Federal money should fund new library, McKenna says

The federal Liberal candidate for Ottawa Centre announced Monday her commitment to seeking federal funding for Ottawa’s new central library. 

Catherine McKenna said during a press conference held outside the current Ottawa Public Library on Metcalfe Street that if she is elected on Oct. 19, she will continue to push for federal funding for the library, in addition to city funding.

The federal funds would come from the Liberal Party’s promised infrastructure investment announced on Aug. 27 by federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. 

The Ottawa Public Library board released a report in June recommending city council move the branch to a new location rather than updating the existing one.

Ottawa city council approved initial plans for the new central library branch in July. Currently the library board’s preferred location for the library is 577 Wellington St. by Lebreton Flats.