The Experimental Farm in Ottawa will expand.

 House of Commons Ottawa August 1, 1958 The Hon. Hazen Robert Argue, C.C.F., MP and Senator: "I wonder if the Minister could tell the house whether in regard to the central experimental farm it is the policy of his government to maintain that farm in its present location in the city of Ottawa for further scientific research. And whether there is anything to the rumour one hears from time to time that because of extensive city development and increasing property values some other use in the future may be made of part of the property now."

"I would express the hope that the central experimental farm may be kept in its present form and its present location. I think it is doing tremendous work and is, amongst other things, a most valuable tourist attraction in the capital city. I think it would be in keeping with the view of the Canadian people as well as the people of Ottawa that the central experimental farm be maintained in its present location."

The Hon. Douglas Scott Harkness (Progressive Conservative) Minister of Agriculture: "I am very glad to tell the hon. member for Assiniboia that the central experimental farm is going to be not only retained but expanded. The plans we have, of which there has been some indication in the press, are that the present experimental farm will be used entirely for plant breeding and plant research activities. The animal husbandry branch of the experimental farm service will be established at a new experimental farm which will of course still be part of the central experimental farm, a few miles south and west of the present farm property in what will be the green belt surrounding Ottawa."

"We expect to secure from the federal district commission something in the neighbourhood of 4,000 acres of land in the green belt, and the animal husbandry activities of the experimental farm will be established there. The amount of land will provide us with sufficient grazing and sufficient area on which to raise forage for the animals, so that we can very considerably extend the animal husbandry activities. The present farm is much too small to enable us to carry on nearly as much research in the animal husbandry field as we feel necessary and is desired to be carried out."  

The Hon. Hazen Robert Argue (C.C.F) Mr. Argue: "I very much appreciate the minister's statement but does he mean that the present acreage of the experimental farm will be retained and that the 4,000 acres to which he refers is entirely in addition to the lands now held?"

The Hon. Mr. Harkness (Minister of Agriculture) "Yes, that is correct, Mr. Chairman. The present acreage will be retained and, as I say, will be used entirely for plant breeding and associated activities, such as horticultural activities and so on of the science service and the experimental farm service."

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The National Capital Commission has the power to remove the classification National Interest Land Mass from federal real estate. A few of the landscapes and buildings that should always be protected by the NILM:

• Gatineau Park
• The Greenbelt ( Including the Agriculture Canada Greenbelt Research Farm, 4,000 acres in 1958.)
• Confederation Square
• PM's residence
• GG's residence (Rideau Hall)
• The scenic parkways in the National Capital Region
• Jacques Cartier Park
• Rideau Canal lands from downtown to Hog's Back Rd.

NCC Bylaws-Powers 3.24.14. The designation or revocation of all or part of any real property or immovable as part of the National Interest Land Mass. (From: Page 5/19 of NCC Bylaws, last amended on January 25, 2018.)