A coalition of Ottawa residents is urging city officials to halt plans for the Matthew Perry House, an addiction recovery centre proposed in memory of the late actor, Matthew Perry. The actor, who was raised in Ottawa, passed away in 2023 due to a ketamine overdose, and the centre was designed to honor his legacy and assist those battling addiction.

The Common Sense Planning Coalition, a group of concerned local residents, is voicing strong opposition to the proposed location of the centre. They argue that the facility would take over valuable green space near The Royal, Ottawa’s mental health centre, which they believe should be preserved for community use. The coalition is calling for an end to the ongoing lease negotiations for the proposed site and is urging city officials to consider an alternative location on an adjacent parking lot instead.

Supporters of the Matthew Perry House project have pushed back against these concerns, accusing the opposition group of spreading misinformation. They argue that the centre will provide much-needed support for those dealing with addiction and that the space it occupies is less important than the service it will provide to the community.

The debate over the proposed site for the recovery centre continues to stir emotions, with both sides advocating strongly for their respective positions. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the green space and the role of the new addiction recovery centre in Ottawa’s broader efforts to combat substance abuse.