The grand promenade along Metcalfe Street would have been breathtaking, with a glorious view of Parliament as a backdrop to marching bands, fountains and monuments. But it’s hard to imagine how the mechanics of that plan were worked out, how it could ever have come to be considered as a viable proposal, until you understand the NCC’s central attitude.
One can perhaps simplify the whole story into a short Burns/Smithers-style conversation.
NCC chairman Marcel Beaudry will play the part of Mr. Burns (though Jean Chrétien would do too):
“What a glorious plan, what a vision — let’s get to work on it right away, Smithers.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Burns, it’s a glorious plan, but what of the people?”
“People?”
“Well, sir, it seems there are people living on Metcalfe Street as well as buildings and businesses and such that are, well, acting as something of an obstacle right now.”
“Well, get rid of them! I don’t have time for piddly details — knock the buildings down and move the people out. We can’t have bands marching on top of buildings, now can we?”
“Yes, sir, but some might object to . . . I mean there are historical . . .”
“Oh, bother! Then make up a survey with a set of options that insures the plan will come to fruition.”
“But, sir, what if the people don’t like any of the options?”
“Then we’ll sit on the survey results and go ahead anyway. If you have to, buy up the property and start smashing things as soon as possible — it’ll look pretty when it’s all done.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Burns.”
Fiction, perhaps. But it seems certain that the wishes of Centretown residents were least on the minds of the NCC when it hatched this plan.
And now that the plan has been scrapped, Regional Chair Bob Chiarelli says: “You have to give the NCC credit for listening to the public.”
The NCC is finally listening to the people who are directly affected by its decisions, and for this they deserve “credit?”
Mayor Jim Watson had it right — when respecting the rights and wishes of Centretown residents becomes a painful compromise for the NCC, perhaps it’s time we ask ourselves how we can best get rid of the NCC while keeping Winterlude intact.
—Tom McLean and Dana Dougherty