CNR Toronto - Alleged agreement to demolish Union Station.

House of Commons Debates    Ottawa   November 16, 1971.
Mr. John Gilbert (Broadview) New Democratic Party.
     "Has the CNR entered into any agreement with Metro Development Centre to sell Union Station in Toronto and, if so, does the federal government agree with the demolition of Union Station?"
Hon. Donald Jamieson, Liberal.
     "Mr. Speaker, the hon. member I believe is aware that it is a consortium that is planning what is commonly referred to as Metro Centre. It has the full support of the government. We have given a good deal of assistance to the main parties concerned to get it going. One of the objectives is a new terminal, and I believe this involves the destruction of Union Station, but I assume that the decision whether it is to be destroyed or not would be up to the municipal..."
House of Commons Debates   Ottawa  December 2, 1971.
Mr. John Gilbert (Broadview) New Democratic Party.
     "Mr. Speaker, why is it up to the municipality of the city of Toronto to determine the destruction of Union Station in Toronto? May I remind the hon. members that this Union Station land is comprised of approximately nine acres, is owned by the city of Toronto but is subject to a renewable lease of 21 years, in perpetuity, to the railway companies."

Union Station on Front Street, Toronto, Ontario. Wikipedia photo.

Timeline
1927 - The railway station is officially opened by the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward.
1969 - CNR and CP plan to redevelop the railway lands. From 1969 until 1975 individuals and groups fight to save the station, including the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and future mayor of Toronto John Sewell, who created the "Save Union Station Committee."
1975 - Union Station is designated a Classified Federal Heritage Building by the Federal Government of Canada.
2000 - The City of Toronto purchases the building. The building is no longer protected by the "Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act" because of the following loophole:
"Only designated railway stations that are still owned by a railway company under federal jurisdiction are subject to the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act."