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.