Parking at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Aiport

Last update: January 9, 2018

Parking Notice (PDF Version, 1.47 Mb)^{Footnote *}

Circular Note No. XDC-0044

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Office of Protocol) presents its compliments to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargés d’affaires, a.i. accredited to Canada, the Permanent Representatives to the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the Heads of International Organizations and other offices established in Canada, and has the honour to refer to the matter of parking facilities at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (referred to hereafter as the Ottawa Airport).

The Department wishes to inform Their Excellencies that parking is strictly prohibited for all vehicles along the curb-side facilities at both the Arrivals and Departures levels at the Ottawa Airport. This area may only be used for the temporary loading and unloading of passengers and luggage EXCEPT in those  cases where, for the greeting and farewell of a VIP notified to the National Airport Courtesy Program of the Office of Protocol, an accompanying driver has been issued with a parking pass by Canada Reception Centre staff. These passes are issued in very limited number and will only be available for the use of the principle mission involved. All other vehicles improperly parked in this area will be ticketed according to the posted regulations. Additional vehicles accompanying the responsible head of mission must be parked in the designated diplomatic parking area on P1, or, in the event that this area is full, in an appropriate space elsewhere in the Ottawa Airport’s parking facility at the expense of the mission.

With respect to the use of the facility on P1, the Department refers Their Excellencies to the attached circular from the Ottawa Airport’s Parking Authority.

The Department wishes to remind Their Excellencies that there does not exist an international obligation to provide parking facilities at airports or other locations for vehicles of foreign representatives, and that the complementary facilities and services provided as a courtesy by individual, private airport authorities are in no way managed or overseen by the Government of Canada. Moreover, these private airports, in the development and implementation of their parking programme, aim to ensure public safety and fair access to parking for all members of the public while minimizing congestion and discrimination. Their Excellencies are respectfully asked to note that the Department is not in a position to intervene in cases where the improper use of these facilities and services is cited by the responsible authority by way of an infraction notice or other citation. Finally, the Department wishes to express its gratitude to the Diplomatic Community as it has as a whole historically and consistently demonstrated goodwill in diligently observing host country laws and regulations, including those relating to the operation of motor vehicles, highway traffic and parking. This honours the diplomatic profession.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Office of Protocol) avails itself of this opportunity to renew to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargés d’affaires, a.i. accredited to Canada, the Permanent Representatives to the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the Heads of International Organizations and other offices established in Canada, the assurances of its highest consideration.

OTTAWA, January 22, 2013