By Kelly Egan, Ottawa Citizen, April 8, 2018
A few weeks ago, I had to rush downtown to National Capital Commission headquarters on Elgin Street, expecting to park in my old faithful, the World Exchange Plaza at Metcalfe and Queen streets. So handy.
The underground lot, which holds close to 1,100 cars, was full. No panic, no big deal, lots of time for plan B. Slip over to the National Arts Centre — oops, all 800 spots taken. Over the Rideau Canal to the Rideau Centre, now getting jittery. Full, all 1,666 spots. Back across the canal to Ottawa City Hall — every stinking spot taken, all 850.
(...)It is all well and good to say, “Boo-hoo Citizen man, cab it, bus it, stupid, get with the program,” but this misses the point. Surely, there is a public policy component to ensuring there is an adequate amount of parking in the central area on a regular weekday basis. If not, warn motorists to stay away, like we were London or Tokyo.
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/egan-how-downtown-has-grown-to-hate-your-car