HomeNCC planners — a varied group of highly skilled professionals — benefit from the support of specialists from other parts of the NCC (for example, planners, architects, landscapers and developers). They are also supported by the advice of high-level professionals from across Canada, including architects and urban planners, who sit on the NCC Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Realty.
The planners shape the plans at the NCC, but they do not work alone. On the federal side, the NCC brings clarity to complexity by acting as the federal planning and coordinating agency for all federal land-owners. However, interested agencies and individuals come from other parts of the community as well, and much of the planning process has to do with finding ways of talking to them.
We are one of several players who plan the Capital region. In the process of putting plans to work, we encourage partnerships so that all interested parties can work toward a common "Capital" vision. Also, as a matter of course, we examine our plans and proposals to make sure that they respect all existing federal regulations. Our planning partners include:
Other Government Partners and Stakeholders
The Capital region is not a "federal district" (an area governed directly by the federal government). Ottawa and Gatineau and other communities in the Capital region operate like any Canadian city, under the authority of provincial and municipal governments. In order to broaden the reach of its plans, however, the NCC works vigorously with other governments — informing, consulting and modifying its plans — to encourage a broad acceptance of the "Capital" perspective. The process of modifying federal plans to reflect local needs and priorities, and getting other governments to incorporate the "Capital" image in plans of their own, is called harmonization. Specifically, we work with
- provincial and municipal governments in the Capital region, and
- other Canadian capitals (provincial and territorial)
The Public - Working with the Community and Canadians
You may have your own ideas about how Canada’s Capital should develop. If so, you are not alone. To serve our varied clientele, our planning process must be inclusive. Information must be shared on a two-way basis with:
- the public (local and national)
- not-for-profit organizations or interest groups (environmental, heritage, tourism and business groups)
- the media
Talking to Our Clients
There are a number of ways to reach such a varied clientele and to encourage public consultation. Specifically, we:
- organize workshops, public meetings and open-house sessions to get public input
- carry out public surveys
- search for ways to improve dialogue with clients
We do not work in a vacuum. When it comes to putting plans to work, NCC planners collaborate with many players in a complex regulatory context.
For more details, download The Planning Project Management Process (pdf - 152 Kb).
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