Similarities between the Chateau Laurier and heritage buildings in Kingston, Ontario.

1.)  The Chateau Laurier and Conference Centre were created with Indiana limestone. The Kingston Pen, Stone Gables, Prison for Women, CNR Train Station, Church of the Good Thief, Old Post Office and many other buildings were created with local limestone.

2.)  The finest architects in Canada designed the buildings in Confederation Square, including the Hotel, Union Station, the Parliament Buildings, Lord Elgin Hotel; former American Embassy...The finest architects in Canada also created the many landmarks in the Village of Portsmouth, Kingston Ontario.

3.)  The new owner of the Prison for Women is planning to knock down walls between the cells because they are too small to be converted into condominiums. He is also removing all the bars on the windows, and high rise condos will be constructed on P4W land. The owner of the Chateau Laurier would have faced massive opposition if he knocked down walls at the hotel; so he is creating a totally separate condominium development on land on the north side of the Chateau. The 200 or so units will be strata units, individually owned.

4.)  Many federal agencies, departments and local governments abdicated their duty to protect heritage buildings in Ottawa and Kingston:
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board
The Federal Heritage Buildings Review Agency
Parks Canada
Heritage Canada
The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport - The Ontario government should have designated the Village of Portsmouth a Heritage Conservation District.
The City of Kingston- although many people are trying to preserve the built history of "The Limestone City:
a.)Architectural historian Dr. Jennifer McKendry.
b.)Current City Councillor for Portsmouth Bridget Doherty.
c.)Former Sydenham Councillor Peter Glover.

The City of Ottawa

5.)  Bill Gates, the majority owner of the CNR refused to help the City of Kingston preserve the CN Outer Station on Montreal Street.