Monday, October 10, 2022

"Botanical garden plan alarms Farm fans. Nature lovers fear Experimental Farm will become theme park."

 by Carolynne Wheeler, Ottawa Citizen, August 3, 2001.

 (The first attempt to commercialize the Arboretum and Fletcher Wildlife Garden. And National Defence land at Dow's Lake was part of the project.)

---The Ottawa Botanical Society will charge $10 to $15 dollars for access to gardens it plans to build south of the arboretum. For the time being access to the Dominion Arboretum is free.

---Curfews are being imposed that prevent amateur astronomers and joggers from enjoying the site during the evening.

"A proposal to fence off part of the Central Experimental Farm to create a $35 million botanical garden has alarmed cyclists, joggers and other people who fear nature trails will give way to concession stands, parking lots and swarms of visitors."

"The proposed botanical garden on the east side of Prince of Wales Drive would surround but not swallow, the arboretum that is now a haven for nature lovers. A first, $10 million phase of the proposal from the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society is being studied by an advisory council appointed by Agriculture Canada."

"Phase 1 of the project would fence off about 44 hectares (108 acres) of land now designated for research. It would improve the existing arboretum and (Fletcher) wildlife garden and build a children's garden, a perennial garden, a heritage garden, a First Nations traditional garden, an herb and medicial  garden and a home garden centre with demonstration centres."

"Later stages are expected to include a conservatory with nine greenhouses with sales to the public, a butterfly house, washrooms and small cafes. The non-profit society would charge admission to the butterfly house and garden though not to the arboretum."

(The Fletcher Wildlife Garden currently has a butterfly garden, a fish pond and bridges and they are completely free. savecfbrockcliffe.)

"While the Department of Agriculture has pledged no commercial operations like shops or restaurants on its land, later phases of the project may involve land from National Defence and Public Works, which lacks those restrictions."

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(How dare you suggest that profit-making enterprises take over National Defence property. This is Ordnance and Admiralty land used for the defence of Canada.savecfbrockcliffe.)

Navy Private is 1 minute or 160 metres away from the Dow's Lake parking lot. 

"The Department of National Defence has maintained its presence at the northeast corner of the CEF since the Second World War. HMCS Carleton now functions as a naval reserve unit in the buildings adjacent to Dow's Lake. The property is the last remaining land from the British Ordnance reserve of the mid-1800's. (CEF National Historic Site Management Plan (5 0f 20)."

The Ordnance and Admiralty Lands Act of 1927 Military properties in Canada transferred to the government of the late province of Canada --- (Locations in the Capital) Rideau and Ottawa Canals, City of Ottawa Barracks, Blockhouses and Adjuncts of the Canals.

Major's Hill Park was Ordnance and Admiralty land House of Commons Ottawa, July 6, 1908. Grand Trunk Hotel Site: MP Haughton Lennox "...You are practically giving the company the use of a large park which is the most beautiful in the city of Ottawa. It is idle to talk of $100,000 for so many feet of property. I get angry when I talk about this. I get so indignant at this proposal that I find it hard to keep my temper. But if we are going to dispose of this property, I would point out that there are special provisions that have to be met before we sell ordnance land."


Sunday, October 9, 2022

The future of the Arboretum and Fletcher Wildlife Garden??

 


The blue gates are blocking the entrance to the Arboretum and a sign on the left reads "New project."  MP Yasir Naqvi was going to save what was left of the Farm, after the Civic took over 50 acres, a memorial park and observatory. The Arboretum Woods are untouchable, Google: Protected Land and Waterways in the National Capital- Table 1, Category 1. "urban natural features strategy, City of Ottawa April 11, 2006".

"Naqvi proposes protection law for Experimental Farm while Civic Hospital project rolls on" by Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, September 3, 2021. "Yasir Naqvi's fight to become the MP for Ottawa Centre includes a promise to legislate the protection of the Central Experimental Farm as plans move ahead to bulldoze the eastern portion of the federal land to build a new hospital."

Politicians who wanted to save the Experimental Farm.

An update: Ottawa Mayoral Candidate and City Councillor Catherine McKenney,City Councillors Shawn Menard, Jeff Leiper, and Rawlson King; MPP Joel Harden, writer and politician Clive Doucet.

In the past: Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson "I think the Central Experimental Farm is a real gem in the city and I don't think the public wants to take an open and green space and have it developed." (friendsofthefarm newsletter, summer of 2013, page 10/12.)

Prime Ministers of Canada Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mackenzie King, Louis St-Laurent, Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney.

Agriculture Ministers Sydney Fisher, William Motherwell, Thomas Crerar, James Gardiner, Douglas Harkness, John James Greene, Bud Olson, Eugene Whelan, John Wise, Lyle Vanclief, Gerry Ritz...

Senator Anne Cools.

Ministers of Public Works George McIlraith, Howard Charles Green, Lucien Cardin,

Members of Parliament Elizabeth May, Richard Cannings, Marlene Catterall, David Daubney,

Minister of National Defence Barney Danson.

Speaker of the House of Commons Lloyd Francis.

Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition Walter Baker.

Agriculture Minister Sydney Fisher and Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier on the grounds of the property, early 1900's. The photo is from the National Archives.

YouTube videos

"Ottawa prepares to hand over historic federal farmland to corporate developers." Filmed at the Dominion Observatory in 2017.

"Snow Music: Color/Dance" with music by George Winston.

"Ottawa Snow Drive and Walk, NCC Scenic Driveway Experimental Farm" January 3, 2021.

Petitions

Organizations that want to preserve the land

  • friendsofthefarm
  • reimagine Ottawa
  • Friends of the Central Experimental Farm
  • Protect the Farm-Home|Facebook
  • Saving the Experimental Farm|Heritage Ottawa
  • COALITION TO SAVE THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM
  • Canadian Council on Food Sovereignty and Health
  • Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (1974)
  • Save the Experimental Farm (1975)
  • Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital
  • Contentworks "Coalition fights to save Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa."
  • National Trust for Canada
  • SAVE THE FARM - Protest to save our trees and greenspace - Ecology Ottawa

A 1974 Ottawa Journal article.



Thursday, October 6, 2022

Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre---precise boundaries of land donated to a medical centre.

Mr. Poilievre received the following information from Public Services and Procurement Canada in the year 2016: The precise boundary of Experimental Farm land donated to the Civic Hospital:

North Boundary - Carling Avenue between Bayswater and Preston Street.

East Boundary - From Preston Street to Prince of Wales Drive.

South Boundary - From Prince of Wales Drive (600 metres) to 90 degrees west to Birch Drive.

West Boundary - From Birch Drive/Maple Drive up to Winding Lane and back to Carling Avenue at Bayswater (quarter of a circle around the Dominion Observatory.)  The William Saunders Building is vacant; the DARA Tennis Club gone.

Protected Land and Waterways in the National Capital. Table 1. - Category 1.

Airbase Lands - Federal, Private.

Arboretum Woods - Federal.

Aviation Parkway North - Federal, City.

Brittania Bay - Federal, City.

Brittania Conservation Area - Federal, City.

By-Pass Woods East - Federal.

Carlington Woods - Federal, City, Private.

Central Experimental Farm Woods - Federal.

Champlain Bridge Woods - Federal.

Champlain Bridge Islands - Federal.

Chaudiere Rapids - Federal.

Del Zotto Woods - Federal.

Deschenes Lookout - Federal.

Hampton Park Woods - Federal, City.

Hog's Back Woods - Federal, Private.

Lemieux Island - Federal, City.

Leopold Woodlot - Federal, Private.

McCarthy Woods and Southern Corridor - Federal.

Montfort Woods - Federal, Private.

Nepean Creek Corridor - Federal, Private.

NRC Woods North - Federal.

Parliament Hill - Federal.

Pinecrest Woods - Federal.

Prince of Wales Woods - Federal, City.

RA Centre Woods - Federal.

Rideau River Islands - Federal.

Rideau River Park Woods - Federal.

Riverside Park - Federal.

Rockcliffe Park East - Federal.

Rockcliffe Park West - Federal.

Rockcliffe Shores - Federal.

(Google: "urban natural features strategy, City of Ottawa, April 11, 2006.)

A Wikipedia description: The Dominion Arboretum is an arboretum part of the Central Experimental Farm. Originally begun in 1889, the Arboretum covers about 26 hectares (64 acres) of rolling land between Prince of Wales Drive, Dow's Lake and the Rideau Canal.


Endangered trees on the Experimental Farm.

The Farm (left) and the Rideau Canal Hartwell Locks. Public Works and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada were prepared to sell 108 acres of land near the Hartwell Locks to an entertainment company. The Honourary Chairperson of the Council of Canadians Maude Barlow criticized the plan: "(Ms. Barlow) said the project would create a theme park atmosphere and lead to the privatization of the Experimental Farm." (Ottawa Citizen, August 3, 2001.) Photo is from smallpond.ca.

friendsofthefarm - 2022, Endangered Trees of the Dominion Arboretum - The collection contains many trees which are part of a "threatened" conservation status. (IUCN Red List.)
International Union for Conservation of Nature. The IUCN was created in 1964 and is headquartered in the United Kingdom.


"Urban lands are inherited---representing a legacy to be passed on to future generations." (From: Capital Urban Lands Plan [PDF]page 35/123.)

"In coming years, the long-term ecological and scientific outlook for preserving the Central Experimental Farm and the Arboretum should be validated in an update to the existing 2005 master plan." (From: The Plan for Canada's Capital, 2017-2067 - page 40/95.)

"Key federal holdings in the Urban Lands Study Area, such as the Central Experimental Farm (a National Historic Site of Canada) and the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) are of rich heritage value." (From: Capital Urban Lands Plan [PDF] page 16/123.)


Tuesday, October 4, 2022

The potential loss of Canadian landmarks.

Prime Minister Mulroney prevented the transfer of Stanley Park to the City of Vancouver.

The federal government did not permit the transfer of all the National Parks in BC to the province.

The sale of the entire Rideau Canal.

The sale of Lazy Bay Commons in Mechanicsville, Ottawa to foreign countries for an embassy row.

The loss of Mile Circle near Rockcliffe for an embassy row.

The Greenbelt that surrounds the National Capital.

Landmarks that are no longer federal property.

The Department of Public Works sold the Gonzales Observatory to the City of Victoria for $1 dollar, then changed their minds and upped the price to $35,000 dollars. The land north of 302 Denison Road was sold for housing.

Monday, October 3, 2022

More questions pertaining to Ottawa's Experimental Farm.

 House of Commons Ottawa March 20, 2017 Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative): "With regard to the governments Ottawa Hospital Site Review, with a National Capital Commission recommendation to the Minister of Canadian Heritage on November 24, 2016:

(a) when did the Environment Minister decide that she would order this review;

(b) when did the Environment Minister ask that the Heritage Minister take over this review;

(c) did the government estimate the cost of delaying the construction of the new hospital by at least a year, and if so, what were the costs;

(d) what was the total cost of the review as of November 24, 2016, broken down by (i) employees' salaries (ii) contractors (iii) consultants (iv) land use surveys or studies;

(e) what will be the total cost of this review, broken down by (i) employees' salaries (ii) contractors (iii) consultants (iv) land use surveys or studies, (v) other expenses;

(f) what are the precise boundaries of the property to be leased to the Ottawa Hospital, known as the Sir John Carling Site or site # 11 by the National Capital Commission;

(g) what price does the government of Canada plan to charge the Ottawa Hospital as rent for the Sir John Carling Site, known as site # 11 by the National Capital Commission;

(h) how much payment in lieu of taxes does the federal government pay to the City of Ottawa for the Sir John Carling Site, known as site # 11 by the National Capital Commission; and

(i) what will be the costs of preparing the site for the Ottawa Hospital to be built, and which level of government or organization will pay for them?"

Topic: Routine Proceedings. Subtopic: Questions Passed as Orders for Return. Sub-subtopic: Question No. 810.

The precise boundary of land that will be allocated to the Ottawa Hospital in 2016. An answer to MP Pierre Poilievre's Question 810:

North Boundary - Carling Avenue between Bayswater and Preston Street.

East Boundary - From Preston Street to Prince of Wales Drive.

South Boundary - From Prince of Wales Drive (600 metres) to 90 degrees west to Birch Drive. 

West Boundary - From Birch Drive/Maple Drive up to Winding Lane and back to Carling Avenue at Bayswater (quarter of a circle around the Dominion Observatory.) (The information is from Public Services and Procurement Canada.)

House of Commons Ottawa March 20, 2017 Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative): "With regard to the government's transfer of land to the Ottawa Hospital for the future site of the Civic Campus, known as the Sir John Carling Site or site # 11 by the National Capital Commission:

(a) what analysis did the departments of Public Services and Procurement Canada (formerly Public Works and Government Services Canada), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada , the National Capital Commission, and Canadian Heritage conduct at each of the 12 sites;

(b) what did the National Capital Commission estimate the total land preparation costs of each of the 12 sites would be;

(c) what concerns did the National Capital Commission raise regarding potential contamination at each of the 12 sites;

(d) what are the boundaries of the Sir John Carling Site which will be leased to the Ottawa Hospital;

(e) are the metal piles that were used for the foundation of the former Sir John Carling Building still present at the site;

(f) if the answer to (e) is affirmative, will they have to be removed in order to accomodate the new Ottawa Hospital;

(g) if the answer to (f) is affirmative, what will be the cost of removing the piles;

(h) if the answer to (f) is negative, what is the government's plan to accomodate the Ottawa Hospital around the existing piles;

(i) what is the estimated cost of preparing the site for the Ottawa Hospital to be built, and which level of government or organization will pay for them;

(j) what contamination currently exists at the Sir John Carling Site, and how will it be mitigated or removed prior to the hospital's construction;

(k) what is the estimated cost of remediating any contamination, and which level of government will pay for this;

(l) does the government foresee any other factors specific to the Sir John Carling Site that would increase costs or delay construction of the new hospital, and if so, what are they?

Topic: Routine Proceedings. Subtopic: Questions Passed as Orders for Return. Sub-subtopic: Question 811.





Sunday, October 2, 2022

Questions pertaining to Ottawa's Experimental Farm.

House of Commons Ottawa June 21, 2017 Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Conservative: "With regard to the government's transfer of land to the Ottawa Hospital for the future site of the Civic Campus, known as the Sir John Carling Site or site No. 11:

(a) what is the current status of the transfer of land to the Ottawa Hospital;

(b) on what date does the government anticipate the land transfer will be complete;

(c) did the Ottawa Hospital incur any costs as a result of delaying construction by a year;

(d) if the answer to (c) is affirmative, what are the costs, and will the government reimburse the Ottawa Hospital;

(e) how many trees are there at site No. 11;

(f) what buildings are on site No. 11, broken down by (i) name and address (ii) purpose and current use; (iii)whether the building will be demolished or moved to another location;

(g) what will be the total cost of preparing the site for the Civic Campus to be built;

(h) what will be the additional costs specific to building the Civic Campus at site No. 11, including (i) the cost of building on a sloped surface, (ii) the cost of being located near a fault line, (iii) the cost of removing or transplanting the trees referred to in (e), (iv) any other costs due to site No. 11's unique features;

(i) which organization or level of government will pay for the land preparation and additional costs noted in (g) and (h);

(j) does the government have any estimates on the cost of preparing site No. 11 for a large institutional occupant and, if so, what are the details;

(k) what is the market value of the land at site No. 11;

(l) what will be the rental rate or sale price of site No. 11 to the Ottawa Hospital;

(m) which organization or level of government will pay for the at least $11.1 million in contamination remediation as estaimated by Public Services and Procurement Canada;

(n) is there any other contamination that needs to be remediated that is not captured in the $11.1 million figure;

(o) if the answer to (h) is affirmative, what is the contamination and what is its expected remediation cost;

(p) what design, cultural, esthetic or architectural elements will the National Capital Commission require the Ottawa Hospital to incorporate into the hospital, and what will be the cost of these elements;

(q) will the federal government cover the costs of the elements referred to in (p);

(r) has the government estimated the additional costs of constructing any building or structure on site No. 11, due to the nearby fault line and, if so, what are the costs;

(s) what would have been the total cost of preparing the Central Experimental Farm site directly across the street from the current Civic Campus, known as either site No. 9 or No. 10;

(t) are there any known challenges associated with building on site No. 11 and, if so, what are they; and

(u) does the government foresee any other factors specific to the Sir John Carling Site that would increase costs or delay construction of the new hospital and, if so, what are they?

Questions Passed as Order for Returns. Question Number 1040.