Confederation Park Storm Sewer Renewal

Notice of Intent 

Confederation Park Storm Sewer Renewal, Ottawa – Public Comments Invited

August 24, 2026 – The National Capital Commission must determine whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects in compliance with sections 81-91 of the Impact Assessment Act and the National Capital Act.

To help inform this determination, the National Capital Commission is inviting comments from the public respecting the determination. It is important to note that all comments received will be considered public. For more information, individual should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments for this project must be submitted within 30 days of the date of this posting, referencing project name and registry number:

By email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca 

By mail: Environmental Officer, Federal Approvals and Conservation Programs 

100-12 York Street 

Ottawa, ON, Canada

K1N 5S6

The National Capital Commission thanks you for your comments, which will be considered in the project determination. Please note that responses may not be provided.

For National Capital Commission general inquiries, please contact:

Email: info@ncc-ccn.ca

Telephone: 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free)

TTY: 613-239-5090 or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free)

www.ncc-ccn.ca

 

The Proposed Project - Confederation Park Storm Sewer Renewal

The City of Ottawa is proposing urgent repairs to an existing storm sewer system located within Confederation Park in Ottawa, Ontario. Confederation Park is a busy urban park characterized by mature vegetation, pedestrian pathways, landscaped open space, and areas that accommodate public events and activities throughout the year.

The storm sewer system within Confederation Park serves as a critical drainage outlet for several storm drainage leads connected to the adjacent National Arts Centre (NAC) parking garage and conveys stormwater runoff from surrounding urban infrastructure, including the Mackenzie King Bridge roadway, to the Rideau Canal. Recent investigations have identified significant blockages and deterioration within portions of the storm drainage leads, resulting in reduced drainage capacity and contributing to localized surface flooding on Mackenzie King Bridge during larger storm events. Due to the size, depth, and limited access constraints associated with the existing storm drainage leads and the adjacent NAC building, trenchless rehabilitation methods were considered but were determined not feasible.

Confederation Park is owned and managed by the National Capital Commission (NCC). The proposed works on Federal Land owned by the NCC will include the replacement of three (3) 250 millimetre (mm) diameter storm drainage leads at three locations, with a total length of approximately 25 metres (m). It is anticipated that three (3) mature trees and up to five (5) small-diameter trees will require removal, along with some disturbance to existing grassed surfaces and hard landscaping features. The works on NCC property are subject to a federal land use and design approval (FLUDA) under the National Capital Act and an environmental effects determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act.

Activities associated with the proposed work will include the implementation of pedestrian control measures, construction fencing, construction access, erosion and sediment control measures, tree protection measures, a construction staging area, excavation, soil stockpiling and management, and the reinstatement of all disturbed areas, including the replacement of trees removed as part of the work.

The proposed work is expected to occur in the Fall of 2026 and take approximately two weeks to complete. Pedestrian access through Confederation Park will be maintained during construction.