As 2026 begins, residents of Ottawa are voicing their most pressing concerns, calling on the city to address long-standing issues that affect their daily lives. The Ottawa Citizen recently asked its readers a direct question: What is one problem from your corner of the city that you want to see fixed in 2026? Eight engaged readers provided clear and decisive answers, highlighting a range of challenges from transportation failures to crumbling infrastructure.
Transportation Troubles Top the List
The reliability of public transit emerged as a primary source of frustration. Linda Sloan from Kanata shared a telling anecdote about a friend's experience with OC Transpo, where wait times of 30 to 45 minutes beyond the scheduled pick-up were described as typical. "I think the city should hire more vehicles and drivers dedicated to OC Transpo," Sloan argued, emphasizing that users of that service deserve more respect.
Echoing the transportation theme, Neil Heywood from Orleans pointed to two major issues: the long-awaited LRT extension from Blair to Trim and the appalling state of Ottawa’s roads. This sentiment underscores a city-wide demand for improved and reliable transit connections alongside basic road maintenance.
Road Safety and Infrastructure Woes
The condition of Ottawa's streets was a recurring complaint. Randy Smith's plea was succinct: "One word: potholes." He urged the city to be more active in filling them, noting that both drivers and their vehicle alignments would be grateful.
Ann Wiseman Raymond of Ottawa highlighted a trio of problems in her area. She described Sunnyside Avenue from Seneca to Bronson as being "like driving on a very bumpy roller coaster" and in desperate need of resurfacing. She also called for better enforcement of winter parking bans to allow plows to clear streets properly and advocated for the return of speed cameras to deter dangerous driving.
Dangerous Intersections and Poor Signage
Specific traffic hotspots were singled out as particularly hazardous. Matthew Bisson labeled the Erindale/Glenmount/Maitland mega-intersection as "scary and dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike." He reported frequent near-misses due to confusing traffic patterns and drivers running red lights. Bisson warned that this complex junction needs a solution—whether realigning roads, adding protected turns, or other measures—before someone pays with their life.
Another navigation issue was raised by Virginia Lafond, who called for far better signage on thoroughfares like Merivale Road. She suggested that signs for upcoming cross streets need to be in larger lettering and placed well ahead of intersections to improve safety and traffic flow.
The collective voice of these eight citizens paints a clear picture of Ottawa's priorities for 2026. The demands center on fundamental municipal services: reliable public transit, safe and well-maintained roads, and intelligently designed traffic systems. As the new year unfolds, these concise letters serve as a direct mandate from residents to city officials, emphasizing that respect for citizens is demonstrated through effective action on these core quality-of-life issues.
