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| "Summer (1967) operations CCGS John A. Macdonald showing Northwest Passage route and course in operation with USCGC Staten Island through solar ice pack to aid USCGC Northwind." |
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| Cyprus. |
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Images from "Canadian Armed Forces Review", a magazine created by my Dad.
Monday, September 28, 2020
Why Earnscliffe should be returned to the citizens of Canada.
1.) Antique furniture, artifacts, books, portraits, letters and memorabilia were sold at multiple auctions, during the 1960's, 1972 and 1982. "I bought them years ago at the 'Earnscliffe' auction when most of the furnishings were sold" said Mrs. Morrison, October 23, 1965, Ottawa Journal newspaper, page 68. The items could have been donated to Bellevue House in Kingston, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada; a historical society or a museum.
American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy convinced hundreds of people to return White House furniture, books and documents that were sold at White House auctions; or stolen and handed down through generations, or ended up in foreign countries.
2.) Prime Ministers Diefenbaker, Pearson and Clark wanted the property returned to Canadians.
3.) While the new High Commission is being constructed, Earnscliffe heat, electricity, water, etc. will be turned off at intervals. The former home of Sir John A. Macdonald was heavily damaged by fire in 2011 and construction of the "bunker" will further endanger the Victorian Gothic house.
4.) The home and the grounds are National Historic Sites of Canada. The new embassy will be a blight on "Ottawa's Mile of History" especially during the wintertime when leaves on the trees cannot camouflage it.
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| November 11, 1972 Ottawa Journal article, page 62. "An Earnscliffe auction- accent on antiques." |
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| A 2011 fire heavily damaged the attic and third-floor. CBC News. |
Sussex Drive - from "Ottawa's Mile of History" to "Ottawa's Mile of Security."
"The NCC gave the United States the green light to build an embassy after a proposal to build it on Mile Circle at Rockcliffe created a community uproar there in the 1980's. The NCC also allowed the governments of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to build well-secured embassies on Sussex. The Aga Khan is taking over the former Canadian war museum on Sussex. Rideau Hall was closed to the public when former governor general Jeanne Sauve closed the gates in the name of security in the 1980's..."There's barely a property left that's not embassy. I'm not anti-embassy, just trying to keep this mile of Canadian history." said Brian McGarry, the Conservative candidate in Ottawa Centre. (From: "Keep Sussex pavilion public, group tells NCC." by Patrick Dare, March 5, 2007, Ottawa Citizen newspaper.)
The architectural design of the new High Commission resembles a highly fortified bunker in a war zone.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
The British High Commission is taking over Canadian federal property.
Property Number: 02766.
Custodian: National Capital Commission.
Interest: Crown Owned.
Restriction: No Restriction.
Primary Use: Commercial Retail.
Address: Sussex Drive.
Place Name: No data.
Municipality: Ottawa.
Province/Territory: Ontario.
Federal Electoral District: Ottawa-Vanier.
Building Count: 0.
Floor Area: 0 sq. m.
Land Area: 0.3501 ha.
Record Created On: July 30, 1998.
Record Last Modified On: March 20, 2020.
British High Commission.
Property Number: 02769.
Custodian: National Capital Commission.
Interest: Crown Owned.
Restriction: No Restriction.
Primary Use: Commercial Retail.
Address: Sussex Drive.
Place Name: No Data.
Municipality: Ottawa.
Province/Territory: Ontario.
Federal Electoral District: Ottawa - Vanier.
Land Area: 0.0847 ha.
Record Created On: July 30, 1998.
Record Last Modified On: March 20, 2020.
The Committee of Adjustment Hearing regarding construction of the new British High Commission can be be viewed on YouTube, Google: "Panel 1 Hearing August 19, 2020" point 2:33:00. During the hearing an announcement was made that National Capital Commission land will be completely redesigned/changed.
"Arrangements are being made for additional parking spaces to be accomodated as needed on NRC property." (From: "Cultural Heritage Impact Statement: Earnscliffe-City of Ottawa" Page 18/49.)
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| National Research Council, 100 Sussex. |
House of Commons Debates Ottawa June 21, 1961.
Member of Parliament Mr. Richard (Ottawa East) Liberal. ".....The government has a great interest in Sussex street. I think the Dominion of Canada owns almost all of the property on the north side...There is no better site in the city of Ottawa than the south side of Sussex drive facing the research council and the new bridge."
Sussex Drive, Ottawa - The Mile of Living History.
The Government of Canada wanted to repatriate Earnscliffe on Sussex Drive before the Centennial in 1967:
House of Commons Debates Ottawa September 18, 1961.
The Right Honourable John George Diefenbaker (Prime Minister of Canada.) "....The celebration to take place in 1967 shall be a national celebration representative of all the people of Canada...One of our aims and purposes should be to preserve those places that are indeed the citadels of our freedom...One of those places is Earnscliffe. This is indeed one of those monuments that I hope in the years ahead will be property returned to the dominion..."
House of Commons Debates Ottawa June 10, 1963.
Member of Parliament Mr. Richard (Ottawa East) Liberal -" 1.) Has the crown, through the national capital commission or otherwise, acquired property on the east side of Sussex street in the city of Ottawa, for the purpose of implementing the so called "Mile of Living History" in connection with the centennial celebration in 1967, and, if so, (a) have expropriation procedures been taken to acquire real estate in that area? b.) how many properties remain to be acquired and what has been the cost of such acquisitions.
c.) how many properties remain to be acquired, and what is the estimated cost. d.) is it the intention of the government to proceed with the plan and to restore the properties so acquired to their original appearance and use?"
Inquiries of the Ministry.
2.) "What are the immediate plans for the demolition of the properties owned by the crown on the north side of Sussex, particularily the Daly building, the temporary buildings of the national revenue department and the block facing the Notre Dame basilica? Has the crown, through the ncc, acquired real estate in the city of Ottawa in the area north of Sussex street and the Rideau river, and, if so, what is the official description of the area? (b) was the acquisition done through expropriation (c) what is the total estimated cost of the acquisition of the said land property?(d) how many settlements have been made to date, and what is the total amount of consideration paid therefore?"
The Government of Canada acquired Ottawa City Hall in the year 2011. Ottawa City Hall on 111 Sussex Drive was officially opened by H.R.H. Princess Margaret in 1958:
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| The Princess is greeting Ottawa Mayor George Nelms and Mrs. Nelms. National Archives photo. |
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| Princess Margaret and Mayor Nelms. |
NILM - 4 parcels on the Rideau River around City Hall - 2.64 ha. Google: 1988-09-15-tb-re-NCC.
Friday, September 25, 2020
Parks Canada designated Earnscliffe a National Historic Site of Canada.
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| "The designation refers to the house and the grounds." Parks Canada. |
Aberdeen Pavillion
Beechwood Cemetery
Billings House
Central Chambers
Central Experimental Farm
Chateau Laurier
Confederation Square
Connaught Building
Former Dominion Archives/Canadian War Museum-Sussex Drive
Former Geological Survey of Canada -Sussex Drive.
Former Ottawa Teachers College
Langevin Block
Laurentian Club/John Booth Residence
Laurier House
Maplelawn and Gardens
Notre-Dame Roman Catholic Basilica-Sussex Drive.
Parliament Buildings
Rideau Hall and Landscaped Grounds -Sussex Drive.
Royal Canadian Mint-Sussex Drive.
Victoria Memorial Museum
Ottawa/Kingston Rideau Canal.
National Historic Sites Act 1998.
Preamble - And whereas it is in the national interest (a) to protect the nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage in national parks, national historic sites, national marine conservation areas and related heritage areas in view of their special role in the lives of Canadians and the fabric of the nation.
Meaning and importance of the term "Ottawa's Mile of History".
Committee of Adjustment Hearing regarding Earnscliffe.
Who cares about what happens to the red telephone booth? And why are jokes about Dr. Who more important than:
1.) The encroachment of the new embassy on government of Canada property---National Research Council and National Capital Commission.
2.) The loss of 24 trees.
3.) The modern design clashes with the Gothic beauty of Earnscliffe.
4.) Government leaders including prime ministers of Canada; historians and other people who love this country wanted to see 140 Sussex Drive returned to its rightful owners.
5.) The fact that the house nearly burned to the ground in 2011; and an auction in 1982 disposed of Sir John A. Macdonald's Earnscliffe furniture, artifacts; portraits, etc. The statue of Canada's first prime minister was removed from the grounds.
6.) The utilities at Earnscliffe (water; heat; electricity) will be turned off during part of the new build.
The former home of Sir John A. Macdonald is located on 140 Sussex Drive, Ottawa.To view the Committee of Adjustment YouTube video Google: "Panel 1 Hearing August 19, 2020" and go to point 2:33.00.
The Committee and Heritage Ottawa approved of the new embassy construction. Despite the fact that part of the land is owned by the citizens of this country forever; and Senate Bill S-203 prohibits inappropriate, new construction within 500 metres of a property designated by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney created the National Interest Land Mass designation in 1988 to stop the National Capital Commission from selling and subdividing Government of Canada buildings and landscapes. Earnscliffe is part of the NILM;
2 parcels W. of Sussex Drive N. of MacDonald Cartier Bridge . Parking lot at Earnscliffe and 1 water lot. 0.44 ha. Google: 1988-09-15-tb-re-ncc.
According to the Committee hearing on August 19, 2020, NCC land will be completely redesigned for security reasons, including vehicle blocking. In perpetuity. That sounds familiar, the Crown corporation sold Major's Hill Park land to the American Embassy. Now an entire traffic lane has been taken over by the Embassy for security reasons in perpetuity. The people of Canada have the right to know precisely what is being envisioned for open space, public land that is being expropriated on the "Mile of History" Sussex Drive. Earnscliffe is a National Historic Site and should be a museum, not a private residence whose occupants apparently cherish their privacy. The public is permitted view the interior of the home once a year during "Doors Open Ottawa" and indoor photos are not allowed.
.I have a suggestion- Place a moratorium on any new construction on 140 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. According to the YouTube video, Earnscliffe and the new building "are not too far apart". (Time 3:00:00).
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| The First Reading of Bill S-203 was on December 10, 2019. Any demolition(unless it is a hazard); new build; addition or alteration to properties within 500 metres of an Historic Site or Monument should be put on hold. |
----Rent Mooney's Bay Park to the City of Ottawa. Trees were then cut down, and the footbridges and some grassland were removed.
----Demolish the Daly Building so that condominiums could be built. Many people in Ottawa wanted to see the Daly Building land preserved as a "John Lennon International Peace Park." During their Bed-In for Peace tour, John Lennon and Yoko Ono arrived in Ottawa via the train station directly across from the Daly site.
----Sell two Rideau Canal bridges that span the Rideau River the Mackenzie King Bridge and Laurier Avenue Bridge.
----Take over two-thirds of Rochester Park near Maplelawn on Richmond Road for redevelopment.
----Take public land on Sussex Drive away from Canadians for the benefit of foreign embassies and foundations.
----Privatize much of the southern part of the Sparks Street Mall.
---Ignore Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's National Interest Land Mass directive.
---Ignore Senator Serge Joyal's Bill S-203.
----Ignore height restrictions that were established during the 1960's to ensure that no buildings near Parliament Hill will be taller than the Peace Tower.
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Do not permit the redevelopment of Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill, and the northern part of the Sparks Street Mall. Documents pertaining to the modernization of the Parliament Precinct contain the following words:
demolition; infill; facadism and building heights.
An arms-length, commercial Crown corporation should not have the power to:
alter the landscape of Ottawa and Gatineau; divest and demolish Crown property; and remove the designations National Historic Site and Federal Heritage Building. And remove my Maple Leaf Flag and Coat of Arms from divested buildings.
Earnscliffe; the Greenbelt; Gatineau Park; the Lebreton Flats; Royal Canadian Mint; Mooney's Bay Park; the Rideau Canal and hundreds of other properties should be preserved, as a legacy for our children and grandchildren; for the First Nations of Canada. And to honour the memories of families and businesses that were dispossesed when they were thrown off the Lebreton Flats, Greenbelt; Gatineau Park, Victoria Island and other locations.
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Return Earnscliffe to the Dominion of Canada.---
-- The Right Honourable John George Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada.
House of Commons Debates Ottawa September 18, 1961.
The Right Hon. Mr. Diefenbaker: ".....One of our aims and purposes should be to preserve those places that are indeed the citadels of our freedom, that too often are removed or destroyed in order to meet the exigencies of modern life. One of those places is Earnscliffe, today the home of the British high commission in Canada. This indeed is one of those monuments that I hope in the years ahead will become part of the Canadian tradition and the property of the dominion. As one walks about in that place and sees the history of our country, one cannot help but have that feeling. One who has given strong support to that suggestion is the hon. member for Bona-vista Twillingate. I refer to the necessity for the preservation of these things that, after all, show the greatness of a nation."
House of Commons Debates Ottawa March 18, 1964. Suggested acquisition of residence of Sir John A. Macdonald at Kingston.
Member of Parliament Edgar John Benson (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance) Liberal: ".....I believe that in addition to this Kingston property there is another residence in Canada, Earnscliffe in Ottawa, presently occupied by the United Kingdom high commissioner, which had a long association with Sir John A. Macdonald; and it is my personal feeling that the government of Canada should ultimately acquire the property."
House of Commons Debates Ottawa October 15, 1973.
Member of Parliament Mr. Clark (Rocky Mountain) Progressive Conservative. "...What was (a) the date (b) the result of the last attempt by the government to secure from the Government of Great Britain the return to Canada of the Earnscliffe residence of Sir John A. Macdonald? 2.) On what date is it intended to initiate another attempt to have this historic Canadian house returned to Canadian control? 3.) If no such initiative is intended, for what reason?"
Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Secretary of State for Urban Affairs.) "1.) While discussions have been held with the British authorities from time to time concerning Earnscliffe, the Canadian government has not attempted to acquire control of the property. 2.) At the present time, no plans exist to open discussions for the acquisition of this property. 3.) This historic building is being conscientiously maintained by the British High Commission. None the less, the government may wish to enter into discussions to acquire this property for the nation at some future time should an appropriate opportunity arise."
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House of Commons Debates Ottawa July 22, 1960.
Member of Parliament Jean-Thomas Richard (Ottawa East) Liberal:
".....With respect to Ottawa East, I urge the minister to do something about improving Sussex Drive, which should be selected as the site of important public buildings...There is no more beautiful site in Ottawa. If it were not for the French embassy and Earnscliffe there would be no buildings of beauty there. It is one of the finest locations in the city. It has Rideau falls and is a fine scenic drive."
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Earnscliffe.
Earnscliffe was the Ottawa residence of Sir John A. Macdonald, the First Prime Minister of Canada. The mansion on Sussex Drive is now the Official Residence of the British High Commissioner. However, plans are underway to build an inappropriate structure right next to Earnscliffe:
Why this endeavor will not proceed:
1.) Earncliffe is a National Historic Site of Canada and Senate Bill S-203 saves heritage properties in Ottawa. The modern buildings will encroach upon the 500-metre protective or buffer zone that protects 140 Sussex Drive. Bill S-203 applies to any place that has been commemorated as an historic place under paragraph 3 (a) of the Historic Sites and Monuments Act.
2.) Property will be expropriated from "National Interest Land Mass" land that should be owned by the people of Canada in perpetuity: "The National Interest Land Mass (NILM) consists of 'national shrines, the river and canal banks, the Confederation Boulevard, the Gatineau Park, and the Greenbelt in the National Capital Region...considered essential to the realization of the vision of the Capital...There are 37 individual parcels of property in this category currently owned by the (Crown corporation) totalling some 44,200 ha. in area (94 per cent of the total NCC holdings in area.')
'Land forming part of the NILM will be retained by the(Crown corporation) on behalf of the government in perpetuity, for purposes which lie at the core of the NCC's mandate, and will be managed by the NCC with no further management involvement by the Treasury Board Secretariat." Lady Grey Drive and the Ottawa River W. of Sussex Drive-2.76 ha. Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC.
Cultural Heritage Impact Statement Earnscliffe 140 Sussex Drive, Ottawa., Development Site --- Page 5/49.
"Based on the Directory of Federal Real Property, the new project will touch a small portion of land owned by the National Capital Commission. (Figure 9.) The individual lots that make up the property include sections that were formerly streets-namely McKay Street (Earnscliffe Avenue), Lady Grey Drive and Bellevue Terrace.
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3.) Sussex Drive is Canada's Mile of History and it is a Heritage Conservation Distrct protected by Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
4.).) The homes of former British prime ministers are cherished and respected by the National Trust of Britain and by historical societies.
4.).) The National Capital Commission wanted to sell Mile Circle near Rockcliffe to a couple of embassies. But the local community fought the proposal because: modern architecture is not compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood and: the community did not want to lose a much-loved green space.
5.) Confederation Boulevard is a National Interest Land Mass.
6.) 24 mature trees will be chopped down.
This is what the National Capital Commission will probably say:"Earnscliffe is no longer owned by the Government of Canada and we cannot interfere with the project." They never intervened when Larco submitted architectural designs for the Chateau Laurier Hotel addition---their excuse was "The Chateau Laurier is private property." However, Larco was not permitted to encroach upon Major's Hill Park. Why should a foreign government be permitted to take over multiple federal properties including Lady Grey Drive? Look at what happened when Major's Hill park land was sold to the American embassy and they took over part of an entire street.. Forever.
Why Earnscliffe should be returned to the people of Canada:
1.) Because of the auction---" Sale complete list of furniture, china and glassware, pictures, ornaments, etc. The property of the late Right Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald to be sold at Earnscliffe, Ottawa; commencing Tuesday 15th May next at 10 a.m. 1982. W.L. Lewis auctioneer."( Page 4/49, Cultural Heritage Statement for 140 Sussex Drive, Ottawa.)
2.) A fire in 2011 destroyed much of the attic and third floor.
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| A CBC News photo. |
3..) The public does not have any access to the property except maybe once a year at "Doors Open Ottawa." The homes of former British prime ministers are important tourist venues.
4.) The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada recommended the repatriation of 140 Sussex Drive. "A single report titled 'Historico-architectural significance of the Sir John A. Macdonald Buildings still standing in Kingston" May 1960, was used by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada when it recommended that Earnscliffe should be considered "a national shrine" and that the government should "investigate ways and means to acquire it for this purpose." From: Parks Canada, "Record of National Historic Designation Reference File, February 18, 2000. (Page 7/49, Cultural Heritage Statement for 140 Sussex Drive, Ottawa.)
5.) Prime Ministers of Canada including Mr. Diefenbaker, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Clark and Members of Parliament wanted to see the landmark returned to its rightful owner, the citizens of this country.
House of Commons Debates Ottawa February 27, 1967. Earnscliffe - Return to Canadian Ownership.
MP Walter Dinsdale (Progressive Conservative.) "...Since Earnscliffe, the residence of Canada's first prime minister, was declared a national historic site, what steps have been taken to ensure that it will return to Canadian ownership?"
Hon. Arthur Laing: "...The recommendation by the historic sites and monuments board that Earnscliffe be designated a national historic site was made in 1960 and plaques concerning the history of the house were unveiled by the then prime minister on June 6, 1961..."
House of Commons Debates Ottawa July 1, 1955.
Karl Arliss Eyre, Liberal; Sir Archibald Nye: "Mr. Speaker and gentlemen may I just say briefly that it was 25 years ago when the government of the United Kingdom acquired "Earnscliffe" as the residence and in the first instance office of the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom who had just been appointed...We were aware at the time that it was a very historic residence, so much so that the high commissioner of the day was instructed from London that before we went ahead with the purchase he should go to the prime minister of Canada and say that we were proposing to buy this house...You will see that we have been conscious from the very first of the fact that we were occupying what I think might properly be called an historic monument in Canada..."
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| A totally inappropriate design for Canada's Mile of History. I call it "The Shipping Crate" and "The Laboratory". |
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| The modern building breaches a 500-metre protective or buffer zone that protects 140 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. 140 Sussex Drive is owned by the British government, and the Chateau Laurier is a Larco investment. However, Bill S-203 applies to both properties. |
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| Commemoration of Earnscliffe as an historic place under paragraph 3 (a) of The Historic Sites and Monuments Act. Powers of the Minister 3.) The Minister may by means of plaques or other signs or in any other suitable manner mark or otherwise commemorate an historic place. |
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| Lady Grey Drive is untouchable. This 1920's photo is from the National Archives, and the Royal Canadian Mint can be seen. |
Friday, September 18, 2020
Senate Bill S-203.
Bill S-203. An Act to amend the National Capital Act (buildings or works of national significance.)
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
National Capital Act-Section 2. Building or work of national significance means
(a) the grounds in the City of Ottawa bounded by Wellington Street, the Rideau Canal, the Ottawa River and Kent Street, known as Parliament Hill, and any buildings or works located on those grounds;
(b) the Senate of Canada Building, located at 2 Rideau Street in the City of Ottawa;
(c) the building located at 1 Wellington Street in the City of Ottawa;
(d) the Victoria Building, located at 140 Wellington Street in the City of Ottawa;
(e) the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, located at 144 Wellington Street in the City of Ottawa;
(f) the Wellington Building, located at 180 Wellington Street in the City of Ottawa;
(g) the Confederation Building, located at 229 Wellington Street in the City of Ottawa;
(h) the Justice Building, located at 249 Wellington Street in the City of Ottawa;
(i) the Supreme Court of Canada Building, located at 301 Wellington Street in the City of Ottawa;
(j) any place that has been commemorated as an historic place under paragraph 3(a) of the Historic Sites and Monuments Act.
(k) a national historic site as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Parks Canada Agency Act.
(l) any prescribed building or work.
First Reading of Bill S-203 in the Senate was on 2019-12-10.
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Commemoration of the Chateau Laurier Hotel as an historic place under paragraph 3 (a) of the Historic Sites and Monuments Act. Powers of the Minister 3.) The Minister may (a) by means of plaques or other signs or in any other suitable manner mark or otherwise commemorate an historic place:
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| The Chateau Laurier Hotel plaque, located to the left of the main entrance. Photograph is by Alan L. Brown. |
Stop the modernization of the Parliamentary Precinct, Ottawa.
The Parliamentary Precinct encompasses the Parliament Buildings, the Hill and Parlimentary Library; Supreme Court of Canada; government buildings on Wellington Street across from the Hill; Conference Centre and the northern part of the Sparks Street Mall.
During the year 1973 the Trudeau government expropriated the northern half of the Sparks Street Mall in order to save the heritage buildings; create more office space and to prevent the construction of high rise apartments. The National Capital Commission took over the southern part of the Mall and buildings were sold off and demolished. The Thomas D'Arcy McGee office tower on 90 Sparks is now owned by Larco; and the CBC Headquarters are part of the Morguard portfolio. Luxury condominiums were constructed across from Canada's Four Corners.
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| Sparks is on the left and Queen is on the right. |
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| The Hardy Arcade and Chicken Villa, 1967. National Archives photo. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
"Sparks Street: The five-block, east west pedestrian mall and surrounding area is the NCC's public enemy No. 1." (From: "Tidying up a mess. Macleans Magazine-September 3, 2001." The National Capital Commission has a hatred/animus towards the pedestrian mall and it should be precluded from any future involvement with the property.)
"It's town against Crown and sparks are flying as the National Capital Commission prepares to demolish an entire block in downtown Ottawa. City officials, businessmen and private citizens alike fear that the NCC's plan to raze Sparks Street and replace it with office towers, apartments and restaurants will destroy rather than revitalize the downtown core." (Globe and Mail newspaper, May 2, 2001.)
Now Public Works, the NCC and local politicians are focused on modernizing Wellington Street and the northern part of the Mall. How they plan to accomplish their goal:
1.) Strip away the designation "Province of Ontario Heritage Conservation District" from the Sparks Street Mall.
2.) Remove the designations "Classified Federal Heritage Building" and "Recognized Federal Heritage Building." PWGSC and the NCC have the power to declassify Canada's Four Corners; the post office; the banks, etc.
3.) Convince the local politician for Somerset Ward and her counterparts to rezone the entire area as high-density commercial and residential. And that will not be difficult---she already wants to "animate" the area through the construction of clusters of apartment towers. Remove height limitations.Take a look at the corner of Preston and Carling.
4.) Convince gullible people that facadism will preserve the heritage buildings. Facadism is an architectural term meaning that only the outer shell of a structure will be maintained.
5.) Claim that the structures are filled with asbestos or some other type of material and cannot be salvaged.
My YouTube video "Government buildings on the Sparks Street Mall" documents the fact that the entire northern part of the Mall is endangered:
---Bank of Nova Scotia; Bate; Birks; Blackburn; Booth; Brouse; Canada's Four Corners; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Dover; Hope; Slater and Postal Station B at 59 Sparks. They appear to be vacant; business people are being offered month-to-month leases and a fence with a blackout screen encircles the post office on 59 Sparks.
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| 11 buildings on Block 2 which is outlined in red are facing demolition. "Major overhaul in store for entire block facing Parliament Hill." CBC News, February 3, 2020. They will be replaced with high rises or maybe even pyramids. The E.M. Pei architectural firm is part of an international design competition that will change the Parliamentary Precinct; and the Pei company designed the Louvre pyramid, Paris, France. |
Thursday, September 17, 2020
In perpetuity.
Government properties in Canada that can never be sold or given away:
The Parliament Buildings. The Library of Parliament. Official Residence of the Prime Minister of Canada - 24 Sussex Drive. Supreme Court of Canada. Rideau Hall.The Lebreton Flats. The Greenbelt. Gatineau Park. The Central Experimental Farm, Carling Avenue. A March 19, 1954 Cabinet Conclusion: "The Central Experimental Farm should remain an open area in perpetuity; if it were desirable to move all or part of the Farm, the land should not be used for building projects but for a park or other open area." The Dominion Observatory Campus, Carling Avenue. The Greenbelt Research Farm, 1740 Woodroffe.
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour greenspace- Kingston, Ontario. Prior to the 1976 Montreal Olympics the taxpayers of Ontario donated a parcel of land to the people of Kingston, Ontario. It was purchased from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and there were conditions: The City of Kingston agreed to take over responsibility for maintenance at the end of the Olympics and said that it would be open to the public as a park. Now the property will be sold to a real estate corporation. (From:Kingston Penitentiary and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour-Opportunities and Constraints, page 18/140.) The Royal Canadian Mint on Sussex Drive, Ottawa - Prime Minister Brian Mulroney stopped the in-progress demolition of the Classified Federal Heritage Building. Susan Delacourt article.
The Rideau Canal. House of Commons Debates, Ottawa June 1, 1950:
Member of Parliament George Taylor Fulford (Leeds, Ontario):"...There was a rather quaint treaty signed between Great Britain and Canada when the canal was handed over to Canada. One of the clauses said that Canada would maintain the canal system as long as the grass was green and the skies were blue."
Senate Bill S-203- An Act to Amend the National Capital Act (buildings or works of national significance.) A Senate Bill introduced by Senator Serge Joyal in 2019 will prevent the massive redevelopment, alteration and demolition of government buildings on Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill; Library and Archives Canada; and heritage buildings on the northern side of the Sparks Street Mall. In addition, Senate Bill S-203 will block any attempt to build residential towers within several hundred meters of National Historic Sites and Monuments.
Government properties that were "under review" by PWGSC in the year 2006:
Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa.
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| Is 395 Wellington Street being "divested"? Is that why a new LAC is being constructed on the Lebreton Flats? |
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| Wellington Building, 180 Wellington Street, Ottawa. |
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| John G. Diefenbaker Building, 111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. |
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| East Memorial Building, Veterans Affairs, 284 Wellington Street, Ottawa. |
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| Lester B. Pearson Building, 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. |
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| Sir William Logan, 580 Booth Street, Ottawa. The Energy, Mines and Resources campus is a National Interest Land Mass and cannot be sold or subdivided. |
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| Sir Charles Tupper site, 2720 Riverside Drive, Ottawa. |
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| National Printing Bureau site, 45 Sacre-Coeur, Gatineau, Quebec. |
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| National Film Board Headquarters, 3155 Cote-de-Liesse Road and 120 Houde Street, Montreal, Quebec. Vacant. |
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
The Rideau Canal.
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| Big Rideau Lake, Portland. |
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| During the summer of 1967 I saw the Calgary Stampeders and several other bands at the Rideau Ferry Inn near Perth, Ontario. Troggs or trolls allegedly lived under the bridge and they were allergic to sunlight. |
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| Chaffey's Lock, R.R. 4, Elgin, Ontario. A 1960's postcard from the family collection. |
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| My mother, sister and baby daughter in front of the beautiful Stirling Lodge in Newboro, a few minutes away from the Rideau Canal Newboro Locks. A picture from 1990. |
Did the National Capital Commission have the authority to sell the following properties in Ottawa.
1. The Mackenzie King Bridge and the Laurier Avenue Bridge that span the Rideau Canal.
2.) The 88-acre Moffat Farm, part of the Veterans Affairs Canada portfolio. Moffat Farm is adjacent to the Rideau River.
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney created the designation "National Interest Land Mass" after 91 acres of the Central Experimental Farm were sold to the Municipality of Ottawa in 1988:
House of Commons Debates Ottawa May 13, 1988. Mr. David Daubney (Ottawa West) Progressive Conservative......"Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture. He will agree that the Central Experimental Farm partly located in my riding is the flagship of Agriculture Canada's excellent research effort, and contributes greatly to the unique beauty and character of the nation's capital. Will he confirm for the House that the Government has no intention of disposing any part of the Experimental Farm property and in particular that part bordered by Merivale and Fisher Avenues in the City of Ottawa?"
Hon. John Wise, Federal Minister of Agriculture:....."Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Hon. Member's continuing interest in the future of the Experimental Farm here in Ottawa. I want to take this opportunity to indicate to him that Agriculture Canada, my Department, has no plans or thoughts whatsoever concerning disposing of any portion of that property at any time. There is no question about that."
"I appreciate also the complimentary remarks the Hon. Member made with reference to that very unique facility. It has made a tremendous contribution to Canadian agriculture. It is one of the four original experimental farms established across Canada over 100 years ago. In fact next to the Parliament Buildings the Experimental Farm is the second most popular tourist attraction here in Ottawa."
Some Hon. Members:
"Hear, hear!"
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The National Interest Land Mass (NILM) consists of "national shrines, the river and canal banks, the Confederation Boulevard, the Gatineau Park, and the Greenbelt in the National Capital Region,...considered essential to the realization of the vision of the Capital...There are 37 individual parcels of property in this category currently owned by the NCC totalling some 44,200 ha. in area. (94 per cent of the total NCC holdings in area.)"
"Land forming part of the NILM will be retained by the NCC on behalf of the government in perpetuity, for purposes which lie at the core of the NCC's mandate; and will be managed by the NCC with little or no further management involvement by the Treasury Board Secretariat." Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC.
The Rideau Canal Lands from downtown to Hog's Back Road encompass 90 hectares.
The United Nations may remove the designation "UNESCO World Heritage Site" from the Rideau Canal, if a medical centre is built on The Farm and if the Chateau Laurier Hotel is expanded.
UNESCO State of Conservation Report, May of 2018: 1.) Various Federal Infrastructure Investment projects along the length of the Rideau Canal World Heritage property.
2.) Rideau Canal Crossing pedestrian bridge. (Ottawa.)
3.) Chateau Laurier proposed expansion. (Ottawa.)
4.) Highway 417 bridge rehabilitation. (Ottawa.)
5.) Third Bridge Crossing (Kingston.)
6.) Rideau Marina (Kingston.)
7.) Former Davis Tannery Brownfield Site Redevelopment (Kingston.)
8.) New Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus (Ottawa.) Google: "May 2018, State of Conservation Report, Rideau Canal"---go to "November 14, 2019."
Monday, September 14, 2020
My Dad created a weekly newspaper called "The Kanata Sun."
However, he received a warning letter from Sun Media lawyers because the newspaper chain was launching "The Ottawa Sun" in 1988. He was previously the editor of "The Kanata Standard."
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