...affic-in-front-of-parliament-hill-friday

[J.OT13]

PSAC strikers receive $600 fines for "impeding the sidewalk" with their hot dog station. The were behind the planters, leaving plenty of space on the main sidewalk on the other side.

How sad that Police and Bylaw treat illegal occupiers far better than public servants legally striking. I get that what they were doing is technically not allowed, but they were not actually impeding anyone. They could have been given a warning and a half hour to pack-up.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/psac-strike-fined-hot-dogs-1.6824718

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

PSAC strikers receive $600 fines for "impeding the sidewalk" with their hot dog station. The were behind the planters, leaving plenty of space on the main sidewalk on the other side.

How sad that Police and Bylaw treat illegal occupiers far better than public servants legally striking. I get that what they were doing is technically not allowed, but they were not actually impeding anyone. They could have been given a warning and a half hour to pack-up.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/psac-strike-fined-hot-dogs-1.6824718

I guess the idea is there is zero tolerance for illegal protest activity having learned out lesson. I'm actually reassured as had thought it was only going to be a onetime thing. If it applies to all it's fair and probably a good thing. The test will be when a group that has a known problem with police tries something will they be fined or ignored.

[Richard Eade]

The tent and hot-dog grills were there the previous day, as well (at least). The By-law officers visited and told the tent operators that there had been complaints and that they would be fined if they persisted. This was only a warning, with no fines issued at that time.

THE NEXT DAY, By-law returned (with police back-up) to issue $610 tickets, since the PSAC workers had disregarded the previous day's warning. Apparently, the workers had taken the issue to the PSAC leaders, who ran it past their lawyers to be told that it was probably a defend-able cause. Thus, the PSAC leaders counseled the workers to continue being a nuisance.

Thus, the fines were issued to the workers. I tend to think that counseling to commit mischief should have been tagged on the PSAC leaders, too.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

The tent and hot-dog grills were there the previous day, as well (at least). The By-law officers visited and told the tent operators that there had been complaints and that they would be fined if they persisted. This was only a warning, with no fines issued at that time.

THE NEXT DAY, By-law returned (with police back-up) to issue $610 tickets, since the PSAC workers had disregarded the previous day's warning. Apparently, the workers had taken the issue to the PSAC leaders, who ran it past their lawyers to be told that it was probably a defend-able cause. Thus, the PSAC leaders counseled the workers to continue being a nuisance.

Thus, the fines were issued to the workers. I tend to think that counseling to commit mischief should have been tagged on the PSAC leaders, too.

I wasn't aware of this. News coverage did not mention that.

If this is the case, I agree, the PSAC leaders who counseled should be charged, and pay the fines.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I wasn't aware of this. News coverage did not mention that.

If this is the case, I agree, the PSAC leaders who counseled should be charged, and pay the fines.

PSAC should definitely pay for the lawyers.

Frankly, it is highly unlikely this will hold up in court. As far as I know the state of emergency is no longer in effect, and disruptive protests have been upheld by courts.

[rocketphish]

Cars, motorcycles (and trucks) are back on Wellington Street
The stretch between Elgin and Bank streets was officially closed at the end of January 2022, after the four-lane roadway was taken over by convoy protesters.

Staff Reporter, Ottawa Citizen
Published Apr 27, 2023 • Last updated 50 minutes ago • 2 minute read



The city of Ottawa has reopened Wellington Street to vehicle traffic.

The street has been closed for more than a year following the convoy protest.

In a letter to council Thursday, traffic services director Philippe Landry said: “Wellington Street will be re-opened to traffic between Elgin Street and Bank Street in the afternoon of Friday April 28.

“A new temporary bike lane with flex posts separating the bike lane and the single traffic lane will be in place in each direction at that time,” Landry wrote.

Landry said that the city will complete the installation of green thermoplastic material in certain areas along Wellington Street over the “next few weeks” to demarcate bus stops and loading zones.

As well, “green supersharrows” will be installed on the approach and egress of the bike lane. Sharrows are the painted markings that identify bike lanes.

The stretch between Elgin and Bank streets was officially closed at the end of January 2022, after the four-lane roadway was taken over by convoy protesters and their vehicles.

While the protesters were evicted at the end of February 2022, Wellington remained closed to all but parliamentary traffic and other exemptions.

The street is city-owned, but it’s possible it won’t stay that way.

After debating on the matter at council’s transportation committee in January, chair Tim Tierney acknowledged a link between the municipal push to reopen Wellington and discussion with the federal government about the future of the street. Possibilities include an ownership transfer and the permanent pedestrianization of Wellington, a key boulevard for tourists and Parliamentarians alike.

Earlier this month, Public Works and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek wrote a letter to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, offering to buy the section of Wellington Street with the goal of keeping the street permanently closed.

“(This would) address … security imperative by maintaining the current road closure, while providing the City and the federal government time to establish a fair deal and launch planning activities,” Public Works and Jaczek said.

In a response April 6, Sutcliffe wrote that Wellington Street would be reopened, in line with council’s February decision to do so, with a traffic lane and bike lane in each direction.

Sutcliffe said it would be “premature to enter into an interim care and control agreement that has the explicit objective of maintaining the current road closures.”

With files from Taylor Blewett





https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/cars-and-trucks-are-back-on-wellington-street

[zzptichka]

Landry said that the city will complete the installation of green thermoplastic material in certain areas along Wellington Street over the “next few weeks” to demarcate bus stops and loading zones.

So basically green paint, that guides bikes around stopped tour buses throwing them into the traffic.

Could've just avoided it all together by making the bike lane two-directional on one side, keeping the entire lane for the buses, keeping everyone safe, including e-scooters that could use it too.

Instead, they are double-spending on flexiposts and termoplastic paint.

How to throw away $$$$$ to make everyone confused and angry.

[rocketphish]

Police called to reopened Wellington Street after protest erupts
Street in front of Parliament Hill was closed after 2022 convoy protest

CBC News
Posted: Apr 28, 2023 7:34 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago

Police have been called to Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill on the first day of its reopening after a protest broke out.

Soon after Friday afternoon's reopening, several people could be seen leaving chalk markings on the street. By early evening, at least five vehicles bearing signs and flags associated with the 2022 truck convoy protest could be seen circling the area.

Some protesters were also wandering into the street, waving flags and yelling.

"A lot of people now are not just protesting about all the mandates and all the vaccines," said Danny Boucher, who was driving his truck down Wellington in a show of support.

"They're talking about their wages, the prices of food. Everybody's starving and having a hard time."

Several tourists who showed up told CBC they were largely unconcerned, although some were bewildered by the scenes and said they didn't know anything about the convoy demonstrations.

At least half a dozen Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) vehicles were on the scene as of 7 p.m., along with about a dozen officers on foot patrol.

Ottawa police were also on scene.

The road had previously been taken over by vehicles and protesters during the convoy protest, which lasted from the end of January 2022 until the Family Day long weekend the following month.

It was barricaded soon afterward but reopened Friday afternoon to motorized traffic.

Neither Ottawa police nor the PPS had details to provide when reached Friday evening.

As of 9 p.m., Wellington Street remained open.

With files from Guy Quenneville and Falice Chin

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/wellington-street-ottawa-protest-reopening-1.6826680

[Aylmer]

lol

[905er]

bunch of losers need to learn to move on like the rest of the world has... and stop tarnishing our flag. imo

[eltodesukane]

Still having a Russian embassy in Ottawa is tarnishing our flag much more than a few peaceful protesters on Wellington street.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by eltodesukane

Still having a Russian embassy in Ottawa is tarnishing our flag much more than a few peaceful protesters on Wellington street.

You don't just close embassies in situations like this. The only country that has closed it's Russian embassy since the secondary invasion last year is Ukraine itself, so far as I know. It is important to be able to communicate in time of crisis, even when dealing with an evil aggressor nation.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Harley613

You don't just close embassies in situations like this. The only country that has closed it's Russian embassy since the secondary invasion last year is Ukraine itself, so far as I know. It is important to be able to communicate in time of crisis, even when dealing with an evil aggressor nation.

Maybe not close, but most countries have dramatically scaled back the Russian presence by limiting the number of staff and offices. We are one of a small number of Western countries that has not.

[Fading Isle]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

So basically green paint, that guides bikes around stopped tour buses throwing them into the traffic.

Could've just avoided it all together by making the bike lane two-directional on one side, keeping the entire lane for the buses, keeping everyone safe, including e-scooters that could use it too.

Instead, they are double-spending on flexiposts and termoplastic paint.

How to throw away $$$$$ to make everyone confused and angry.

The way those bike lanes have been set up is incredibly stupid: no protection for cyclists (flexiposts do nothing and just obstruct bike lanes after being hit), frequent points of conflict with large vehicles, random points where cyclists are thrown into traffic, missing links at both ends, slippery thermoplastic. With the multi-use path behind parliament closed for a long time, this is the main recreational bike route through the city and really needs to be better in every way.

[vtecyo]

Originally Posted by Fading Isle

The way those bike lanes have been set up is incredibly stupid: no protection for cyclists (flexiposts do nothing and just obstruct bike lanes after being hit), frequent points of conflict with large vehicles, random points where cyclists are thrown into traffic, missing links at both ends, slippery thermoplastic. With the multi-use path behind parliament closed for a long time, this is the main recreational bike route through the city and really needs to be better in every way.

It sounds like it would be safer to just ride on that bit of road at the foot of the Parliamentary lawn parallel to Wellington.

Side note - does anyone know what it's called? There's no name for it Google maps...