Ottawa is looking to solve one of downtown's most persistent headaches — where to park — by turning to an unlikely source: places of worship.
A city committee has given the green light to a plan that would allow churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship across Ottawa to offer or lease out their parking lots for public use. Full city council is set to vote on the proposal on Aug. 26, and if approved, it could open up a meaningful chunk of new parking capacity without the city having to build a single new lot.
Why Ottawa needs this
Anyone who's circled a downtown Ottawa block looking for a spot knows the frustration. Parking downtown has long been tight and pricey, and with more condo towers, office conversions, and event traffic downtown, the pressure isn't easing up. Places of worship, meanwhile, often sit on large lots that see heavy use on Sundays or during specific services but are otherwise empty for much of the week — a resource the city sees as an obvious fit for weekday commuters, shoppers, and visitors.
The idea follows a familiar pattern from other cities that have partnered with religious institutions to share parking infrastructure, letting congregations earn extra revenue while giving residents more options close to downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Recreation centres could pitch in too
The plan approved by the committee doesn't stop at places of worship. It also proposes letting six city-owned recreation centres offer or lease their parking spots to the public, adding another layer of flexibility to Ottawa's downtown parking supply. Combined, the two measures could give the city a low-cost way to chip away at the shortage without new construction or major capital spending.
What's next
The proposal now heads to full city council for a final vote on Aug. 26. If it passes, the city would move toward formal arrangements with participating institutions and recreation centres, though details on pricing, hours of availability, and which specific locations will take part are still expected to be ironed out.
For Ottawa residents who've grown used to hunting for street parking or paying steep downtown lot rates, the plan offers a glimmer of relief — even if it means parking next to a church on a Tuesday afternoon instead of a traditional garage.
It's also a sign of how the city is thinking creatively about downtown infrastructure as it balances growth, development, and the everyday realities of getting around a busy urban core.
Ottawa residents keeping an eye on downtown accessibility issues will want to watch how council votes later this month, and whether the plan expands further if it proves successful.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
