Senator Noel Kinsella---National Capital Act.

(Bowden's Media Monitor interview on CBO-FM, May 23, 2002.)

Senate of Canada Ottawa May 13, 2002: "On May 8, Senator Kinsella raised the following points":

• All Canadians have a direct interest in the open lands and assets of the National Capital. The NCC holds these properties in trust and on a fiduciary basis on behalf of all Canadians from coast to coast.
• The National Capital Act was brought in by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1958; after 44 years the time has come for Parliament to review the adequacy of this model of legislation.
• The social, economic and mobility dynamics in the year 2002 sees Canadians being stakeholders in the use of all public lands in the National Capital in far greater numbers than 50 years ago. Therefore decisions of the NCC relating to the disposition of these public lands affect all Canadians across the country in new ways. 
• The Section in the National Capital Act dealing with the sale of public lands held in trust for all Canadians needs to be revised to provide for a recall mechanism. Section 10(2) of the Act, which gives power to the NCC to sell lands held in trust, could be amended to provide for a review mechanism by a Parliamentary Committee upon the receipt of 1,000 signatures. As well, the Section of the Act that gives the authority to Cabinet to overturn any decision by the NCC to not sell land should also apply to any decision to sell land.
• The National Capital Commission should not be selling assets to private developers to offset ongoing costs of the Commission. If the NCC needs money they should take their case to Parliament.
• The NCC should withdraw its application before the Ontario Municipal Board to appeal the decision of the City of Ottawa to deny re-zoning of Moffat Farm.

Senate of Canada Ottawa December 12, 2019: The Hon. Mr. Duffy: "Congratulations, Senator Joyal, on your two pieces of 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 confident 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."

The loss of willow trees in Ottawa.trees

 1.) About nine days ago a willow tree near Dow's Lake was removed.

2.) A few days ago a willow tree near the Canada Space Agency was taken down by a crew. The agency is in Shirley's Bay in the Greenbelt and by March of 2025 the David Florida laboratory will be decommissioned.  Photos are forthcoming.

The Greenbelt is a National Interest Land Mass property, the 50,000 acres cannot be sold to the City of Ottawa, housing developers or commercial entities. 

Canada's Capital Greenbelt Master Plan, National Capital Commission December 2009.

 Groups that want to preserve the Greenbelt

• Gloucester Allotment Gardens
• Ottawa Rural Council
• Farm Tenant
• Farm Tenant
• Farm Tenant/Just Food
• 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
• Friends of Mer Bleue
• Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital
• Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital 
• Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital
• Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital
• Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital
• Transport 2000
• Heritage Canada

(Pages 35 and 36 of 107. Google: "Greenbelt, Phase 1, Step A, Government of Canada Publication. Crystal."

As I mentioned before, the Greenbelt Research Farm is an annex of the Carling Avenue Experimental Farm. It is located at 1740 Woodroffe Avenue and encompassed 4,500 acres during the 1950's. 

Group Discussion Asset: The Greenbelt's greatest asset is that it is there. Threat: Urbanization is the greatest long-term threat. The focus should be turned away from threats and more towards this land being a national treasure. (Page 24/107)

The 50,000 acres are protected by Federal Order in Council 5635, created on August 15, 1945 (The Master Plan for the National Capital by Jacques Greber, 1950. page 15/395.) And by the designation National Interest Land Mass.

Government of Canada recreational properties in 1985.

• Ontario
• Rideau River Park
• Victoria Island
• Vincent Massey Park
• Hogs Back Park
• Parliament Hill Promenade
• Patterson Creek
• Garden of the Provinces
• Rockcliffe Park
• Rideau Falls Park
• Other Parks 

Quebec

• Gatineau Park
• Place du Portage Park
• Brewery Creek Shoreline
• Tache Park
• E.B. Eddy Park
• Fontaine Park
• Leamy Lake Park
• Mousette Park
• Linear Park
• Experimental Park-Hull
• Other Parks

Recreational Facilities

• Sound and Light
• Bicycle Pathways
• Skating Rinks
• Dows Lake Marina
• Boat Tour Marina
• Champlain Golf Course
• Nature Trails
• La Baie Area
• Allotment Gardens
• Corkstown Road/Shirley's Bay
• Canoe Festival
• Festival Equipment
• Steam Train Facilities
• Stony Swamp
• LeBreton Flats Campsite
• Capital Golf Course
• Toboggan Slides
• Trail Exhibits
• Nepean Amphitheatre
• Bruce Pit
• Art Bank
• Equestrian Trails
• Other Recreational Projects

(From: National Capital Commission Annual Report, 1984-1985, pages 33 and 34 of 70.)

Parkways in Quebec and Ontario will never be depaved, off-limits to vehicles, sold or converted.

 "Federal scenic parkways and parks in the National Capital Region are dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers who died fighting in foreign wars." The Greber Report of 1950, page 228/395.

"The park and parkway system of the Federal District Commission is justly famous for its utilization of the scenic beauty of the Federal Capital Area whenever possible. The parks and parkways are and will be located along the banks of the Rideau and Ottawa Rivers, the Rideau Canal and Dow's Lake." (Report of the Federal District Commission, 1949, page 37/95.)

  Federal parkways in Ontario:

• Ottawa River Parkway
• Airport
• Eastern Driveway
• Eastern Parkway
• Colonel By Drive
• Queen Elizabeth Driveway
• Hogs Back Road
• Rockcliffe Park Driveway
• Queensway
• Lady Grey Drive
• Station Boulevard
• Island Park Driveway
• Experimental Farm Driveway

Parkways in Quebec in 1984 and 1985:

• Gatineau Parkway
• Voyageur Parkway
• Philemon Wright
• Northern Entrance
• Hull South
• Secteur Fournier
• Lac des Fees Parkway

"De-paving the parkways will create billions of dollars of 'surplus' Crown real estate." From an Ottawa Citizen article. Prince of Wales Drive within the Experimental Farm is now owned by the City of Ottawa, not Agriculture Canada. The Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum is located at 901 POW Drive.

 POW Drive is being widened from 2 lanes to 4. (Dows Lake-Glebe Report, June 11, 2010.) Will the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum be demolished? The Ottawa Hospital has indicated that "extensive demolition" is required for the new build to proceed.

Land beside the former Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway is untouchable.

 Nine hundred square miles of federal property in the National Capital Region are dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers who were killed fighting in foreign wars. Prime Minister Mackenzie King.

House of Commons Ottawa April 22, 1996. Petitions. MP 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 was looking at selling off parts of 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 national capital in 1950 it was dedicated, at the direction of the Cabinet, as a national war memorial. Therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to ensure that this commitment and the green spaces of the nation's capital are maintained as a national war memorial and are not disposed of or sold."

Master Plan for the National Capital - General Report by Jacques Greber, 1950, page 11/395. "The Master Plan herein set forth organizes and protects a vast area of urban, rural and wooded territory." Including Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt-savecfbrockcliffe.

"That under the authority of Order in Council 5635 of August 15, 1945 an area comprising some 900 square miles, more or less, adjoining the City has been defined as the National Capital District and it has been decided to engage Mr. Greber to make a study of such area as a National War Memorial." Master Plan for the National Capital by Jacques Greber, 1950, page 15/395.

Saving the Greenbelt.

 Politicians

• MP Marcel Proulx, Hull-Aylmer
• MP David McGuinty, Ottawa South
• MP Mauril Belanger, Ottawa Vanier, Liberal: House of Commons Ottawa September 16, 2009 "Bill C-37, which is before us now, talks about protecting the ecological integrity of Gatineau Park. Nothing is said at all about protecting the ecological integrity of the greenbelt."
• Environment Minister Jim Prentice
• Environment Minister John Baird
• The Hon. Barney Danson, Secretary of State to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; Minister of Urban Affairs and Minister of National Defence.
• Minister Of National Defence the Hon. Gordon O'Connor
• MP Beryl Gaffney, Nepean
• MP Don Boudria, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
• Senator Mike Duffy
• Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre
• Former Ottawa City Councillor and MPP for Ottawa West Alex Cullen
• Mr. Walter David Baker, Grenville-Carleton, Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition; Progressive Conservative Party Deputy House Leader. House of Commons Ottawa October 17, 1974.
• MP Royal Galipeau
• The Hon. Arthur Laing, Minister of Public Works, Liberal. House of Commons Ottawa November 25, 1970.
• Mr. William Warren Allmand, Liberal. House of Commons Ottawa June 1, 1970.
• The Hon. Jean-Robert Gauthier, Ottawa-Vanier, Liberal. Senator and MP. 

Organizations

• Alliance to Save our Greenbelt - Al Speyers
• CPAWS, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Mer Bleue.
• Rideau Valley Conservation Authority located in Beryl Gaffney Park
• Save Our Greenspace!
• Ontario Chapter - Sierra Club of Canada

Properties that are part of the Greenbelt

• Shirley's Bay, 800 ha. A provincially significant wetland, migratory bird staging and nesting area and fish habitat. The causeway acts as a bird watching venue.
• Bruce Pit 427 acres. A renaturalized sand pit with diverse wildlife habitat. The Bruce Pit is a popular off-leash dog park near Arlington Woods.
• Conroy Pit, 100 ha. Another popular dog park. The National Capital Commission removed part of the land from the Greenbelt and sold it. "The Conroy Pit is an abandoned sand pit with recreational and development potential." Google: "NCC Greenbelt Master Plan Background 1996, pdf page 4." During the year 2013 part of the Pit was redeveloped---for the Hunt Club Estates, located at Conroy and Johnston roads; and 72 units at the Hunt Club Flats, 3249 Conroy Road. Google "Greenbelt Master Plan Review Phase 1-Land Use Concept, January 2012." 
• Silver Spring Farm - Historic Landmark (1867) and working farm.
• Agriculture Canada Research Farm - At one time encompassed 4,500 acres. The property on 1740 Woodroffe Avenue is an annex of the Carling Avenue Experimental Farm:

• Green's Creek Conservation Area
• Hornets Nest soccer fields
• Pine View Golf Course
• Mer Bleue Conservation Area
• Hylands Golf Club
• The Log Farm
• Pinhey Forest
• the Southern Farm
• Lime Kiln Trail
• Stony Swamp Conservation Area
• Wesley Clover Park - the former Nepean National Equestrian Park and Ottawa Municipal Campground. During the mid-1990's the National Capital Commission wanted to remove Wesley Clover Park from the Greenbelt. Google:" NCC Revises Master Plan for Greenbelt" by Heather Burke, March of 1996.
• Airport lands
• the 19th Tee Driving Range
• The Connaught National Army Cadet Summer Training Area
• Commissioners Park - Carling Avenue and Preston Street - "...Other properties found in the greenbelt are Commissioners Park where there is a display of over 100,000 tulips." MP Steven Blaney, Levis Quebec. House of Commons Ottawa September 16, 2009. (Most of the information is from Wikipedia)

Background "The completion of the 1950 Plan for the National Capital, often referred to as the Greber Plan, was followed by a period of land acquisition during the 1950's and 1960's including lands for Gatineau Park, the Greenbelt, federal office sites, parkway development and railway relocation. ...Approved by the Treasury Board in 1988, the National Interest Land Mass included the Greenbelt lands."

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." Page 53/196.

House of Commons Ottawa November 3, 1981. Inquiry whether policy related to Greenbelt in Ottawa-Carleton has been modified. Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier, Ottawa-Vanier, Liberal: "Madame Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Public Works who is responsible for the National Capital Commission. Last week, Ottawa newspapers headlined that the NCC was prepared to give up NCC land in the Greenbelt, the untouchable zone surrounding the National Capital."