"A portion of the Arboretum will be dug up."

The Arboretum on the Experimental Farm covers 64 acres of land between Prince of Wales Drive, Dows Lake and the Rideau Canal. A January 6, 2018 letter from Judy Dodds, President of the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm, to Federal Minister Catherine McKenna: "It has come to our attention that the City of Ottawa is proposing to claim (several) meters of the Farm's southern border along Baseline Road for a rapid transit route. Moreover, it is understood that a portion of the Arboretum next to the O-Train line will be dug up to double track that portion of the transit route, although this area will be replanted." 

The Ottawa hospital is planning to ban private vehicles from entrances to the property: "Emergency Vehicles Only signs will be posted at the Carling Avenue and Maple Drive intersection, Maple Drive and the Site entrance and Prince of Wales Drive and the Site entrance." (Google:" 2021-05-10 Design Brief and Planning Rationale-DO7-12-21-0059-friendsofthefarm.ca" page 25/76.) 

A February 1, 2016 letter from Judy Dodds to Minister McKenna: "Representatives of the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm (FCEF) would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the importance of the Central Experimental Farm as a national heritage site, a renowned research facility and a public green space. We understand from recent media reports that you may review the previous government's decision to provide 60 acres of Farm land for a new hospital. We are also aware that City of Ottawa officials have suggested taking a strip of Farm land along Baseline Road to improve the city's East-West Transportation Corridor. We believe that any decision to radically change the nature of National Historic Sites such as the Farm should consider the full impact of that decision on the intrinsic value and significance of that site."

"The FCEF has been a supporter of the Farm for over 25 years. Our group of approximately 500 members and volunteers generously donates 10,000 hours annually to working in the gardens and through events or other activities, such as our quarterly newsletter that promote awareness of the beauty, scientific value and historical importance of the Farm and the work done there. As a tenant on the Farm we cannot take a position on the land transfer or other decisions regarding Farm property but we can share with you concerns our members have expressed."

"We are approaching you because of your interest in the transfer of Farm land for a new hospital and because the Farm is within your riding. We fully appreciate the tremendous demands on your time but hope that your schedule will permit an opportunity to meet with us to discuss the value and contribution of this wonderful heritage site. Thank you for your consideration."

A brand-new book about the Arboretum "A new book, Pathways to the Trees, highlights the hundreds of tree species at Ottawa's Dominion Observatory and the stories behind them. The CBC's Celeste Decaire met with one of the book's co-authors." (A video.)

Books 

• Building Canada's Farm - An Illustrated Guide to Buildings at the Central Experimental Farm. (A video that I created is on YouTube, "Buildings on the Experimental Farm, Ottawa Canada.")
• Ottawa's Farm by Helen Smith and Mary Bramley.
• Our Farm in the City - is a children's book by Kalli Dakos and Erin Mercer.
• Blooms: An Illustrated History of the Ornamental Garden at the Central Experimental Farm by Richard Hinchcliff.
• Ode to the Grand Central Experimental Farm of Canada by Susan Geraldine Taylor, 1987.
• Guide to the Central Experimental Farm by William Saunders. "This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization." 

Videos

• Ottawa prepares to hand over Historic Federal Farmland to Corporate Developers (Vimeo)
• RASC 2019 GA-The National Heritage of the Dominion Observatory
• RIP Queen Juliana Park-Reimagine Ottawa

Movies

• "The Perfect Assistant" with Josie Davis, Chris Potter and Rachel Hunter.

The Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa should be protected by UNESCO.

 Canada signed the UNESCO World Heritage Convention document on July 23, 1976. "State Parties agree to identify and nominate properties on their national territory to be considered for inscription on the list." "The 1970's marked the beginning of a dramatic change in heritage designation. By signing the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1976, the federal government committed itself to protecting world heritage sites within Canada. The highest possible standards of conservation would be followed." 

The many reasons why the Experimental Farm should be included on the list:

1.)  More than 700 mature trees will be clear-cut to make room for a hospital. According to the Friends of the Farm---Remarkable Trees of Central Experimental Farm: "Trees were obtained from nurseries in Germany, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, France, England and the USA." Widening Prince of Wales Drive will decimate the cherry blossom trees. The Experimental Farm Woods and Arboretum Woods are protected by the City of Ottawa, Google "urban natural features strategy, City of Ottawa April 11, 2006."

2.)  Views of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site have already been compromised by a massive parking garage, as big as the Ottawa Airport parking garage. 

3.) A Canadian Privy Council Order signed by Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent stated that: "The Central Experimental Farm should remain an open space in perpetuity; if it were ever desirable to move all or part of the Farm, the land should not be used for building projects but for a park or other open area." March 19, 1954. A copy of the actual Privy Council Order-in-Council is on my savecfbrockcliffe blog entry on February 24, 2024.

4.)  The entire property is part of the National Interest Land Mass.

5.)  The Dominion Observatory: 

• is part of the Parliamentary Precinct - "The popularity of the Observatory occurred when it opened in 1905, due to the support of Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Laurier's advocation reinforced the idea that this Observatory was to be considered an arm of the parliamentary precinct." (From: "Journal of the Study of Architecture in Canada" and "Astronomer Mary Grey and the Architecture of Canada's Dominion Observatory." Page 10/67. Information was presented by Sharon Odell of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.)
• is modeled after the Greenwich Royal Observatory in London, England. Maritime Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• attempts have already been made to demolish Farm properties---in the year 1970; in 1996 when more than 40 buildings were endangered. And fairly recently: "Extensive demolition or relocation of buildings may be necessary for the new build (the hospital) to proceed." 
• the astrophysical observatory is a Classified Federal Heritage Building. That designation can easily be removed.
• nearby towers and noise and light pollution will prevent the Dominion Observatory from ever reopening. As I mentioned before, my classmates and I visited the landmark in 1965 and we all looked through the telescope. 
• the Ottawa Hospital does not want "irregular parcels of land." The Dominion Observatory buildings are creating an "irregular parcel of land" on Maple Drive. The South Azimuth is the first building that will be demolished because Maple Drive is being widened and converted to an emergency vehicle route.

6.)  If the Farm is included on the World Heritage List, buffer zones may prevent the creation of high-rise residential towers on Carling Avenue and Baseline Road. The towers would be detrimental to scientific research and the growth of food on agricultural land. And CEF property along Baseline Road has been earmarked for a mass transit endeavor. Buffer zones are an "important tool for the conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List."

7.) World War 11 temporary buildings were located on the Farm--- No. 5 was on the Dow's Lake parking lot and No. 8 was on Queen Juliana Park below the Sir John Carling Building. House of Commons Ottawa, June 16, 1958:The Hon. George James McIlraith (Ottawa West): "Has the Minister come to any conclusion as to what will be done with the land on the farm now occupied by the temporary buildings when they are moved?" 

The Hon. Howard Charles Green (Minister of Public Works): "I take it that the hon. member for Ottawa West refers to temporary buildings Nos. 5 and 8. For some years the policy has been that when these temporary buildings are torn down nothing will be constructed on the site."

Mr. McIlraith: "I want to commend the minister for continuing a policy set out a few years ago by the Liberal administration. I believe he will agree that it is a very satisfactory policy."

8.)  Permitted uses of land in the L-3 Central Experimental Farm Zone:  The purpose of the L-3 CEF Zone is to: Allow a range of uses on land designated as A Research Area in the Official Plan that will help to support and conserve the cultural, scientific and historical value of the Central Experimental Farm for present and future generations. 

Allowed

• agricultural use
• environmental preserve and education area
• museum - limited to agricultural museum
• on farm diversified use, limited to a place of assembly (see Part 3, Section 79, By-law 2019-41)
• park
• research and development centre limited to agricultural research
• urban agriculture (see Part 3, Section 82, By-law 2017-48)

Buildings on the Farm cannot be any taller than 5.5 storeys. (The information about L-3 Zoning can be found on "Open Space and Leisure Zones" Sections 173-180, a City of Ottawa document, page 13/19.)

9.) A mega-hospital will have a terrible impact on Dow's Lake/the Rideau Canal, wild life, tourism, agricultural research, the Arboretum Woods, Experimental Farm Woods, Fletcher Wildlife Garden, the Macoun Memorial Garden, Historic Hedge Collection, Ornamental Gardens, heritage buildings, traffic, the scenic parkways (Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Prince of Wales Drive, the NCC Parkway), Preston Street, Maple Drive, Birch Drive and nearby neighbourhoods.

10.)  Major Cultural Landscapes in Ottawa:

• Parliament Hill
• Major's Hill Park
• Rideau Hall
• Rockcliffe Park
• Queen Elizabeth Driveway
• Central Experimental Farm ("All dating from the 19th century, together they have played a key role in shaping people's image of the federal realm.") The information is from 'Definition and Assessment of Cultural Landscapes of Heritage Value on NCC Lands' by Julian Smith and Associates, Contentworks, December of 2004, page 43/109 Greenspace Alliance.

11.)  House of Commons Ottawa May 13, 1988: The Hon. John Wise (Minister of Agriculture)"...Next to the Parliament Buildings, the Experimental Farm is the second most popular tourist attraction here in Ottawa."  The Tulip Festival and Winterlude are celebrated on the Farm.

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, the National Capital Commission and PWGSC gave Queen Juliana Park to the people of Canada.

Stop the rezoning of Parks to Condos-Queen Juliana Park in Little Italy "The City of Ottawa Planners are rezoning Little Italy to medium to high density condos for the area bounded by the 417 north to Carling south to Rochester east and the railroad tracks west. By doing this rezoning it is elimination of one park in our area used by the community at large. The park is Queen Juliana Park located at 870 Carling Avenue."

"The Queen Juliana Park was founded in 1976 when the Federal government tore down the Temporary Buildings. The purpose was to honour Queen Juliana of Holland who donated thousands of tulip bulbs to Ottawa---and to relocate community uses of Commissioners Park to Queen Juliana Park in 1976 when Italian Week and St. Anthony's Church used Commissioners Park for its activities to celebrate Italian Canadian Culture. In 1976 Mr. Edes of the NCC convinced Public Works to create the park for community use because the NCC was not going to allow Associations to use Commissioners Park for its festivities. Accordingly the local community has used Queen Juliana Park for many of its festivities including the Victoria Day May 10 to 24th, the Native Indian Pow Wow June 16th to 20th and the Canada Day festival June 27th to July 2."

"It would be very shameful for the City of Ottawa Planners to Rezone these two parks for high rise condos. Our local community has very few parks for the amount of residents in the area. If they were destroyed the Community would have to go to the Experimental farm or Vincent Massey Park to which locations they would have to drive. This is defeating the policy of not driving and going green implemented by the City of Ottawa Council. Please sign our petition to keep the parks in Little Italy. Thank you for your support in this matter." Angelo Filoso, President. Italian Canadian Community Centre of the National Capital Region Inc.

A November 5th, 2021 letter to the Hon. Steven Guilbeault.

 Dear Minister Guilbeault: Congratulations on your recent appointment as Canada's Environment Minister. I hope this note finds you well as you work for change at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

We write in our capacity as MPP for Ottawa Centre and City Councillor for Capital Ward in the city of Ottawa to flag an urgent issue with significant climate impacts: the construction of the new Civic Hospital that will substantially take place on federal lands in the Central Experimental Farm and the extent and impact of the working hospital very close to the World Heritage site of the Rideau Canal and Dows Lake. We need your help to ensure we properly understand how this project fits within Canada's commitment to respond to our World's climate change emergency, and that it complies with the need for an independent environmental assessment under federal environmental legislation.

For years, the Ottawa Hospital promised to hold public consultations to ensure "the best possible integration with the surrounding community." Pledges were made to ensure the new Civic Hospital would be linked to public transit, that parking would be half of what is proposed now (and buried underground) and that active transportation would be encouraged. These assertions have been proven false.

A massive parking garage for 2500 cars, comparable to what exists at the Ottawa Airport, is slated for construction in March 2022. The parking garage will replace Queen Juliana Park and interrupt the Trillium Bike Path, a key node of transportation in Ottawa. Moreover, unless 65% of the arrivals at the site are by public transit, bicycle or on foot, the garage and the multiple on-grade parking lots planned for the site will be insufficient for the number of cars destined to arrive on the site.

Six large buildings-the Civic Hospital including a Rehab Centre, the Research Tower, 3 "multi-use" towers along Carling Avenue and the Heart Institute are planned for this site. These will have a much greater population than the current Civic Hospital site. The new Civic Hospital and its parking garage will also remove at least 524 mature trees from a key part of Ottawa's urban tree canopy lies within federal lands. This flies in the face of the federal government's public commitments to preserve and increase the nation's tree canopy, to combat global climate change.

Decades of funding cuts have led to a situation where 13% of hospital revenue now comes from fees charged for parking and other discretionary items. It is no exaggeration to say that parking revenue buys MRI machines and other critical medical equipment. The Ontario Hospital Association has noted this "represents core funding sources and are not discretionary forms of 'extra revenue'. Moreover, drainage from the medical equipment could impact the fish bearing waters of Dows Lake and the Rideau Canal. Such potential pollution of federal waterways should be subject to an independent environmental assessment as required by federal environmental legislation.

The federal government leased the lands in question for 99 years to the Ottawa Hospital for $1 in 2018, and did so without conducting an environmental assessment that was made available to the public. 35% of greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) in Ontario are due to personal and commercial transportation, representing the single largest source of GGE; the new Civic Hospital does nothing to change that trend. Encouraging active and public transportation and protecting our urban tree canopy on federal lands are crucial sustainability measures. These are undermined by this project as it stands.

It is also questionable about the extent to which Algonquin Leadership has been consulted on the environmental impacts of this project, and this land rests on the unceded and surrendered Algonquin territory. We need an inspired healing hub in the heart of our city, but we cannot do this at the expense of our environment.

Residents of Ottawa Centre are deeply concerned about how no evidence has been presented for this project's compliance with an independent environmental assessment and its long term sustainability. This project is being rushed through existing municipal, provincial and federal approval processes, and connected lobbyists are working hard to make this happen.

Minister Guilbeault, we need your help to ensure transparency, sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous people's are at the heart of the new Civic Hospital campus. We are petitioning you for an urgent (and public) Environmental Impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act for this.

•  Joel Harden is the MPP for Ottawa Centre and Shawn Menard is the City Councillor for Capital Ward. Copies of the letter were sent to:
• Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre
• Jeff Leiper, Ottawa City Councillor
• Algonquin Anishinabeg Tribal Council
• Dow's Lake Residents Association
• Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association

The Ottawa Hospital relocation will affect Maple Drive, Prince of Wales Drive, the NCC Driveway, Winding Lane and what is left of Birch Drive. (From: the Friends of the Farm newsletter, summer of 2021.)

Greenspaces.

 House of Commons Ottawa March 10, 1986 Mr. Barry Turner (Ottawa-Carleton): Regarding the sale of Mile Circle for embassies-reposting: "...The Mile Circle land has been held in trust since 1904 by the federal Government as parkland...I cannot believe that today, in 1986, with all of our collective knowledge and experience, that the Commission is actually threatening to destroy these parklands. I cannot accept the arguments that any development will be done in such a way as to maintain open spaces and a parkland setting. That is impossible since thousands and thousands of tons of concrete and steel will be sewn together by architects, engineers and construction workers to build embassies on the Mile Circle."

"My professional background is in conservation and tourism development, and I know what impact infrastructure can have on parkland. If parks are for people, and I truly believe they are, then you put any or all development outside of them...I am very proud of our magnificent city and I credit the Commission with making it that way. There are certain sections of our city that are sacrosanct and this is one of them."

The 2067 Greenbelt Vision Statement "The Greenbelt will forever protect natural systems, agriculture and opportunities for outdoor recreation that will inspire Canadians and contribute to the sustainability and quality of life in Canada's Capital Region. The Greenbelt will remain in the public domain."(Page 53/196).

The Greber Report of 1950, page 167/395 and a photo is included The Experimental Farm forms a central park within a residential area of the city of Ottawa."

Preservation of the Rideau Canal.

 House of Commons Ottawa November 27, 1964 Mr. Ralph Cowan, Liberal: "Many years ago the federal government built the Rideau Canal. I was born on the banks of the Rideau and I was raised on the banks of the Trent in Peterborough. These two canals were built at government expense. A commission recommends that they should be sold, or turned over to the province of Ontario as tourist attractions because they are of no future value to the federal government..."

House of Commons Ottawa February 9, 1966 Mr. Hopkins: "What steps have been taken by the government to preserve the unoccupied lands adjacent to the Rideau system and to prevent pollution of the waters and despoliation of the area by indiscriminate land speculation?"

Mr. J.A. Byrne (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport): "For several years the Department of Transport has withheld action on disposal of any substantial parcels of federal lands owned by that department adjacent to the Rideau system which might be suitable for general public recreational development...The problem of pollution referred to would appear to be a matter within the jurisdiction of the provincial government."

House of Commons Ottawa June 1, 1950 Mr. George Taylor Fulford (Leeds) Liberal: "...The great chain of Rideau lakes form an integral part of the Rideau Canal system. As we all know, the Rideau Canal is of particular historic importance. It was built after the War of 1812 by British army engineers. There was a rather quaint treaty signed between Great Britain and Canada when the canal system was handed over to Canada. One of the clauses of the treaty said that Canada would maintain the canal system as long as the grass was green and the skies were blue above. In that respect the canal is being well maintained."

 Provincial Public Works and Property to be the Property of Canada, page 36/37: The Rideau Canal cannot be sold by virtue of the B.N.A. Act of 1867: "The Government of Canada will own Canals, with Lands and Water connected therewith."

. The waterway is also protected by the following designations:

• Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada
• Department of Transport Act of 1985.

Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital, Ground lease agreement 2018, page 10/70: "Surrounding Space" means the lands abutting or lying beside and around the Lands (which includes without limitation HMCS Carleton, Carling Avenue, Preston Street, Prince of Wales and the AAFC or Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Lands.)

How to destroy a major landmark and tourist attraction in Ottawa.

•  Sell 91 acres of the Experimental Farm to the Regional Municipality of Ottawa: "On July 8th 1987, Regional Council approved the purchase of approximately 91 acres of vacant land on the west side of Merivale Road north of Baseline Road, formerly part of the Central Experimental Farm." Agriculture Minister John Wise never wanted the land sold. House of Commons Ottawa May 13, 1988: "I want to take this opportunity to indicate to you (Mr. Daubney-Ottawa West) that Agriculture Canada, my Department, has no plans or thoughts whatsoever concerning disposing of any of that property at any time. There is no question about that...Next to the Parliament Buildings the Experimental Farm is the second most popular tourist attraction here in Ottawa."
• Let the National Capital Commission expropriate 60 acres of the Farm and give it to a hospital. This is just the beginning. The hospital zone is being expanded.
• Who knows what happened to the $4 million dollar Dows Lake parking lot.
• Remove the designations National Interest Land Mass, National Historic Site of Canada, Classified Federal Heritage Building, Recognized Federal Heritage Building and Part 1V of the Ontario Heritage Act.  Now the Booth Barn, Agriculture Museum, greenhouses, William Saunders Building, Observatory campus and at least 40 other buildings can be pulverized. Apparently "Extensive demolition or relocation of buildings is required for the new build to proceed."
• Obliterate Queen Juliana Park, a memorial to the 7,600 Canadian soldiers who died during the liberation of the Netherlands in World War 11.
• Tell us that the Sir John Carling Building cafeteria will be preserved. Tell us that the 700 trees will be replaced. Exactly where?
• Place "Do not enter" "Private Property" and "Emergency vehicles only" signs at the entrance to Maple Drive/ Carling Avenue and Prince of Wales Drive. I would not be surprised if private vehicles are permanently banned on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
• Do not invite King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to the Tulip Festival when they visited  Canada. Dutch royalty always attended the Tulip Festival---Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, Princess Margriet. I inherited photos of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard at Dows Lake in 1968.
• Turn Commissioners Park into a parking lot or a condo village.

Federal land.

"Waterfront Open Space is land intended to be in public ownership and intended for public recreation and environmental conservation uses." The Hon. Anne Cools, the Senate of Canada, April 23, 2002. Moffat Farm near Mooney's Bay was an 84-acre park owned by Veterans Affairs Canada. The park was part of the Greenbelt and it was untouchable:

"It was confirmed that 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 in 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." (City of Ottawa Planning and Development, Moffat Farm February 28, 2002.) 

As I mentioned before, National Interest Land Mass holdings cannot be sold and they will be owned by the NCC/the people of Canada in perpetuity. The NILM  includes Gatineau Park, the Ottawa Greenbelt, the Experimental Farm on Carling Avenue, scenic parkways, land beside the parkways, 24 Sussex Drive, Rideau Hall, etc (Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC.) 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Senator Anne Cools:"Honourable Senators, this inquiry is about the destiny of our national capital city's parklands, the vocation of parkland to serve Canadian mothers, fathers and children's needs to interact with nature, Ottawa's greenspace and the historic Rideau Canal. The Rideau Canal, its waterfront parklands, greenspaces, historic locks, bridges and stonework are part of the heritage and beauty of our capital city."

"... This inquiry is about the National Capital Commission and its endeavors to sell a national capital parkland. These are public lands. They are not the private land holdings of a private developer...There is burgeoning public unhappiness about the destiny of the national capital parklands and historic land sites. The public has great affection for Moffat Farm and the other parklands, like Vincent Massey Park and Hog's Back Park, which are similarly zoned and similarly at risk. The public fears that many other public parklands, like the Experimental Farm and the Arboretum are on the NCC's list for sale." (From: Proposal to sell Moffat Farm - Inquiry, Senate Debate, April 23, 2002.)

"Some of the city's tallest and finest mixed-use buildings will cluster around the Carling Avenue O-Train/future LRT."

Information supplied in a City of Ottawa document called "The Preston-Carling District Secondary Plan, March 14, 2016. Planning Area "This chapter applies to the Preston-Carling District, bounded

• on the north by Highway 417
• on the east by Rochester Street
• on the south by Carling Avenue, Prince of Wales Drive and the Central Experimental Farm
• on the west by Bayswater Avenue, Sherwood Drive, Breezehill Avenue South, Hickory Street, Loretta Avenue South, Beech Street and Railway Street.

Station Area - page 3/16 - "Centred around the Carling Avenue O-Train/ future LRT Station along Carling and Champagne Avenues, the Station Area will see the tallest buildings and the highest densities in the entire district. A gradual reduction in height and density from the centre towards the surrounding neighbourhoods as well as Dows Lake and the Central Experimental Farm will be necessary. Opportunities for a nationally significant building will be explored on land owned by the National Capital Commission south of Carling Avenue east of the O-Train/future LRT."

"Keep developers off the Farm."

"A 1998 survey found that 74% of Ottawa-Carleton residents wanted to keep housing subdivisions off the Central Experimental Farm land; and even more (78%) did not want major office or commercial buildings there. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson was not surprised by the results, saying "I think the Central Experimental Farm is a real gem in the city and I don't think the public wants to take open and green space and have it developed." (The survey by COMPAS was published in the Ottawa Citizen on August 3, 1998. The comment by Mayor Jim Watson can be found in the friendsofthefarm newsletter, summer of 2013, page 10/12.) 

House of Commons Ottawa May 13, 1960 The Hon. Douglas Harkness (Minister of Agriculture) Progressive Conservative: "I think my views with respect to the experimental farm are well known and have been very well publicized in the local Ottawa papers. I have stated on numerous occasions that I am opposed to any of this land being alienated for building purposes. Greenhouses, barns, scientific laboratories, etc. are permitted.

"Threats to the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site."

1.) An attempt to sell the Rideau Canal in 1964.

2.) "Parks Canada to look at divesting highways, bridges and dams. Cash-strapped agency examines whether to sell or divest non-heritage assets worth $8.3 Billion dollars." by Dean Beeby, CBC News, August 26, 2017. The highways, roads, bridges, dams, culverts and railway tracks are located in Canada's National Parks.

Parks Canada believes that the Rideau, Chambly, Lachine and Trent Severn canals do not have any heritage value. The United Nations would disagree with that assessment---the Rideau Canal was honoured by a UN agency called UNESCO. Parks Canada was willing to sell all the infrastructure on the waterway, including bridges, dams, locks, etc.

3.) Redevelopment on land that is adjacent to the site.

4.) The designation UNESCO World Heritage Site will be removed from the waterway if the following projects go ahead:

• The new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus.
• The Chateau Laurier proposed expansion. (Ottawa)
• The Rideau Marina redevelopment. (Kingston)  
• Highway 417 bridge rehabilitation (Ottawa)
• Rideau Canal Crossing pedestrian bridge (Ottawa)
• Third Bridge Crossing (Kingston) (Note: it proceeded.)
• Former Davis Tannery Brownfield Site Redevelopment (Kingston)
• Various Federal Infrastructure Investment Program projects along the length of the Rideau Canal World Heritage property. (Google: "State of Conservation Report, Rideau Canal, May 2018.)

5.) Parks Canada told UNESCO that the department does not have the staff and money to prevent inappropriate use on or near the Rideau Canal:

• Given the number of planning and development applications and limited staff and resources, Parks Canada has a limited capacity to participate in the review and comment on municipal plans and development activities.
• There are insufficient resources to educate or consult with landowners, developers and municipalities on their role in protecting the heritage values of the Canal and the use of guidelines for waterfront development. (The letter from Parks Canada is much longer, Google: SAVE OUR RIDEAU. Parks Canada reply to UNESCO Letter of Concern - 2019-11-04.)

House of Commons Ottawa February 19, 2007 Mr. Gord Brown (Leeds-Grenville) CPC: "Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that I am speaking about the Rideau Canal on Heritage Day...It encompasses many communities, all with unique heritage: Seeley's Bay, Newboro, Westport, Portland, Perth, Rideau Ferry, Smiths Falls, Merrickville. Kemptville and Manotick. It is a heritage river, a national historic site and hopefully, will soon be a World Heritage Site."

House of Commons Ottawa June 1, 1994 Mr. Jim Jordan (Leeds-Grenville): "...The Canal offers 202 kilometers of clear, pristine waters through a total of 47 locks."

The 125-acre Hog's Back Park

"Desirous of providing a park in the southern part of Ottawa comparable to the Rockcliffe Park in the eastern part of Ottawa, the Commission continued, in 1957, the progressive development of Hog's Back Park. Located as it is in the new government group of office buildings where thousands of employees will be housed within the next 5 years, this park in addition to its use by the general public will be used for picnics on a large scale."

"The plans for the additional service buildings at Hog's Back picnic area have been approved by the Commission. These plans comprise a refreshment pavilion, a general shelter, a bus stop and rest rooms. Among its main features will be a parking area for a total of 540 cars and a bus terminal; two softball diamonds; 400 picnic tables; several overlooks and 30 outdoor fireplaces and drinking fountains. The formal opening of the 125-acre Hog's Back Park picnic grounds are scheduled to take place early next summer." Location - the east side of the Rideau River, north of Hog's Back Falls. (Information is from the 1957 Annual Report of the Federal District Commission, page 17/49).

Traffic

How the new Ottawa Hospital will affect traffic "An average of 100 ambulance trips are expected every day, with 75% of the trips on Maple Drive and 25% on Prince of Wales." (Note: Maple Drive, Prince of Wales and all of the other highways on the Farm are being widened. Maple Drive is being "realigned" to create more space for emergency vehicles.  The City of Ottawa owns Prince of Wales Drive within the Farm. I would not be surprised if the Agricultural Museum is demolished or if  nearby land is removed. Prince of Wales will not only be an ambulance route but a major trucking route for suppliers of hospital equipment. The road was a  scenic entryway to the Experimental Farm. Plans are now underway to destroy another scenic highway, the Queen Elizabeth Driveway along the Rideau Canal.

 Maple Drive was the gateway to the Dominion Observatory campus, DARA Tennis Club and the William Saunders Building. The Dominion Observatory is in the path of destruction, the danger zone. The South Azimuth on Maple Drive is endangered. In 1973 the National Capital Commission wanted 700 acres of the Experimental Farm. Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan said the land would be transferred "over my dead body." A few days ago I saw the massive parking garage--- I wonder how many acres of the Farm are really being taken from Canadians in 2024/2025.) 

Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site Management Plan Part 7. Existing conditions in the year 2019:

Road Name and Section  Baseline Road Merivale to Prince of Wales. Divided arterial. 4 lanes. Peak Directional Volume (veh/hr) - 2,000 

Road Name and Section Carling Ave. Hwy 417 to Booth. Divided arterial.6 travel lanes. Peak Directional Volume (veh/hr) - 2,000.

Road Name and Section Merivale Rd. Clyde to Baseline. Undivided arterial. 4 travel lanes. Peak Directional Volume - (veh/hr) - 900

Road Name and Section  Merivale Rd Baseline to Kingston.  Divided arterial. 4 travel lanes. Peak Directional Volume - (veh/hr) - 1,200 

Road Name and Section Merivale Rd. Kingston to Carling. Undivided arterial. 4 traffic lanes - (veh/hr) - 1,200

Road Name and Section Merivale Rd. Carling to Hwy. 417. Undivided arterial. 2 traffic lanes - (veh/hr) -n/a.

Road Name and Section Fisher Ave Dynes to Carling. Undivided arterial. (veh/hr) - 1,000

Road Name and Section Prince of Wales Dynes to Preston Undivided arterial. 2 lanes - (veh/hr) 1,500

Road Name and Section Preston Ave. Prince of Wales to Carling Undivided arterial. 4 lanes (veh/hr) 1,100

Road Name and Section Preston Ave. Carling to Hwy 417. Undivided arterial. 4 lanes - (veh/hr) 800

Road Name and Section Parkdale Ave. Carling to Hwy 417. Undivided arterial. 2 lanes - (veh/hr) 600

Road Name and Section Holland Ave. Carling to Hwy 417. Undivided arterial. 2 lanes - (veh/hr) 800

Road Capacity "Arterial road capacity typically ranges from 800 veh/hr and 1,500 veh/hr per lane. The results of the analysis suggest that Baseline Road and Prince of Wales Drive are currently at capacity during the peak commuter hour and there is spare capacity on the balance of the arterial road network within the study area." 

Parks and Parkways Proposed by The Ottawa Improvement Commission.

• Rockcliffe Park
• Rideau Hall Boulevard
• Anglesea Square
• Strathcona Park
• Rideau Park
• Rideau River Parkway
• Metcalfe Street Square
• Patterson Creek Park
• Gladstone Avenue Square
• Rideau Canal Parkway
• Central Experimental Farm
• Preston Street Square
• Victoria Parkway
• Hull Park
• Chaudiere Park
• Chaudiere Parkway
• Somerset Square
• Gatineau Parkway (the information is from: "The Ottawa Improvement Commission" Frederick G.  Todd, 1903.)

NCC Parkland in 1992. Reposting. All of the land was federally owned.

• Confederation Park, Ottawa Centre, Laurier Avenue West, 2.5473 ha. 
• Bronson Ave & Sparks St., Ottawa Centre. 0.4000 ha. 
• LeBreton Flats, Ottawa Centre. 70.0900 ha. 
• Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa South. Riverside Drive & Heron Road. 29.5600 ha. (Note: PWGSC gave Riverside Dr. and Heron Rd. to the City of Ottawa. "City Council shall support the ownership transfer from Public Works and Government Services Canada to the City those portions of Heron Rd. and Riverside Dr. that traverse the Confederation Heights area to have them formally integrated as part of the arterial road network." Vincent Massey Park will probably be demoted to a parkette or pocket park, less than 1 ha. Regional Land Strategy for Ottawa 2006-2031. 4.4.2 Parks and Open Spaces - "The City's requirements for parks and open spaces may have to be revisited to ensure that the types of spaces required of developers reflect the need for quality spaces...The City should accept parkettes as part of the 5% parkland dedication.")
• The Greenbelt, Ottawa South. Hwy 417 and Walkley Rd. (land reserve) 47.6300 ha. 

• River Rd. Park, Ottawa-Vanier. 14.0500 ha. 
• Dow's Lake Park, Rideau Canal. Ottawa Centre. 4.000 ha. 
• Rideau Canoe Club, Ottawa Centre. 1.67 ha. 
• Commissioners Park, Rideau Canal. Ottawa Centre. 6.800 ha. 
• Hog's Back Park, Ottawa South. Hog's Back Rd. & Riverside Dr. 3 buildings. 24.2300 ha. 
• Moffat Farm, Ottawa Centre. Prince of Wales Dr. & Melfa Cr. 2 buildings. 2.0900 ha. Gone.
• Nepean Point Park, Ottawa-Vanier. St. Patrick St. & Sussex Dr. 1.4600 ha. 
• Victoria Island, Ottawa Centre. Middle Street, 4 buildings. 7.9120 ha.
• Stanley Ave. Park, Ottawa-Vanier. Minto Bridge, Maple & Green Islands. 5.0400 ha.
• Riverside Dr. Park, Ottawa South. Queensway to Bronson Ave. 22.14 ha.

I believe that many powerful entities have their sights on Ottawa's Greenbelt; land beside the parkways and a de paved Sir John A. and Queen Elizabeth parkway; and the 1,000 acre Experimental Farm. They want to "animate" the Sparks Street Mall by building more residential towers. 

"Why I love Ottawa."

Former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson's favourite places in the National Capital are:

• the Central Experimental Farm on Carling Avenue
• 277 Sussex Street
• Rideau Hall
• the National Arts Centre
• the Precinct of the War Memorial (The information is from "Ottawa Magazine" June 20, 2017.)

"Canadian parklands are not for sale."

 House of Commons Ottawa February 7, 1986 Mr. Don Boudria (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell) Liberal: "Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has embarked on a policy of selling the Crown jewels. First it was the threat of logging national parks, then selling our national aircraft manufacturer, then the possibility of privatizing Air Canada, and finally the potential sale of Mile Circle Park right here in the city of Ottawa to build a U.S. embassy."

"As the opposition critic for the Department of Public Works, I call upon the Government to reject any American offers to buy or lease Mile Circle Park. I call on  the Government to send a clear signal that Canadian parklands, our national treasures, are not for sale. I call upon the Government to state clearly that it will not act improperly by selling Mile Circle Park or locating an embassy on it."

House of Commons Ottawa February 25, 1986 Mr. Barry Turner (Ottawa-Carleton): "Mr. Speaker, I have the honour and privilege to present another petition signed by over 900 people who live in the National Capital Region, and in particular residents who live near Mile Circle Park...who are strongly opposed to the potential destruction of the parkland within the Mile Circle for commercial use by foreign embassies."

House of Commons Ottawa August 11, 1987 Mr. Don Boudria (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell) Liberal: "It is the responsibility of the NCC to protect and maintain the Greenbelt."

"Under no conditions whatever should the ground now occupied by the Experimental Farm be used for other than park purposes, should its present use as a farm be abandoned." (From: Report of the Ottawa Improvement Commission, 1915, page 126/238. The OIC became the Federal District Commission in 1927 and the National Capital Commission in 1959.)

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June 19, 2021, the Rockcliffe Park News: "Mile Circle and Aviation Museum Area Lands to be Preserved from Development." "The following response was received to a request seeking confirmation that Mile Circle and lands to the east of Birch Street and lands around the Aviation Museum and the Rockcliffe Airport, whose designations have been changed to allow for development, will be preserved as green space."

 February 11, 2023, the Manor Park Chronicle: "NCC plan for George-Etienne park includes Mile Circle "A 'medium scale facility' could be built on Mile Circle...a 13-kilometer stretch of the park has been identified as falling within the scope of the plan."

The pending destruction of Canada's Parliamentary Precinct. Ottawa is not Manhattan North.

MEASURES TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT - STATEMENT BY MINISTER

House of Commons Ottawa July 20, 1973 The Hon. Jean-Charles Dube (Minister of Public Works): "...Concern has been expressed about the danger of visual encroachment on the beauty of the parliamentary precinct, which is one of the great symbols of Canada. We must ensure that nearby developments do not adversely affect it."

"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 as I have indicated is 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."

"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 Parliaments needs have been fully defined, there will be no disturbances whatsoever of the existing properties. The present character of the Mall will be preserved and enhanced." (emphasis mine.)

Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr. Walter Baker, Progressive Conservative (Grenville-Carleton): "Mr. Speaker, let me say on behalf of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition we welcome this announcement today and commend the government for taking this important step..The most significant aspect of this announcement is the aspect of control. Parliament Hill is recognized as a place unparalleled in architectural beauty. More than that it is the symbol and centre of our national life. As such it deserves protection from the conflicts and differences in points of view that arise between municipalities and developers on land use, even though they may be well intentioned. This announcement today will ensure that the people of Canada, whose national capital this city is will have a part in the development of its centre."

Some hon. Members: Hear, hear! 

Mr. Stanley Knowles, NDP (Winnipeg North Centre): "...From the side of the street on which I live I can see the Peace Tower. Woe betide any developer who puts a high rise building between my bedroom window and the Peace Tower. We are concerned not only about the beauty and the attractiveness of the area from the river over to Sparks Street but we are also concerned about the view of Parliament Hill from all parts of the city...Sir, we approve of the decision to expropriate the area between Wellington and Sparks Street, and between Bank and Elgin, for this purpose indicated by the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Dube,)

Mr. Real Caouette, Social Credit (Temiscamingue): "Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for sending me a copy of that statement which should have been made to Parliament some 20 years ago, I think, in order to protect the environment of Parliament. We must acknowledge that the most important structure in Canada is the Parliament of Canada, our institution. The thousands of visitors who come to Ottawa do not come here to see the City Hall, but to visit the Parliament Buildings. For one who comes from my region, the first thing they do is to visit Parliament."

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Senate of Canada (Issue 12) Ottawa - December 12, 2019 Senator Serge Joyal: "...Parliament Hill does not enjoy any legal protection. Not only does it not benefit from that protection, but the immediate area is a jungle for development."

Land is being removed from Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court of Canada for a Gatineau-Ottawa tram project. Cars will be banned on Wellington Street and eventually from all of downtown Ottawa and the scenic parkways: House of Commons Ottawa June 1, 1970. Mr. Skoberg (New Democratic Party): "Is the Government of Canada, through the National Capital Commission, giving favorable consideration to a plan which would eliminate automobiles from down-town Ottawa?"            

Mr. Abram Epp; Mr. Martin O'Connell (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion): "At present, no plan exists for the elimination of automobiles from down-town Ottawa."

House of Commons Ottawa May 15, 1970. Mr. Duncan Gordon Blair (Grenville-Carleton) Liberal: "Is the government aware of a statement or statements to the press by the Chairman of the National Capital Commission to the effect 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, the disruption that this extraordinary and senseless experiment will cause."

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