OTTAWA RIVER BRIDGE

March 19, 2018

Hon. Marc Garneau, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Transport
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 052

Dear Minister Garneau,

As a citizen of Ottawa (specifically Mechanicsville/Hintonburg), a cyclist, and a public servant – I

write to you regarding a matter close to my heart: the Prince of Wales Bridge that spans the
Ontario/Québec border. I have volunteered to deliver a message on behalf of an organization
which I have been involved with for over a year: Ottawa River Bridge (ORB). This organization
advocates for the Prince of Wales Bridge to become a transportation link for public transit,
cycling and pedestrian use.

The following statement is regarding the correspondence (attached for your convenience) sent
on March 6, 2018 by the Mayor of Ottawa, Mr. Jim Watson, relating to the Prince Of Wales
Bridge and associated railway line:

“The concerns expressed by the City of Ottawa are legitimate. Still, we believe that
rescinding this decision would allow for the City’s inaction on the bridge and railway to
continue. We urge you not to comply with the request. Instead, we ask you to use the
supervisory authority set out in the Canada Transportation Act to vary the order by the
Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).

Our suggestions are as follows:

1. Provide a one-year extension to the City of Ottawa until they return the CTA to
provide their determination of the intended future use of the Prince of Wales
Bridge.
2. If maintaining the railway line, the City should by April 30, 2019 present a three-
year strategic plan to bring the Prince of Wales Bridge to a state where it can be
operational within 12 months.

In addition, you may wish for the City of Ottawa and Ville de Gatineau to report back to
your office in April 2019 to provide an update on their discussions regarding
interprovincial transit, an activity that Mayor Watson committed to in his 2018 State of
the City address.

(…2)
 Residents of Ottawa and Gatineau alike are requesting clarity on plans for interprovincial
transit integration this bridge, including the timelines associated with the restoration of
the Prince of Wales Bridge.

The City of Ottawa has a responsibility to keep the public informed regarding its
decision-making, which is affirmed in the City’s Accountability and Transparency Policy
and through their commitment to open government.”

A petition launched in 2016 to keep the bridge open obtained nearly 2000 signatures, and ORB
has a social media following of more than 200 people. On behalf of the community, ORB hopes
for a pragmatic and speedy decision on your part.

Warm regards,

Elena Prokopenko
Ottawa River Bridge

c.c.: Hon. Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P,

Hon. David McGuinty, P.C., M.P.
Mr. Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa
M. Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, maire, Ville de Gatineau

Annex: Letter - Minister Garneau - CTA - March 6, 2018