Micromanaging activities on public land.

Does the government plan to install checkpoints, tall fences and spy cameras on:

The Central Experimental Farm, Carling Avenue, Ottawa. The public may be directed to a new entrance at the Arboretum.("Easier public access to Arboretum" page 99/106, Animating the Rideau Canal.) 

Land beside the Rideau Canal, Ottawa. Walking, running and riding a bicycle are looked upon favorably.

Gatineau Park in Quebec. When roads in Gatineau Park are closed to traffic, cars will be directed to parking lots. Disabled individuals who cannot run or ride a bicycle may have to choose between remaining in the car or riding on electric scooters or a mini-bus. That is an invasion of privacy and an attack on accessibility rights. What if it's raining? What if the bus driver fails to show up? Do I have to show identification papers? My grandparents loved to go daytripping when they were elderly, visiting historic sites and green spaces and sharing the experience with their loved ones:

My Grandmother and my Mother visit the Gatineau Hills during the 1940's.

The Tulip Festival, Commissioners Park, Dow's Lake. A year ago people were prohibited from stopping to admire the flowers or from photographing them. 

Scenic parkways were created by urban planner Jacques Greber and the Ottawa Improvement Commission. Closing them to vehicles is a threat to accessibility rights.

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa June 1, 1970. Mr. Skoberg (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan)New Democratic Party: "Is the government of Canada, through the National Capital Commission, giving favourable consideration to the development of a plan which would eliminate automobiles from the downtown area of Ottawa?"

Mr. Martin P. O'Connell (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion) "...At present, no plans exist for the elimination of automobiles from downtown Ottawa."

House of Commons Debates Ottawa May 15, 1970. Mr. Gordon Duncan Blair (Grenville-Carleton)Liberal: "...Is the government aware of a statement or statements to the press by the Chairman of the National Capital Commission to the effect that he might close the national capital parkways in this region for a week, for the strange inquiries of...proving their importance in carrying traffic?" 

The Hon. George McIlraith (Acting Prime Minister; Soliciter-General of Canada.) "The statement has caused concern.I am very doubtful that the Chairman has any such authority under the National Capital Act."

The Greber Report of 1950- Federal, scenic highways in the National Capital Region are dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers who died fighting in foreign wars. They will be owned by the citizens of Canada in perpetuity. (Page 228/395.)

Land that is adjacent to the highways are designated as National Interest Land Mass properties: "Land forming part of the NILM will be retained by the NCC on behalf of the government in perpetuity." (Google: 1988-09-15-tb-re-ncc.):

The Ottawa River Parkway, now called the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway-Wellington Street to Carling Avenue--254 ha.

Champlain Bridge, Island Park Drive--15 ha.

Airport Parkway--120 ha.

Eastern Parkway, Hemlock Rd. to Hwy. 417--72 ha.

Eastern Driveway and Rockcliffe Parkway from Sussex Drive to Greenbelt--255 ha.

Ottawa River shoreline proposed Voyageur Parkway--84 ha.

Leamy Lake Park and part of the Philemon Wright Corridor--285 ha.

Potential NILM properties in 1988:

Western Parkway corridor, Carling Avenue to Queensway--40.0 ha.

Experimental Farm Dr. corridor, Queensway to Experimental Farm--76.0 ha.

Hull South Parkway, Lucerne Blvd. to Gatineau Park--275.0 ha.

Family photos that were taken during the 1940's.

Green spaces in Ottawa.

"A Capital City belongs to a certain extent to the whole country, and should not be placed in such a position that any one man, or company of men, can have it in their power to seriously mar its beauty, and thus throw discredit on the nation. As a Capital City, the park and open spaces should be numerous, and ample boulevards and parkways should skirt the different waterways as well as connect the principal parks and the different public bridges."(The Todd Report, 1903.) Frederick Todd was designated a National Historic Person on October 21, 2020 by the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Federally owned public gardens in 1950.  Rockcliffe Park, 70 acres.   Central Park (Clemow Avenue), 16 acres.   Brewer Park (End of Bronson Ave.) 39 acres.  Commissioner Park (Dow's Lake), 4 acres. (Commissioners Park now encompasses 22 acres and is part of the Greenbelt. savecfbrockcliffe.)  Green Island Park (Mouth of Rideau River) 6 acres.   Nepean Point and Major's Hill Park, 21 acres.  McDonald Park (Charlotte Street) 21 acres.   Anglesea Square (York Street) 3 acres.  Strathcona Park (Range Road) 8 acres.  St. Luke's Park (Frank Street) 1-5 acres.   Minto Park (Elgin Street) 1-5.   Dundonald Park (Somerset Street) 2 acres.   Plouffe Park (Preston Street) 4 acres.   McNab Park (Gladstone Avenue)  Reid Park (Sherwood Drive) 6 acres.   Ballantyne Park (Main Street Ottawa East) 1 acre. (From: The Greber Report, page 160/396.)

House of Commons Ottawa September 16, 2009. Member of Parliament Steven Blaney (Bellechase-Les Etchemins-Levis, Quebec) Conservative. "...Other properties found in the Greenbelt are Commissioners Park, where there is a display of of over 100,000 tulips."

The Great Reset.

My predictions: 1.) The federal government will privatize thousands of government buildings now that civil servants work from home or from a hub. During the 1990's there were rumours that Place du Portage in Gatineau would be sold and now the National Capital Commission has big plans for complex.

2.) There are 4,300 hectares of  parkland in Canada's capital, or 10,625 acres, thanks to Prime Ministers Mackenzie King and  Sir Wilfrid Laurier; an urban planner named Jacques Greber from Paris, France; the Ottawa Improvement Commission and politicians who tried to preserve the Greenbelt. The mindset of many current politicians, federal and local is that we do not deserve an abundance of green space. Fences will be installed around parks. I can envision long lineups of people waiting at checkpoints; identification papers are mandatory and security guards will blast out commands on loudspeakers: "You cannot loiter in the park, but you can walk, run and ride your bicycle. Stay on the path. You are allotted half an hour to enjoy the green space." What a terrible legacy we are leaving for our descendants. 

3.)  A massive land grab when the parkways in the capital and Gatineau are depaved.

4.) The sale of dozens of federal parks that are now protected from developers. Google: "Urban natural features strategy city of ottawa, April 11, 2006." Recreational land strategy for Ottawa-2006-2031: 4.4.2. "The city's requirement for parks and open spaces may have to be revisited to ensure that the types of spaces required for developers reflect the need for quality spaces...The goals of a review of parks and recreational land should be 'Quality over quantity.'. ..Parks don't have to be grassy to be green...The city should accept parkettes as part of the 5% parkland dedication." (Parkettes or pocket parks are less than 0.5 hectares in size. In 1950 urban planner Jacques Greber created a National War Memorial in the capital, 900 square miles of land that would be owned by Canadians forever. Read page 11/396 and page 7/396 of the Greber Report. The city cannot wait to get its hands on the Greenbelt and that includes Commissioners Park at Preston and Carling. "The City of Ottawa has identified more than 13,700 acres of the Greenbelt, worth about $1.6 billion, that could be developed ... without damaging its overall integrity." Google: Greenbelt wikipedia. savecfbrockcliffe.) 

5.) The end of height restrictions on buildings in the Parliamentary Precinct, and that includes the Lebreton Flats, known as the Western Annex:  House of Commons Ottawa November 23, 1967: The Hon. George McIlraith (Minister of Public Works): "Buildings on or near the Parliamentary Precinct cannot be any taller than the Peace Tower." 

6.) The masses will be banned from actually visiting national museums and historic sites. 

Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa, Ontario.2004.The bandshell can be seen in the distance. I took this photo.

The NCC cannot sell land beside the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway to foreign embassies.

Read: 

"The Greber Report of 1950."Federal parkways and green spaces in the National Capital are memorials in perpetuity, to Canadians who died fighting in foreign wars. "The Master Plan is dedicated as a National War Memorial (page 11/396). "The Master Plan herein set forth organizes and protects a vast area of urban, rural and wooded territories." (page 7/395.) The National War Memorial encompasses 900 square miles.

"The Policy for Parkways and Driveways" an NCC document published in July of 1984.

"The Official Plan of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton" as approved by the Province of Ontario, November 1983.

"The Official Plan of Land Use of the City of Ottawa" June 1984.

"The National Interest Land Mass" document, Google: 1988-09-15-tb-re-ncc.

"The National Capital Act of 1958" Section 10 (1).

House of Commons Ottawa March 10, 1986. Member of Parliament Barry Turner (Ottawa-Carleton) Progressive Conservative. Mr. Turner: "Mr. Speaker, this is my first experience with an adjournment debate as a follow-up to my question on February 24 to the Acting Minister of Public Works and I intend to get to the heart of an extremely serious concern quite quickly."

"The National Capital Commission will be making a fundamental planning and policy error if it recommends to the Government that the Mile Circle be used to house embassies. The local, regional and indeed national outcry of total opposition to this proposal should in itself be a proper, clear, concise message to the Commission that it is making a serious mistake. The duly-elected representatives of the four levels of Government directly affected are unanimously opposed to the proposal. Those representatives are myself at the federal level, Mr. Gilles Morin, the local alderman, and the Reeve of Rockcliffe Village which borders on the site, Mr. Pat Murray."

"There is no political will for the project, why should there be a bureaucratic administrative one? The Mile Circle land has been held in trust since 1904 by the federal Government as parkland. I cannot believe that today, in 1986, with all of our collective knowledge and experience, that the Commission is actually threatening to destroy these parklands. I cannot accept the arguments that any development will be done in such a way as to maintain open spaces and a parkland setting. That is impossible since thousands of tons of concrete and steel will be sewn together by architects, engineers and construction workers to build embassies on the Mile Circle."

"My professional background is in conservation and tourism development. I know what impact infrastructures can have on parkland. If parks are for people, and I truly believe they are, then you put any and all development outside of them. Thomas Keefer meant for the Mile Circle to be used by people-people of all ages and from all places, not just from the National Capital region."

"...I have received letters from across Canada opposed to this proposal from Canadians who feel that the Commission is compromising one of its fundamental philosophies, namely to conserve many of the natural parkland settings of our great capital. I am very proud of our magnificent city, and I credit the Commission with making it that way."

"The Policy for Parkways and Driveways, published by the NCC as approved in July 1984, the official plan of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton as approved by the Province of Ontario in November, 1983, and the official plan of land use in the City of Ottawa, published in June 1984, all state their commitment to the public open space corridor along the Ottawa River, with the Mile Circle as part of this landscape conservation. These are commitments by three levels of Government. If the federal government places embassy offices on this land, it would be an expression of contempt for the due process of planning."

(The Mile Circle is adjacent to the Sir George-Etienne Cartier Parkway. The NCC and City of Ottawa want to "Put the Park back in the Parkway" and eventually ban motor vehicles from the Sir George-Etienne Cartier,  Queen Elizabeth and Sir John A. Macdonald Parkways; the National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway and Gatineau Park highways, etc. Depaving the roads will prevent older and disabled individuals from accessing federal green spaces. That is a form of discrimination. We have just as much right to enjoy parkland as people riding bicycles and walking. savecfbrockcliffe.)

Opposition to the American Embassy location next to Major's Hill Park and the Connaught Building. There were concerns about placing the embassy in a densely populated area and the loss of important views.

Government-owned parkland.

House of Commons Ottawa March 24, 1986  MP Jean-Robert Gauthier (Chief Opposition Whip, Whip of the Liberal Party) Ottawa-Vanier. "...My question is directed to the Deputy Prime Minister. Will he tell the House if it is federal policy to sell federally owned parkland? The NCC Chairman Jean Pigott recently said she wants to sell part of a riverfront park known as Mile Circle to the United States of America for an embassy compound.""...Mr. Speaker, could the Deputy Prime Minister inform the House whether he intends to act responsibly and give clear and precise instructions to all those who are responsible for our national parks, indicating clearly that none of our national parks are for sale." (Note: In the year 1925 the Ottawa Improvement Commission designated Mile Circle near Rockcliffe a federal park.---MP Barry Turner (Ottawa-Carleton) House of Commons, April 9, 1986.)

Parks Canada wants to sell $8 billion dollars worth of infrastructure in the federal parks, including highways, bridges, culverts, tunnels and dams. The Rideau Canal has 52 dams and 45 locks. And the 142-mile Icefields Parkway runs through the Banff and Jasper National Parks.Read: "Parks Canada to look at divesting highways, bridges, dams..." by Dean Beeby,CBC News.

The Rideau Canal was built to protect Canada from an American invasion. After the War of 1812, Colonel John By and thousands of workers built the waterway. The British government refused to transfer the Rideau Canal to the government of Canada before a treaty was signed:

House of Commons Ottawa June 1,1950.  Member of Parliament George Taylor Fulford (Leeds,Ontario) Liberal. Mr. Fulford: "...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."

Loopholes.

The National Capital Act (1985)-The NCC is a commercial Crown corporation that operates at arms-length from the government of Canada, from the people. The Crown corporation has the power to sell, grant, lease, or otherwise dispose of any property to any person.  The NCC also has the power to remove "restrictive" designations that would impede the sale or donation of properties---Classified Federal Heritage Building; Recognized Federal Heritage Building; National Historic Site of Canada and National Interest Land Mass.

1.) The Central Experimental Farm is a National Interest Land Mass and a National Historic Site of Canada, two of the reasons why the Civic cannot build a medical centre on the land. The other reasons are:

 a.) A March 19,1954 document signed by Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent stated that the Farm would always be an open space.

 b.) Minister of Public Works Charles Howard Green told the Hon. George McIlraith that no buildings would be constructed on the Farm when Temporary Buildings 5 and 8 were removed--House of Commons, June 16,1958.

 c.) The Director of Gatineau Park Eldon Eady convinced Public Works to give Queen Juliana Park to the people of Canada in 1976.

 d.) Ottawa City Councillor Katherine Hobbs promised that QJP would remain a green space.

 e.) Federal Minister of Agriculture John Wise told the House of Commons that the Farm would always be a Crown asset, May 13, 1988.

 f.) The Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site Management Plan (7 out of 20) confirmed that the Farm will remain a National Interest Land Mass in perpetuity:

"The CEF National Historic Site is designated in its entirety as part of the National Interest Land Mass. These lands are essential for the long-term symbolism, functions, physical structure, and natural and cultural landscape qualities of the Capital. Implicit in a NILM designation is a formal designation of the Federal Government's interest in the long-term use of these lands. Most NILM lands are, or should be, under the custody of the federal government to ensure they are protected and enhanced. Generally, the majority of these lands are, or will be owned by the NCC, while some NILM land will also be under the custody of other federal custodians or departments."

2.) Earnscliffe, 140 Sussex Drive- The British High Commission is building a new embassy on the 140 Sussex Drive property. The National Capital Commission either gave or sold part of Lady Grey Drive to the foreign embassy: "The individual lots that make up the property include sections that were formerly streets-namely McKay Street (also called Earnscliffe Avenue), Lady Grey Drive and Bellevue Terrace." (From: Cultural Heritage Impact Statement-Earnscliffe, City of Ottawa, page 5/49, January 6, 2020.)

Lady Grey Drive. The Royal Canadian Mint can be seen in the background.

3.) 1 and 19 Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard-a park adjacent to the boulevard may be converted into an embassy row. 

The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act- The loophole- "This Act applies to lighthouses that are the property of Her Majesty in right of Canada." A few years ago the Department of Fisheries and Oceans privatized 1,000 federal lighthouses.

The Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act (1985)-The loophole- "Only designated heritage railway stations that are still owned by a railway company under federal jurisdiction are subject to the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act." The Canadian National Railway is a multinational corporation owned by Bill Gates and international investors. Toronto's Union Station was sold to the city. Plans were underway to demolish Ottawa's Union Station in 1966.

Federal government heritage laws supersede provincial and municipal heritage laws.

The 125-acre Hog's Back Park.

Hog's Back Park  -" Desirous of providing a park in the southern part of Ottawa comparable to the Rockcliffe Park in the eastern part of Ottawa, the Commission continued, in 1957, the progressive development of Hog's Back Park. Located as it is in the new government group of office buildings where thousands of employees will be housed within the next five years, this park in addition to its use by the general public will be used for picnics on a large scale."

"The plans for the additional service buildings at the Hog's Back picnic area have been approved by the Commission. These plans comprise a refreshment pavilion, a general shelter, a bus stop and rest rooms. Among its main features will be a parking area for a total of 540 cars and a bus terminal; 400 picnic tables; several overlooks and 30 outdoor fireplaces and drinking fountains."

"The formal opening of the 125-acre Hog's Back Park picnic grounds is scheduled to take place early next summer." Location-the east side of the Rideau River, north of Hog's Back Falls. The park merges with the new Rideau Heights Federal Government buildings site where new department buildings are being constructed for the Department of Public Works, the Post Office Department, etc. (From:1957 Annual Report of the Federal District Commission (Now called the National Capital Commission.) Page 17/49.

The Hog's Back Park now encompasses 50 acres, and the Woods are federal and privately owned, Google: "urban natural features strategy, city of ottawa April 11, 2006."

The uncertain future of Kingston Penitentiary.

A scene from the television program "Murdoch Mysteries." The South Workshop, C-1 to C-6 (pictured) may not be preserved. 

The purple and pink areas are the focus of much of the redevelopment. At least 11 buildings are slated for demolition. Buildings C-1;2;3;4;5;6;7;9;13; 23 and 24 are within the purple and pink areas. TOTAL: 11.

Parks Canada-The South Workshop Recognized Federal Heritage Building-Constructed from 1842-1849. Description of Historic Place-"The South Workshop, also known as Building C-1 to C-6 at Kingston Penitentiary is an impressive 19th century, industrial building with a temple facade and a Greek Cross plan. This solid, stone building is made up of four large wings radiating from a central rotunda."

The Main Cellblock is a Classified Federal Heritage Building and is being preserved. (From:(PDF) Opportunities and Constraints Report-City of Kingston-Page 9/140.)

Corrections Canada prohibited the construction of any buildings within the red lines:

All of the land within the red lines will be park land accessible to the public.

Correctional Service of Canada-Kingston Harbourfront Property-Environmental Assessment Result. Update-After the environmental site assessment and risk assessment were completed, clean up options were presented to CSC. The option chosen was to excavate and replace the impacted soil so that the land would be revitalized and restored to green space. The re mediated area will no longer be leased for boat slips or long-term boat storage, so the refreshed space will be open for the public to have access to and enjoy! 2015-16-29.

April Fool's.

Disneyland North.

The Old Toronto courthouse, located on 60 Queen Street West, Toronto.The building is featured in the television program "Street Legal"; and I was a witness when friends of mine were married at the courthouse during the late 1970's.

The following suggestions were not made in jest: Demolish the entire Rideau Canal from Ottawa to Kingston.Transfer Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia to the City of Vancouver. Transfer all of the BC national parks to the provincial government.Convert the Prison for Women in Kingston, Ontario into an apartment for seniors. Convert the Saint Vincent-de-Paul Penitentiary into the ultimate gated community. 

The architecture of national symbols.

 A glossary of terms that pertain to the Bytown Museum, the Chateau Laurier, Parliamentary Precinct, the Sparks Street Mall and buildings along Sussex Drive, Ottawa.

Blanket Height Control. A view protection tool that establishes a single and broadly applicable maximum permitted height of any new development within a designated area. 

Buffer Zone. An area of land designated for view protection achieved by utilizing various planning tools such as height limits, zoning and/or development restriction.

Central Capital Landscape. The symbolic centre of the Capital Core, including the Parliament Buildings as well as the Supreme Court, Major's Hill Park and green space on the Gatineau waterfront.

Cultural Landscape. A geographic area including both cultural and natural resources exhibiting cultural or aesthetic values.

National Symbols. The Parliament Buildings and other major public buildings and physical landforms within the Parliamentary Precinct and around Confederation Boulevard.

View Controls.  A set of policies and/or guidelines that aim to protect views of national symbols, natural features or other landmarks.( Information is from "New Tools for View Controls in Canada's Capital-2016" page 28/76.)

The Rideau Canal lands from downtown Ottawa to Hog's Back Road are protected by the designation "National Interest Land Mass." Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC.

Parks Canada has guidelines that apply to buildings adjacent to the waterway, the "Rideau Canal National Historic Site-Principles for good waterfront development":

2.)  Conserve historic buildings and cultural heritage features. It is particularily important to conserve and reuse historic houses and cottages, lodges, mills, barns, fences and other cultural heritage features, to preserve the landscape character of the Rideau corridor. 

5.)  Locate development back from the shoreline. Generally, new development must be set back a minimum of 30 metres from the shoreline.This aligns with the 30 metre buffer zone extending from the boundary of the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site. 

7.)  Design buildings to complement the site:

Downtown Merrickville, Ontario adjacent to the Canal.

The Bytown Museum and the hotel were built on Parliament Hill, read "Parliament Hill Legal Title" House of Commons,Ottawa,December 21,1963.