Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you. My name is Christine Leadman, and I am the executive director of the Bank Street Business Improvement Area. I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to address the committee today in its consideration of expanding the parliamentary precinct. My position today is reflective of the business members of the BIA and their desires as relevant stakeholders in the city of Ottawa.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  My district is from Wellington Street to Catherine Street.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's mostly on Bank. There are a few exceptions that might encroach on some of the side streets, but very few.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm hearing nothing in that regard. It's mostly in terms of access to their businesses.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  This is the concern of the businesses in shutting down Wellington: losing the access to their businesses, particularly those that are closer to the parliamentary precinct. They suffered significantly during the protests and the occupation. As I said in my comments, it was worse than the full lockdown in the pandemic in terms of the impacts to them financially and business-wise and to their employees, because there was a significant, I guess, aggressive nature with some of the people, but at the same time, I think their concern is more about access to their businesses so that they don't suffer anymore.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  My businesses don't agree with the closure of the street. I have to say that, over the course of the last two years, I have closed down Bank Street in order to enable access to pedestrians and so on. We had studies done before and after, and there was a slight drop in business in the area when we did the street closures.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The local councillor sits on our board. Unfortunately, sometimes residential concerns and business concerns don't necessarily align. Certainly, in this particular case with the businesses, they are not in alignment with the closure of Wellington Street.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It is getting worse. This goes to the mental health issues and the drug addiction and homelessness issues. We have people who camp out in our business doorways, and in the back and the front. Needles, broken windows...it is continually getting worse. In working with different agencies in the area, there are concerns from the social agencies as well of their inability to support the people, just because of the high level of violence and the different types of drugs that are on the street and are creating unsafe environments for the social workers as well.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  You're most welcome.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's correct.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I am.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's correct.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I don't have an answer to that. I would assume that a lot has to do with the local supports that those areas provide. King Street West is surrounded by a large residential population and, of course, Toronto has a much better transit system. I lived in Toronto and used the transit system regularly.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm sorry—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, I am. I'm sorry. I didn't understand the question.