"Egan: GG shuts rink, grounds in latest drama from The Crown". Ottawa Citizen, January 7, 2021.
My opinion, savecfbrockcliffe. Federal properties in the National Capital are dedicated to Canadian soldiers who died fighting in foreign wars. Read the Greber Report. Parliament Hill; transportation corridors; green space, Commissioners Park, the Rideau Canal, museums, the archives, etc. should always be accessible to the public. (However, ecologically sensitive properties in the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park have to be protected.) The NCC is not a private developer--- the land that they are selling or restricting access to is collectively owned by the citizens of Canada. Our grandchildren have the right to inherit Crown property.
House of Commons Ottawa May 13, 1986. Jean-Robert Gauthier (Chief Oppostition Whip; Whip of the Liberal Party)Liberal.
Mr. Gauthier (Ottawa-Vanier): "Mr. Speaker, every year, the magnificent gardens at the residence of Canada's Governor-General attract thousands of tourists from all parts of Canada and from all over the world. Rideau Hall, a symbolic institution dear to the hearts of Canadian men and women, has seen many people walk through its gates to admire this splendid residence or simply for the pleasure of walking on the Governor General's lawn."
"A decision has now been made to restrict access to the public areas of Rideau Hall to groups that have received prior authorization. The only justification given as yet has been the possibility that the safety of the Governor General might be at risk."
"If that is the case, I fail to understand why, in 1986, here in Canada, we cannot both protect our head of State and provide access to this lovely expanse of green that belongs to Canadians. It would be unfortunate if because of fear of some incident we were to restrict our freedom, our civility and the long tradition we have in this country of encouraging people to move freely."
House of Commons Ottawa June 19, 1986. Mr. Gauthier (Ottawa-Vanier): "Mr. Speaker, in the continuing saga of tabling petitions concerning the closure of the Rideau Hall grounds by order of the National Capital Commission, I would like to table another six petitions, which ask that the authorities reconsider this decision and allow residents and tourists to visit the grounds of Rideau Hall. They recognize that security concerns must be looked after, but the public of Canada should be allowed to enjoy the 120 acre park."
"The modus vivendi, that is the security measures, should be installed appropriately so that the public can be allowed to visit these grounds." (120 acres? The January 7, 2021 Kelly Egan article stated that the park was comprised of 80 acres.)
House of Commons Ottawa June 3, 1986. Mr. John Barry Turner (Ottawa-Carleton) Progressive Conservative: "Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister of Public Works. For all intents and purposes the gates of Rideau Hall were recently closed to the people of Canada by the National Capital Commission, an act with which I totally disagree."
The Greber Report of 1950, regarding public, federal institutions in the nation's capital.
"The Capital revealed herself a tourist centre of rare attraction...Beside her political importance are to be found the interest of her public monuments, the charm of her site and the attractiveness of her surroundings...Residence of the governor general, a university and episcopal city, she can offer convention members hotels with every modern comfort; to specialists the Parliamentary Library, the National Archives and the scientific museums...To the ordinary tourists, the Royal Canadian Mint, historical museums, the Archives and the National Gallery. For hikers, here are Rockcliffe, the Driveway and the gardens of the Experimental Farm."
"On leaving the city, the visitor finds himself, within a few minutes, in the Gatineau National Park...No region in the world presents to the eyes a spectacle comparable with the dazzling enchantment of the Gatineau forest in the autumn of the year with its marvelous tapestry of gold, crimson and glowing purple." (Greber Report, page 57/395 and page 58/395.)
Rideau Hall and the connected park are designated as a National Interest Land Mass. Between the years 1986 and 1988 the Rideau Hall landscape decreased from 120 acres to 78 acres, or 31.7 ha. (Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC.) Coincidentally, we were banned from Government House from 1986 until 1990. Is the National Capital Commission selling this 80 acre parcel to create another embassy precinct?
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| A park that "the masses" are now forbidden to set foot upon. |
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| The Rideau Hall skating rink.NCC photo. |
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