Fellow residents of Rideau-Rockcliffe,
For years, our downtown core has been choked by heavy truck traffic. Every day, thousands of commercial vehicles rumble across the downtown bridges and through our central neighbourhoods, creating noise, pollution, safety hazards, and endless gridlock. This is not just an inconvenience — it is a quality-of-life crisis for everyone who lives, works, or visits downtown Ottawa.
Those 18 wheelers must make four right angle turns between Nicholas and King Edward. People have been killed by those trucks.
That is why I strongly support the new East End Crossing. This project is the practical, forward-looking solution we need to finally get those trucks out of downtown and onto a modern, purpose-built route where they belong.
I know some in our ward are concerned about the impacts. I hear you. Change is never easy, and no one wants unwanted disruption in their backyard. But here is the hard truth we must face together:
When this matter reaches City Council, it will pass 16-9 — regardless of public outcry.
The votes are already there. The project, planned for 50 years now, has the momentum, the provincial backing, and the regional need. Pure opposition — the classic “NIMBY” stance — will not stop it. It will only leave our ward on the sidelines, watching decisions get made without us at the table.
That is why my message to Rideau-Rockcliffe is clear and pragmatic:
Stop fighting a battle we cannot win, and start fighting for the best possible outcome for our community.
We must engage aggressively in the planning stages right now. We need to demand:
Rideau-Rockcliffe has always been a ward that punches above its weight when we show up prepared and united. This is our moment to do exactly that.
The East End Crossing is coming. Let’s make sure it works for us — and does not work against us.
By leading the conversation on smart planning and real community benefits, we can finally deliver what Ottawa desperately needs: trucks out of downtown, safer streets, cleaner air, and a better future for every neighbourhood,
Those 18 wheelers must make four right angle turns between Nicholas and King Edward. People have been killed by those trucks.
That is why I strongly support the new East End Crossing. This project is the practical, forward-looking solution we need to finally get those trucks out of downtown and onto a modern, purpose-built route where they belong.
I know some in our ward are concerned about the impacts. I hear you. Change is never easy, and no one wants unwanted disruption in their backyard. But here is the hard truth we must face together:
When this matter reaches City Council, it will pass 16-9 — regardless of public outcry.
The votes are already there. The project, planned for 50 years now, has the momentum, the provincial backing, and the regional need. Pure opposition — the classic “NIMBY” stance — will not stop it. It will only leave our ward on the sidelines, watching decisions get made without us at the table.
That is why my message to Rideau-Rockcliffe is clear and pragmatic:
Stop fighting a battle we cannot win, and start fighting for the best possible outcome for our community.
We must engage aggressively in the planning stages right now. We need to demand:
- Strong noise and air-quality mitigation measures along the corridor
- Proper green buffers and community amenities to protect nearby neighbourhoods
- Investments in local roads, cycling paths, and transit connections so our residents actually benefit from the project
- Guarantees that truck traffic is truly removed from downtown streets and does not simply shift to other residential areas
- Underpasses, overpasses and traffic controls
Rideau-Rockcliffe has always been a ward that punches above its weight when we show up prepared and united. This is our moment to do exactly that.
The East End Crossing is coming. Let’s make sure it works for us — and does not work against us.
By leading the conversation on smart planning and real community benefits, we can finally deliver what Ottawa desperately needs: trucks out of downtown, safer streets, cleaner air, and a better future for every neighbourhood,
I am running for council to be the voice that gets results, not the voice that just says “no.” If you want pragmatic leadership that fights for Rideau-Rockcliffe while delivering real solutions for our city, give me your support.
Together, let’s get the trucks out of downtown — the smart way.
Peter Karwacki
Managing Director, PeerMetrics
Candidate for Rideau-Rockcliffe
peterkarwacki.blogspot.com
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Together, let’s get the trucks out of downtown — the smart way.
Peter Karwacki
Managing Director, PeerMetrics
Candidate for Rideau-Rockcliffe
peterkarwacki.blogspot.com
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