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):
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."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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."
No comments:
Post a Comment