Save the Greenbelt and the Experimental Farm---Senator Mike Duffy.

Debates of the Senate of Canada, December 12, 2019. The Hon. Acting Speaker: "Senator Duffy?" "Thank you Your Honour. Congratulations Senator Joyal, on your two pieces legislation today. I join everyone else here in expressing our gratitude on behalf of all Canadians for your amazing contributions to building a better Canada over your entire political career, and I feel that will continue."

"Do you think it would be a good idea to expand your bill, or would it require another piece of legislation to preserve the unique nature of the capital, so that the Greenbelt will be protected and that places like the Experimental Farm, which is in the middle of the city of Ottawa, will also be protected. Because of this pressure for urban development, we have developers looking at this land saying, 'Hey, there's millions of dollars to be made here.' So far as I can tell, they are not in a much better position than we are with the Chateau Laurier in that those lands are quite valuable."

The Greenbelt Research Farm was an annex of the Experimental Farm on Carling Avenue in Ottawa. "As of March 31, 1998, the Greenbelt Research Farm, which covers 1,200 hectares of land bordered by Hunt Club, Woodroffe Avenue, Fallowfield Road and Greenbank Road, ceased to function as an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre. This was announced in the 1995 Federal Budget." (From: NCR Region Greenbelt.)

"Canada can build more homes without getting rid of Greenbelts." A quote from Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre.

From an interview with Josh Pringle and Bill Carroll on CFRA The Morning Rush, August 23, 2023.

 The asylum shelters will be built on the Greenbelt--- The Nepean Sportsplex, Eagleson Park and Ride and Confederation High School. 

House of Commons Ottawa May 25, 2010 MP Marcel Proulx (Hull-Aylmer): "The Liberal members from the National Capital Region, the member for Ottawa South, the member for Ottawa-Vanier and myself have good reason to call for enhanced protection of the greenbelt...Together the City of Ottawa and the NCC can do what they like with it. We believe this greenspace must be protected from developers."

House of Commons Ottawa September 16, 2009: The Hon. Gordon O'Connor (Minister of National Defence): "I am one of the great supporters of the greenbelt. I believe it is part of our heritage...The NCC has the mandate to maintain the greenbelt."

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

House of Commons Ottawa April 22, 1996: MP Marlene Catterall (Ottawa West, Lib.) "Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present a petition signed by close to 1,000 people. It arises from a situation that occurred in our nation's capital last year when the National Capital Commission was looking at selling off parts of green spaces and open corridors in the nation's capital."

"The petitioners call to the attention of the House that when Jacques Greber released his plan for the national capital in 1950 it was dedicated, at the direction of Cabinet, as a national war memorial. Therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to ensure that this commitment and the greenspaces of the capital are maintained as a war memorial and are not disposed of or sold."

House of Commons Ottawa September 16, 2009: MP Royal Galipeau (Ottawa-Orleans, CPC) "...This great swath of land encircling urban Ottawa includes farms, forests and wetlands that total over 20,000 hectares....The Greenbelt encircles Ottawa from Shirley's Bay in Ottawa West-Nepean to Green's Creek in Ottawa-Orleans...More than one million visitors a year go walking, sliding down hills, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing there, among other places..." 

The takeover of Ottawa's Greenbelt.

 Mer Bleue "Protect the Greenbelt from devastating development" by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Ottawa Valley Chapter-"As the population of the National Capital Region continues to grow, the City of Ottawa has identified a need for new transportation infrastructure to support the growing communities south of Orleans. Their preferred option is to extend Brian Coburn Boulevard across the Greenbelt to connect with the existing highway south of the intersection of Highway 174 and Blair Road."

"The proposed high speed, multi-lane highway will have a devastating impact on the ecological integrity of the Greenbelt and should not be built in the area being advanced by the City of Ottawa. The new highway will sever all natural linkages between Mer Bleue, Greens Creek and the Ottawa River, and will adversely impact Mer Bleue Bog-an internationally recognized wetland and the most biodiverse area in eastern Ontario."

"Other options do exist, including expanding the proposed LRT network farther into Orleans, or improving the design of existing infrastructure such as Innes Road, which already crosses the Greenbelt."

November 2024- The City is building an asylum shelter at the Nepean Sportsplex. Other construction sites are the Confederation High School athletic field and Eagleson Park and Ride. The Greenbelt is dedicated to the memory of Canada's war dead. And Canadians have the right to use athletic fields and community centres.

2024 The Canadian Space Agency is being shut down. The 774 acre property is located on 1701 Carling Avenue---on Greenbelt land at Shirleys Bay.

2010 House of Commons Ottawa March 25, 2010 Mr. Marcel Proulx (Hull-Aylmer, Lib.) "...Does my colleague not have a problem with the fact that there is nothing to protect the greenbelt? In other words, his government or any other government could suddenly decide to sell or get rid of the greenbelt, which is so important to the greater Ottawa-Gatineau region."

 2009 House of Commons Ottawa September 16, 2009 Hon. Mauril Belanger (Ottawa-Vanier, Lib.) "Bill C-37, which is before us now, talks about protecting the ecological integrity of Gatineau Park. That is clearly what it says. Nothing is said at all about protecting the ecological integrity of the greenbelt." 

 2008-The City wanted one quarter of the land for housing. (From: Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital, May 27, 2008, page 8/11.)

2007-House of Commons Ottawa November 26, 2007 Mr. Marcel Proulx (Hull-Aylmer, Lib.) "Mr. Speaker, the Greber Plan gave us the greenbelt to create a green, modern and avant-garde capital. The greenbelt contains farms, forests and wetlands, which provide opportunities for recreational and outdoor activities as well as learning. The value of greenbelts in large urban areas has been appreciated in Europe for a long time. Now the new president of the NCC wants to promote urban development in the greenbelt. Does the government plan on letting him do what he wants and permanently destroy our precious greenbelt?"

The Hon. John Baird (Minister of the Environment, CPC) "Mr. Speaker, as a member from the Ottawa region, from the national capital region, I am well aware that this was a very good policy. I completely agree with the member." 

2007-"One million people inside our Greenbelt." An Ottawa Citizen article by Richard Woodley of Kanata, November 22, 2007.

In the future- Commissioners Park on Carling Avenue may be needed by the Ottawa Hospital for parking. (The Glebe Report, March 17, 2022.)

"Newcomer reception centres: What you need to know."

"The City of Ottawa is proposing up to two potential locations for newcomer reception centres. Construction will take place at the primary site,1645 Woodroffe Ave., on the federally owned Nepean Sportsplex. The secondary site at 40 Hearst Way, on part of the Eagleson Park and Ride, is dependent on funding and other factors." (Note:1645 Woodroffe Avenue and the Eagleson Park and Ride are protected by the Greenbelt designation.)

The City of Ottawa wanted one quarter of the property: "It is estimated that of the 20,800 hectares in the Greenbelt, at least one quarter, approximately 5,560 hectares might be eligible for development consideration if the Greenbelt designation was removed and the development policies of the City's Official Plan were applied to these lands." (From: Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital-Report-May 27, 2008, page 8/11.)

Politicians who wanted to save the Greenbelt:

• Minister of National Defence Gordon O'Connor
• Minister of National Defence Barney Danson
• MP Beryl Gaffney
• MP Don Boudria
• Senator Mike Duffy
• Environment Minister Jim Prentice
• Environment Minister John Baird
• MP Marcel Proulx
• MPP and City Councillor Alex Cullen   
• MP Mauril Belanger
• MP David McGuinty
• MP Walter David Baker
• MP Royal Galipeau
• Hon. Arthur Laing, Minister of Public Works
• MP Warren Allmand
• Hon. Jean-Robert Gauthier

Organizations:

• Friends of Mer Bleue
• Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital
• Gloucester Allotment Gardens
• Ottawa Rural Council
• Citizens for Safe Cycling
• La route verte
• Velo service
• Responsible Dog Owners of Canada
• Crystal Bay Community Association
• Crystal Beach/Lakeview Community Association
• Riverside South Community Association
• Country Place Community Association
• Glens Community Association
• Convent Glen Community Association
• Qualicum-Graham Park Community Association
• Westboro Beach Community Association
• Navan Community Association
• Transport 2000
• Heritage Canada (Information is from pages 35 and 36 out of 107 pages, Google" Greenbelt Phase 1, Step A, Government of Canada Publication, Crystal.")

New organizations:

• Kanata Neighbours Against Sprung Shelter
• Nepean Residents Against Sprung Shelter
• Merivale Gardens Residents Against Sprung Shelter
• Barrhaven residents gather to oppose proposed shelter

New housing is not permitted on the land. 2067 Greenbelt Vision Statement Page 53/196: "The Greenbelt will forever protect natural systems, agriculture and opportunities for outdoor recreation; and will inspire Canadians and contribute to the sustainability and quality of life in Canada's Capital Region."

The Greber Report of 1950 "A Capital City belongs to a certain extent to the whole country, and should not be placed in such a position that any one man, or company of men can have it in their power to seriously mar its beauty, and thus throw discredit on the nation. As a Capital City, the parks and open spaces should be numerous, and ample boulevards and parkways should skirt the different waterways as well as connect the principle parks and the different public buildings." (Page 192/395; originally from the Todd Report of 1903.)

Save Ottawa's wildlife, recreation areas, trees and parkland.

As I mentioned before, there was opposition to stripping Greenbelt protection from the Nepean Sportsplex and Eagleson Park and Ride:

• Potential removal of Greenbelt designation from the Nepean Sportsplex.
• Potential removal of Greenbelt designation from the Eagleson Park and Ride. ("There is concern that potential 'removal' will see increased development.") (From: Greenbelt Master Plan Review-Phase 1-Step C-Land Use Concept January 2012). Page 16 and page 17 out of 124 pages. 

House of Commons Ottawa October 26, 2009---TRAN (40-2) No. 32-Bill C-37: "The Commission has the power to reclassify downward any land it deems necessary, including Greenbelt lands...Our concern is that the ecologically less significant lands, although part of the whole, may lose their Greenbelt designation to satisfy some development proposal."

Greenbelt Master Plan Review-Government of Canada Publications, October 2013. Comments from the public:

• Keep Pinhey Forest as it is, not developed. (The Nepean Sportsplex and athletic field should always be on the Pinhey Forest. Development refers to the installation of new highways and roads, subdivisions, etc.)
• No new roads or built facilities should be allowed in the Greenbelt.
• No new development, no new roads.
• The Greenbelt is supposed to be a green and undeveloped belt of land within Ottawa. We rely on the National Capital Commission to maintain and protect it that way. Non-federal facilities and operations (meaning commercial and residential infrastructure and development) is NOT acceptable on Greenbelt lands. There should be no question about that. Ottawa's Greenbelt has been whittled away too much already, and everything that goes into it further damages the quality and fragments the continuity of natural habitats that are essential for the physical and mental health of all inhabitants of Ottawa, and for its visitors as well. Land, wetlands and watercourses that are removed or suppressed in the Greenbelt are never returned.

Part of an August 24,2019 letter to the Ottawa Citizen, regarding residential expansion into the National Interest Land Mass: "The City of Ottawa recently released its discussion paper '5 Big Moves' as part of its Official Plan Review. Much of it is laudable, but Policy 3 under Growth Management is not. The policy states: 'Where urban expansion may be required in the future...consider the potential to expand into the Greenbelt.' 

"Whoa! Ottawa is already  at one million people and expected to grow, but nowhere are they manufacturing any more greenspace. Once you permit urban development of the Greenbelt that greenspace is lost forever. In short, don't bother considering this option." Alex Cullen, Ottawa

Athletic arenas and fields that may be shut down.

 Petition: To save Ottawa's single pad ice rinks-Change.org. "The City of Ottawa wants to close Tom Brown, Dulude, Belltown Dome, McNabb and a few other arenas in the city. These rinks are not only useful but a home for many Minor Hockey Leagues and its players as well as the communities they are located in." The petition had 7,212 signatures.

Rochester Field on Richmond Road.

The Department of Agriculture Recreational Association Tennis Club, or the DARA Tennis Club, on the Experimental Farm.

The Nepean Sportsplex and Confederation High School athletic fields.

The Ottawa Athletic Club was demolished.

The RCTG Baseball Park on 300 Coventry Road. "Requirement to disengage from stadium uses." (Google: Document 1, Affordable Housing Opportunities.)

Ottawa eyes 20 sites for affordable housing development by Geraldine Grones, April 1, 2019. "The Tom Brown Arena, Bob MacQuarrie recreation complex and a baseball stadium on Coventry Road could one day be redeveloped into affordable housing, according to the City of Ottawa."

Also on the list: the RCMP Complex on the Vanier Parkway; a 2.4 hectare site in Barrhaven; a small gas station site on Richmond Road; the Forward Family Shelter in Mechanicsville; Park and Rides at Greensboro and Place d'Orleans.(Note: The City of Ottawa is planning to build a shelter on the Eagleson Park and Ride in Kanata next to a day care.)

Photos of Princess Diana that I took--- at the opening of the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre in Manor Park on June 22, 1983. A few years ago the Terry Fox property was sold:

The Nepean Sportsplex is located on the Greenbelt, a National Interest Land Mass.

City of Ottawa housing projects are banned on the National Interest Land Mass. According to the 1975-1976 National Capital Commission Annual Report, page 9/52:

  The National Interest "Up until recent years, the NCC and its predecessors were in effect the only long-range planners for the National Capital Region. But as Ottawa, Hull and their surrounding communities grew, other jurisdictions began to assume their own and proper responsibilities for planning. Naturally, administrative conflicts have resulted.

Under the National Capital Act the Commission is responsible for protecting and promoting the national interest in the Capital. The objectives and purposes of the Commission are set out in the Act: "To prepare for and assist in the development, conservation and improvement of the National Capital Region in order that the nature and character of the seat of the government of Canada may be in accordance with its national significance."

It has been argued that only municipal authorities have the responsibility for promulgating and implementing region-wide plans in the National Capital Region. The Commission holds that this view is unconstitutional. Provincial and municipal authorities have responsibility for local concerns in their respective jurisdictions..."

The City of Ottawa cannot use federal property as a land bank - Google: "House of Commons Evidence, October 26, 2009": Mr. Al Speyers- "We support and share Minister Baird's concerns that the greenbelt should not be whittled away and serve as a land bank for municipal projects..."

The definition of the NILM  "National shrines, the river and canal banks, the Confederation Boulevard, the Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt in the National Capital Region, considered essential to the realization of the vision of the Capital. There are 37 individual parcels of property in this category currently owned by the NCC on behalf of the government in perpetuity, for purposes which lie at the core of the NCC's mandate---and will be managed by the NCC with little or no further management involvement by the Treasury Board Secretariat." (From: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC Land Holdings.)

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation should not have any involvement with Ottawa's Greenbelt: The Fifth Column by Richard Woodley of Kanata, November 22, 2007: Bill Teron's Plan to Destroy the Greenbelt "According to the Ottawa Citizen, 'Kanata's founder', developer Bill Teron, thinks that there are not enough people using the Greenbelt so we should develop it and build another Ottawa inside it. He states 'It's a gorgeous place, but very seldom do you see people within it. Here, a million people could connect'."

"In case you think you did not read this correctly Bill Teron wants to build a city of one million people inside our Greenbelt."

"According to the Citizen: 'Within the developed land, Mr. Teron envisioned small 'villages' of 5,000 to 10,000 people each, which would be developed around roads such as Woodroffe and Merivale."

"After all, what good are environmental lands with trails in them when you can have villages instead. And what good is greenspace without roads running through it, as Teron states: "We would be the only city in the world in which our ring roads run through a green paradise."

"As a regular user of the greenbelt I know people use it. They may not be crammed together on the trails or lined up on them like a ride at Canada's Wonderland but they are using the trails, and enjoying them because they are not congested. One can only imagine what putting a city of a million people inside it would do to the Greenbelt. Not being a fan of horror movies I would rather not imagine that."

"And yes, Teron has some novel ideas about adding to the greenbelt, but that would not make up for destroying what is there now. We all know what would happen if this plan is taken seriously---the negative parts of the plan would be implemented and then it would be discovered that the positive aspects are 'impractical' and 'unworkable'.'

"It is time for us all to stand up for the greenbelt."

Jacques Greber did not want local politicians involved with the Greenbelt. House of Commons Ottawa Evidence October 26, 2009 Mr. Al Speyers, Alliance to Save Our Greenbelt: "Jacques Greber felt that the only way to have a Greenbelt and keep it was that the most senior level of government in Canada would have to establish it, maintain it, keep it and preserve it. Cities are essentially vehicles for development. Their election campaigns are over 90% financed by the development industry."

Federal properties now owned by the city. 

• the Ottawa Teacher's College on 195 Elgin Street is part of City Hall.
• the Mackenzie King and Laurier Avenue bridges over the Rideau Canal.
• DOC Telecommunications Engineering Lab on 1241 Clyde Avenue.
• Mooney's Bay Park is rented to the city.
• Beaver Barracks on 464 Metcalfe.
• 933 Gladstone, the Oak Park Armoury.
• the former Graham Spry CBC/CBOT building on 250 Lanark.
• former Canada Mortgage and Housing rowhouses across from the Adult High School on 300 Rochester. I attended the High School of Commerce during the early 1980's, and I still have my diploma.
• 1010 Somerset Street West was a Public Works and Government Services building. 

Greenbelt Master Plan Review-Phase 1-Step C-Land Use Concept January 2012 Comments from the public:

• Potential removal of Greenbelt designation from the Nepean Sportsplex---A majority of respondents disagreed with removing the designation.
• Potential removal of Greenbelt designation from the Eagleson Park and Ride---There was opposition to the measure. "There is concern that potential 'removals' will see increased development." (pages 16 and 17 of 124 pages.)

House of Commons Ottawa June 22, 1992 Mrs. Beryl Gaffney (Nepean Ontario, Liberal) "The greenbelt was established to control urban sprawl, provide beauty to the nation's capital, and assist municipalities in local improvements such as cycling paths, the Stoney Swamp, the Pinhey Forest and the Log Farm. The people of Nepean are most concerned that the NCC is moving away from that premise. The majority of us in Nepean clearly don't want the greenbelt chipped away for residential or commercial development."

Rochester Field on Richmond Road is being taken over by housing.

 The Cole and Rochester families sold Maplelawn to the Federal District Commission, now known as the National Capital Commission. The Deed stipulated that the land would remain a green space, for Canadians to enjoy in perpetuity. However, condominiums will be constructed and 40 trees have already been chopped down. Rochester Field was a popular location for soccer players and people walking their dogs. Ottawa Councillor Jeff Leiper wanted the park to be preserved.

Rochester Field is being redeveloped. July 17, 2020. (I am reposting my article). The City of Ottawa rezoned the property in order to facilitate the construction of apartments along Richmond Road. This is what local politician Diane Holmes told reporter David Reevely:

"The Development Review Services Branch is responsible for processing development applications. It has become increasingly apparent that this branch no longer represents the citizens or neighbourhoods in this ward...Input from the general public is generally disregarded because this branch considers residents comments to be NIMBY comments...The branch provides support to any application with little or no recognition or consideration of the neighbourhood wants or needs. This is happening throughout the ward where applications are submitted before the developer and the community have a chance to sit down and discuss the proposal. You want to add 10 extra storeys on your building? Fine by us. You don't want to provide visitor parking? Use street parking instead. Too many trees in front of your building? No problem, we'll remove them." (Ottawa Citizen, May 16, 2014). 

Intensification is being forced on Government of Canada real estate near LRT stations:

• 933 Gladstone
• Lebreton Flats
• 80-90 Bayview Road
• 1010 Somerset Street West

Canada does not have a ruling class that owns castles and vast expanses of land. It has become apparent during this epidemic, this quarantine, that we need green spaces for our mental and physical health. Access to public land is a human right, a God-given right. We need sunlight and trees and space. I think of all the people and their pets who are confined to apartments without air conditioning. Who are suffering and dying. Children who do not have back yards or access to playgrounds and parks, who are suffering from "Nature Deficit Disorder," How traumatic that must be.

Our children may not be Their Royal Highnesses, or the progeny of high tech billionaires or legendary musicians. But they have the right to enjoy Mother Nature, which was created by God for all of Mankind, not for a privileged few.

Federal parklands that Canadians may lose in the future:

• Rochester Field
• Queen Juliana Park on 870 Carling Avenue
• Commissioners Park - According to an article in "The Glebe Report" the 22-acre landscape may be needed for parking by the Ottawa Hospital.
• Major's Hill Park - was part of Parliament Hill at one time, and it was Ordnance and Admiralty land used for the defence of Canada. 
• The Mile Circle near Rockcliffe 

Amy's Corner by Amy Kempster---Champlain Speaker, March 2004, Volume 23, Number 6 "The land closest to our community is west and north of Maplelawn fronting on Richmond Road. If the NCC wins the appeal (with the Ontario Municipal Board) they could then ask for a zoning amendment. Their appeal states that this parcel is not deemed to form part of the 'National Interest Land Mass'..."

"In his campaign literature our councillor suggested he would ask the city to obtain the Maplelawn field (Rochester Field) for a park, so perhaps he knew it was in danger of disposal."

The City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission are ignoring traffic studies, environmental reports and the will of the people:

• Save Little Italy
• Alliance to Save Our Greenbelt
• Save Our Greenspace!
• Friends of Rochester Field
• Ontario Chapter Sierra Club of Canada
• Friends of the Central Experimental Farm
• Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association
• Save Mooney's Bay
• Moffat Farm Citizen's Coalition-2002
• Save Mile Circle-1986
• Saving the Central Experimental Farm-Heritage Ottawa
• Protect the Farm-Home-Facebook
• Save the Farm-1975
• Save the Central Experimental Farm-Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital
• SAVE THE FARM-Protest to save our trees and green space-Ecology Ottawa
• The National Trust for Canada

This is our land Take away the No Trespassing and Private Property signs. And the Gates of Hell that stop the people of Canada from entering property that should be in the public domain.

Clyde Avenue and Baseline Road---in 1983 and 2024. Land between Carling and Baseline is now the focus of intensification by the City of Ottawa.

                                         

The Greenbelt in Ottawa cannot be used for housing---temporary or permanent.

The 50,000 acres are a living memorial to Canadian soldiers---"Federal, scenic highways and parks in the National Capital Region are dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers who died fighting in foreign wars. They will be owned by the citizens of Canada in perpetuity." (The Greber Report of 1950, page 228/395.) Acceptable uses of the land---recreational facilities; athletic fields; hiking, skiing and bicycle trails; wildlife sanctuaries; agricultural research; the Eagleson Park and Ride; off-leash dog parks; the Canada Food Inspection Agency and other federal establishments; farming...  

Greenbelt properties

• Pinhey Forest--- the Nepean Sportsplex is located on the Pinhey Forest
• Commissioners Park on Carling Avenue
• Agriculture Canada research farms
• Greenbelt Research Farm on 1740 Woodroffe
• Green's Creek Conservation Area
• Hornets Nest soccer fields
• Pine View golf course
• Mer Bleue Conservation Area
• Hylands Golf Club
• the Log Farm
• Bruce Pit---an off-leash dog park
• Conroy Pit---another off-leash dog park
• Lime Kiln Trail
• Stoney Swamp Conservation Area
• Wesley Clover Park---the former Nepean National Equestrian Park and former Ottawa Municipal Campground
• the 19th Tee Driving Range
• Airport land
• the Connaught National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre
• Shirley's Bay

The Greenbelt is included in the National Interest Land Mass "Land forming part of the NILM will be retained by the NCC in perpetuity for purposes which lie at the core of the NCC's mandate." (Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC.")

"The Greenbelt is like an Emerald Necklace and exists as a memorial to the Canadians who gave their lives in the Second World War. Starting at Shirley's Bay just north of Kanata, it circles down through Stoney Swamp and Pinhey Forest and then continues through the experimental farm, where it arcs back northward through Mer Bleue and then follows Green's Creek to the Ottawa River. The Greenbelt reaches a distance of 45 kilometers and ranges over a distance from two to 10 kilometers." (skyscraper page forum, Waterloo Warrior, May 29, 2009.)

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said "Canada can build more homes without getting rid of Greenbelts." (From an interview with Josh Pringle and Bill Carroll on August 23, 2023--CFRA The Morning Rush.)

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.

Greenbelt Master Plan-January 2012

• Potential removal of Greenbelt designation from the Nepean Sportsplex.
• Potential removal of Greenbelt designation from the Eagleson Park and Ride.
• Possible disposal of Parcel 1, an idle agricultural field, bounded by Highway 416, Richmond Road and Baseline Road.
• Possible sale of Parcel 2, the site at the southwest corner of Woodroffe Avenue and Hunt Club Road with buildings.
• Possible sale of Parcel 3, the lands east of Conroy Road and south of Hunt Club with small trees.
• Possible sale of Parcel 4, an isolated parcel on the west side of Highway 417, which is a mixture of idle field and small trees.

The Hon. Barney Danson was a Federal Minister of National Defence. A front-page article from the Ottawa Citizen in 1974.

The Dalhousie Community Association and more.

Dalhousie Community Association report, August 19, 2021.

 Ottawa Councillor Ariel Troster---Protecting the Experimental Farm ",,,"Yesterday the Planning and Housing Committee heard from scientists at Agriculture Canada about the ways that tall buildings could impact important crop research---the kinds of experiments that lead to better food security across Canada. It was an interesting conversation but definitely a tough one."

" Our city's Official Plan calls for intensification in the core, particularly on Carling and Baseline. The more we expand suburban sprawl, the more we threaten precious farmland and undermine efforts to fight climate change. But we know that the Experimental Farm is a very special and cherished space in our city---a place that few want to see compromised by development. I voted against the development in question, but it did get approved by the Planning and Housing Committee. This was not particularly surprising, given that we do not currently have any guidelines to protect the Experimental Farm, or any real understanding of what kind of development could threaten its crucial crop research..." (Note: The National Capital Commission wanted 700 acres of the Farm in 1974 for housing---"The area was north of Base Line Road between Clyde Avenue and Prince of Wales Drive." The 1974 Ottawa Journal article is on my blog and the blog title is "The Farm on Carling Avenue.")

 The Farm is unprotected because too many entities want the land. Senator Serge Joyal created Bill-S-203-NATIONAL CAPITAL ACT---A Bill to Amend the National Capital Act--- Bill S-203 will safeguard the Parliamentary Precinct, Chateau Laurier, 24 Sussex Drive, the Farm and many more historic properties in Ottawa and Gatineau.

  Debates of the Senate of Canada, December 12, 2019 Senator Duffy:"...Do you think it would be a good idea to expand your bill, or would it require another piece of legislation, to preserve the unique nature of the capital so that the Greenbelt will be protected and that places like the Experimental Farm, which is in the middle of the city, will also be protected? Because of this pressure for urban development, we have developers looking at this land saying 'Hey, there's millions of dollars to be made here'..."

Some nasty surprises when the new Civic opens by Barbara Popel. 

Protesting the Destruction of Experimental Farm trees by Yasmen Amer.

Red flags for the proposed new Civic Hospital by Brian Murray Carroll.

Ottawa Councillor Sean Devine--- Knoxdale-Merivale newsletter-July 23 2024 "As many of you will remember, there has been significant discussion at Ottawa City Council and its committees over the future of the Central Experimental Farm (CEF). The CEF is a treasured part of the city's heritage..."

The Glebe Community Association.

The Glebe Report, February 11, 2022. Opinion by Walter Hendelman. "New Civic Hospital at the Farm-A call to action "

"Construction on the site of the Civic Hospital at the Central Experimental Farm (CEF) adjacent to Dow's Lake is about to start unless we all take action to stop it now!

• 40-plus acres of the heritage site of the Farm has been signed over for the new hospital site as well as the Dow's Lake parking lot.
• About five acres comprising Queen Juliana Park will be for a 2,500-vehicle, four-storey, above ground parking lot.
• A request for an environmental impact assessment has been submitted to the Minister of the Environment by Reimagine Ottawa and others.
• The hospital board of governors has not responded to a request to hold a public meeting about the site.
• Buildings called the Carling Village (presumably condos) are to be built by the hospital on the corner of Preston and Carling. (up to 55 storeys high.)

According to information available online, 34 high rises are now under construction or planned for the vicinity of the site, adding 9,000 apartments and condos and their vehicles to the traffic load in the area. The Dow's Lake area will be severely impacted by hundreds of cars each day, seeking to avoid the parking fees in the garage. Glebe streets will be overwhelmed by traffic cutting through the area, endangering the safety of the countless children who walk or bike to local schools. Forget about access to the Tulip Festival, Dow's Lake, Winterlude and the Ornamental Gardens.

When will all this construction begin? Since both the NCC and our City Council have already approved the site plan, effectively now---next month, in March, starting with the destruction of trees and the building of the garage."

What Can You Do? Go to the Reimagine Ottawa website, reimagineottawa.ca. Look for the headings GET INVOLVED and RESOURCES. Choose your target audience, then send an email to or phone one or two or as many as you'd like of the officials listed. Please tell them that this ecological and logistical disaster cannot, should not and must not proceed, and why. There is at least one perfectly suitable alternative available-Tunney's Pasture, where the ground is flat, parking lots are plentiful, very few trees need to be cut, and its already serviced by the main trunk line of the LRT.

The Glebe Community Association has spoken out clearly and strongly about the plans for the new hospital site-please go to glebeca/ca/advocacy. Ottawa-born Bruce Cockburn, a Canadian music icon and recipient of the Order of Canada and many music awards, has spoken out against the hospital development at the Experimental Farm. His video message is on the ReImagine Ottawa website, along with a rendition of Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi (...and put up a parking lot") by two Grade 11 students singing on the snow-covered site amongst trees that will be demolished. Perhaps it is time to re-read Dr. Seuss's LORAX.

The Glebe Annex Community Association.

From Carling to Bronson, to the Queensway to Lebreton South. Ottawa Civic Hospital update to GACA residents, September 2017. Some of the concerns include:

• The process by which this agreement occurred---a detailed NCC report recommended Tunney's Pasture for the best location for the civic hospital. The Ottawa Hospital rejected the report and location, pushing for the Central Experimental Farm land instead. Without further consultation a decision was quickly taken by the federal government to the give the board the location they wanted. (It should be noted, however, that while promised, the land has yet to be transferred.) This decision was felt by many to be unfair. 
• The parking lot at Dow's Lake, bounded by Carling Ave., Preston St. and Prince of Wales Dr., is included in the land that will be given from the federal government. (Queen Juliana Park is also part of this land deal and will also be lost.) Concerns were raised as to what the impact will be on the festivals that take place in the area, such as the Tulip Festival and Winterlude. The impact on local businesses is also a concern, particularly as thousands more people will be moving into the area after a series of high-rise condominiums are built in the area, squeezing parking yet further. 
• The need for the extra land as proposed in the zoning was also a point of concern. While there is a request to remove 5 hectares (more than 12 acres) of land from the Central Experimental Farm, no substantiation was provided as to why that land is required for the hospital site. (Of note, the current Civic Hospital is 23 acres of land-hospital officials are looking for a parcel more than twice that size, while only increasing the number of beds from 600 to 700 or 800.)
• There was a recommendation to increase the height of the buildings, so as to leave more land untouched. The question of "why do you need so much land" was in essence unanswered, although the hospital responded that the city is growing and that the hospital needs to be prepared. Officials also explained that measures such as individual rooms help to contain the spread of infections and make life better for the patients, to justify the need for more space. (They did not, however, answer why more height could not be the solution to this problem.)
• The request for additional height was particularly called for with respect to parking. Preliminary drawings indicate that more than a third of the land is planned to be dedicated to parking and internal roads, with parking and driving space planned to take up as much space as the hospital buildings itself. In the past, the hospital voiced that it was reticent to build a multiple storey parking garage (citing cost, even though approximately $4 million in parking revenue is generated annually at the current Civic Hospital.) When questioned about the type of parking envisaged for this space, and if it was to be multi-storey, the city responded that a parking strategy may be asked for in the future. (The hospital did not respond.) 
• There is much concern voiced over the fact that the public is asked to cite its concerns with respect to zoning now, when so much information is missing. Currently, there is no Traffic Study, Environmental Impact Study, Heritage Study, Site Plan, transportation plan or parking strategy. The city reassured attendees that all studies will be completed before the site plan application is approved, and that there would be a holding provision in place until that point, but,-this does not preclude a decision from being made on zoning. (Note: According to a letter from the Dow's Lake Residents' Association to Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, an Environmental Impact Study was never conducted---"Necessary Action-An Independent Environmental Impact Assessment must be undertaken ."Part of the content is on my November 1, 2024 blog entry "A November 7, 2021 letter from the Dow's Lake Residents' Association..")

The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association

"The CHNA provided a wide range of comments to the city on the Revised Final Draft of the Preston-Carling Secondary Plan. We strongly opposed the excessive height for the buildings in the Preston-Carling area which will overwhelm the existing community and flood neighbourhood streets with vehicular traffic...CHNA also opposed the city's proposal for development of Queen Juliana Park, arguing that with intensification, existing park and green space is more important than ever for a healthy community." A 55-storey building will be constructed at the corner of Preston and Carling.

 The Preston-Carling Secondary Plan is nothing more than a land grab. Preston-Carling District Secondary Plan (File No: D0I-01-14-0005):

• CHNA strongly opposes the closing of Queen Juliana Park and strongly opposes its development into an intensified work & residential block
• Unless the City demonstrates concrete actions to preserve and enhance existing parks and greenspaces, and until the City develops and releases the Greenspace Master Plan, references throughout this document (and others) to City support for "public parks" cannot be taken seriously. The City has lost all creditability re: its commitment to greenspace in the Preston-Carling District.  
• CHNA also strongly recommends that the City of Ottawa, in particular elected officials look to the example of a Toronto city councillor who fought to keep a parcel of federal land as a park, rather than be developed as condominiums.  ("How a Toronto Councillor fights for her constituents").The parallels with Queen Juliana Park are significant.

CHNA cannot understand how the City can acknowledge and decry the lack of greenspace in the Preston District while simultaneously endorsing the development of one of the most used and beloved parks in the district-Queen Juliana Park. CHNA is perplexed and infuriated that the City is lobbying to shut down Queen Juliana Park, the only "open space" field in the Preston-Carling district. CHNA encourages the City to envision a design for the greenspace around Dow's Lake.

The Preston-Carling Secondary Plan VISION: Some of the city's tallest and finest mixed-use buildings will cluster around the Carling Avenue O-Train/future light rail transit (LRT) Station. These buildings will form a new, exciting, and distinctive downtown skyline with transition towards the adjacent stable low-rise neighbourhood. Facing Dows Lake and the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site, one of the most significant tourism and recreation destinations in the National Capital Region, these buildings will collectively present an image that is important not only to the City but also to the entire country.

Greener and more urban, the District will see the return of large street trees that historically existed in the area and an expanded network of urban space. Ev Tremblay Park will be enhanced and expanded. (Ev Tremblay Park was never expanded, the Humane Society land on 101 Champagne was sold.)

A November 7, 2021 letter from the Dow's Lake Residents' Association

 Dear Minister Guilbeault, "The Dow's Lake Residents' Association (DLRA) and Reimagine Ottawa wish you well on your appointment as the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. We reach out to you with a spirit of partnership and collaboration, with the shared goal of protecting and preserving the environment, and affecting climate change.

As you know, Ottawa is poised to use over 50 acres of federal land - central, urban green space only a 3.6 km walk from Parliament Hill, for the Ottawa Hospital's new Civic Campus.

In 2016, the NCC in partnership with the Ottawa Hospital undertook an exhaustive site review which engaged over 8000 people for the Civic Campus. In this review, Tunney's Pasture was selected as the ideal site based on the overall impacts of developing a new hospital and the criteria put forward by the Ottawa Hospital. Shortly after the review was made public, the Dow's Lake site was chosen for the new hospital without a clear supporting rationale. The choice to use the Dow's Lake site, next to the Rideau Canal-Ontario's only UNESCO World Heritage site, is one that sacrifices a significant portion of the last remaining Experimental Farm in Canada which has been deemed to be a National Historic Site. This choice will not only have environmental ramifications. It puts into question the value of "heritage" in our country and our commitment to preserving it for future generations. And what is very clear is that these lands will be sacrificed for a new hospital when other, better options were identified, selected, and continue to be available.

Using over 50 acres of federal land and urban green space which is known to be environmentally sensitive and ecologically sensitive, in the heart of the nation's capital-described as "Canada's symbolic focal point'' significantly places Canada's reputation as an environmental steward and partner at risk.

The Dow's Lake community stands at the sea wall of urban growth, tremendous change, and massive development-from a "village" of towers soaring as high as 190 meters or 55 storeys, to a new Civic Campus that will see 10000 staff ebb and flow each day to work, another 10000 ancillary jobs and 1 million hospital visitors per year-or an additional 2740 visitors each day.

The DLRA and Reimagine Ottawa fully support a new, state of the art hospital and centre of excellence. But we are deeply concerned about the lasting and irreversible impacts the new Civic Campus will have on surrounding areas, ecosystems and communities. 

Legislation in the form of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) exist to address these very issues. This legislation is a reflection of our values, who we are as a People, and the need to build a better and sustainable future for all. Environmental Impact Assessments are central to the IAA and guided by the following principles:

• Reconciliation and Partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.
• Basing decisions on scientific evidence and Indigenous knowledge.
• Providing predictability, transparency, and timeliness.
• And, meaningfully engaging with the public.

If a new hospital is to be built at Dow's Lake, in the heart of Canada's capital city, then it is absolutely imperative that we get it right-for our children, for our city and for the future.

Necessary Action-An Independent Environmental Impact Assessment must be undertaken. 

Request There is currently around the world a collective climate conscience, a concerted effort to tackle climate change, and a desire to leave a healthy planet for our children. We know that urban green spaces are good for cities. They reduce air pollution. They keep cities cooler. They naturally manage stormwater. They keep people healthy. They keep people happy. more