The Farm, Commissioners Park and land adjacent to Dow's Lake cannot be sold or given away.

Nine hundred square miles of federal property in the National Capital Region are dedicated to the memory of Canadians who were killed fighting in foreign wars.

House of Commons Ottawa April 22, 1996. Petitions. Member of Parliament Marlene Catterall (Ottawa West-Nepean) Liberal.. "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 looked at selling off part of the green space 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 capital in 1950 it was at the direction of the capital as a national war memorial to those who had fought in the wars in defence of Canada. Therefore, the petitioners call on Parliament to ensure that this committment and the dedication of the green spaces of the nation's capital are maintained as a national war memorial and are not disposed of or sold."

Federally-owned public gardens in Ottawa and Hull-1950. Rockcliffe Park-70 acres; Central Park (Clemow Ave.)-16 "; Brewer Park (End of Bronson Ave.)-39 "; Commissioners Park (Dow's Lake)-4 "; Green Island Park (Mouth of Rideau River)-6 "; Nepean Point and Major's Hill Park-21 "; McDonald Park (Charlotte St.)-7 "; Anglesea Square (York St.)-3 "; Strathcona Park (Range Road)-8 "; St. Luke's Park (Frank St.)- 1-5 "; Minto Park (Elgin St.)-1-5 "; Dundonald Park (Somerset St.)-2 "; Plouffe Park (Preston St.)-4 "; McNab Park (Gladstone Ave.)-3 "; Reid Farm Park (Sherwood Drive)-6 "; Ballantyne Park (Main St., Ottawa East-1 ". (page 160/395.) Public gardens in Hull, Quebec. Fontaine Park (Papineau St.)-4 acres; Saint-Marie Park (Saint-Redempteur St.)-1-5 "; Larocque Park (Brodeur St.)-2 "; St. John Park (Montcalm St.)-2 "; Moussette Park (Val Tetreau)-17 ". (page 163/395.)

The Holt Commission of 1915 was a joint undertaking on the part of the Federal Government and the cities of Ottawa and Hull: "Extensive parks and playgrounds were recommended including the acquirement of lands in the Laurentian Hills for a National Park, and the development of Dow's Lake and its adjacent lands as a recreational centre was strongly urged." (The Greber Report of 1950, page 199 out of 395.)

"The Experimental Farm forms a central park within a residential area of the City of Ottawa, and its avenues constitute a part of the driveways of the Federal District Commission." (The Greber Report of 1950, page 167 out of 395, and includes a photo.)

The Todd Report of 1903. "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 park and open spaces should be numerous, and ample boulevards and parkways should skirt the different waterways as well as connect the principal parks and the different public buildings." (page 192/395.)

2067 Greenbelt Vision Statement. 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 Greenbelt will remain in the public domain. (page 53 out of 196 pages.)

Promenades. "All elements to be incorporated in promenade systems should be carefully designed. In this regard, the Federal District Commission has disposed at strategic points some very harmonious and inconspicuous signs." (Page 329/395 of the Greber Report of 1950.) The Rideau Canal Promenade - The Ottawa Locks, Shaw Centre, Pretoria Bridge, Lansdowne Park, Dow's Lake, the Experimental Farm and Hartwells Lockstation.

The Rideau Canal Promenade, Ottawa.

The UNESCO logo is on the Rideau Canal Promenade sign.

"How to Save a Farm: Central Experimental Farm Designated a National Historic Site."

The Booth Barn is protected by Part 1V of The Ontario Heritage Act. During the1990's plans were in motion to demolish the Booth Barn; Building #26 on Winding Lane and 38 other Experimental Farm buildings. Building #26 is located near the Observatory Campus and Maple Drive.

"Ottawa's heritage community hails the recent announcement that the Central Experimental Farm has been designated as a National Historic Site by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, a move that will go a long way toward protecting the buildings now slated for demolition, and slow down any plans to sell off valuable land for real estate development." (by Jean Palmer, Heritage Ottawa-Winter 1998, Volume 25, No. 1.)

 

Books. 1.)

2.) " Building Canada's Farm: An illustrated guide to buildings at the Central Experimental Farm" by Richard Hinchcliff and Patricia Jasen. 2021.

3.)  "Ode to the Grand Central Experimental Farm of Canada: the arboretum." by Susan Geraldine Taylor. 1987.

4.)  

5.)  

6.)  

The Rideau Canal Promenade. The Ottawa Locks, Shaw Centre, Pretoria Bridge, Lansdowne Park, Dow's Lake, the Experimental Farm and Hartwells Lockstation.

The Rideau Canal Promenade.

Photos from the National Archives.

October 1963. Aerial view (Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario) showing Arboretum lookout and Plant Research Buildings:

The World War 11 Temporary Buildings on Queen Juliana Park are visible in the top right hand corner. The Sir John Carling Building and the Annex were not constructed until 1967. 

"Display of 'Mums' in greenhouses, 1920's." The greenhouses on the Farm are still standing, but they will probably not survive the blasting when a medical centre is built nearby.

Trees are already being chopped down on the Experimental Farm.

The photo is from Reimagine Ottawa Facebook, July 6, 2021.The Sir John Carling Building cafeteria annex can be seen on the left. The Recognized Federal Heritage Building was designed by architect Hart Massey.

Ottawa Citizen newspaper photo, July 2021.

The entire Farm is a National Historic Site of Canada, it is untouchable.The nearby Commissioners Park is part of the Greenbelt and the Rideau Canal was honoured by the United Nations as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A 1998 Government of Canada document.

A May 13, 1988 Ottawa Citizen article. Alanis Morissette performed during the Tulip Festival.

Federal property in the National Capital Region - 1985.

 

 The Nielsen Report from 1985.The Department of Agriculture owned 1 million acres of land across Canada. The Hon. Erik Nielsen was a Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, a Minister of Defence and a Minister of Public Works.

National Research Institutes with headquarters in Ottawa. 1.) Biosystematics Research Institute. 2.) Chemistry and Biology Research Institute. 3.) Engineering and Statistical Research Institute. 4.) Food Research Institute. 5.) Land Resource Research Institute.

Agriculture Canada Experimental Farms. 1.) Nappan, Nova Scotia. 2.) Buctouche, New Brunswick. 3.) La Pocatiere, Quebec. 4.) Normandin, Quebec. 5.) L'Assomption, Quebec. 6.) Ottawa, Ontario. 7.) Kapuskasing, Ontario. 8.) Thunder Bay, Ontario. 9.) Smithfield, Ontario. 10.) Fort Vermilion, Ontario. 11.) Indian Head, Saskatchewan. 12.) Prince George, British Columbia,

Agriculture Canada Research Stations. 1.) St. John's, Newfoundland. 2.) Kentville, Nova Scotia. 3.) Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. 4.) Fredericton, New Brunswick. 5.) Ste-Foy, Quebec. 6.) St. Jean, Quebec. 7.) Lennoxville, Quebec. 8.) Vineland, Ontario. 9.) Delhi, Ontario. 10.) Harrow, Ontario. 11.) Ottawa, Ontario. 12.) London, Ontario. 13.) Lethbridge, Alberta. 14.) Lacombe, Alberta. 15.) Beaverlodge, Alberta. 16.) Swift Current, Saskatchewan. 17.) Saskatoon, Sask. 18.) Melfort, Sask. 19.) Regina, Sask. 20.) Winnipeg, Manitoba. 21.) Brandon, Manitoba. 22.) Morden, Manitoba. 23.) Summerland, British Columbia. 24.) Kamloops, B.C. 25.) Vancouver, B.C. 26.) Agassiz, B.C. 27.) Saanichton (Sidney) B.C. (From: "The Canadian Encyclopedia" 1985, Hurtig Publishers Ltd.)

The Farm is a National Interest Land Mass, it cannot be subdivided.

"The Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site is designated in its entirety as part of the National Interest Land Mass. These lands are essential for the long-term symbolism, functions, physical structure, and natural and cultural landscapes of the Capital. 

"Implicit in a NILM designation is a formal designation of the Federal Government's interest in the long-term use of these lands. Most NILM lands are, or should be under the custody of the federal government to ensure they are protected and enhanced. Generally, the majority of these lands are, or will be, owned by the NCC, while some NILM land will also be under the custody of other federal custodians or departments." (From: "CEF National Historic Site Management Plan"Part 7/20.)

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.House of Commons, Ottawa. Evidence. Monday, October 26, 2009.  Mr. Jean-Paul Murray (Co-Chair, Gatineau Park Protection Committee.) "...The government established the National Interest Land Mass in 1988 following a recommendation by the Nielsen Commission."

Definition of a National Interest Land Mass-The National Interest Land Mass (NILM) consists of "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 totalling some 44,200 ha. in area. Land forming part of the NILM will be retained 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. (Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC-Land Holdings.)

Cabinet minister Erik Nielsen and future Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who created the National Interest Land Mass designation for the Farm and other properties; and former Prime Minister of Canada Joe Clark. Peter Bregg photo.

House of Commons Ottawa June 18, 1954. Mr. John Angus Maclean. "I want to support what other members have said with regard to retaining the experimental farm. I know the minister will strongly resist any move which might develop to have that beautiful and worthwhile experimental farm subdivided for building or anything of that sort. I think it would be a tragic loss not only for the City of Ottawa but to the agricultural industry generally and to the many people who benefit through having an opportunity to visit the farm..."

"Canada's Hyde Park" House of Commons Ottawa June 18, 1954. Mr. John Alpheus Charlton, Progressive Conservative. "Rumours persist, and I have heard them in many places, that here is some thought of moving the central experimental farm from Ottawa. Has the department any such idea in mind? Is it considering changing the location of the farm by moving it farther out from the city?

The Hon. James Gardiner Garfield (Minister of Agriculture) Liberal. "No consideration has been given to the possibility of moving the farm. There are people making suggestions all the time of course. We listen to them, of course, but any suggestions that anything along that line should be done have always been replied to in the negative. Many people have taken the position that this farm, as far as agriculture is concerned, provides opportunities that no farm in any other place could. There are so many people who come to Ottawa who probably would not go out of the city ten miles to look at an experimental farm, but in this case the farm is right here. These people are told by everybody that it is one of the beauty spots of the area and they go there.

"...In addition, I find that no matter where I go, whether I am in Europe or in Washington, a great deal of attention has been paid to keeping areas in their natural state. For example, whenever I go to London and look over Hyde Park I wonder why we do not have areas like that in our cities in Canada? The experimental farm in Ottawa is the nearest approach that we could possibly have to that. Even if it becomes necessary at some time to move some of the activities a little farther away, I do not believe that farm should be closed up or eliminated by allowing people to build on the area, or doing anything else with it. I believe it should remain there just as it is now."

Mr. Alexander Malcolm Nicholson (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (C.C.F.) "I want to draw the minister's attention to the applause he received a few minutes ago when he intimated that the experimental farm at Ottawa would not be available for subdivision."

PETITIONS

Save Ottawa's Precious Urban Green Space-Ottawa is about to lose part of a National Heritage Site and a big chunk of its precious green space. The Ottawa Hospital's  new Civic Campus is slated to be built on the former Sir John Carling site of the Central Experimental Farm. Situated by beautiful Dow's Lake, this green space is enjoyed by thousands of Ottawans, Canadians and tourists each year. We have to preserve this green space for many reasons. This is our Hyde Park, our Central Park. Once it has been paved over and built on we will never get it back. (Change.org petition.)

Stop the rezoning of Parks to Condos, Queen Juliana in Little Italy.

The National Trust for Canada.

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (1974.)

Save the Central Experimental Farm-Ottawa.

Protect the Farm-Home|Facebook.

Save the Central Experimental Farm-Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital.

Saving the Central Experimental Farm-Heritage Ottawa.

COALITION TO SAVE THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Save the Farm-Protest to save our trees and greenspace. 2017.

Protection of the Central Experimental Farm as a research facility and a national historic site of Canada. Petition 388, sent to the Auditor General of Canada.

House of Commons Ottawa February 9, 1998. Marlene Catterall (Ottawa West-Nepean) Liberal. "Mr. Speaker, last week the Secretary of State for Parks and the minister of agriculture designated the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa as a national historic site. This does not mean that the farm will be frozen in time. It will continue to evolve as it has for 111 years, but it will evolve in a way that is consistent with the important contribution it has made to agriculture in Canada and internationally."

"It will be a permanent visible reminder in the nation's capital to all Canadians of the importance of agriculture to our economic and social development. The people of this region are proud of the nation's capital and its national institutions. I know they will want to contribute and be part of planning the future of the Central Experimental Farm, our newest national historic site."

Find another location for the hospital.

An Ottawa Journal article, Page 8, February 5, 1908.

The Hon. Sidney Arthur Fisher, Minister of Agriculture, and Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier on the grounds of the Experimental Farm, early 1900's. Photo is from the National Archives.

A March 19, 1954 Privy Council of Canada Cabinet document.

The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association concerns:

PARKING-The 4-storey above ground parking should be built underground as promised. Despite its green roof, the massing, cladding and function of the garage negatively impact nationally important views and is an inapproprate use of such important land. The resulting loss of easy access to ground level greenspace (Queen Juliana Park) is of grave concern. Our position is that the Federal Government has a responsibility to minimize the significant negative cultural impacts on nearby waterways, parks and historic drives and we look to them to provide the necessary funds to build a below ground parking lot.

MAPLE DRIVE (EXPERIMENTAL FARM): The plan calls for a secondary access via Maple Drive for emergency vehicles and other uses. Our position is that given the heritage significance of the Dominion Observatory, a reconfiguration is recommended to minimize the impact on the Observatory and on the Farm itself.

DISTINCTIVE TREES IN PARKING LOTS: A total of 680 trees are to be removed to build the new Hospital. While some tree loss is to be expected, the cutting of distinctive trees for surface parking lots is not acceptable. Our position is the surface parking lots need to be redesigned to be built around existing distinctive trees.

The 4-storey parking garage will now face: the Prince of Wales Drive-an historic Scenic Entry Route; the Rideau Canal, a Canadian Heritage River, National Historic Site of Canada and UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Commissioners Park, home to the NCC Tulip Display as part of the annual Canadian Tulip Festival. (CHNA Comments TOH Master Plan DO7-12-21-0059.)