Notice of Determination - Ottawa, Ontario - April 8, 2022: Public Services and Procurement Canada and the National Capital Commission have determined that the proposed project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects with the application of all recommended mitigation measures. The determination was based on consideration of the following factors:
- impact on rights of Indigenous peoples
- comments received from the public
- technically and economically feasible mitigation measures
- the components of the environment that are within the legislative authority of Parliament identified in the "Definitions" section of the Impact Assessment Act. (2019.)
Mitigation measures will be implemented to address potential adverse effects on the following components of the environment:
- migratory birds
- species at risk
- groundwater
- surface water
- soil quality
- air quality
- vegetation
- human health
- archaeological resources
- paleontological resources (Google: "Petitition 441-00177 Infrastructure" and go to "The Hon. Steven Guilbeault-https://iaac.gc.ca/050 evaluations/proj/83161"
The Federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change does not have the power to stop the Civic from chopping down 750 trees, demolishing more heritage buildings on the Farm, encroaching on the Arboretum and the Ornamental Gardens, polluting Dow's Lake/the Rideau Canal, building more roads, removing the Trillium Pathway...A temporary road was constructed from Prince of Wales Drive when the hospital demolished the Sir John Carling Building cafeteria. And the NCC has the power to remove designations from heritage buildings including the greenhouses, South Azimuth,William Saunders Building and Booth Barn.
A statement from Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault. Reasons why the minister cannot intervene on any decisions made by the hospital:
"Under the Impact Assessment Act, I, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, must not make a designation if the carrying out of the physical activity has substantially begun or if a federal authority has exercised a power or performed a duty or function conferred on it under any Act of Parliament - other than the IAA - that could permit the physical activity to be carried out in whole or in part."
"Therefore, I cannot designate the physical activities for the following reason:
- Public Services and Procurement Canada exercised a power or performed a duty or function conferred on it under the Federal Real Property and Immovables Act that could permit the physical activities to be carried out in whole or in part.
- On February 23, 2018, a 99-year lease agreement was signed between Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Proponent to dispose of the land to the Proponent for the purpose of the construction and operation of an approved public hospital." (Google: "Petition 441-00177" and go to "The Hon. Steven Guilbeault-https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050 evaluations/proj/83161" then go to "Nearby assessments- The Ottawa Civic Campus Project, key documents, Ministers response, February 8, 2022.")
Why the Civic Hospital should vacate the Experimental Farm:
1.) The location is wrong---the Farm and Dow's Lake are international tourist attractions. The CEF is a National Historic Site; National Interest Land Mass and part of a memorial for Canadian soldiers.
2.) Parks Canada, the Department of the Environment and Climate Change, the Heritage Department, Public Works and the National Capital Commission have abandoned all responsibility for protecting this land, which is owned by all Canadians. It is time for a public inquiry so that laws pertaining to federal real property can be updated and enforced. Otherwise, Canada's National Parks, the Rideau Canal, heritage rivers and lakes, Historic Sites and Monuments, etc. will be sold to foreign (and possibly hostile) countries that want to invade this nation, quietly. Billionaires like Bill Gates are buying up agricultural land in the United States. China is buying land in many countries including New Zealand to grow food and bio-fuel for its own citizens. It is time to defend my country's sovereignty---its natural resources, Crown corporations and historic monuments.
I find it beyond belief that a corporation (the Civic) can tell the National Capital Commission that it does not want the Tunney's Pasture location; and then clear cut more than 100 trees on the Farm;demolish a heritage building, build a temporary road from Prince of Wales; demand more than 50 acres of land; establish the fact that the towers and parkade will be taller because they own the air rights, and promise to convert some of the fallen trees into furniture (is this a joke?).
3.) A precedent is being set---will a hospital be built on the Plains of Abraham or Stanley Park? Is any historic site in this country off-limits to housing developers or highways or Light Rail Transit?
4.) During the COVID-19 pandemic the 1,000 acre Farm kept scores people healthy, mentally and physically. Many Canadians are forced to live in high rise apartments and condominiums. And the National Capital Commission and City of Ottawa abused their power by preventing families from visiting parks during the lockdowns. How many children have been affected by Nature Deficit Disorder? Access to the Sun, trees, flowers, grass, wildlife, the rain and fresh air is a universal human right.
A Prince in England was recently photographed by his mother running on a beach---well, Canadian children have the right to run on beaches, and on the Fletcher Wildlife Gardens and federal and municipal park land.
As a child I had total access to my grandparents 100 acre farm, located between Merrickville and Jasper, Ontario. I picked apples and raspberries; played in the barns, planted a vegetable garden; I saw bunny rabbits, turtles, horses, groundhogs, squirrels and fireflies, blue jays robins and cardinals. I played hide and seek in the hay fields. My Grandmother played Que Sera Sera by Doris Day and Teresa Brewer songs on the record player; and told me stories about the sandman and the tooth fairy.The years 1951 until 1962 were magical, the happiest years of my life.
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