Who is running this city anyway?

 The City of Ottawa promised to ensure that "there is enough greenspace to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community and will maintain natural systems, biodiversity and habitat...Ottawa residents will have greenspace in close proximity to homes and communities." (Greenspace and Ecohealth Toolkit, January 2017, Page 36/74.)

Their actions belie their words. The following March 2018 development applications are within 700 m or walking distance of the Natural Resources Canada Booth Street location:

1.)  27 & 29 Balsam Street and 249, 261, 263, 256 and 267 Rochester Street. Proposal to construct a 23-unit, three storey residential development with an internal private road.

2.)  Approved. Preston Square. 333, 334 and 347 Preston Street and 17 Aberdeen Street. Construction of a single storey addition on Adelaide and a new 24 storey residential tower.

3.) 93, 95, 97, 99, 101 and 105 Norman Street. Application. Residential apartment building comprising of a nine storey tower and a three storey podium stepping back to a fourth and fifth storey, all framed by two storey townhomes.

4.)  265 Carling Avenue - Zoning By-Law amendment submitted...A 20 storey mixed use building containing 149 apartment condominium units, 11 live/work townhouses and an 882m2 commercial unit.

5.) 770 Bronson Avenue - 15 storey mixed use building (85 residential units) and commercial at grade.

6.) 557 Cambridge Street and 774 Bronson Avenue - 12 storey mixed-use building for university students with retail at grade.

7.) 895 Carling Avenue - three high mixed-use buildings (55, 48 and 18 storeys) and a large public plaza and direct connection to the O-Train.

8.) 490, 491, 492, 495, 500 and 505 Preston Street - 45-storey mixed-use condominium with gross floor area of 22, 047 square metres. 490-500 Preston Street- 30 storey residential condominium with commercial uses occupying the ground and portion of second floor.

9.) 514, 516, 518, 530 and 532 Rochester Street. An 18-storey mixed-use building with 326.32 square metres of leasable commercial space at grade and 127 residential units above. The entrances to the commercial space will be directly from Pamilla and Rochester Street.

10.) 680 Bronson Avenue - Zoning By-law amendment application to permit retail/office uses within the entire building, the building footprint will not change.

11.) 144 Renfrew Avenue - 3 storey mixed-use with commercial uses located on the ground floor and 14 residential units on the upper floors.

12.) 324 Cambridge Street - zoning By-law amendment-Amend the parking requirements to permit the development of 11 new residential units on the ground floor of the existing residential building.

13.) 207 Bell Street - permit new land uses on the ground floor of the existing building.

14.) 220 Lebreton - demolish the existing 3-unit two storey building and construct a new 4-storey, 10 unit apartment building. (Google: "Canada Lands Company Booth Street complex" - webcast.ottawa.ca. pages 9, 10 and 11 out of 98.)

951 Gladstone and 145 Loretta.

Nearby- A superhospital on 50-acres of the Central Experimental Farm and a 30-acre botanical garden near the Arboretum and the Rideau Canal Hartwell Locks. The garden will have a paved parking lot, amphitheatre, a tower, paved plaza, etc. Federal. Agriculture Canada and Public Works. 

401 Lebreton at Carling - towers will be built on the former NCC Headquarters lot. Federal. National Capital Commission.

Demolition of the Tom Brown Skating Arena for affordable housing. Municipal. City of Ottawa. Google: "City eyes baseball stadium, Tom Brown Arena for redevelopment" CBC News.

Demolition of 1010 Somerset Street West for affordable housing. Federal. Public Works Canada.

Demolition of the Oak Park Armoury, 933 Gladstone for affordable housing. Federal. Department of National Defence.

Demolition of townhouses across from the Adult High School, 300 Rochester Street for affordable housing. Federal. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The Humane Society land on 101 Champagne is now the site of two residential towers. Municipal. City of Ottawa.

The Booth Street Complex - Federal. Department of Energy, Mines and Resources.

When the Civic Hospital is eventually demolished the land will revert to the city. The municipality has an obsession with high rise condominiums, rapid transit and intensification. Green space, trees, the Dominion Observatory, landmarks and preserving our quality of life are not high on the agenda. 

You cannot take away the Farm and the Lebreton Flats, government of Canada. Little Italy is being victimized by rampant, out of control redevelopment--- they deserve more than "parkettes" that are smaller than an acre.

Foreign dignitaries visiting Ottawa during the 1960's.

 The National Capital Commission wants to remove cars and OC Transpo buses from Wellington Street. A measure that would discriminate against people who have mobility problems or who are aged. And who have the right to see our Parliament Buildings, Confederation Square and every other landmark in the district. After the September 11, 2001 attacks a Canadian politician suggested that the public should be banned from Parliament Hill. Banning the public from the Hill would violate Section 2 (c) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.

I inherited all of the photos, which were taken during the 1960's:

The Rideau Club, on the left, and the American Embassy on Wellington Street are visible in the background. The Rideau Club burned down in 1979.

Crown Princess Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark - Summer of 1967.

King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, 1967.

The National Capital Commission and City of Ottawa are discriminating against older and handicapped individuals.

 As a 69-year-old woman with mobility problems, I believe the following actions by the NCC and City will have a negative impact on my ability to travel and to enjoy scenic attractions:

1.)  They are planning to remove OC Transpo buses from the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. I always look forward to travelling on the SJAM Parkway on a bus and seeing the beautiful scenery. "It's not about the destination, it's the journey." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

2.) Public Works, the NCC and city are taking away federal green spaces that are now accessible to people who cannot drive cars, ride bicycles or walk for long distances--- the Central Experimental Farm for example. Unlock the gates from 933 Gladstone; the Greenbelt Research Farm, 1740 Woodroffe Avenue; and Lebreton Flats and turn the land into National Parks. To view the Gladstone property Google: "933 Gladstone Ottawa" then go to the "Maps" icon at the top of the page.

3.) The trifecta is envisioning the removal of motor vehicles on Wellington Street in the Parliamentary Precinct. I would not be surprised if the public is banned altogether from Parliament Hill, that idea has already been suggested.  The royal family in England can escape from the so-called commoners, the proles, by using helicopters to travel around London. 

4.)  It is disrespectful to herd "the masses" into downtown subways. Ottawa is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and one of the highlights of my existence is driving by historic buildings and landmarks; watching people on the streets; and looking at statues, trees and flowers. I am not a mole or another subterranean creature that lives underground. 

5.)  When motor vehicles are banned from parkways---for example the Queen Elizabeth Parkway--- you are shutting out very sick individuals and the aged population. When my grandparents and my parents were elderly they loved to go daytripping and see the leaves change colour in the countryside, or view the scenery in Rideau Ferry and Merrickville. Do not permanently take away the celebrations and spaces that make our lives worth living---graduations; weddings---my daughter is having a Zoom wedding in a couple of days--- the Tulip Festival; park land; museums; entertainment venues like the National Arts Centre; gyms; beauty parlours; restaurants, bars, theatres and sporting facilities.  Do not turn the Capital City of Canada into another Hong Kong. Or a ghost town.

6.) It is hypocritical for politicians to extoll the virtues of saving the environment by riding bicycles and recycling. And then turn around and permit the construction of 50-storey condominium towers that block out the sun, kill unsuspecting birds; and ruin the viewscape of Little Italy and other locations. "Urban heat islands occur when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. This effect increases energy costs (e.g. for air conditioning) air pollution levels, and heat-related illness and mortality." (United States Environmental Protection Agency - Green Infrastructure.)

The pressure to sell Ottawa's Greenbelt.

 Developer William Teron wanted the National Capital Commission to sell 6,000 acres of the Greenbelt for housing and rapid transit. Mr. Teron was the CEO of the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and "The Father of Kanata.":

The Greenbelt "is a gorgeous place, but very seldom do you see people within it. Here, a million people would connect." "Mr. Teron envisioned small villages of 5,000 to 10,000 people each, which would be developed around roads such as Woodroffe and Merivale." (Ottawa Citizen newspaper.)

The Greenbelt Research Farm is bordered by Woodroffe Avenue, Greenbank Road, Hunt Club and Fallowfield Road. Thanks to the Mulroney government the Greenbelt is untouchable---National Interest Land Mass properties cannot be sold or subdivided. A 1970's Agriculture Canada map.

The Canadian Maple Leaf Flag.

During the year 1965 the government of Canada owned or rented 3,801 federal buildings. Now the Department of Public Works is planning to divest their "obsolete" portfolio of buildings and land in Ottawa-Gatineau. Dominion Buildings and post offices were recently sold in Lethbridge, Alberta; Almonte, Ontario and Vancouver, B.C. The National Capital Commission; the provinces; City of Ottawa; hospitals; foreign corporations and builders cannot wait to get their hands on OUR property.

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa  February 17, 1965.

Mr. Coates, Progressive Conservative.

1.)" What is the estimated cost to the federal treasury that will result if a new flag design is approved by parliament?

2.) How many federal buildings are there within Canada either owned or rented by the federal government which presently have the necessary facilities to fly the Canadian flag?

3.) How many buildings either owned or rented by the government outside Canada have the necessary facilities to fly the Canadian flag?

4.) How many Canadian red ensigns of various sizes are presently the property of the Canadian government?"

Mr. John B. Stewart (Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State).

1.) "Many of the flags of the Canadian red ensign design withdrawn from service on February 15, 1965 were not new; accordingly, to state their financial value precisely would be impossible. The unit cost of new flags of the two designs will be approximately the same.

2.) 3,801 (buildings.)

3.) 323.

4.) 17, 515."

The government of Canada gave the Sunnybrook Hospital to the University of Toronto.

 Alberni, British Columbia - Request for sale of property:

House of Commons Debates Ottawa  July 12, 1966.

Mr. Thomas Speakman Barnett, Comox-Alberni, B.C. (Co-operative Commonwealth Foundation CCF).

"I should like to ask the Minister of Industry whether since the federal government has sold Sunnybrook hospital to the University of Toronto for one dollar, the government will consider like action and selling much less valuable former national defence property in Alberni for a like amount."

At one time Veteran's Affairs Canada owned 14 hospitals and lodges, including Senneville Lodge in Senneville, Quebec; the George Derby Hospital, Burnaby, British Columbia; Colonel Belcher Hospital, Calgary, Alberta...

"This Land is Your Land, Canada" by The Travellers.

Videos for the song are on YouTube. 

Lyrics to the song "This Land is Your Land, Canada."

This land is your land, This land is my land,

 From Bonavista to Vancouver Island

From the Arctic Circle to the Great Lakes waters, 

This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking that ribbon of highway

I saw above me that endless skyway;

I saw below me that golden valley

This land was made for you and me.

I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps,

To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;

While all around me a voice was sounding,

This land was made for you and me.

The sun came shining, and I was strolling

And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,

As the fog was lifting, a voice was chanting,

This land was made for you and me.

A signed photo of Prime Minister Joe Clark, to George Shaw.

 

Letterhead.

 

A signed photo of Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, to George Shaw.

 

The Chateau Laurier Hotel.

Why an extension will never be constructed behind the hotel. 1.)  The new addition will encroach upon a 30 metre/98 foot buffer zone. The adjacent Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and World Heritage sites have a 30-metre buffer zone:

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa  July 6, 1908. Grand Trunk Railway Hotel Site. Mr. William Pugsley (Minister of Public Works) Liberal. "Apart from the towers, the height will be about 100 feet. There are to be five floors above ground...The land extends 285 feet on the canal basin and 135 feet on Rideau Street...Extending from the side of the canal, at the rear, the land is 66 feet in width. Then it extends parallel to the canal basin 205 feet 3 inches and then running parallel to Rideau Street 86 feet 6 inches...there is to be a subway running from the station into the basement of the hotel."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   "Generally, new development must be set back a minimum 30 metres from the shoreline. This aligns with the 30 metre buffer zone extending from the boundary of the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site." (Parks Canada - Rideau Canal National Historic Site Principles for good waterfront development - Part 5 ---Locate development back from the shoreline.) 66 feet equals 20 metres. The setback has to be 30 metres or 98 feet.

2.)  Senate Bill S-203 prohibits the construction of new buildings within a 500-metre buffer zone of National Historic Sites of Canada, that are located within the National Capital Region. The Chateau Laurier and the Rideau Canal are National Historic Sites.

3.) Major's Hill Park and the hotel grounds were extensions of Parliament Hill:

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa July 6, 1908.  Mr. Robert Laird Borden (Leader of the Official Opposition). "This hotel will be thrust into the midst of the government buildings and parliament grounds...We take this national property immediately contigious to and indeed forming part of the grounds of this parliament."

4.)  The Rideau Canal may lose UNESCO designation:  UNESCO WANTS CHATEAU HOTEL ADDITION REASSESSED "BEFORE ANY IRREVOCABLE DECISIONS ARE MADE." Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen newspaper, Feb. 12, 2020. "UNESCO warns that the planned addition to the Chateau Laurier could damage the 'viewscape' and the overall value of the Rideau Canal which is a World Heritage Site."

The United Nations agency is also evaluating the impact of several other developments adjacent to the waterway:

(1) Various Federal Infrastructure Investment Program projects along the length of the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site.

(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" and go to "November 24, 2019."

 Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was quite fond of the hotel---he lived there during the 1960's; refused to sell it to Hilton; and the Canada Pavilion at Epcot Center in Orlando Florida is a replica of the Chateau.

Keep your hands off the Greenbelt.

 Municipal politicians in Ottawa have the impression that the Greenbelt is a commodity that can be bought and sold. The Greber Commission created the Greenbelt as a "living memorial" to honour Canadians who died fighting in foreign wars. It was never created to line the pockets of real estate entities; to expand the City of Ottawa's urban boundary; to provide land on which to build Hong-Kong style residential towers or to fulfill the city's intensification targets.

The Greenbelt is federal government of Canada land that is managed, not owned, by the National Capital Commission. The citizens of Canada collectively own this 20,800 hectare property. It is a National Interest Land Mass: "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." Google:1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC.

City of Ottawa White Paper on Development in the Greenbelt - May 27, 2008.

"It is estimated that of the 20,800 hectares in the Greenbelt, at least one quarter (5,560 hectares) might be eligible for development consideration if the Greenbelt designation was removed and the development policies of the City's Official Plan were applied to these lands."

In my opinion, the Greenbelt Research Farm on 1740 Woodroffe has been targeted for residential and commercial development:

 Government of Canada cabinet conclusions from 1958.

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa June 22, 1992.

Mrs. Beryl Gaffney (Nepean). "Mr. Speaker, in the 1960's the federal government had the foresight to protect environmentally sensitive land in the nation's capital with the establishment of the greenbelt lands. The NCC is the federal agency responsible for these lands. The greenbelt was established to control urban sprawl, provide beauty to the nation's capital, assist municipalities in local improvements such as the cycling paths, the Stoney Swamp, the Pinhey Forest and the Log Farm. They have all added to the enhancement and beauty of the nation's capital."

"The people of Nepean are most concerned that the NCC is moving away from that premise. Does this government plan on continuing the status quo with the Nepean greenbelt lands or does the government plan on putting these lands up for sale? The majority of us in Nepean clearly do not want the greenbelt chipped away for residential or commercial development."

2067 Greenbelt Vision Statement.

"The Greenbelt will forever protect natural systems, agriculture and opportunities for outdoor recreation and education that will inspire Canadians and contribute to the sustainability and quality of life in Canada's Capital Region." The Greenbelt will remain in the public domain. (Page 53/196.)

Federally Owned Real Estate.

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa  December 14, 1970. 

Mr. Fortin (Ralliement Creditiste): 1.)  What is the area of land owned by the federal government in each province?2.)  Is there a complete and perpetual inventory of federally owned properties? 3.) What action has been taken since the release of the Glassco Report to improve the management of real property?

Hon. Arthur Laing (Minister of Public Works) Liberal: 1.) The area of land owned by the federal government as recorded in the Central Inventory of Federal Properties, by province is:

Province                             Number of Acres

Newfoundland                       96, 041

Prince Edward Island             1, 353

Nova Scotia                         22, 514

New Brunswick                 318, 532

Quebec                             280, 485

Ontario                             268, 283

Manitoba                           51, 707

Saskatchewan                  77, 445

Alberta                           101, 751

British Columbia           164, 158

*Yukon Territories          21, 125

vNorthwest Territories   90, 193

v Includes only property that is being utilized by federal departments or agencies.

2.) There is a perpetual inventory of federally owned land. The inventory is estimated to be 90% complete at the present time and is expected to be completed at the end of 1971. 3.) Several of the recommendations made by the Glassco Report to improve real property management have been acted upon; more recently the Treasury Board-Department of Public Works Task Force has examined the entire ecect of real property management and proposals are now being studied for presentation to the government."

In 1971 the citizens of Canada owned Crown property worth $20 billion dollars. (House of Commons Debates, MP John Gilbert, March 18, 1971.)

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Erik Nielsen told writer Stevie Cameron that federal real estate was worth $40 to $60 billion dollars when he was the Minister of Public Works. (On the Take by Stevie Cameron.)

Height restrictions near Parliament Hill.

 House of Commons Debates  Ottawa  November 3, 1989.

Mrs. Beryl Gaffney (Nepean) Liberal. "Mr. Speaker, headlines today claim that Campeau Corporation has made application to build a 36-storey building at Kent and Queen Streets within the environs of Parliament Hill. The construction of the office tower would exceed the city's 45-metre height restriction. To allow this building to be built would set a dangerous precedent in the long-standing practice of protecting the vista of Parliament Hill and its surroundings."

"While I understand that these buildings are important to the economy, it is imperative that the historical practice of protecting the view of the capital is maintained. These buildings such as the Peace Tower are a symbol of Canada. To have a 36-storey tower jutting into the view of Canada's most important symbol would be a desecration of our federal land."

"We must make every effort to protect the beauty of our nation's capital and continue the past practice of limiting the height of buildings within the precincts of Parliament."

Photographs of Robert Campeau that were taken by my Dad:

  

                                                                                                

             

                       

The Tower of Babel and the Lebreton Flats.

The reasons why high rise condominiums cannot be built on the Flats:

1.) The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill is 296 feet tall. A Lebreton Flats tower, unbuilt so far, is 656 feet tall or 50 storeys.

House of Commons Debates Ottawa  June 16, 1966.

MP Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre.) 

Mr. Knowles: ".....I understand that the height of the Peace Tower, from its base to the top of the tower is 296 feet. The information given me concerning the proposed national defence headquarters is that the height of the building from the ground floor to the top would be 460 feet...The proposed national defence headquarters would be 164 feet taller than the Peace Tower...However, as everyone knows, the LeBreton Flats area west of Parliament Hill is lower than Parliament Hill...The elevation at the corner of Fleet and Booth is 184 feet."

"I think the skyline of the city of Ottawa is something of which we can be proud...A tower that is only going to be a few blocks away (from Parliament Hill) rising higher than the Peace Tower would spoil the skyline of the city of Ottawa...I think that a government that is only in power for a short time, has to be careful when it takes a course of action that has an effect for decades, perhaps half a century or for a century. Mr. Speaker, one newspaper says that I am living in the past and (do) I not realize that skyscrapers reflect progress. I think the story of the Tower of Babel gives the answer to that. I hope we are not going to build another."

2.)  The Lebreton Flats are a National Interest Land Mass. Permitted on the Flats: national museums; memorials; Library and Archives; gardens; statues; land for Canada's First Nations; Canada Day festivities and Bluesfest; parks and playgrounds and art galleries.

 House of Commons Debates   Ottawa  June 12, 1970. MP John Gilbert (New Democratic Party). ".....The hon. member for York South (Mr. Lewis) asked the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Laing) questions with regard to the development of land on the Kingston area waterfront. We were told at this time that a private developer by the name of Teron is interested in developing property in the Kingston area which should be used for public recreation purposes...To sell this property, which really belongs to the public, to private interests would be indicative of a preference for individual profit rather than a concern for the public of Kingston."

 "Marina City would cover the site of the old Canadian Locomotive Works and adjacent areas, some of which are owned by the federal government. The project would include some 750 apartments in three towers, townhouses, shops, offices, a hotel and a convention centre, and a marina. The site extends to the west from a Holiday Inn Teron built three years ago....A total of 1,300 parking spaces are provided. (Architecture Canada newsmagazine, July 20, 1970, page 5/10.)

The future of the Parliamentary Precinct.

 

The Union Bank, 128 Wellington and Victoria Building, 140 Wellington.

"It's unclear at this time if Wellington Street's Victoria Building, where a large number of Senators have offices, will be facing the wrecking ball or be significantly redeveloped with it's facade intact." ("Every building meets its time: Senators occupying Victoria Building mull future revamp of precinct." The Hill Times, April 23, 2020.) To see images of the Union Bank, utilize Streetview: Google: "128 Wellington Street Ottawa" then go to "Maps". Located next to the News, Shopping, All, etc. icons at the top of the page.

A 27-storey residential tower was constructed behind the Montgomery's Tavern National Historic Site of Canada. At one time 2384 Yonge Street Toronto was collectively owned by the citizens of Canada:

2384 Yonge Street.

The private owners removed the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board plaque. Once a federal building is privatized it loses all heritage designation and protection.

The northern half of the Sparks Street Mall is wholly owned by Public Works. The National Capital Commission was given millions of dollars to buy up the Mall properties on the southern half of the street. Now there are 14 different owners:

the reResidences high rise condominiums - Ashcroft Homes.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Headquarters - Morguard.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee Building - 90 Sparks - Larco.

 I do not understand where all of this "Town and Crown" nonsense is coming from; and why the City of Ottawa is so engaged in the future of federal real estate. The municipal politician for the ward wants to see more condominiums in the district. 

House of Commons Debates   Ottawa   July 20, 1973.

Hon. Jean-Eudes Dube (Minister of Public Works) Liberal.

"...To properly house the expanding requirements of Parliament for generations ahead in ways that would both compliment and preserve the exisiting beauty of the Parliament Buildings we must enlarge the present Parliamentary grounds.'

"I wish therefore to announce Mr. Speaker, that I have today, on behalf of the government, filed a

notice of intent to expropriate the land and buildings in the area bounded by

Wellington Street, Elgin Street, Sparks Street and Bank Street.

The purpose of this expropriation is as I have indicated to protect the environment of Parliament from any development which could adversely affect it...The property of the United States Embassy has been excluded from this expropriation but discussions are well advanced for its acquisition...I want to assure everyone involved that on the Mall it will be business as usual."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blocks 1, 2 and 3 across from Parliament Hill are being extensively redeveloped. CBC News photo from a February 23, 2020 article.

Block 2 properties.

Victoria Building, 140 Wellington Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed 1927 to 1928, designed by J. Albert Ewart.

Union Bank, 128 Wellington Street, Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed 1887 to 1888.

Former American Embassy, 100 Wellington Street. Classified Federal Heritage Building. Constructed 1932 to 1932.

90 Wellington/40 Metcalfe.

Valour Building, the former La Promenade, 151 Sparks Street. Constructed in 1972.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 119 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building.

Bate Building, 109-111 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed in 1859 and then 1904.

Birks Building, 107 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed from 1910 to 1911.

Canada's Four Corners, 93 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed from 1870 to 1871.

"Many of the buildings on this block have gone beyond or are reaching the end of their life cycle." (NCC CONSENT AGENDA - 2020-P221-Capital Interests for Block 2 Redevelopment (Design Competition). Tuesday October 6, 2020.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Langevin Block on Wellington is a National Historic Site of Canada. A Senate Bill created in November 2019 prohibits the demolition or alteration of the Langevin Block, and the construction of new buildings within a 500-metre buffer zone.

House of Commons Debates   Ottawa  January 29, 1985.

MP Mike Cassidy (Ottawa Centre) New Democratic Party.

".....in the planning of the City of Ottawa, which came after the Greber report, and when the downtown was planned in the early 1960's, specific regard was had in trying to recognize the pre-eminence of the Peace Tower and the House of Commons...the height limits have the effect of creating a saucer, so that the Peace Tower remains the pre-eminent building in this part of the downtown core."

The Constitution Act of 1867.

"The buildings are only allowed to get higher as they get farther away from Wellington Street and the parliamentary precinct...it was clearly designed to take account of the fact that Parliament Hill is an important national symbol and should be given that pre-eminence."

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa  January 12, 1970.

Hon. Marcel Lambert (Edmonton West.)

"Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Public Works. I wonder of the minister could consult with his colleague the Minister of Regional Expansion, and make a statement in the House with regard to the applicability of height restrictions on federal government buildings in the neighbourhood of Parliament Hill."

Restrictions on building heights near Parliament Hill.

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa October 30, 1967.

Hon. G.J. McIlraith (Minister of Public Works) Liberal.

".....The government is very much concerned about this subject and is maintaining close liason with the various persons concerned in the municipal government with a view to maintaining limits of building heights such that the architectural significance of the Peace Tower and the Parliament Buildings generally will not be diminished."

A recent statement from the federal department of Public Works.

"Much of the government-owned Ottawa-Gatineau portfolio is obsolete... There is room for the private development sector to create new space."

Peace.

1.) John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace a Chance" in the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal.

2.) The International Peace Garden is located on North Dakota and Manitoba border property.

3.) The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park encompasses land in Montana and Alberta.

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta. 1990.

The Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton, Alberta.

4.) The Peace Bridge - an international bridge connecting Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario.

5.) The words "Give Peace a Chance" are inscribed in 40 different languages, on stones leading to Mount Royal Park, Montreal.

The impending decimation of the Parliamentary Precinct.

Apparently Public Works and the National Capital Commission are proceeding with plans to "modernize" Wellington Street property across from Parliament Hill, and the northern half of the Sparks Street Mall. "Many of the buildings on this block have gone beyond or are reaching the end of their life cycle." (NCC CONSENT AGENDA - 2020 - P221 - Capital Interests for Block 2 Site Redevelopment (Design Competition.) Tuesday October 6, 2020.) Eleven buildings are facing demolition and new ones will be constructed, notably on vacant land beside the former American Embassy:

Block 2. "Major overhaul in store for entire block facing Parliament Hill." CBC News, February 3, 2020.

Are you people insane. The Americans have tremendous respect for their monuments and institutions. The American government rarely permits new construction on land near the White House and Lafayette Park. An exception was made for the Canadian embassy on Pennsylvania Avenue.

I do not want to see my Maple Leaf Flag and Canada's Coat of Arms stripped from the Langevin Block, the former US Embassy or any other landmark on Wellington Street. Especially by foreign entities who won a design contest. 

A photograph I took of Princess Diana on Parliament Hill, June 21, 1983. The Langevin Block on 80 Wellington can be seen in the background.

My video "Government buildings on the Sparks Street Mall" is on YouTube. The properties that are facing demolition or facadism on the Mall are: the 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.

Sparks Street is a Heritage Conservation District protected by Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. But federal heritage laws supersede provincial and municipal heritage laws.

Classified Federal Heritage Building and Recognized Federal Heritage Building definitions.

Senate Bill S-203 - An Act to Amend the National Capital Act will prevent the flattening and inappropriate alteration of properties in the Parliamentary Precinct, and new construction within 500 metres of landmarks will be banned:

Senate Bill S-203

"Her Majesty, by and with the consent of the Senate and the House of Commons, enacts as follows: 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 a 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.

National Interest Land Mass.

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The International Peace Garden.

During the year 1932 "very substantial areas of land in the Turtle Mountain region were set aside" forever by the American and Canadian governments for an International Peace Garden. The park encompasses 2,400 acres of Manitoba and North Dakota border land.

The International Peace Garden. A Wikipedia photo.

An image of the garden is included in the YouTube video "Moody Manitoba Morning - The Bells -Toba pics."

Redevelopment of the Tubman's Funeral Home, Westboro.

 

September 8, 2020:

"The City is looking at a zoning by-law amendment to allow a 9 storey residential building with retail commercial to be constructed on the Tubman Funeral home, 403 Richmond Road. It would wrap around on to 398 Roosevelt. The proposal is for 170 units with underground parking for 115 vehicles."

# DefendABParks - Trending in Canada right now.

 

37% of Alberta's parks are going to be removed from the parks system.

Dinosaur Provincial Park is on the hit list, despite the fact that the property is a UNESCO World Heritage Site protected by the United Nations.

As of 1:46 PM Eastern Standard Time #DefendABParks has 2,495 Tweets.

 

Government properties that will be owned by Canadians in perpetuity.

 The National Parks. House of Commons Debates   Ottawa  March 15, 1972. Member of Parliament Martin O'Connell (Minister of Labour) Liberal: "...In our government's four years of office our national parks have increased from 18 to 28....There is a 50 per cent increase in the area set aside in perpetuity for national parks...Canada leads all nations in the world in land set aside for future generations."

Commissioners Park, Ottawa - Bounded by Preston Street, Carling Avenue and the Queen Elizabeth Driveway. The 22-acre park is the site of the Tulip Festival and is part of the NCC Greenbelt.

The Rideau Canal -  Ottawa/Kingston. House of Commons Debates  Ottawa  June 1, 1950. Member of Parliament George Taylor Fulford (Leeds) Liberal. "...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 sky was blue."

Mooney's Bay Park, Ottawa.

Dominion Observatory Campus, Carling Avenue, Ottawa.

The Plains of Abraham, Quebec City

Harbourfront. A Crown corporation that was created by the federal government in 1976. Harbourfront originally encompassed 100 acres of land on the Toronto waterfront. A 99-year lease agreement was signed between the Canadian government and the City of Toronto and the lease is perpetual.

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Canadian politicians and members of the public are calling for the repatriation of the following buildings, land and bridges:

Earnscliffe, 140 Sussex Drive, Ottawa - Prime Ministers John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson and Joe Clark wanted to see the home of Sir John A.Macdonald returned to the Dominion. The British High Commission is taking over National Capital Commission and National Research Council land for their new embassy.

The Quebec Bridge - a CN Rail asset. The government of Canada wanted to repatriate the Quebec Bridge for $1 dollar:  House of Commons Debates Ottawa March 24, 2010. MP Brian Jean: "Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to speak to Motion No. 423, regarding the acquisition of the Quebec Bridge from the Canadian National Railway. Motion No. 423 - "That, in the opinion of the House, the government should purchase the Pont de Quebec for one dollar and commit to quickly finishing the repair work so as to respect its importance as a historical monument and a vital transportation link for the Quebec City region."

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa March 29, 1996. MP Chuck Strahl (Fraser Valley East) Reform. "...In 1993 the federal government (Kim Campbell) sold the bridge to CN for $1 dollar with the proviso that CN maintain the bridge...They want to return the responsibility to the federal government...Why should the federal government maintain it if it does not own it..." Below-A photo from the year 2014:

 1,000 lighthouses that were divested by Fisheries and Oceans Canada during the year 2015:

I am in front of the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, a few years ago.

Save Little Italy, Ottawa Ontario.

Save Little Italy-Notes|Facebook - Photos.

Centretown Buzz Feature: "The OMB and Norman Street: an inside look" by Eric Darwin. May 14, 2016.

Broken promises.

 The City of Ottawa promised that Queen Juliana Park would remain a green space and that Ev Tremblay Park would be expanded:

1.) Planning Committee Minutes - June 24, 2014. Proposed Motion No. PLC 77/4 (Queen Juliana Park).

Submitted by Councillor K. Hobbs. WHEREAS the Preston-Carling District Secondary Plan proposes a dense urban centre around the Carling O-Train (Future LRT) Station;

AND WHEREAS the provision of expanded and enhanced greenspace is a key pillar in creating a sustainable, attractive and liveable neighbourhood;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Planning and Growth Management Department, when reviewing development applications for the property currently owned by Public Works and Government Services Canada municipally known as 870 Carling Avenue and locally known as "Queen Juliana Park" that staff seek to maximize usable, programmable greenspace to create a district park and to ensure safe and convenient pathways for cyclists and pedestrians to access and move through the space from the study area and the greater Civic Hospital neighbourhood;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Ottawa expand Ev Tremblay Park through land acquisition and potential land swap options with adjacent development sites.(From: Page 10/24.)

2.) Ottawa City Council Minutes- July 9, 2014. Motion Number 78/4.

Moved by Councillor P. Hume. Seconded by Councillor J. Harder. Amendments to correct Minor Errors and Omissions, and to respond to Motions and Submissions.

4.)  that when reviewing development applications staff be directed to seek to maximize usable and programmable green space and to assure safe and convenient pedestrian and cycling pathways on properties municipally known as 870 Carling Avenue currently owned by the Public Works and Government Services Canada.

5,)  that staff be directed to explore options for expanding Ev Tremblay Park, including land acquisition and potential land swaps with adjacent development sites. CARRIED. (From: Pages 13, 14 and 15 of 75 pages.)

Petition: Save Ev Tremblay Park- Change.org.

"In 2013 the City's master plan for Little Italy had the old monastery on Beech and Champagne slated to turn into a park. Then in 2018 the city amended the plan to let the lot be used for a six story building...without any public consultation!! 

"Ev Tremblay park is still flagged for expansion in the neighbourhood master plan. How can the city get away with changing zoning without consulting people who live in the neighbourhood? How exactly does the city expect to expand Ev Tremblay Park if they rezone the only land the park can expand into??"

The Ottawa Humane Society property on 101 Champagne was a potential green space. The Ontario Municipal Board dismissed an appeal and the land was sold a few years ago to a developer. The Ashcroft condominiums are 25 and 28 storeys tall. The 28-storey tower is called Envie Student.

  91 acres of Central Experimental Farm land were sold to the City of Ottawa in 1988, then to Ashcroft Homes. Despite the fact that the Federal Department of Agriculture was adamantly opposed to the sale of the Clyde/Merivale lands:

House of Commons Debates Ottawa May 13, 1988.

Member of Parliament 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 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 in the City of Ottawa?"

The Honourable 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 also appreciate 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 Central Experimental Farm is now a National Interest Land Mass. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney created the National Interest Land Mass designation in 1988 to prevent the sale of more Farm land; Gatineau Park; the Greenbelt; Lebreton Flats; Rideau Hall; 24 Sussex Drive; part of Earnscliffe; Rideau Canal from downtown to Hog's Back; Royal Canadian Mint and many other government properties. "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 British High Commission is building a new embassy on Earnscliffe, 140 Sussex Drive; and they may be taking over part of 100 Sussex Drive. "A second vehicle egress road is proposed at the north site of the property. This is subject to ongoing negotiation with the National Research Council." (From: British High Commission Earnscliffe, Site Plan Approval, Planning Rationale - November 11, 2019.) Right of Egress is the legal right to exit or leave a property.

The new British embassy will violate Senate Bill S-203, An Act to Amend the National Capital Act (buildings or works of national significance). The Bill establishes a 500-metre protective zone around Parliament Hill and other sites of national interest to prevent changes that could undermine their historic character:

The former home of Sir John A. Macdonald is a National Historic Site of Canada, designated by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

The Experimental Farm is also a National Historic Site of Canada and construction of a medical centre on the property is banned:

 

More pictures of Ditchingham, the home of H. Rider Haggard.

H. Rider Haggard was the author of King Solomon's Mines; Cleopatra; Ayesha, the Return of She and many other books. He is remembered as "The Indiana Jones of Norfolk, England."

Angela Cheyne, a direct descendant of H. Rider Haggard.

A Rider Haggard novel became a movie, Google "Ursula Andress in She highlights."