Why are the Civic Hospital and the Government of Canada determined to destroy the Dominion Observatory.

 1.)  The Dominion Observatory Campus was originally part of the land mass donated to the Ottawa Hospital.

2.)  An Ottawa City Councillor is hoping that the Civic will preserve the buildings. I doubt it, the hospital has already chopped down more than 100 trees, built a temporary road from Prince of Wales Avenue and plans to take over Maple Drive for an ambulance route. The South Azimuth will be removed when Maple Drive is widened.

3.)  In 1970 plans were underway to demolish the Astrophysical Observatory until astronomer Arthur Covington wrote a letter to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The telescope was removed.

4.)  During the mid-1990's the government wanted to demolish more than 50 buildings on the Farm including the Observatory and Booth Barn. (From: Friends of the Farm newsletter-"The fight for the Farm goes on.")

5.) Light and noise pollution will scuttle any plans to re-open the site to star gazing by the general public. The trees separating the planetarium from Queen Juliana Park are being removed.

6.) The National Capital Commission has the power to remove the designations Classified Federal Heritage Building and Recognized Federal Heritage Building.

7.) The massive hospital will obliterate views of the Dominion Observatory.

A recent photo from the webpage Reimagine Ottawa showing trees being chopped down.

A discovery by astronomers at the Dominion Observatory.

Alleged denial to public of access to telescope at Observatory at Experimental Farm. House of Commons Ottawa April 29, 1974. Mr. Peter Reilly (Ottawa West) Progressive Conservative: "Mr. Speaker, this question should really be directed to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources but in his absence I will direct it to the right hon. Prime Minister. It has to do with the telescope at what used to be called the Dominion Observatory at the experimental farm, and for all I know may be called Stars Canada. Why has the governmernt decided to deny further access to this telescope by the general public, including as many as 10,000 students each year, by packing it up and getting rid of it?"

The Right Hon. P.E.Trudeau (Prime Minister): "Mr. Speaker, calling it Stars Canada shows how little regard the hon. member has for bilingualism in this country. As to the rest of the question, I am afraid I must refer it to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources..."

Mr. Reilly: "I rise on a point of order. I would be very happy to refer to the aforementioned installation as Etoiles Canada if it will please the right hon.gentleman."