New updated content: 2026-06-10 15:18:29

The Chair delegated to the Joint Meeting of Housing and Planning and ARAC on February 18. While not contesting the population projections, he cast doubt on the validity of the assumptions underlying their conversion to household counts and dwelling types. His delegation, and a similar one by the Federation of Citizens’ Associations, seemed to resonate with several committee members and led to a motion co-sponsored by Councillors Gower and Kitts being passed to submit the household and dwelling projections to further tests and alternative scenarios during the next phase of the process, including a no-expansion scenario. The Committee report was heard at full Council at its meeting of February 25, including the Gower-Kitts motion, where it was carried by a large majority.

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:00

City staff held a meeting of stakeholders regarding Ottawa’s growth projections on April 13. This was the third meeting of this group. Staff presented a new projection report, which reflected the feedback and directions of the Joint Planning and ARAC Committee and full Council. These directions reflected the GA’s submission and delegation on the matter. As a result, the household formation and housing type propensities of the initial consultant’s report have not been retained and are being replaced by five growth scenarios, including zero urban expansion. Staff confirmed that household formation and propensity assumptions will be modified such that a no expansion scenario is feasible and supported by observed trends, and not just a strawman as was the case for the current Official Plan.