By Bill Curry
Centretown residents are being asked for their opinion about the National Capital Commission’s proposal for Metcalfe Street.
But if poor attendance at a recent public meeting on the issue is any indication, few are ready to take a stand.
A questionnaire was sent out last week by Ottawa Centre MP Mac Harb, asking residents which, if any, of the NCC’s four different ideas they prefer.
“We were elected to represent the views of constituents,” Harb said at a Sept. 26 public meeting of policy officials and only a handful of constituents.
“I refrain from stating my opinion until such time that people have formulated theirs,” he said, explaining that the NCC has asked to hear from the public before the politicians.
But later in the meeting, Harb did share his thoughts.
“The plan as it is absolutely fabulous,” he said, in reference to the NCC’s vision. “I was extremely impressed and they did a wonderful job.”
Harb is frustrated by the media, which he says continually ignore the NCC’s smaller-scale ideas for Metcalfe Street and focus on the largest of the four ideas. Referring to a smaller survey which he sent out the first week of August, Harb says most people surveyed favour some part of the plan.
“There’s been a lot of people who support stopping (the widening of Metcalfe Street) at some point,” he said. “That’s more sensible.”
Harb’s August survey was issued to 4,000 constituents, but just over 100 were returned. Those results will be tabulated along with those from last week’s survey which was sent out to 110,000 residents.
Awad Loubani, vice-president of the Ottawa Centre Liberal Association, says there will be more town hall meetings on the issue.
Harb will present the results of the questionnaire to the NCC and Parliament at the end of the month.