LeBreton Flats online consultation draws thousands of responses

The National Capital Commission says during the two weeks it opened up the LeBreton Flats redevelopment proposals for public consultation, close to eight thousandpeople filled out the on-line questionnaire.

According to the NCC:

• 7,939 respondents filled out the questionnaire.
• 82 per centof the respondents were local, while the remaining were from other parts of Canada.
• 3,000 people attended or participated via webcast in an open house at the Canadian War Museum.
• There were 11,500interactions about the proposals on social media.

"The high level of civic engagement and serious debate on the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats will help guide this historic project to a successful conclusion," saidNCCchief executive MarkKristmansonin a statement.

"I wish to thank all Canadians who participated, and commend RendezVous LeBreton Group and Devcore Canderel DLS Group for their depth of commitment and passion for revitalizing the LeBreton Flats," Kristmanson said in the statement.

Community association wants more local input

EricDarwin, with the Dalhousie Community Association, the closest neighbouring community to LeBreton, said the high turnout and public participation shows "the desire of the public to be informed and have a say on major developments."

But he also said the NCC could be doing more to include the voices of nearby residents.

"I notice the ongoing evaluation by the NCC and experts does not include a community group input. Too bad," said Darwin.

A report summarizing the online response will be made public this spring and alsosent to the evaluation committee for consideration as it assesses the two proposals.

The public can continue to study the two proposals by going to the NCC website.Links to the presentations, videos, photographs, and brochures are all available there.