The intrusion of National Historic Sites of Canada, by a medical establishment.

 The Experimental Farm, Rideau Canal and Dominion Observatory are all National Historic Sites of Canada and they all have buffer zones:

Experimental Farm - 

Rideau Canal - 

The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dominion Observatory complex - Bill S-203-An Act to Amend the National Capital Act- Section 2 - building or work of national significance means (k) a national historic site as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the Parks Canada Agency Act. 

Letter to Dr. Mark Kristmanson, National Capital Commission from the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm, February 7, 2017. 

"Dear Dr. Kristmanson: The Friends of the Central Experimental Farm (FCEF) were very supportive of the NCC process and review of the new site for the Ottawa Hospital. Unfortunately, the decision to choose a site on the Central Experimental Farm has prevailed. We believe that the potential impact of this decision on the grounds of the CEF needs to be stated."

"The specific site chosen for the hospital will challenge the public areas that are an integral part of the history and raison-d'etre of the Farm, and that objective is reinforced in the National Historic Site Management Plan."

"The Dominion Arboretum provides many benefits to residents and visitors to the Capital: removing air pollutants, reducing stress, cleaning groundwater, providing a cool retreat, reducing climate change, supporting wildlife and much more. In addition, the Arboretum provides a living historic record of trees planted on the Farm site since 1889."

"The Ornamental Gardens are of historic and national significance to all Canadians, as explained in the new FCEF publication, Blooms: An Illustrated History of the Ornamental Gardens at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm. These gardens comprise unique plant collections found nowhere else in Canada. FCEF volunteers provide thousands of hours annually, under the direction of AAFC staff, demonstrating invaluable community involvement."

"The first challenge to both of these areas by the intended development can be seen in the layout plan for the new hospital, including the location of parking areas. Buildings and paved surfaces will be located across Prince of Wales Drive from the Arboretum, changing both sight and sound of the area. The construction will also displace many trees and hedges that were planted on the northwest side as an extension of the Arboretum. It's also worth noting that while a number of Farm buildings,i.e. the Dominion Observatory complex and other heritage buildings, will be in the buffer zone between the research fields and the new construction, there won't be a similar buffer zone on the east side of the development."

"The second significant challenge will come from the re-design of roads and traffic management on the repurposed site. Any widening of Prince of Wales Drive to accomodate increased traffic will diminish both the Arboretum and the Ornamental Gardens. Any change to the NCC Driveway, Birch Drive or Maple Drive will have a similar impact. Both will interfere with the intended landscape design as specified in the CEF National Historic Site Management Plan."

"A third and most significant threat will come from the precedent set that this project will make for future development. New encroachment could come from another border of the Farm, or it could come from the hospital administration's interest in continuous improvement to its facilities."

"The Friends of the Farm are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the public areas of the Farm. We believe that the NCC should be very specific in its guidance on this project, drawing on the NHS Management Plan, the CEF Advisory Council, and all resources available to protect these invaluable grounds. The NCC will be in a unique position to influence the design and construction so as to minimize the damage and additional encroachment on this National Historic Site. We urge you to exercise your full oversight responsibilities to ensure the Farm is preserved for all Canadians."

Yours sincerely, Judy Dodds, President, Friends of the Central Experimental Farm.

(The following individuals received copies of the above letter that Judy Dodds wrote to Dr. Mark Kristmanson, head of the National Capital Commission:

 The Hon. Melanie Joly, Minister responsible for the National Capital Commission; the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food; the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister Responsible for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board and Federal Heritage Review Office; the Hon. Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General; and Mr. Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa.

The Arboretum Woods, Central Experimental Farm Woods and Prince of Wales Woods (Experimental Farm) are protected landscapes, Google:"urban natural features strategy, City of Ottawa, April 11, 2006." Table 1, Category 1.

"Canada's Farm" and the Rideau Canal Hartwell Locks. The photo is from smallpond.ca.

680 trees on the Experimental Farm will be chopped down for the medical centre. In 1995 a Member of Parliament made the following comment regarding the removal of old growth trees:

House of Commons Ottawa October 23, 1995. MP Beryl Gaffney (Nepean, Liberal). "Mr. Speaker, I have two sets of petitions to present. The first group of petitioners, some 63 of them, is saying that the cutting of old growth forests diminishes the national diversity of our environment, our country, our culture and our people. The petitioners request that Parliament order an immediate moratorium on the cutting of old growth forest reserves to promote the policy internationally."