Iraqi Embassy's plans for vacant lot in Lowertown worries neighbours
Work has begun to erect fence that would cut off access to property long used by public
Aya Dufour · CBC News
Posted: Jul 25, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours ago
Near the end of a quiet Lowertown street lined with townhomes and low-rise apartment buildings lies a large empty lot that takes up nearly half a block.
For decades, local residents, dog walkers and students at a nearby high school have used the vacant property as a convenient shortcut between Bruyère and St. Patrick streets, many believing it was public land.
In fact, the lot belongs to the Republic of Iraq, which bought it for $1 in 1982. The property has remained largely untouched since, save for an occasional grass cutting in the summertime, according to neighbours.
That was until two weeks ago, when contractors knocked on doors to tell some residents that a fence will soon go up and they would need to move cars, sheds and decks to avoid being blocked in.
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/access-neighbourhood-bruyere-st-patrick-embassy-1.7592434
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