Local MPs call for post-protest rethink of Wellington Street

Two local MPs have joined Ottawa citycouncillorsin calling for change on Wellington Street, the noisy nucleus of the truck convoy protest that disrupted life on Parliament Hill andin the downtown for more than three weeks.

In a letter also posted to social media on Thursday, YasirNaqvi, the MP for Ottawa Centre, and Greg Fergus, the MP for Hull-Aylmer, called on aHouse of Commons committee to reviewthe boundaries of the parliamentary precinct.

Naqvi and Fergus asked the standing committee on procedure and house affairs to consider theannexation ofWellington and Sparks Streets, plus Rue Laurierin Gatineau, Que., intothe precinct.

Such amovecould wrestlepolicing authority of Wellington and Sparks from the Ottawa Police Service and into thehands of the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS).

"It is our view that the designation of this precinct will allow for more robust safety protocols to be put in place," the MPs wrote.

According to their letter, the events of Jan. 27 to Feb. 19 when the last major crowd of protesterswas dispersed by public order officers led by Ottawa police left both parliamentary staff and downtown residents feeling unsafe.

The parliamentary precinct currentlyencompasses all lands south of the Ottawa River and north of Wellington Street from the Rideau Canal to Kent Street, plusall lands north of Sparks Street and south of Wellington Street from Elgin Street to Bank Street, as outlined byPublic Services and Procurement Canada.

Naqvi told CBC thatresidents in his riding have asked if the occupation would have been prevented had the PPSbeen in charge on Wellington Street.

"I don't know the answer to that question, and that's why Mr. Fergus and I are asking that question for the committee to review," he said.

Naqvi said he wants the committee to interview experts, including the sergeant-at-arms the head of security for Parliamentand review whether there was "sufficient coordination" between the PPS and Ottawa police during the protests.

"I'm sure we can improve," he said, adding that he wants a committee report produced. Two other reviews of the protest have already been commissioned.

The PPS declined to comment on Naqvi's remarks. CBC News has also reached out to Ottawa police but has not yet received a response.

Councillors called for change too

The letter from Naqvi and Ferguscomes on the heels of similar calls for changefrommembers of Ottawacity council.

On Feb. 23, councilpassed a motion movedby SomersetCoun. CatherineMcKenneydirectingcity staff to talk to federal officials about transferring ownership of Wellington Streetto the federal government.It also requested discussions about limiting Wellington between Bank and Elgin Streets topedestrians and public transportation.

"Itwould just open up so much more public space," McKenney said in an interview.

While not explicitly calling for Wellingston Street tobe rid of vehicles, Naqvi and Fergus stated in their letter they welcomed more pedestrian and bike access.

"I would love to see more active transportation usageon Wellington," Naqvi told CBC.

Bob Plamondon, a former board member for the National Capital Commission which manages federally-owned land like Parliament Hill said discussionsabout pedestrianizing Wellington have occurred for years and are regaining steam in the wake of the protest.

"It seems to be a question of not if, but when," he said.

Traffic still limitedon Wellington

As of Friday evening nearly two weeks after the protest was quelledvehiculartraffic remained blocked on Wellington between Bank and Elgin Streets.

Police did not directly answer when asked how much longer that will remain the case, instead directing peopleto the city's traffic map.

McKenney welcomed the letter from Naqvi and Fergus,adding that transferring control of Wellington Street to either the PPS or the RCMP would allow Ottawa police to concentrate on protecting people in the residential streets to the south.

"As a result of a police focusing only on Wellingtonfor the most part, there was really little to no security for residents," McKenney said of the truck convoy protest.

Kevin McHale, the executive director of the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area, spoke against transferring control of Sparks, however.

"My biggest concern is that we would have officers, either PPS or RCMP, whose primary goal isn't the safety and security of the citizens of the city of Ottawa, just the precinct," he said.