The taxpayers of Canada are not responsible for the cleanup of the Sir John Carling Building site.

 Condominium builders and the Ottawa Hospital Corporation will have to find the $11 million dollars somewhere else.

 The National Interest - 1975-1976 NCC Annual Report, page 9/52.

..."Under the National Capital Act, the Commission is responsible for protecting and promoting the national interest in the Capital. The objectives and purposes of the Commission are set out in the Act: "To prepare for and assist in the development, conservation and improvement of the National Capital Region in order that the nature and character of the government of Canada may be in accordance with its national significance."

"It has been argued by some that only municipal authorities have the responsibility for promulgating and implementing region-wide planning in the National Capital Region. The Commission holds that this view is unconsitutional."

"The NCC is the agent of the national government of Canada. Its programs are regulated by Parliament. It is responsible twice over to elected federal representatives: the government and Parliament."

"Parliament votes annual sums of money for development and conservation of the Capital Region. Parliament does not vote this money in the interest of provincial, municipal or private ventures. It allots this money in the national interest to enhance a capital for all Canadians."

Tennis star Carling Bassett played at the DARA Tennis Club in Ottawa.

The DARA Tennis Club is being relocated to the rooftop of a parking garage on the Experimental Farm. 

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 signing the Canadian Constitution on Parliament Hill, April 17, 1982. I was on Parliament Hill that day. (National Archives photo.)

 The National Anthem of Canada.

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free. 

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Music videos that can be viewed on YouTube: "Convoy" by Paul Brandt, and "Convoy" by C.W. McCall.

Section 2 (c) of the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees "The freedom of peaceful assembly."

House of Commons Ottawa April 22 1985: The Parliament Hill Peace Camp: Member of Parliament Michael Cassidy (Ottawa Centre) New Democratic Party: "Mr. Speaker, my party and myself support the presence of the peace camp on Parliament Hill because it is a visible sign of the support of all Canadians for peace..."

House of Commons Ottawa April 22, 1985: Hon. Roch La Salle (Minister of Public Works): "I can assure the hon. member that we will always accept orderly demonstrations on Parliament Hill and that we will always respect the right way of doing things."

House of Commons Ottawa May 6, 1985: MP Michael Cassidy (Ottawa Centre) New Democratic Party: "...The people of the peace camp have been exceptionally well received...They have weathered rain, snow, bitter winter weather and harsh conditions..."

"Ottawa getting out of the business of running experimental farms."

"Ottawa closing experimental farm".CBC News, February 25, 2005. 

House of Commons Ottawa November 15, 2005: Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre,CPC): "moved that, in the opinion of the House, the Access to Information Act should be amended to: (a) expand the coverage of the act to all Crown corporations, all offices of Parliament, all foundations and to all organizations that spend taxpayers' dollars or perform public functions; (b) establish a Cabinet confidence exclusion, subject to review by the Information Commissioner; (c) establish a duty on public officials to create the records necessary to document their actions and decisions; (d) provide a general public interest overide for all exemptions, in that the public interest should come before secrecy in government; and (e) make all exemptions discretionary and subject to an injury test."

House of Commons Ottawa November 15, 2005: Mr. Bill Casey (Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit, CPC) "Mr. Speaker, I compliment the member for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre for this move today. It is certainly timely. For instance, recently the government announced it would close four experimental farms in Canada, one is in my riding. I submitted an access to information request to find out what possibly could be the reason for these closings."

"I received the information in response to my request, which is the best tool to do my job. Page after page is blanked out. Page 8 is a letterhead with nothing on it. Pages 25, 26 and 27 are deleted. Page 62 is deleted, and so on. This is an experimental farm. This has nothing to do with national security. It has nothing to do with our competitiveness. It has nothing to do with people who would risk their jobs. Again, the government has just denied me the information to deal with an issue in my riding."

"Could the member explain why these would be exempted and could he suggest what he would do if he were in a position to enhance these regulations to make departments provide the information that we need to do our jobs and to hold them accountable? After all, access to information is totally about accountability. In a case like an experimental farm we should have access to all the information."

Queen Juliana Park.

The Sir John Carling Building and the grounds of the property were always part of the Central Experimental Farm. Therefore, Queen Juliana Park is protected by the same regulations that protect the entire 1,000 acre site:

• National Historic Site of Canada and Cultural Landscape.
• National Interest Land Mass.
• The Park is included in the 900 square mile memorial to Canadian soldiers who were killed fighting in foreign wars. The memorial was established by Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King and urban planner Jacques Greber.

House of Commons Ottawa March 20, 1968: Mrs. Jean Casselman Wadds, Order of Canada; Member of Parliament (Grenville-Dundas, Ontario), future Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; Progressive Conservative: "What new buildings have been built at the Experimental Farm in the last five years, and what was the cost of each?"

Hon. J.J. Green (Minister of Agriculture):

1964, Department of Agriculture, 1964, Storage building, $14,765.

 1965, Plastic greenhouse, $10,794.

1963, Department of Public Works, East-west headerhouse, $322,213.

1963, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources-Seismograph Vault, $90, 421.

1964, Honey house addition, $165,039.

1966. Irrigation pump house for Hartwell Locks, $40, 361.

1966, Sir John Carling Building, $9, 962, 579.

Commissioners Park is very close to Queen Juliana Park, and the land is part of the National Capital Commission Greenbelt. Greenbelt properties are untouchable.

The Experimental Farm - the impending loss of 700 trees( and 700 acres of land?)

A 1974 Ottawa Journal article.TOH President and CEO Cameron Love envisions a Hospital Row along Carling Avenue similar to Toronto's Hospital Row. And the trees that can last for 1,000 years; the Arboretum, Fletcher Wildlife Garden; Ornamental Gardens; Dominion Observatory; research fields; barns, museums and greenhouses; Maple Drive; Birch Drive; Winding Lane; Cow Lane; the Scenic Driveway; Prince of Wales Drive; views of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site; Commissioners Park; Tulip Festival and many more irreplaceable landmarks are nothing more than collateral damage. 
The terms National Historic Site of Canada; UNESCO World Heritage Site; Section 1V of the Ontario Provincial Heritage Act; National Interest Land Mass; and Jacques Greber's 900 square mile memorial to Canadian solders apparently mean nothing. 

"Federal buildings and grounds which are national historic sites of Canada should receive the highest protection and their significance should be communicated to the public." (From:" Plan for Canada's Capital-1999-National Capital Commission". Lands of National Significance, page 69/127.)

In 1998, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada named the CEF a National Historic Site and a Cultural Landscape.

Near misses.

Deconstruction of the Rideau Canal from Ottawa to Kingston, Ontario.

Demolition of Union Station in Ottawa; Union Station in Toronto and Summerhill Station in Northern Toronto.

The sale by the National Capital Commission of 700 acres of the Experimental Farm in Ottawa for housing and, the demolition of 50 buildings.Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan said "Over my dead body." 

Transfer of the federally-owned Stanley Park to the City of Vancouver.

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney halted the in-progress deconstruction of the Royal Canadian Mint, 320 Sussex Drive, Ottawa; read the article by Susan Delacourt. The PM told the workers to go home and then phoned a government department to find out what was going on.

It is not too late to save Farm from redevelopment.

 Corrections Canada won the battle to preserve land adjacent to the Kingston Pen:

An Environmental Assessment of Corrections Canada land surrounding the Kingston Penitentiary recommended that all of the property within the red lines should remain in the public domain: "The remediated area will no longer be leased for boat slips or for long-term boat storage, so the refreshed space will be open for the public to enjoy!" (From: The Internet article "Kingston Pen Harbourfront property-CSC-SCC"-2015.)

Agriculture Canada wanted to landscape the grounds of the Sir John Carling Building and transform the Cafeteria Annex into a Visitor's Centre and a National Museum. "Once the main building is deconstructed and the grounds landscaped, the remaining west annex will be transferred to AAFC." (From: "Public Services and Procurement Canada-Sir John Carling Building" Date-2014-11-20.)

"Lands of National Significance."

From: Plan for Canada's Capital-1999-National Capital Commission. Key Capital Parks include the following:

• Confederation Park
• Jacques Cartier Park
• Rockcliffe Park
• Major's Hill Park
• Rideau Falls Park
• Commissioners Park
• Hog's Back Park/Vincent Massey Park
• Leamy Lake Park
• Brebeuf Park and
• LeBreton Common (page 59/127)

"Federal buildings and grounds which are designated as national historic sites should receive the highest level of protection and their significance should be communicated to the public. (page 69/127).

Endangered Capital Parks, in my opinion:

• Queen Juliana on Carling Avenue.
• Lazy Bay Commons, located in Mechanicsville, because half a dozen foreign embassies are planned for the site.
• Major's Hill Park, because the land will be an annex to the privately owned Chateau Laurier Hotel. 
• Rochester Field, Westboro.
• Commissioners Park, due to the impending presence of high-rise condos and a sprawling medical centre. I doubt that the Tulip Festival, Canada Day Celebrations, fireworks, etc. will ever be permitted on Majors Hill and Commissioners Park again.

Major's Hill Park.

Note: Major's Hill Park was part of Parliament Hill, and it was a National Interest Land Mass and Ordnance and Admiralty property.

House of Commons Ottawa July 6, 1908: Mr. Robert Laird Borden: "The park (is) a portion of the national domain and a portion of the grounds of parliament."

Interface of proposed Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel addition with surrounding NCC lands including Major's Hill Park, the Rideau Canal Terrace, and Mackenzie Avenue/Rideau Street (Confederation Boulevard.) (The federal properties are part of the National Interest Land Mass and cannot be sold or subdivided. Google: 1988-07-re-ncc-treasury board.They are reserved for the national interest and for the beautification of Canada's Capital.)

"The current design proposal for the addition provides 159 new long-term stay suites, along with meeting rooms and associated lobby, and proposed cafe/bistro at grade. The proposal includes the following elements:

• Removal of the existing surface parking lot and replacement parking with a building addition composed of an Eastern Pavilion of 10 storeys and a Western Pavilion of 11 storeys linked by a two-storey section.
• Improvements to Mackenzie Avenue, adjacent to the new addition, existing port cochere, new forecourt and loading dock/bus drop-off area.
• Construction of an exterior walkway aligned on an east-west axis along the back of the property which links Mackenzie Avenue with the Rideau Canal Terrace.
• Integration of a new primary public entrance in the new addition which connects Major's Hill Park with Rideau Street through the public spaces on the main floor (the "Adam Room Corridor.")
• Construction of a new interior courtyard between the existing hotel and the addition enhancing the existing ballroom facilities with a grand staircase connected down to the lower level of the Rideau Canal Terrace.
• Implementation of a new five-level underground parking garage containing 301 spaces. "While the majority of the work will be situated within the existing Chateau Laurier Hotel property limits, there will be implications on the adjacent NCC lands and assets, which surround the proposed addition on the east, north and west sides. Permanent impacts include:

1. Alterations to Mackenzie Avenue (Confederation Boulevard) as described above;

2. Alterations to Major's Hill Park, including hard and soft landscape, to provide direct pedestrian access and facilitate the link to/from the publicly-accessible main floor of the hotel (the "Adam Room Corridor" and lobby.)

3. Removal of a small portion of the upper Rideau Canal Terrace (building shell behind 1 Wellington Street) to allow for an improved link between the upper and lower terraces via the grand staircase and new interior courtyard; and

4. Installation of new sewer lines below Major's Hill Park to connect the new addition with the municipal system and a water main connection under the forecourt on Mackenzie Avenue.

Major's Hill Park: Vision and South Interface-"The proposed hotel addition along with several other major projects under development in the vicinity have prompted the NCC to consider the vision for Major's Hill Park. This exercise is being undertaken as part of the NCC's renewal of the Core Area Sector by the Long-Range Planning  and Transportation Team.

"A number of trees in Major's Hill Park will be impacted by the construction process." (From: Page 5 of the document "Interface between Chateau Laurier and NCC Lands" 21-06-23.)

Many trees in the federal park are endangered.The Temporary World War 11 buildings were located next to the Revenue Canada/Connaught Building. When they were demolished during the early 1970's, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau said that the land would be returned to the park. Just as Queen Juliana Park and the Dow's Lake property were given back to Canadians in 1976, when Temporary Buildings No. 8 and No. 5 were demolished. However, during the 1990's the property near the Byward Market was sold to the American Embassy. See the Internet document "Urbsite-Dreams of Major's Hill Park."

Bruce Cockburn questions hospital site on Canada's Central Experimental Farm.

 The video can be seen on YouTube.

The photo is from Canada Post.

The Experimental Farm trees and shrubs are "part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it."

 "This work has been presented by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations."

"Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced and made available to the public."

Building a hospital on 930 Carling Avenue and 520 Preston Street is unconstitutional.

 (Read: the 1975-1976 NCC Annual Report, page 9/52.)

                                                        The National Interest

"Up until recent years, the NCC and its predecessors were in effect the only long-range planners for the National Capital Region. But as Ottawa, Hull and their surrounding communities grew, other jurisdictions began to assume their own and proper responsibilities for planning. Naturally, administrative conflicts have resulted."

"Under the National Capital Act, the Commission is responsible for protecting and promoting the national interest in the Capital. The objectives and purposes of the Commission are set out in the Act: 'To prepare for and assist in the development, conservation and improvement of the National Capital Region in order that the nature and character of the government of Canada may be in accordance with its national significance'".

"It has been argued by some that only municipal authorities have the responsibility for promulgating and implementing region-wide planning in the National Capital Region. The Commission holds that this view is unconstitutional."

"Provincial and municipal authorities have responsibility for local concerns in their respective jurisdictions in the Region. But their responsibility cannot be construed as representing the national concerns and interests. If Parliament had not wanted to see a national character for the Capital, it would not have created a national agency for that purpose, and there has been such a national agency since 1899."

"An important aspect of this agency-now the NCC-has always been its non-partisan character. The agency has always enjoyed the confidence of successive Parliaments and governments since Laurier's day and progress in the National Capital has never been identified with the policies of a particular government. The resultant continuity and stability are at least partly responsible for the quality of development so far."

"The Commission has functions different from those of a government department. Its special advisory committees-on planning, on design and on property transactions-are able to assess federal projects in the Region from a national viewpoint. The committee, like the 20 Commissioners themselves, are drawn from all regions and provinces of Canada and they give Parliament and the government independent professional advice in the fields of architecture, urban planning, environment, transportation, and land use and development."

(Photographs until page 12.)

"In short, the emphasis in the Commissions policies and operations is on the national view in the planning and development of the Capital."

"Because federal lands constitute 10 per cent of the National Capital Region-about 30 per cent in the urban area-the NCC is sometimes looked upon as some kind of private land developer."

"This is far from the case."

"The NCC is the agent of the national government of Canada. Its programs are regulated by Cabinet. Its authority emanates directly from Parliament. It is responsible twice over to elected federal representatives: the government and Parliament."

"Parliament votes annual sums of money for development and conservation of the Capital Region. Parliament does not vote this money in the interest of provincial, municipal or private ventures. It allots this money in the national interest to enhance a Capital for all Canadians."

"The NCC provided the Special Joint Committee with figures showing that in the decade up to 1975 Canadian taxpayers contributed $1.6 billion to the planning, development and maintenance of federal properties in the National Capital Region."

The Trees - Part 2.

What makes a tree remarkable? Natural - It is easy to identify some of these trees due to their unique physical attributes which include:

• significant maturity
• exceptional dimensions
• vulnerability
• remnant of an ancient ecosystem.

Social  -Some trees are remarkable for reasons beyond what meets the eye. They hold significant historical or cultural value, which includes the following:

• growing on a historic site
• planted during a cultural ceremony or event
• planted by an important public or political figure
• represents the earlier horticultural practice of the area
• contributes to the structural integrity of the surrounding landscape. (The information is from an NCC book "A Living Legacy-Remarkable Trees of Canada's Capital.")

The Farm has hundreds of different specimens of trees: The Scots Pine which can live for 1,000 years; the Jack Pine; Austrian Pine; Norway Spruce; English Oak; Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir; Red Pine; Common Hackberry; (work in progress-savecfbrockcliffe.)

An Ottawa Journal article from August 18, 1977.

Bill C-579, An Act to reduce the effects of urban heat islands on the health of Canadians.

 House of Commons Ottawa December 11, 2014: Ms. Isabelle Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grace-Lacine, NDP.) "Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in the House today to support the bill introduced by my colleague from Honore-Mercier (Member of Parliament Paulina Ayala, NDP). This bill would mandate the Minister of Health to establish a national strategy to reduce the negative effects of heat islands. In short, people noticed that the temperature difference from one neighbourhood to another can be as high as 12 C because of heat islands. This can increase smog and make air quality worse. For example, there is an increased demand for air conditioning and for water whether we are talking about potable water or water for swimming pools and water parks."

"My colleague conducted public consultations in her riding and discovered that constituents in her neighbourhood were very concerned. I know that she is in an area on the Island of Montreal in which there are a number of heat islands... The bill is calling for a collaboration between the federal, municipal and provincial governments in order to increase effectiveness and efficiency."

"...We are talking about the health of Canadians. The Public Health Agency of Canada said that on hot days mortality can rise by 20% in areas with heat islands. Heat islands can result in discomfort, weakness, loss of consciousness, cramps, fainting spells, heat stroke and breathing difficulties. To relay my own story, I suffer from asthma. It did not start when I was young, but when I was 25. I started having respiratory problems when I moved to Montreal...When there is a heat wave it is even worse. Nonetheless, in summer when it is hot and I am camping or somewhere at a cottage I do not have those same breathing problems. It is therefore one of the effects of the heat islands."

"This affects pretty much every big city in Canada. More and more big structures are being built including seniors' residences, condo towers and shopping centres, which all require paved parking lots."

"Ottawa's Experimental Farm is good for you, study confirms." "Urban farmland affects air quality, temperatures Carleton researchers find." CBC News, September 29, 2019.

"How hot is your 'hood'? New map takes Ottawa's temperature" by Alistair Steele, CBC News, July 2019.

Plans were underway to landscape the grounds of the Carling Building, and return the Annex to Agriculture Canada.

"Once the main building is deconstructed and the grounds landscaped, the remaining west annex will be transferred to AAFC."

Public Services and Procurement Canada - Sir John Carling Building. "The Sir John Carling Building (SJCB), located on the Central Experimental Farm at 930 Carling Avenue in Ottawa, was designed by architect Hart Massey in 1963 and completed in 1967. The SJCB has a floor area of 40,064 m2 and consists of an 11-storey tower plus two basement levels. The east annex comprises a two-storey structure with two basement levels, while the single-storey west annex formerly housed the cafeteria."

"The Sir John Carling Building had served as the headquarters for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) from 1967 to 2009, when it was determined that the building had reached the end of its life cycle. The asset has been vacant since AAFC and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency relocated their headquarters to the Skyline Office Campus in 2010."

"In 2004, the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) designated the SJCB as a "recognized" federal heritage building, noting its historical association, and its architectural and environmental values. The building is a good example of the modernist architectural style of the middle part of the 20th century."

"Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) presented a report to FHBRO demonstrating its intention to deconstruct the building. The decision to deconstruct was based on a combination of financial factors and multiple building assessments and studies...In June 2012 the project was presented to the National Capital Commission's board of directors, who approved the deconstruction of the main tower. The west annex will be preserved...Once the main building is deconstructed and the grounds landscaped, the west annex will be returned to AAFC." Date modified: 2014-11-20.

The Trees - Part 1.

House of Commons Ottawa, September 21, 2011-Statements by Members: Mr. Royal Galipeau (Ottawa-Orleans, CPC): "Mr. Speaker, six months ago the House proclaimed National Tree Day. That day has arrived. We have a worldwide reputation for our wildlife, clean air and beautiful communities. For that we should thank trees. We all have a role to play in planting, growing and protecting trees."

Heritage Conservation Districts are protected by Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act: The Booth Barn on the CEF is protected by Part 1V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Isabella Preston's crabapple trees lined Prince of Wales Drive on the CEF.

OTTAWA HOSPITAL MASTER PLAN ON The Central Experimental Farm.

"It has generally been agreed that a new Ottawa hospital is necessary. The question is, where is the most suitable location, considering accessibility, land and financial cost. The primary site with it's master plan has been selected by the Ottawa hospital board (OHB) and City Council to be the Central Experimental Farm (CEF), although the planners in both the City and the National Capital Commission (NCC) plus the public recommended the Tunney's Pasture site over CEF for various physical and heritage reasons. I understand...that even the Toronto Hospital Board on review of the proposal strongly recommended the Tunney's Pasture site over the CEF. Who are they that they have the final say on the leasing of the CEF for this plan?" 

Number one is Agriculture and Ag-Food Canada. The main question is what is the Ministers' long term plan and goal for the CEF? It is Ag Can's heritage and historic site and above all, the beginning of Ag research in Canada.

Second player is Parks Canada (PC) and its' historic sites and monuments branch. The CEF was granted and certified the status as a NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE in 1998 and is also recognized as a WORLD HERITAGE SITE. The CEF is known as only one of three known functioning research farms within the centre of a city in the world. As a NHS it does not just mean the protection of its buildings, but includes green space, gardens, walkways and in this case most significantly TREES.The extensive use of green space which is part of what is considered the lung of the City and the culling of 100 year old trees in unbelievable. It is equivalent to those who recently for other reasons, demolished statues of the Queen, Sir John A. our founding father and others. 

"Sir John Carling selected William Saunders of London Ontario, a noted tree expert as the first Director of Agricultural Research and who selected the CEF site in 1886 and he immediately began planting trees donated by Russia, England, Jamaica, Japan, California and Minnesota along Maple, Elm Drive and what we now know as the NCC driveway, researching their hardiness to our climate."

"This was the beginning of the Arboretum. The Dominion Arboretum today between Prince of Wales and Dows Lake started in 1889. The plantings of Saunders donated trees made all the Farm the Arboretum."

"According to the present 'master plan' 680 trees will be removed, (cut down.)" (From: Peter Elliott, Friends of the Farm, August 3, 2021.)

Changes are proposed for every neighbourhood in Ottawa.