One of the questions I get asked most often while knocking on doors across Stittsville is about growth. People want to know if we're ever going to stop building. The honest answer is... probably not.
Stittsville is a wonderful place to live. We have beautiful parks and trails, great schools, thriving local businesses, incredible volunteers, and a strong sense of community. It's exactly the kind of place where people want to raise a family, so it's no surprise that more people want to call it home.
The Province sets growth forecasts and policy direction, and municipalities are required to plan for that growth through their Official Plans. That means growth isn't really the question. The question is whether we're planning for it properly.
When residents talk to me about growth, the greatest concerns are usually related to getting around Stittsville safely and efficiently. I hear about longer commutes, congestion, difficulty turning left due to higher vehicle volumes, and neighbourhoods where roads don't yet connect to get people where they need to go.
Those concerns are real, and they point to a bigger issue. Growth itself isn't the problem. Growth without the infrastructure to support it is. If Stittsville is going to continue growing, then our transportation planning needs to keep pace. Here are four areas where I believe we need to do better.
First, we need to deliver transportation projects faster.
I support Councillor Catherine Kitts' recent motion asking staff to explore ways to accelerate transportation projects in Ottawa's fastest-growing communities.
Residents understand that major transportation projects take time. What they shouldn't have to accept are unnecessary delays after projects have already been approved and funded. If we know communities like Stittsville are growing quickly, we need to find ways to move important transportation projects from planning to construction sooner.
Second, we need to invest more in transportation safety.
One thing I learned while working in Traffic Services is that even when City engineers determine a traffic signal is warranted, funding isn't always available to install it. That means an intersection where a safety improvement has already been identified can still sit on a waiting list for years. A 2024 City staff report identified 36 locations across Ottawa where traffic signals were warranted but still waiting for funding.
I believe Ottawa should increase the annual funding available for warranted traffic signals so those improvements can be delivered sooner. As our communities grow, our investment in transportation safety should grow with them.
Third, we need to keep Stittsville's transportation priorities moving forward.
We already know many of the projects our community needs. The widening of Carp Road, completing the connection of Stittsville Main Street, and extending Robert Grant Avenue are all essential to supporting a growing community.
As your Councillor, I'll continue advocating to keep these projects, and important active transportation links like sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails, moving through the City's planning, budgeting and construction processes. They aren't just about reducing congestion. They're about improving safety, strengthening connections between neighbourhoods, and making sure our infrastructure keeps pace with the people who live here.
Finally, we need to secure transportation funding for Stittsville.
The federal and provincial governments have announced significant investments in infrastructure that supports growing communities. Ottawa should be doing everything it can to secure those dollars, and Stittsville should be well positioned to benefit.
I'll also continue advocating for the Stage 3 LRT extension to move forward as soon as possible. But transit in Stittsville can't just be about LRT. We also need stronger bus service today and better park-and-ride options that make it easier for residents to connect to rapid transit.
Stittsville residents deserve to feel confident that as our community grows, the infrastructure around them is keeping pace. That means safer intersections, better transportation options, and transportation projects that move forward when they're needed.