This is a big moment for transportation in the City of Ottawa. The City’s draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP) outlines how the city proposes to move people and goods through 2046—and it’s now open for public feedback.
At EnviroCentre, we’ve reviewed the plan closely, and our position is clear: the current draft will not get us where we need to be. The City has committed to ambitious climate goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Sustainable transportation is a cornerstone of meeting those goals. But this Transportation Master Plan does not do enough to shift how Ottawans move around the city. Below, we outline what’s promising in the plan, what’s missing, and what changes we believe are essential.
The problem? Emissions and congestion are set to rise
The TMP predicts that by 2046, there will be 1.2 million more daily trips in Ottawa. Unless there are major changes to the plan and the City’s approach to transportation, most of these trips will be by car. That means more congestion, longer commutes, and higher emissions. Modelling estimates that average car trips could take 90 seconds longer due to increased congestion. That might not sound like much, but for drivers who take two car trips a day that would add up to 18 extra hours in traffic per driver per year.
Some believe that the answer to congestion is more roads or wider roads. But decades of evidence show that this only leads to more driving. This phenomenon—known as induced demand—has been well documented. (Watch this 70-second video to learn more.)
The solution? Mode shift
The only viable path forward is to make it easier for people to get around without relying on single-occupancy vehicles. That means shifting more trips to transit, cycling, walking, and carpooling.
Ottawa’s Official Plan and Climate Change Master Plan both identify a critical goal: 50% of all trips should be made by sustainable transportation. However, that goal isn’t reflected in the draft Transportation Master Plan. The proposed investments—$2.2 billion in transit (plus $8.3 billion that would need to be entirely paid for by other governments for O-Train extensions), $1.1 billion in road projects, and just $80 million in walking and cycling infrastructure—fall short.
According to the City’s own modelling, these investments would only increase sustainable mode share to 48%, missing the 50% target. That’s billions of dollars spent without reaching our most basic sustainability commitments.
Mode shift can happen—but not without a plan
The TMP suggests that “mode shift is difficult to achieve in any city.” While that can be true, it’s also a bit misleading. Many cities are making efforts that are paying off:
- London, UK has dramatically reduced car use and increased cycling through investments in protected infrastructure, congestion charges, and low-emission zones.
- Victoria, BC saw a 7% increase in regional sustainable transportation mode share between 2017 and 2023, thanks to bikeways and pedestrian networks.
- Even in Ottawa, cycling mode share has doubled since 2011, with the introduction of protected cycling facilities.
Mode shift can be achieved. But it does require dedicated effort, funding, and supportive decision-making.
What’s missing from the Transportation Master Plan?
The TMP acknowledges that to meet mode shift goals, “additional investments in transit, active transportation and travel demand management would be required,” but it doesn’t say what, when, how, or whether those investments will be made.
This phase of the TMP is where capital investments are made—funding for hard infrastructure like train tracks, stations, roads, bike routes, and sidewalks. But we know that building a new sidewalk or train line doesn’t always mean people will change their habits or patterns. For more people to shift to taking transit, increasing hours of service will be vital. But this plan assumes that transit service hours will stay flat over the next 20 years, even as the population grows. That’s not enough to make transit a reliable alternative to driving.
Equally important are investments in “soft infrastructure”:
- Meaningful, inclusive engagement to understand residents’ needs, and a commitment to acting on that input
- Education and encouragement to support behaviour change
- Thoughtful application of the City’s equity and inclusion lens
- Research and data collection to inform decision-making
There are also proven policy tools that support sustainable transportation. Ottawa’s Energy Evolution strategy points to several: more frequent rapid transit, car-free zones downtown, congestion charges, EV-only areas, and higher parking fees.
While some of these fall outside the traditional scope of a capital plan, the lines are not always clear. If park-and-ride lots are eligible for capital funding, why not bike share systems?
The TMP is where most of the City’s transportation funding decisions are made. If this plan doesn’t include what’s needed to meet critical climate and equity targets, it must be revised. As urban planner Brent Toderian says, “The truth about a city’s aspirations isn’t found in its vision. It’s found in its budget.”
The TMP is the time and opportunity to make sure that money is allocated in a way that will achieve the city’s goals and support our communities.
Our recommendations
To align the TMP with the City’s climate goals and the needs of its residents, EnviroCentre recommends that the final Transportation Master Plan include:
- A clear commitment to meeting the City’s own sustainable transportation targets
- Dedicated, reliable funding for walking, cycling, transit, and carpooling
- Regular data collection and transparent reporting on mode share progress
- Greater attention to climate and equity outcomes, including a clear analysis of GHG implications for different scenarios
- Stronger collaboration with other levels of government to support tools like congestion pricing and parking reform
Our position
EnviroCentre believes that transportation is one of the most powerful levers Ottawa has to reduce emissions, improve quality of life, and build an inclusive and connected city. The current draft of the Transportation Master Plan does not go far enough to make the shift to sustainable transportation.
We urge City staff and Council to strengthen the plan—and back it with the funding, service, and policy decisions needed to meet our climate and equity goals.
We have submitted our feedback, and you can too!
Here is how to have your say:
- Complete the Engage Ottawa survey by May 12
- Email your councillor and the mayor and encourage them to commit to meeting mode shift targets. The Final Council vote is expected on July 9, so reach out early to influence the outcome.
Author: Cassie Smith, Strategic Lead, Transportation