Who We Are

Structure and Mandate for the City Centre Coalition

 Since its inception the City Centre Coalition's strengths have been its close relationships with its member associations and local politicians, its focus on transportation issues that affect central Ottawa, the substantial level of volunteer effort, and a continuing emphasis on making full use of all of the tools of the planning process at all levels of government.  

1. The City Centre Coalition (CCC) is a grouping of mainly central Ottawa organizations and other groups, including: 

  1. Action Sandy Hill (ASH)
  2. Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA)
  3. Centretown Citizens Community Association (CCCA)
  4. Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC)
  5. Dalhousie Community Association (DCA)
  6. Dow's Lake Residents' Association (DLRA)
  7. Glebe Community Association (GCA)
  8. Hintonburg Community Association (HCA)
  9. Old Ottawa South Community Association
  10. Ottawa East Community Association (OECA)
  11. Westboro Community Association (WCA)

Other organizations – community associations and other groups –may join in future.

2. The CCC acts as a single, coordinated, forum for community-oriented information exchange, discussion and action on selected transportation issues which impact central Ottawa.

3. While each issue is addressed on its merits, the CCC strongly supports community-oriented planning that emphasizes walking, cycling, and transit. The CCC strongly opposes road construction and expansion intended to accommodate peak-hour car demand; such roads only induce environmentally and community-destructive car use.

4. The CCC engages in political advocacy, media advocacy and advocacy among the general public.

5. CCC decisions will be taken by consensus at scheduled meetings, normally held once each month, which are attended by representatives of the member associations and other interested individuals representing either themselves or groups which share goals similar to those of the CCC.  These decisions will respect the mandates and positions of the member associations and will be implemented by CCC participants.  An underlying principle in decision-making is that solutions will not be found by shifting problems to another community.

6. The CCC seeks to work co-operatively with municipal, provincial and federal governments and other relevant organizations.

7. The Coalition does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

8. Meetings will be chaired by a Chair elected by the member organizations at the first CCC meeting following Labour Day for a term of one year. The Chair will be responsible for the efficient conduct of meetings, including the preparation of the draft agenda and coordinating the implementation of agreed actions, and will be assisted by a Vice-Chair (elected at the same meeting, also for a term of one year) and a Meeting Secretary. The Vice-Chair will be responsible for the Chair’s duties in his/her absence.  There is a guideline that the Chair and Vice-Chair should not serve for more than two consecutive years in that particular office.  There is a strong expectation that this guideline be followed.

9. At its monthly meetings, CCC committees may be established to handle defined issues; committees shall report on their activities to the monthly Coalition meetings.

10. Any funding required for CCC activities will be provided by participants and/or the member organizations.