However, the entire project should be abandoned for the following reasons:
The Lebreton Flats are designated as a National Interest Land Mass holding.
"Land forming part of the NILM will be retained by the National Capital Commission in perpetuity for purposes which lie at the core of the NCC's mandate...Land within the NILM are required to support the symbolism, functions, physical structure and natural qualities of Canada's Capital. A NILM designation indicates a formal expression of the federal government's interest in the the long-term use of this land in a manner that supports Canada's Capital."(Google: "Proponents to the NCC's Federal Land Use, Design and Transaction Approval Process." September 2018.)
In essence, Lebreton is part of the Parliamentary Precinct which includes the Parliament Buildings, Parliament Hill, Wellington Street facing the Hill, Library and Archives, Supreme Court, Confederation Square, the northern half of the Sparks Street Mall and the Conference Centre where I was employed.
Museums, federal government buildings, commemorative statues, playgrounds and public festivals (for example Bluesfest) are appropriate for the Flats.
Deputy Prime Minister Erik Nielsen created the NILM in order to keep federal properties out of the hands of the City of Ottawa; to prevent the NCC from selling land to developers, and to maintain the integrity of Gatineau Park, the Greenbelt, etc.
National Interest Land Mass properties in the National Capital Region:
Lebreton Flats.
Experimental Farm on Carling Avenue.
The 2,965 acre Greenbelt Research Farm in Nepean bordered by Hunt Club Road, Woodroffe Avenue, Fallowfield Road and Greenbank Road.
Gatineau Park
The Greenbelt - 14,000 hectares.( City of Ottawa White Paper on Development in the Greenbelt - May 27, 2008 - Development Scenarios - "It is estimated that of the 20, 800 hectares in the Greenbelt, at least one quarter (approximately 5,560 hectares) might be eligible for development consideration if the Greenbelt designation was removed and development policies of the City's Official Plan were applied to those lands.")
When the Hon. Jim Prentice was the Minister of the Environment, he refused to sell any Greenbelt land to the City of Ottawa.
Victoria Island.
Shoreline behind Parliament Hill.
Chambers Building, Elgin and Queen.
Confederation Square.
Pts of Wellington in front of Chateau Laurier and the Conference Centre and land to the E of the Confederence Centre; also land W of Wellington between Rideau Canal Lock and the Chateau Laurier and Major Hill Park. Also, approach to the Alexandra Bridge and the new Art Gallery site.
Lady Grey Drive and the Ottawa River W of Sussex Drive.
Daly Building, corner of Rideau and Sussex.
8 parcels of land E of Sussex (Mile of History) from Rideau Street to Macdonald Cartier Bridge.
Pt of the Mint property W of Sussex Drive.
Small park on W side of Sussex Dr. S of the Macdonald Cartier Bridge,
2 parcels W of Sussex Drive N of Macdonald Cartier Bridge. Parking lot at Earnscliffe and water lot.
4 parcels on the Rideau River around City Hall.
4 parcels E of Sussex Drive between Stanley Ave. & Rideau Gate.
PM's residence.
7 Rideau Gate (Guest House.)
G.G.'s residence, Rideau Hall.
Ottawa River Parkway, Wellington Street to Carling Avenue.
(more)
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The Lebreton Flats are classified as reversionary land. Property that is no longer needed for railway purposes reverts to the Crown, the people of Canada.
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| 1984 Report of the Auditor General of Canada. |
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| The video "1946-Train entering LeBreton Flats" can be seen on YouTube. |
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| Music for the YouTube video is provided by Canadian singer George Hamilton 1V. |
The National Capital Commission is habitually selling or renting potential parkland:
Mile Circle near Rockcliffe.
Greenbelt Research Farm.
The grounds of the Daly Building.
Moffat Farm.
Expansion of Major's Hill Park.
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Politicians who wanted to see the land preserved as a national urban park: The Hon. John Baird, former Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean, Ontario; The Hon. John Manley, former Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, Ontario; Mr. Barry Mather, former Member of Parliament for Surrey, British Columbia- see October 22, 1969 and January 12, 1970 House of Commons Debates.
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There is a precedent for converting large parcels of government property into parkland:
House of Commons Debates Ottawa February 23, 1994.
Hon. Charles Caccia (Davenport, Toronto, Ontario.) Liberal.
"Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence. Will the minister tell the House how he intends to proceed in ensuring that the Downsview base in Toronto is owned by the public in perpetuity, enjoyed as an open space, an open forest with recreational and educational facilities? This would provide enjoyment for Canadians interested in nature studies and urban dwellers seeking relaxation in a green environment. Will the lands be designated to become our first national urban forest?"
Hon. David Collenette (Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs.)
".....The Prime Minister should be thanked for giving in perpetuity a large urban recreational greenspace for the benefit of Torontonians for years to come. I believe what the government is saying here is that there is an alternative to paving over land and buildings, especially in high density areas. This is a plan to have the ownership of these lands retained by the Department of National Defence and developed for the benefit of all Torontonians recreationally...in conjunction with my colleague the Minister of Canadian Heritage responsible for Parks Canada and my colleague the President of the Treasury Board so that we can truly create a unique area for the benefit of all people.
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Little Italy is close to Lebreton, and the neighbourhood is the target of out-of-control intensification. Listen to former Somerset Ward councillor Diane Holmes and look at the many petitions that have been created:
Save Little Italy
Do Not rezone parkland into condos: Save Little Italy and Queen Juliana Park.
Save Queen Juliana Park.
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Hundreds of millions of taxdollars were spent to remove railway tracks, demolish buildings, create roads, etc on Lebreton Flats. Private real estate corporations should not profit from that expenditure of public money on public land:
House of Commons Debates Ottawa October 26, 1966.
The Hon. George McIlraith,(Minister of Public Works) Ottawa Centre - Liberal.
"The total cost of redevelopment of LeBreton Flats in the national capital, broken down into
(a) cost of acquired land and buildings, $17,791, 139.37.
(b) cost of demolition, $335,000.
(c) cost of improvements to roadways, curbing, drainage, culverts, bridges and landscaping, $206,750.39.
The above amounts have been expended to date.
(2) Estimated additional costs anticipated prior to construction or other utilization of the area are as follows:
(a) 1 million for land and building acquisition;
(b) $50,000 for demolition.
(c) other costs, $500,000 for roadways;
(d) 1 million for utilities prior to scheduled occupation of portion of site for the Department of Public Works for construction of Department of National Defence headquarters.
(3) The total area acquired is 145 acres, composed as follows:
(a) 56 acres expropriated;
(b) 60 acres to N.C.C. under railway relocation scheme.
(c) 29 acres reclaimed from Nepean bay.
This does not include 18 acres occupied by the streets.
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Lebreton is 4,450 feet, or less than a mile from the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. (Hon. George McIlraith, Minister of Public Works, November 23, 1967, House of Commons.)
Prime Ministers of Canada and Members of Parliament were adamant that no buildings higher than the Peace Tower would be constructed on or near the Parliamentary Precinct.
House of Commons Debates Ottawa November 2, 1967.
Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre, Manitoba.)
"Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question to the Minister of Public Works. Now that the commencement of construction of the national defence tower in Lebreton flats has been postponed, will the government consider the question of the height of this proposed building in the hope that it will not be as high as the Peace Tower?"
The Claridge Icon Tower at the corner of Preston and Carling Avenue is 45-storeys high, the tallest building in Ottawa:
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| The Claridge Icon, 505 Preston Street, Ottawa. (Wikipedia.) |
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| CBC News photo. |
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