Stand-off at Prince of Wales Drive motel has city councillor calling for ‘fresh start’

The notorious New Highway Inn Motel on Prince of Wales Drive in Ottawa made headlines again over the long weekend, with a police standoff that lasted several hours, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.

The city councillor for the area is saying enough is enough. 

“People don't feel safe, they don't feel comfortable in their own community,” explained Knoxdale-Merivale councillor Keith Egli. 

Last summer, the City of Ottawa filed an application to have the motel closed for up to two years under the Ontario Municipal Act. The application notes a high volume of calls for emergency first responders. 

“It's a constant draw on the resources of the city,” said Egli. “It's either the police department, paramedics, by-law, public health — all these city departments engaged in issues that arise out of this hotel.” 

The councillor explained, the city isn't normally one to tell a business how to run, but the legal application is a proactive way to deal with the issues plaguing the troubled motel. 

“I prefer we weren't doing it, in a perfect world, but it's not a perfect world at that motel.” 

Egli said that having the motel shut down would give the owners a chance to make a decision: either fix the problems, or sell. 

“A fresh start for that location wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing,” he added.