Ottawa families with relatives living at 30 McEwen Ave are calling on the city to lay out a clear, written action plan following storm damage that's left many residents unsure whether it's safe to stay put.
What's happening
After a recent storm swept through the area, the City of Ottawa has been "strongly encouraging" residents of the McEwen Avenue building to evacuate — but stopped short of making it mandatory. For families with elderly parents, young kids, or relatives with mobility issues living in the building, that distinction matters a lot.
Several residents and their families say the vague wording has left them in limbo. Do they pack up and leave, potentially losing their spot and scrambling for temporary housing? Or do they stay, trusting that the building is still safe enough to live in? Without a mandatory order or a detailed inspection report, many say they're being asked to make that call on their own.
Why families want more
Relatives of residents have been showing up to speak with city officials, asking for something more concrete than a recommendation. They want specifics: What exactly was damaged? What's the timeline for repairs? Is there a backup plan if conditions worsen? And critically, who's responsible for helping people relocate if the building is eventually deemed unsafe?
For many, the frustration isn't just about this one storm — it's about feeling like they're the ones left to manage the risk while waiting on the city to make a final call.
The Ottawa angle
This is playing out squarely in Ottawa, where aging apartment stock and increasingly unpredictable severe weather have put pressure on the city's emergency response systems more than once in recent years. McEwen Avenue sits in a residential pocket of the city where many long-time renters, including seniors and lower-income households, don't have the flexibility to just pick up and move on short notice. That's part of why families are pushing so hard for the city to spell out next steps rather than leave residents guessing.
Ottawa city officials have said they're monitoring the situation, but as of now, no formal mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the building. Residents say they'll keep pressing city hall until they get answers they can actually act on.
What's next
Families are asking the city to commit to a follow-up inspection, publish findings publicly, and provide clear guidance on relocation support if the building can't be safely occupied. Until then, residents at 30 McEwen Ave are left weighing the risk of staying against the uncertainty of leaving.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
