The future of Ottawa   (Page 5 of 5)

Interview with National Capital Commission CEO Marie Lemay

As the National Capital Commission embarks on a program to chart the future of Canada’s Capital Region, chief executive officer Marie Lemay sits down for a conversation with the editors of Canadian Geographic. A condensed version of the interview follows.

CG What are the essential functions of the National Capital Commission?

M.L. We’re a federal Crown corporation and our mandate is to build a great capital for all Canadians. We have three lines of business to do that. First is planning and design of federal lands and buildings in the Capital Region. Second is that we’re stewards of those green and built assets: Gatineau Park, the Greenbelt, urban parks, pathways, parkways and a number of buildings, including the official residences — Rideau Hall, the Prime Minister’s residence, Harrington Lake … there are six of them in the Capital Region. Third is the capital experience, such as Canada Day, Remembrance Day, Winterlude, interpretation and commemoration.

CG What, in broad strokes, are the objectives of the Horizon 2067 initiative?

M.L. We often refer to the original 1950 national capital regional development plan done by Jacques Gréber as the plan that laid out the physical space. With this one, we’re going to look at the human and emotional dimension. It’s the people component. The last revision to the NCC’s strategic plan was done in 1999. What we’re doing this time is going out to engage Canadians in the discussion of the plan, to hear their vision for their capital. That gives us the opportunity to share the importance of our capital. Also, we’re adding a sustainable mobility and environmental component to the plan.

CG Nationwide public engagement is an important aspect of Horizon 2067. What are your expectations, in terms of numbers, and some specifics in what you hope to learn?

M.L. We’re reaching out to all Canadians, and we hope to remind everyone that first of all, it’s your capital. It is the capital of all Canadians. And everyone should care about what we do here because this is the window on our country. So Canadians in Vancouver or the Arctic or St. John’s should really care about what we do here, because it’s representing them. I hope we get millions of responses: if we could build the capital in the heart of every Canadian, that would be quite an achievement.

CG It’s called Horizon 2067, and since Canada’s bicentennial is such a long way off, how do you position that idea to make it relevant to Canadians today?

M.L. When you’re talking about a vision, you have to look long-term. But we’re also looking at a horizon of 10 years, a 10-year action plan. So the long-term vision sets the stage, but let’s also start talking now about some more concrete things.

CG If you look years or decades ahead, what are some of the biggest challenges the Capital Region will face?

M.L. When I look 10 years down the road, I hope to see a Capital Region where people are really taking over the space. As we look at the spaces around the region and how to use them, we should make sure people feel they can actually occupy those parts and pieces and bring life to them. Part of what we’re doing is touching the notion of the soul of the capital.

CG Based on what you know about the changing demographics of the region, how do you reconcile population growth with sustainable development?

M.L. Many cities have similar issues in that sense, but the NCC does have the complexity of sharing the region with two major cities, 11 other municipalities, two provinces and several federal jurisdictions. The cities of Ottawa and Gatineau are both talking about intensification, and we support that. Sustainable mobility is very important. The NCC can play a real added-value role in mobility in the Capital Region. If not, then we can end up with several different systems. For example, the city of Ottawa has a lightrail project and the city of Gatineau has Rapibus, but the two systems have to meet so that people can go smoothly from one to the other. Another strong component of sustainable mobility is cycling and making more room for pedestrians. There are bike paths in Ottawa, in Gatineau and on NCC lands. So the three of us are involved … and don’t we have a beautiful network?

CG What’s the best way for Canadians to participate in Horizon 2067?

The national engagement program launched in September. Everyone can share their ideas at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/horizon2067 and www.canadiangeographic.ca/horizon2067.