Masters of our domain.

Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital Region-Position Paper for the NCC's Greenbelt Master Plan Review September 2010.The Coalition is promoting the following Greenbelt vision: "We see the National Capital Greenbelt as part of our national heritage and an essential component of the national capital's 'emerald necklace' that makes Canada's capital a truly unique green city to live in and visit."..

."This 'necklace' also encompasses and links Gatineau Park, the other National Interest Land Mass (NILM) lands such as Leamy Lake and the Poet's Pathway, and other NCC greenspaces such as the parkways, as well as the Central Experimental Farm. We see the Greenbelt as a 'natural oasis' with expansive views of the Capital, significant natural forest, field and wetland ecosystems, and agricultural and heritage landscapes-a model of biodiversity in an urban setting"...

"The Greenbelt should remain in public ownership." (The Greenbelt encompasses 49,421 acres of land.As I mentioned before the 22-acre Commissioners Park at Preston and Carling is part of the NCC Greenbelt. but there are rumours that the Ottawa Hospital will eventually need the land for a parking lot. And Major's Hill Park behind the Chateau Laurier should be protected from encroachment, loss of trees, and gates that prevent the public from entering the space. During the 1980's people were banned from entering the grounds of Rideau Hall. The gates to the 100-acre National Historic Site were closed for four years.

A huge parking lot ruined a green space at the Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod Street in Ottawa. I used to see children playing there and I would eat picnic lunches on the grounds.)

Parkland that was taken away:

A Veterans Park near Mooney's Bay and Hog's Back. City of Ottawa Planning and Development Committee Minutes, February 28, 2002: 1709 Prince of Wales Drive: "...The land in question was acquired by the federal government to commemorate World War 11 veterans and became NCC property in 1960. Mr. Lindsay indicated Moffat Farm was designated in the Regional Official Plan of 1977 and in subsequent amendments of 1988 and 1997 as Waterfront Open Space, which precluded residential development."..."The property was designated for federal land use as a capital park of national interest...Mr. Lindsay in response to a question from the Ward Councillor noted that no parcels along the Rideau River designated as Waterfront Open Space have been rezoned to residential in the city in the last 20 years. The Councillor opined this proposal is a rather big step, to change the use of land in the nation's capital that has been protected since expropriation."

The former Humane Society location at 101 Champagne Avenue. The City of Ottawa promised that 101 Champagne would be an extension of Ev Tremblay Park. But the Envie condominiums were built and they are nicknamed the Dog Park condos.

Sylvia Holden Park, Lansdowne.

Land beneath the Daly Building at Rideau Street, Mackenzie and Sussex Drive.

The Lebreton Flats are part of the Parliamentary Precinct, an annex. 

House of Commons Ottawa November 22, 1991. Mr. Mac Harb (Ottawa Centre): "...We have approximately 150 acres of land on Lebreton Flats. In the summer, part of the flats is used for camping, balloonists and people who might want to take a walk."

John Manley, John Baird, Lindsay Lambert and Barry Mather suggested that Lebreton could be a national park:

House of Commons Ottawa October 22, 1969. Mr. Barry Mather, New Democratic Party: "Is the government of Canada giving favourable consideration to the establishment of a national park at the LeBreton Flats in Ottawa?"

Agriculture Canada.

 The agency privatized dozens of properties, and most of the land was sold to housing developers:

The Farms

Gamelin Experimental Farm - Gatineau, Quebec.

Jean-Charles Chapais - Levis, Quebec.

Delhi - Ontario.

Kapuskasing - Ontario.

Upton - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Ravenwood - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Fort Vermillion

Vegreville, Alberta, near Edmonton.

Smithfield - City of Quinte West, Ontario.

Senator Herve J. Michaud Farm - Bouctouche, New Brunswick.

Frelighsburg - 90 km southeast of Montreal. Closed in 2012, reopened in 2016.

Vineland - Lincoln, Region of Niagara, Ontario.

Kamloops - British Columbia.

L'Assomption - Quebec, is an off-island suburb of Montreal.

La Pocatiere - Quebec.

Sheffield - Upper Canard, Nova Scotia.

The Nielsen Report. Erik Nielsen was a Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and a Minister of Public Works. Agriculture Canada was "The envy of the world."---Eugene Whelan.Who is pressuring the government to sell one million acres of land that is owned by the citizens of this country. ("The federal government is getting out of the business of running experimental farms." 1995)

Federal real estate in the National Capital Region---1984-1985.

 

No longer owned by the citizens of Canada The National War Museum on Sussex Drive; Kanata Post Office; the Almonte Post Office; CBC building in Westboro; Wallis House; Vacant Land (Temporary Building No. 8---Queen Juliana Park); Rideau Centre; Mackenzie King Bridge; the Teachers College on Elgin Street is now part of Ottawa City Hall; 

Impending. Major's Hill Park; part of the National Research Council on Sussex Drive; Confederation Heights; National Library and Archives on Wellington Street; transfer of roads in Confederation Heights (Heron Road and Riverside Drive) from PWGSC to the City of Ottawa; 

Parks belong to the people.

 The mandate of the National Capital Commission is to "preserve and protect" the greenspaces in Canada's capital---from ordinary people. However, corporations and foreign governments always profit from the devolution of Crown property. The City of Ottawa Corporation wanted 11,000 acres of the Greenbelt. During a housing crisis in 1974 the NCC pressured Agriculture Canada for 600 acres of land on the Farm, from Clyde Avenue to Prince of Wales Drive. 

Federal Members of Parliament who protected Crown property. John Baird, Jim Prentice, Gordon O'Connor, Mauril Belanger, Barry Turner, John Nunziata, Beryl Gaffney, Jack Layton, Walter Baker, Stanley Knowles, George McIlraith, Marlene Catterall. more...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign governments were prepared to build embassies on Mile Circle near Rockcliffe and Lazy Bay Commons adjacent to the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. The British Embassy is taking over part of Lady Grey Drive and the National Research Council. And the home of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald will be hidden behind tall gates and probably flattened by the British Embassy.

I am standing in front of a road barrier near the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park, May of 2022. Many roads in Gatineau Park are blocked off---near Lac Phillipe, etc. The elite can always fly to greenspaces in their private airplanes and helicopters.

The Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, May of 2022.

I will miss you.

1946-2022. My brother passed away in Princeton, British Columbia.

The People's Railway.

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nationalized CNR tracks and bought freight trains after the people of Churchill, Manitoba were left stranded, when flooding affected the tracks. Residents of Churchill were so happy to be re-connected that they had street parties. The Harper government tried to repatriate the Quebec Bridge.

House of Commons Ottawa February 4, 2013. Ms. Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina) New Democratic Party. "What is happening is that our national dream is slowly drifting away as CN and CP are abandoning rail lines because they are not always profitable in this vast country of ours. Even though CN made $2.7 billion last year, it is unwilling to service some of the areas that are not turning a substantial profit. Thousands of tracks are being given up, whether they are for passenger rail or freight services."

"We need to reexamine our entire rail service so that we can come back to the Canadian dream of a rail line connecting all of us from coast to coast to coast."

House of Commons Ottawa May 23, 2013. MP Ted Hsu (Kingston and the Islands) Liberal. "Mr. Speaker, I have a question about CN. My NDP colleague spent a few minutes strongly criticizing the privatization of CN. Is he in favour of renationalizing CN?"

MP Alain Giguere (Marc-Aurele-Fortin) New Democratic Party: "...Nationalization is not the problem. Regulation is the problem.You cannot sell a crown corporation... without protecting the consumers."

House of Commons Ottawa May 15, 1995. Mr. John Solomon (Regina-Lumsden,NDP) "Mr. Speaker, the Liberal red book highlighted the importance of Canada's infrastructure to our economy. Yet the Liberal government has done another about face by selling off CN Rail which takes away a vital link in our transportation infrastructure."

"The Canadian people will no longer be participants in our rail economy, the transportation link that built Canada."

"In preparation for the sell-off, CN laid off 11,000 Canadians. As a former trainman for CN Rail, I saw firsthand the good work done in bringing grain and other Canadian products to market. I am one of thousands of Canadians who are deeply concerned about even further job loss caused by putting CN Rail on the auction block."

"With no rules on foreign ownership, CN is destined, with the Liberal governments blessing, to be purchased by individuals and corporations with no interest in Canada's future. The Liberal government is exchanging an east-west transportation system for a north-south system that will see even more foreign control of the Canadian economy."

"Bill C-89 brings to an end Canadians' ownership and control of their own railway and only leaves further job loss and more debt for Canada."

The photo is from "Obscure Train Movies." In 1973 I paid $100 dollars for a CN railway pass that gave me the opportunity to see Canada from coast to coast to coast. I departed from Kingston, Ontario (where I lived) and ended up in British Columbia. I ate a lot of granola, cheese sandwiches and potato chips. 

Private and foreign developers will change Ottawa forever.

Block 2 which is directly across the street from Parliament Hill.Eleven buildings on Block 2 are slated for demolition.The National Capital Commission wanted to demolish half of Metcalfe Street to create a grand boulevard between Parliament and the Museum of Nature.

 

Block 2 in the near future. A foreign architectural company's vision for Canadian government buildings. I cannot see one Maple Leaf Flag or Canadian Coat of Arms; the statue of Terry Fox is gone; and I believe that the northern half of the Sparks Street Mall will be decimated. Also, the NCC wants to see a ban on vehicles on Wellington Street.   

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau expropriated properties opposite Parliament Hill to save the heritage buildings, to provide more space for office workers and to prevent the construction of high rise condominiums.

PARLIAMENT HILL-MEASURES TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT-STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

House of Commons July 20, 1973. Hon. Jean-Eudes Dube (Minister of Public Works) Liberal:

"Mr. Speaker, for a number of years now it has been recognized that Parliament faces a severe space problem, creating a limitation of its effective operation. As Parliament has become, through its committees and other ways, even more involved in all aspects of the nation's life, it has become a year round operation and space available has fallen behind its needs as they have developed in the modern era."

"Moreover, concern has been expressed about the danger of visual encroachment on the beauty of the present parliamentary precinct, which is one of the great symbols of Canada. We must ensure that nearby developments do not adversely affect it and furthermore we have an opportunity, I believe, to enhance the parliamentary precinct by enlarging and thereby completing it, in a fitting manner. The longer we wait the more costly the solution."

"Hon. members are aware, of course, that we have achieved temporary relief of the space problem by refurbishing the Confederation Building and making it available to members. However, it is only a temporary solution as all members are aware and as you, Mr. Speaker, were careful to point out at the time I had the pleasure of handing over the Confederation Building to your very able and competent jurisdiction."

"We have all been aware that to properly house the expanded requirements of Parliament for the generations ahead in a way that would both complement and preserve the existing architectural beauty of the Parliament Buildings we must enlarge the present parliamentary grounds."

"I wish therefore to announce Mr. Speaker, that I have today, on behalf of the government filed a notice of intent to expropriate all the land and buildings in the area bounded by Wellington Street, Elgin Street, Sparks Street and Bank Street. The purpose of this expropriation is, as I have indicated to protect the environment of Parliament from any development which could adversely affect it and simultaneously provide the land for an appropriate expansion of parliamentary facilities and other government requirements. The property of the United States Embassy has been excluded from this expropriation but discussions are well advanced for its acquisition."

"This action will also provide the National Capital Commission with a splendid opportunity to plan the urban development of this most critical piece of land which is at the heart of the National Capital and which constitutes a bridge between parliament and the city of Ottawa. My department will be working closely with the commission to marry the architectural requirements of Parliament to the exciting possibilities this location raises."

"For this purpose it is important that Parliament be at the heart of this process and I wish to announce that it is the intention of the government to appoint a commission on parliamentary accomodation comprised of present and former members of parliament representing all parties in the House and in the Senate. The government will be consulting leaders of all parties with respect to appointments to the commission."

"The purpose of the commission will be to advise on the amount and type of facilities that parliament will require to operate effectively for the future."

"I should like to add a few words, Mr. Speaker, with respect to the existing properties and especially the Sparks Street Mall. It is the government's intention that until Parliament's needs have been fully defined, there will be no disturbances whatsoever on the existing properties. This will be especially true of the commercial operations on Sparks Street. Some of the office accomodation in the upper levels may be used for government purposes from time to time, but the commercial character of Sparks Street at ground level will be left intact."

"To underscore this, I wish to emphasize that all leases have been excluded from the expropriation process. I want to assure everyone invloved that on the Mall it will be business as usual. Further, it is the government's intention that when a plan is developed for the area, including the architecture of the buildings, space will continue to be provided for commercial operations facing Sparks Street so that the present character of the Mall will be preserved and enhanced."

"We are all proud of the outstanding appearance and setting of the Parliament of Canada. It is as impressive as any in the world. I think we will all agree that we have a duty to preserve its dignity, grace and beauty for the years ahead."

Hon. Members: "Hear, hear!"

House of Commons Ottawa July 20, 1973. MP Walter Baker (Grenville-Carleton) Progressive Conservative:

House of Commons Ottawa July 20, 1973. MP Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North) NDP House Leader:

House of Commons Ottawa July 20, 1973. MP Real Caouette (Temiscamingue) Social Credit:

 "Sparks Street: The five-block, eastwest pedestrian mall and surrounding area is the NCC's public enemy No. 1."( Macleans Magazine, September 3,2001.)

"It's Crown against town and sparks are flying as the National Capital Commission prepares to demolish an entire block in downtown Ottawa. City officials, businessmen and private citizens alike fear that the NCC's plan to raze Sparks Street and replace it with office towers, apartments, stores and restaurants will destroy rather than revitalize the downtown core." (Globe and Mail, May 2, 2001.)

The future of Major's Hill Park.

Major's Hill Park will be an annex to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel. Fairmont is a multinational corporation that was owned by a prince and New York investor Carl Icahn.Canada Day and many other celebrations may be banned:

"The design and contractual sale condominium agreements for the addition must fully resolve noise generated by continued events in Major's Hill Park." (From: Proposed addition to the Chateau Laurier, February 2008.)

( I used to routinely walk over to Parliament Hill, to see the Queen sign the Canadian Constitution in 1982; to see Princess Diana in 1983. My Mother and I had a long conversation with Glen Kealey, a Hull businessman who was demonstrating on Canada's version of Hyde Park. At one time Major's Hill was part of Parliament Hill, and it was Ordnance and Admiralty land used for the defence of Canada.)

The National Capital Commission is deciding if any new access points to Major's Hill Park should be created. (Google: Report Rapport au Planning Committee, Lee Ann Snedden, May 23, 2019, page 60/82.)

Major's Hill Park and Chateau Laurier addition. Applicant will seek Level 3 and Level 2 NCC approvals for matters related to federal lands. (Google: https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement projects/ chateau laurier addition-November 2020.)

"Current Design of the Chateau Addition and Impacts on NCC Lands." "While the majority of the work will be situated within the existing Chateau Laurier property limits, there will be implications to the adjacent NCC lands and assets, which surround the proposed addition to the east, north and west sides. Permanent impacts include: 1.) Alterations to Mackenzie Avenue (Confederation Boulevard.)

 2.) Alterations to Major's Hill Park including soft and hard landscape to provide direct pedestrian access. (...a long, low, flat-roofed building will link the hotel to Major's Hill Park.) (Several mature trees will be chopped down and existing pathways will be rerouted so they lead more directly to the hotel.)

3.) Removal of a small portion of the north end 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.)

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National Capital Commission properties that are impacted by this integration of a private hotel with a federal government recreational area: Major's Hill Park; Mackenzie Avenue and Rideau Street (Confederation Boulevard) and the Rideau Canal. The NCC holdings are part of the National Interest Land Mass.  (Google: National Capital Commission, Subject/Title-Interface of proposed Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel addition with surrounding NCC lands, date 2021-06-23, page 2/28.)

 (Is the NCC not aware of the fact that:

1.) UNESCO is taking away the designation UNESCO World Heritage Site from the Rideau Canal if views of the waterway are compromised. (Google: "UNESCO wants Chateau Hotel addition re-assessed 'Before any irrevocable decisions are made." by Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen-February 12, 2020.)

2.) National Interest Land Mass properties are untouchable, they cannot be sold, given away, leased or substantially altered:

"The NILM consists of national shrines, the river and canal banks, the Confederation Boulevard, the Gatineau Park (and many other holdings) considered essential to the realization of the vision of the Capital." "There are 37 individual parcels of property in this category currently owned by the NCC totalling some 44,200 ha. in area."

"Land forming part of the NILM will be retained by the NCC in perpetuity for purposes which lie at the core of the NCC's mandate." (Google: 1988-07-re-ncc.)

 NILM Properties in Ontario:

a.) Victoria Island.

b.) Part of Lebreton Flats 

c.) Shoreline behind Parliament Hill.

d.) Chambers Building, Elgin and Queen Streets.

e.) Confederation Square.

f.). Parts of Wellington in front of Chateau Laurier and the Conference Centre and land to the E. of the Conference Centre, also lands N of Wellington between the Rideau Canal lock & the Chateau Laurier & Major Hill Park. Also the approach to Alexandra Bridge and new Art Gallery site.

Major's Hill Park 

Property Number: 04127

Custodian: National Capital Commission

Interest: Crown Owned

Restriction: No Restriction

Primary Use: Parks and Recreation

Address: Mackenzie Avenue

Place Name: no data

Municipality: Ottawa

Province/Territory: Ontario

Federal Electoral District: Ottawa-Vanier

Census Classification: Rural

Land Area: 4.8679 ha.

Building Count: 2

Floor Area: 87.89 sq. m.

Record Created On; July 30, 1998

Record Last Modified On: May 11, 2022. (From: Federal Directory of Real Property website.)

The Toronto waterfront.

House of Commons Ottawa May 23, 1991. Member of Parliament John Nunziata (York South-Weston) Liberal: "...He says there is nothing wrong with the federal government selling public parkland in order to benefit the rich and wealthy. There are a lot of poor and not so poor people in metropolitan Toronto who cannot escape to Roscoe Lake on the hot summer weekends in order to boat at their cottages. A lot of residents of metropolitan Toronto have the waterfront for their recreation during the summer months. The government is proposing to sell that very valuable asset. Why? Not to reduce the deficit."

" We know that the government has gone to extremes in order to reduce the Government Orders national deficit, but it wants to sell part of the land in order to create a trust fund so that Harbourfront can be financed in perpetuity. In other words, sell public parkland to developers. Let them make hundreds of millions of dollars building luxury condominiums or luxury hotels on the waterfront. The revenue from the sale of this land will go into a little trust fund and the interest, whether 10, 11 or 12 percent a year, will be used to carry on these very worthwhile activities, including children's summer camp, summer festivals and book reading."

"Why does it not sell the House of Commons? Why does it not sell the lawn in front of the Peace Tower to private interests? One would have all kinds of private businesses interested in securing the rights to the lawn in front of the House of Commons. We can still have the right to debate in the Chamber but the money could be used in order to pay for MP's salaries or expenses. It is nonsense and it ought not be done. We should not be selling public land or parkland in order to finance programs."

"The waterfront is for the people of metropolitan Toronto, the people of Ontario and the people of Canada and it should be developed as such."

Do ordinary Canadians have the right to own federal Crown property? Yes we do.

The Parliament Buildings, Parliament Hill, Supreme Court of Canada, Library and Archives Canada, Experimental Farms, highways, post offices, Forestry Canada properties, military bases, federal office buildings, railways, Royal Military Colleges, penitentiaries, RCMP Detachments, bridges, Dominion Observatories,Rideau Canal,lighthouses, the northern half of the Sparks Street Mall, museums, the National Arts Centre, National Parks, embassies in foreign countries, the Plains of Abraham, Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario...

"In one year, with the support of this bill, it is possible that there will be no Crown land assets left."

House of Commons Ottawa November 22, 1991. Bill C-3, the Federal Real Property Act. Member of Parliament. Derek Lee (Scarborough-Rouge River) Liberal: "Madam Speaker, I want to address a very specific aspect of the proposed legislation. The area I want to address is what I would call post-disposition disclosure."

"Before I am done here I think I am going to get angry again. I am going to get angry because in my view, and I have only been in the House for three years, this particular section of the bill is probably the single greatest step away from accountability that I have ever seen. I want to say to the taxpayer, the shareholders of Canada, beware."

"This particular bill governs the procedure by which the government manages and disposes of Canada's real estate assets. There are a lot of those assets maintained for many different reasons, ranging from our national parks to our federal office buildings to land that has been acquired for future use by the federal government for military purposes. There are many uses and all of them, with very few exceptions, are good and far-sighted."

"What really comes into dispute, from time to time, is the management of those assets. When our government disposes of these real estate assets it usually goes through a process of decision making inside the Public Service to decide whether these assets should be sold. Ultimately a decision is made. If the decision is to sell it can be sold by different means:by public auction, bids can be listed for sale in various manners. However the goal is to coax out a fair market price for the real estate."

"I do not have any general problems with the conceptual process. My focus is on the post-sale disclosure, that is the way the public finds out how the disposition took place and where the proceeds went.."

"I want to bring to the House's attention two separate instances when assets of this government were disposed of and the government refused, refused and refused to tell the taxpayers and Parliament exactly how the assets were disposed of." (more)

House of Commons November 22, 1991. Member of Parliament Dennis Mills (Broadview-Greenwood) Liberal: "...In my office I read parts of Bill C-3, an act respecting the acquisition, administration and disposition of real property in Canada...as I started to reflect on what is really going on in this bill I became concerned. There is another aspect of this bill which disturbs me immensely. It concerns me that in one year, with the support of this bill, it is possible that there will be no Crown assets left." 

"I think of my own city of Toronto and the way that this government has disposed of Harbourfront lands, has disposed of Terminal 3 at Pearson International, and of the disposition of the CBC lands. This is a bill that is going to make the developers of every region and every city of Canada ecstatic."

"As a result of this bill if a line department has a Crown asset, a land asset, which does not meet that particular department's needs, at that time the department will have the ability to put that land basically out to tender."

House of Commons November 22, 1991. Member of Parliament John Nunziata (York South-Weston) Liberal: "Mr. Speaker, I did not intend to speak on Bill C-3, but I have been listening to my colleagues in the Liberal Party speak on the bill and I became concerned about its provisions. It is not a bill that I was responsible for or paid much attention to until today. I am moved by some of the very persuasive arguments made by my friend from Broadview-Greenwood and other colleagues on this side of the House."

"Much to my regret, I note that members of the Conservative Party and members of the New Democratic Party seem to be involved in some type of-and I use this term loosely-conspiracy to have this bill pushed through the House without much debate or consideration." (more)

Let the public have access to documents pertaining to the sale and lease of federal Crown land in Canada. 

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The Experimental Farm The 1,100 acre site is worth more than 1 billion dollars. In the hearts and minds of Canadians the Farm is priceless. We have no idea:

-exactly how many trees will eventually be chopped down, or how many heritage buildings are slated for demolition.

 are views of the Rideau Canal being sacrificed when Carling Village, the 4-storey parking garage and medical towers are constructed? UNESCO has already notified Parks Canada that the designation UNESCO World Heritage Site will be revoked from the Rideau Canal if buffer zones are breached, and views of the waterway are blocked.

How much land is the City of Ottawa removing from the Baseline Road boundary for their transitway project.

Was the Arboretum in Ottawa sold?

A map from the Federal Directory of Real Property website. Until very recently the Arboretum covered 64.2 acres of land between Prince of Wales Drive and the Rideau Canal. Now the landscape ecompasses 7.08 acres.

Arboretum Property Number 02900.

Custodian-National Capital Commission.

Interest-Crown Owned.

Restriction-No Restriction.

Primary Use-Parks and Recreation.

Address- Prince of Wales Drive.

Municipality-Ottawa.

Province/Territory-Ontario.

Federal Electoral District-Ottawa Centre.

Census Classification-Rural.

Land Area-2.8692 ha.

Floor Area-0 sq. m.

Record Created-July 30, 1998.

Record Last Modified-September 25, 2017. On February 23, 2018 a 99-year lease agreement was signed between the Ottawa Hospital and the NCC, Public Works and Agriculture Canada.

Is it a coincidence that Prince of Wales Drive is being widened from 2 lanes to 4, and Isabella Preston's crabapple trees were all chopped down? That Prince of Wales Drive is being restricted to commercial and garbage trucks that service the Ottawa Hospital? That Senator Anne Cools told a Senate committee "The public fears that many other parklands, like the Experimental Farm and the Arboretum are on the National Capital Commission's list for for sale".That a tall blue fence is now blocking an entrance to the property? Is Disneyland North/the Botanical Garden behind this land grab? ("Prince of Wales Drive is being widened from 2 lanes to 4 lanes"-Google: Dow's Lake-Glebe Report, June 11, 2010.)

Ottawa Citizen, August 3, 2001.

The gates block an entrance to the Arboretum.

Prime Ministers of Canada Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mackenzie King, Louis St-Laurent, John Diefenbaker, Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney never wanted to see the Experimental Farm commercialized and sold off. Neither did Agriculture Ministers Sydney Arthur Fisher, James Gardiner, Douglas Harkness, Eugene Whelan, Bud Olson, John Wise, Gerry Ritz..

Ottawa's Central Park "The Experimental Farm forms a central park within a residential area of the City of Ottawa." Page 167/395 of the 1950 Greber Report.

The Dominion Arboretum in October of 1963. National Archives photo.

Symbols.

The Dominion Observatotory crest,

Parks Canada logos.

More documents that call for the protection of historic landscapes.

1.)  The 1994-1995 Annual Report of the National Capital Commission, page 19/50.

"...Too many modern cities have paid the price of uncontrolled and disharmonious development. That is why Canada's Parliament appointed the NCC to guard against inappropriate design and land use in the Canadian Capital. The Commission has been authorized to examine all applications for design approval, land use changes, realty transactions and demolitions affecting federal property in the region, rejecting those that are inappropriate or suggesting changes to make others acceptable."

2.) Planning for Canada's Capital-A Second Century of Vision, Planning and Development, 1999, page 48/127 pages.

Section 4.7-Built and Landscape Heritage: Goal-Built and landscape heritage that is protected and preserved as an important part of the Capital's cultural milieu.

Context - The built and landscape heritage of national value in Canada's Capital-buildings such as the Parliament Buildings, monuments, heritage landscapes such as the Central Experimental Farm and the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park and transportation routes.

3.)  Heritage Conservation Districts are protected by Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

"...Part V of the OHA allows municipalities to recognize and protect neighbourhoods, rural landscapes, main streets or other areas of special cultural heritage value that have a cohesive sense of time and place. Designated heritage districts often enjoy a renewed cultural and economic vitality not only because district designation highlights their special values but also because they are protected from decay and the intrusion of incompatible structures..."

4.)  Friends of the CEF, Fall 2017 newsletter.

Friends of the Farm are worried about the future of the Observatory Campus, William Saunders Building, Heritage House (#60) and Genetics Building (#34).

(The Government of Canada is "getting out of the business of running experimental farms." From: "Ottawa closing experimental farm" CBC News, February 25, 2005.)

5.)  A United Nations Agency called UNESCO uses criteria to determine if a specific property should be honoured with the designation "UNESCO World Heritage Site":

Article 1 "For the purpose of this convention, the following shall be considered as "cultural heritage": groups of buildings; a group of separate or connected buildings which, because of their architecture; their homogeneity or their place in the landscape,are of outstanding value from the point of view of history, art or science. (From: Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and National Heritage.)

National Historic Sites of Canada that are owned by foreigners and corporations.

1.)  Earnscliffe on Sussex Drive, Ottawa - The British Embassy. "A single report titled 'Historico-Architectural significance of the Sir John A. Macdonald buildings still standing in Kingston' May 1960, was used by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada when it recommended that Earnscliffe should be considered 'a national shrine' and that the government should 'investigate ways and means to acquire it for this purpose.'

2,)  The Quebec Bridge - The multinational CN Rail.

3.)  The former Prison for Women in Kingston, Ontario.

4.)  The former Teacher's College, 195 Elgin Street, is now owned by the Corporation of the City of Ottawa:

House of Commons Ottawa June 21, 1984. Mr. Donald W. Munro (Esquimalt-Saanich): "Mr. Speaker, the Royal Society of Canada announced not long ago that it wanted to establish a National House of Academics in the vacant building formerly occupied by the Teacher's College, on the corner of Elgin and Lisgar in Ottawa..."

"The Teacher's College, now the property of Public Works Canada, has been empty since 1978. Now that the deadline for termination of negotiations between Public Works Canada and the City of Ottawa is drawing near, I would like to suggest that the House support the Royal Society, in urging the federal government to assign the Teacher's College to the Royal Society, on a rental basis, so that it may become Canada's "National House of Academics."

When a National Historic Site of Canada is privatized it loses all protection: "It's very, very important that City Council designates Kingston Penitentiary under the provincial legislation to give Council the power to protect this historic property...because federal designation as a National Historic Site of Canada, while it's important, does not protect the property after it passes from public ownership to private hands." (From: Frontenac Heritage Foundation, Volume 40, Number 1-January 2013. A quote from City of Kingston Councillor Bill Glover.)

What bothers me.

1.)  The City of Ottawa's determination to privatize 1/4 of the Greenbelt. Do not build roads or Light Rail Transit near the Mer Bleue Conservation Area.

2.)  The National Capital Commission's plan to eliminate private cars and OC Transpo buses from the scenic parkways in the National Capital Region. Do not fool us into believing that you are "giving the land back to the people." The roads will be de-paved and sold:

House of Commons Ottawa May 15, 1970 Proposal to remove motor vehicles from parkways in the National Capital Region:

Mr. Gordon Duncan Blair (Grenville-Carleton) Liberal: "I would like to direct a question to the Acting Prime Minister, and I regret that I was unable to give him notice. Is the government aware of a statement or statements to the press by the Chairman of the National Capital Commission 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 second part of my question is whether the Acting Prime Minister can assure the House that the government will not permit the people of this area this inconvenience (created) by the disruption that this extraordinary and senseless experiment will cause."

The Hon. George J. McIlraith (Acting Prime Minister; Solicitor General of Canada): "The statement has caused concern. I am very doubtful that the Chairman of the National Capital Commission has any such authority under the National Capital Act passed by this Parliament."

3.) Thousands of trees are being removed from the Experimental Farm but "some of the wood will be converted into furniture for the new hospital." That is comparable to removing the tusk from an elephant and saying "don't worry, the ivory will be converted into jewellery, billiard balls and piano keys."

H.M. Queen Juliana of The Netherlands visiting the Tulip Festival at the Experimental Farm, Dow's Lake, Ottawa.

A 1968 Ottawa Journal photo of the Queen. I found this article in 2013 while going through my Dad's personal papers.

4.)  Endless repeats of television programs and commercials.I never want to hear the words hyraluronic acid again. And the same pregnancy confirmation commercial was repeated 5 times in half an hour, on the same tv show. Is it any wonder that people rent movies that are free of advertisements.

5.)   Long line-ups for essential services. In 1979 I applied for a passport and I waited for less an hour, in a carpeted government office on Yonge Street, Toronto and the chairs were upholstered. 

6.)  A few second-hand stores are selling low-quality merchandise. During the 1970's my Mother was an employee at a store that sold donated furniture, clothing, toys, etc. She was told to throw away any clothing that was ripped or substandard and to always check the toys, furniture, and lamps for sharp edges, frayed cords, etc. I miss Target and Zellers, with their brand-new merchandise and affordable prices.

7.) Public land and parkways that are blocked by high fences. 

8.) Virtual tours of museums and landmarks. 

9.) Canada's Fahrenheit 451. A few years ago there were plans to discard archival documents from the National Capital Commission, Agriculture Canada, Public Works and Government Services and several other Crown corporations and agencies. Natural Resources Canada held valuable documents including maps and information from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. (Including UFO sightings and the discovery of Planet X by local astronomers). The Sir John Carling Building had the greatest agricultural library in the country:

From: The National Archives on Wellington Street, Ottawa.

10.) I was denied access to the 2,400 page agreement between the Ottawa Hospital Corporation, Public Works and Government Services, Agriculture Canada and the National Capital Commission. Why?

a.)  During the 1990's plans were underway to demolish more than 50 of the Farm's buildings. ("The Fight for the Farm goes on" Heritage Ottawa newsletter, spring of 1997.)

b.) Major changes are planned for the NCC Driveway, Maple Drive, Prince of Wales Drive, Birch Drive and bicycle pathways.

c.) Is Carling Village a condo project? Is that why 12 acres of land facing Carling Avenue were re-zoned to "Mixed-use"? 

d.)  The Ottawa Hospital needs far more land. The K.W. Neatby Building (960 Carling) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency are Recognized Federal Heritage Buildings. The National Capital Commission has the power to remove the following designations:

Classified Federal Heritage Building; Recognized Federal Heritage Building; National Historic Site of Canada; National Interest Land Mass and Sections 1V and V of the Ontario Heritage Act. Federal heritage laws supercede provincial and city heritage laws. 

For the next ten years demolition and chainsaw crews will be very busy on the 1,000 acre property. Unless a public inquiry is convened to find out why a National Historic Site is the only location suitable for a mega-hospital.

 

National War Memorials in the National Capital Region that can never be redeveloped.

The properties are off-limits to municipal, provincial and foreign governments and private endeavours.

House of Commons April 22, 1996 Member of Parliament Marlene Catterall (Ottawa-West Nepean) Liberal: "...when Jacques Greber released his plan for the capital in 1950 it was at the direction of the capital as a national war memorial to those who had fought in the wars in defence of Canada. Therefore, the petitioners call on Parliament to ensure that this committment and the green spaces of the nation's capital are maintained as a national war memorial and are not disposed of or sold." The Holt Commission of 1915 wanted the property adjacent to Dow's Lake to be a recreational space: "Extensive parks and playgrounds were recommended including the acquirement of lands in the Laurentian Hills for a National Park, and the development of Dow's Lake and its adjacent lands as a recreational centre, was strongly urged."(From: page 199/395 of the 1950 Greber Report.)

1.)  Gatineau Park

2.)  The Greenbelt - 

The 50,304 acre Greenbelt in Ottawa includes the Mer Bleue Conservation Area; Pine Grove Forest; Pine View Golf Course; Hornets Nest Soccer Fields, Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit. Wikipedia photo.

3.)  Major's Hill Park - when the World War 11 Temporary Buildings were removed from the park, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau wanted the land returned to Major's Hill. But the land was sold during the 1990's.

4.)  The Central Experimental Farm - including the Arboretum; Dominion Astrophysical Observatory; Fletcher Wildlife Garden; Ornamental Gardens; Research Fields; the pathways, roads and parkways; museums; research laboratories; Rideau Canal Hartwell Lockstation; greenhouses; thousands of trees; the Historic Hedge Collection; buffer zones near the Rideau Canal at Dow's Lake and heritage buildings.

World War 11 Temporary Building #5 was built near Dow's Lake, and Temporary Building #8 was constructed on Queen Juliana Park. Prime Ministers of Canada Mackenzie King, Louis St-Laurent, John Diefenbaker, Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney wanted the Farm to always be a tourism destination and recreational venue.

The photo is from West Side Action by Eric Darwin.

5.)  The Greenbelt Research Farm - the existing barns and structures can be leased.

6.)  Commissioner's Park - There are rumours that the 22-acre federal park will be sold or given to the Ottawa Hospital Corporation within 10 years, for parking lots.

7.)  Government parks in the Capital and Hull, Quebec.