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:

The Princess is greeting Ottawa Mayor George Nelms and Mrs. Nelms. National Archives photo.

Princess Margaret and Mayor Nelms.

The Ottawa City Hall is now the Federal John George Diefenbaker Building, and is designated as a National Interest Land Mass---the National Capital Commission cannot sell, rent or subdivide the landscape.

NILM - 4 parcels on the Rideau River around City Hall - 2.64 ha. Google: 1988-09-15-tb-re-NCC.