Note: Phase 2A was completed in June 2010. Any comments received after that date will be reviewed by the Consultant Team selected to lead Phase 2B, which is expected to be launched in the fall of 2010. Register here to receive notice of Phase 2B's commencement.
Final documentation for Phase 1 and Phase 2A can be accessed here.
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A vital component of this Study is to engage a broad spectrum of interested individuals and organizations using innovative and interactive consultation activities.
Phase 1 of the Study assessed and confirmed the need and justification for future crossing(s) of the Ottawa River between the City of Ottawa and the Ville de Gatineau. The Study developed, evaluated and ranked alternative options. This has led to a short list of recommended locations and alignments for the Study of future interprovincial crossings and associated roadway connections.
The primary focus of Phase 2A was to consult with communities, stakeholders and members of the public to obtain their input into the development of the Study Design, a document that outlines the methodology that will be used at Phase 2B to select a future bridge location. The Study Design will also include a Public Engagement Plan which will outline additional consultations during Phase 2B. No decision on a new bridge location was taken at Phase 2A.
Opportunities to provide comment included:
Phase 1:
- 12 public meetings and presentations in Ottawa and Gatineau
- 4 rounds of consultations with the following groups:
- Technical Advisory Committee
- Public Consultation Group (PCG)
- External Agencies
- Municipal interests
- First Nations
- Written submissions (comment sheets, mail, fax, e-mail or personally delivered) resulting in thousands of individual comments
Phase 2A:
- 2 public sessions held in Ottawa on March 30 and in Gatineau on March 31 (total attendance was over 250)
- 3 meetings with the Public Consultation Group (comprised of over 125 members representing 93 organizations with a regional interest in the Study)
- 1 online consultation exercise (completed by 159 respondents from Ottawa and Gatineau)
- 3 meetings with First Nations leaders and representatives
- Ongoing opportunities via comment sheets, mail, fax, email and other means (resulting in hundreds of submissions).
In an additional effort to be proactive and innovative, the Consultant Team also held the following meetings with leaders and residents of communities that stand to be directly or indirectly impacted by a future crossing:
- 6 meetings with Community Consultation Groups (CCG), representing communities located within or adjacent to one of the three corridors under consideration;
- 2 meetings for Ottawa`s east-end and lowertown communities, to discuss concerns raised by community leaders regarding truck traffic and the potential impact on commuting times, quality of life, health and safety, etc.
All comments received from the public and stakeholders were collated, analyzed and given full consideration. Details on Phase 1 can be found here. Details on the Phase 2A Consultation Program and the impact it had in the development of the final Study Design and CEA Scoping document are outlined in the Consultation Summary Report, now available.
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