Agriculture Canada rejected the Botanical Garden's plan for the Experimental Farm - June 7, 2002.

 "Please be advised that on May 8, 2002 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada wrote to Mr. Ian Efford of the OBGS informing him that AAFC would not consider their application for a garden at the Central Experimental Farm as a number of conditions had not not been met in their application."

"These conditions were as follows:

1. It must not include any use of land on the west side of Prince of Wales Drive.
2. The use of any land or facilities on the east side of Prince of Wales Drive must meet the Canadian Heritage (Parks Canada) criteria (e.g.) it must not have a negative impact on the heritage values of the Canal nor impede the operation of the Canal, specifically at Hartwells lock station but also navigation in general.
3. The Arboretum, if included, must remain free and open to the public.
4. The Fletcher Wildlife Garden must remain as it is.
5. The Commemorative Integrity Statement must be observed.
6. The land use must be compatible with other jurisdictions (e.g. NCC, Parks, City of Ottawa, etc.), and designations (e.g. National Interest Land Mass (NILM) of the Central Experimental Farm and
7. It must clearly demonstrate financial viability/self sufficiency.

Best regards...Mike Nowosad, Chair, CEFAC.

The information is from the Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital, General Meeting, June 12, 2002.