Leave the Experimental Farm where it is.

A Timeline

Late 1940's and early 1950's - Prime Minister Mackenzie King and Jacques Greber dedicate 900 square miles of land in the National Capital Region to the memory of fallen Canadian soldiers.

1954 - The city of Ottawa wants Experimental Farm land for a new city hall.Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent refuses the request and states that the Experimental Farm "will be an open space in perpetuity."

House of Commons Ottawa July 13, 1956. Hayden Stanton (Progressive Conservative). Mr. Stanton: "In view of the fact that the central experimental farm cannot expand any farther on account of the building projects surrounding it, has the minister given any consideration to expanding the farm by way of an annex say 50 or 75 miles away from the central farm?"

Hon. James Garfield Gardiner (Minister of Agriculture) Liberal: Mr. Gardiner: "This question, of course, as to what will become of the experimental farm in Ottawa comes up nearly every year. The department is of the opinion that it ought to remain just where it is. We do not think it is going to help agriculture or anyone who comes here to get an idea of what is going on in Canada to have an experimental farm 20 miles away from Ottawa or even 10 miles away."

"We think one of the chief assets of our experimental farm system as well as one of the chief assets of Ottawa in general is the central experimental farm right where it is."

"The question came up recently when the city wanted to take a piece of it to make a highway, and we insisted on its being just as small a piece as they could get along with and still have a highway. We intend to continue that policy, we are not making any preparations to take anything away from the present experimental farm and we hope the farm will remain just where it is."

House of Commons Ottawa October 10, 1974. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE-CONTINUATION OF DEBATE: Mr. Francis (Ottawa West) Liberal: "I wish to pay tribute to Mr. Fullerton for his imaginative and innovative use of public funds and public lands. However, I wish to take issue with him on one score and express quiet but firm disagreement with him."

"He may have been right on a number of things, but I do not think he was right when he proposed that part of the Experimental Farm should be used for housing. Despite the fact that there is a serious housing shortage I do not think that my constituents would choose to sacrifice an open space which is such a precious thing for the community."

1988 - Agriculture Minister Doug Wise tells the House of Commons that CEF land will never be privatized under his watch.

1988 - Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Deputy Prime Minister Erik Nielsen introduce the National Interest Land Mass designation to protect dozens of properties in the National Capita Region. That includes Gatineau Park, the Greenbelt, national parkland, the Experimental Farm, Greenbelt Farm; scenic highways, the banks of the Rideau River and Ottawa River, 24 Sussex Drive, the Royal Canadian Mint. NILM land will be protected in perpetuity.

1991 - Bill C-3, the Federal Real Property Act - House of Commons Ottawa November 22, 1991: MP Dennis Mills (Broadview-Greenwood,Liberal) "In one year, with the support of this bill, it is possible that there will be no Crown land assets left."

1995 - "The government is getting out of the business of running experimental farms." 50 historic buildings on the CEF are slated for demolition, Google: "The fight for the Farm goes on". Heritage Ottawa newsletter, Spring of 1997. The buildings, especially the Dominion Observatory buildings were untouched.

1998 - The Department of Agriculture transfers the Greenbelt Research Farm at 1740 Woodroffe Avenue

"Parks Canada to look at divesting highways, bridges, dams" by Dean Beeby, CBC News, August 26, 2017. "Parks Canada is considering whether to give up as much as $8.3 billion of its highways, bridges and dams." Parks Canada operates 46 national parks, a national urban park, 4 national marine conservation areas and 171 national historic sites including historic canals.

 The Rideau Canal has 52 dams and 45 locks.

 The Rideau Canal cannot be sold. House of Commons Ottawa June 1, 1950. MP George Taylor Fulford (Leeds) Liberal: "...There was a rather quaint treaty signed between Great Britain and Canada when the canal was handed over to Canada. One of the clauses said that Canada would maintain the canal system as long as the grass was green and the skies were blue."

 "Federal, scenic highways 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" (From: The Greber Report of 1950, page 228/395.)

Scenic Parkways Ottawa River Parkway - now called the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway - Wellington Street to Carling Avenue.  Airport Parkway.  Queen Elizabeth Drive. Sir George Etienne Cartier Parkway. Experimental Farm Parkway. Gatineau Parkway.

 

"The Central Experimental Farm should not be encroached upon."

House of Commons Ottawa April 12, 1961 Hazen Robert Argue (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation-CCF): Mr. Argue: "There has been a good deal of discussion in the House regarding the government's policy in respect of construction of buildings on the experimental farm and I think it has been accepted, at least it was by the minister's predecessor and by ministers of the Department of Agriculture particularly the Right Hon. J.G. Gardiner, that the CEF should not be encroached upon by the construction of buildings---it is considered to be a valuable piece of property with historical records built up over many decades."

"It was felt that any reversion or change of this land to some other use would destroy the continuity of these records, and that the experimental farm should remain intact at its present location. I think the present minister has been modifying the policy as set out by his predecessor. He appears to be on record as in favour of the construction of an administrative building at the location of the central experimental farm but I would express the hope that such a building will not be constructed at that location, and that the farm situated at this very strategic and valuable location will not be sacrificed to commercial interests, so that the valuable records will be maintained."

The Greenbelt - "Together the City of Ottawa and the NCC could do what they like with it."

 A quote from Member of Parliament Marcel Proulx.House of Commons Ottawa May 25, 2010: Marcel Proulx (Hull-Aylmer, Lib.) "...The Liberal members from the National Capital Region, the member for Ottawa-Vanier and I as Liberal members of Parliament, have good reason to call for enhanced protection of the greenbelt. There are, as a matter of fact, no major regulations protecting this area. Together the City of Ottawa and the NCC could do what they like with it. We believe this greenspace must be protected from developers."

Greenbelt properties

Commissioners Park at Carling Avenue and Preston Street. (MP Steven Blaney, Levis) "...Other properties found in the greenbelt are Commissioners Park where there is a display of over 100,000 tulips." House of Commons Ottawa, September 16, 2009.

The Greenbelt Research Farm, 1740 Woodroffe Avenue, Nepean.

 Agriculture Canada research farms.

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

Conroy Pit

Lime Kiln (Trail)

Stony Swamp Conservation Area

Wesley Clover Park - the former Nepean National Equestrian Park and Ottawa Municipal Campground.

The 19th Tee Driving Range

Airport land 

The Connaught National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre

Shirley's Bay (The information is from Wikipedia.)

The Greenbelt.

BEYOND OTTAWA 20/20: TABLING OF THE OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW WHITE PAPER ON DEVELOPMENT IN THE GREENBELT-27 May 2008.

It should be noted that any and all views expressed in this White Paper are those of the City of Ottawa and not those of the National Capital Commission.

The Greenbelt occupies an area of approximately 20,000 hectares (51,397.919 acres), nearly identical to the size of the urban area confined within its inner limits and just less than half the size of Gatineau Park. Undeveloped portions (comprising wetlands, agricultural land, forests, shrubs and idle lands) account for approximately 85% of the total area.

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 through 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 designation included the Greenbelt lands."

"...It is estimated that of the 20,800 ha. (51,397.919 acres) in the Greenbelt, at least one quarter, 5,560 ha. (13,739 acres) might be eligible for development consideration if the Greenbelt designation was removed."

The problem with that scenario is, the Greenbelt designation cannot be removed. As I mentioned several times before--- Prime Minister Mackenzie King and Jacques Greber created the Greenbelt as a living memorial to honour Canadian soldiers who were killed fighting in foreign wars. Canadian soldiers are buried in foreign graves - in Normandy (Beny sur Mer); the Netherlands (Bergen op Zoom) and many other cemeteries. 

The Greenbelt is protected by the designation National Interest Land Mass.

The government of Canada cannot criticise France for planning to build condominiums on the beaches of Normandy, and at the same time permit residential and commercial construction on a National Capital war memorial.

Prime Minister Mackenzie King and Mr. Greber wanted the land to be accessible--- for playgrounds, fundraising events, Canada Day celebrations, farmers markets, tourism, sports activities, riding bicycles, enjoying the flowers and trees, quiet contemplation. However,  the properties held by DND, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, a film production company, farms and the land protected by heritage conservation laws, etc. are off-limits.

The 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 the 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.)

The Greenbelt.

"Greenbelt land should have clearly defined boundaries protected by federal statutes, preventing commercial and residential development and other incompatible activities." (Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital Region - Position Paper for the NCC's Master Plan Review, September 2010. Legal protection, part 4.5.) 

The City will permit residential development on Greenbelt land. "The City of Ottawa recently released its discussion paper '5 Big Moves' as part of its Official Plan Review. Much of it is laudible, but Policy 3 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 is expected to grow more, but nowhere are they manufacturing any more greenspace. Once you permit urban development in the Greenbelt that greenspace is gone forever. In short, don't bother considering this option." Alex Cullen, former City Councillor, in a letter to the Ottawa Citizen on August 24, 2019. Policy 3 is from City of Ottawa Official Plan, Volume 2A, Urban Secondary Plans, November 20, 2020.)

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REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY IN RESPECT OF GREEN SPACES IN CITIES - October 7, 1974.

House of Commons Ottawa, October 7, 1974: Walter David Baker (Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition; Progressive Conservative Party Deputy House Leader) Progressive Conservative. Mr. Walter Baker (Grenville-Carleton): "Mr. Speaker, in view of the statement yesterday by the Minister of State for Urban Affairs about trade-offs in respect of green space in Canadian cities, will he inform the House how this trade-off principle will affect specifically the experimental farm in the city of Ottawa and the greenbelt surrounding it, and indicate whether the government is now actively planning to intrude development in these areas?"

Hon. Barnett Jerome Danson (Minister of State for Urban Affairs) Liberal: "Mr. Speaker, I was just speaking about the general picture in Canada, trying to make people aware of the necessary considerations we have in attempting to deal with growth in our cities. Certainly, the city of Ottawa in particular has to be treated with special sensitivity. There will be further discussions on this subject before the special joint committee of the House and Senate announced in the Speech from the Throne, and in respect of other reports which are forthcoming. This will give us ample opportunity to deal with the member's concerns, which I share."

Mr. Baker (Grenville-Carleton): "Mr. Speaker, in view of the importance of the matter, as recognized by the Minister, would he be prepared to make a statement on motions at the earliest opportunity to clarify what he and the government mean in respect of the diminution of the very precious green spaces in the urban areas of this country?"

Mr. Danson: "First of all, Mr. Speaker, this government means business. There will be ample opportunity to discuss the area of the national capital before the committee. I do not think it necessary to make a statement on motions. This is an ongoing discussion with provincial and municipal officials as well as other people in Canada. Certainly, we have to treat this with special sensitivity, and I put as high a priority on parks and recreation as on any other element in the housing field."

Debates of the Senate of Canada, December 12, 2019.

 Protection of the Parliamentary Precinct, Chateau Laurier Hotel, 24 Sussex Drive and Experimental Farm. NATIONAL CAPITAL ACT - Bill to Amend - Second Reading.

Senate of Canada Ottawa December 12, 2019. A Speech by the Hon. Senator Serge Joyal:"...I would like to talk about the issue addressed in Bill S-203, which amends the National Capital Act. That question is directly linked to the question that my colleague Senator Mercer asked the Government Representative, which is essentially to protect Parliament Hill, its archeological resources and its heritage character."

"I had the privilege to sit on the subcommittee of Internal Economy that was overseeing the renovation of Parliament Hill and singularily the Centre Block and this very building. I have also been a witness, as have all of you, to the expansion project of the Chateau Laurier at the end of the tunnel. I would not even say "across the street" because we have an organic link to the Chateau Laurier building. I have seen the architectural horror that has been proposed, especially the first plan that led the Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson to state that it was equivalent to a container but, of course, of monumental proportion."

"There is, in my opinion, a way to approach this issue. In the course of our study at the subcommittee, so ably chaired by Senator Tannas of Internal Economy, we asked - Senator Forest, Senator Munson, Senator Bovey and myself - about the status of Parliament Hill in terms of a national historic site. The answer we received was: There is no Canadian statute in which Parliament Hill is protected by the status of being a national historic site."

"Of course, a Public Works representative informed us that Public Works follows the standards and guidelines for conservation of historical places in Canada, but Parliament Hill does not enjoy any legal protection. Not only does it not benefit from that protection, but the immediate area is a jungle for development. So that means that anything on the Hill that doesn't belong to the government, outside of that precinct, any developmental initiative can take place. We have heard the Chateau Laurier argument that this is a private hotel; as a private enterprise we can do whatever we want. We will do whatever we want, unless, of course, maybe the City of Ottawa refuses the building permit. Or maybe the City of Ottawa will impose some restrictions. But in the National Capital Act there is no power granted to the National Capital Commission to review any proposal of alteration, construction, demolition, any works - they are mentioned in here - that could change the immediate landscape of the Hill."

"I was amazed because, being from Quebec and being quite active on the issue of protection of heritage - and my colleague Senator Massicotte could testify to that - Phyllis Lambert from the Canadian Centre for Architecture and I have opposed over the years a lot of demolition in the downtown area because we thought that it would totally change the heritage value of the downtown core. A city cannot lose its identity from one generation to the other without recognizing that there is some value to protecting the heritage of a site or of a building that has been closely linked to the historical and cultural evolution of a city."

"In Quebec legislation, in Quebec's Cultural Heritage Act, section 40 - and I can quote it for you. It's very short. Section 40 of Quebec's Cultural Heritage Act states that the minister can, after having gotten advice from the commission, determine an area of protection around a building that has been classified as heritage or a national historical site."

"In other words, there is a capacity for a provincial minister to determine that if a building has been recognized as a historical site, the minister can determine an area of protection. That area of protection must not exceed a distance of 152 metres. In other words, if someone, anyone, wants to demolish a building in the close vicinity of the building being protected, that project could be submitted for evaluation and restriction." 

"You may say to me "Well, it's an impingement on property rights because if I happen to be the owner of the Chateau Laurier, I will decide how I want to do any expansion, even though it would drastically change the immediate landscape around Parliament Hill."

"Hence the bill that is in front of you. It aims to give power to the National Capital Commission to adopt regulations and determine within a radius around Parliament Hill or around a national historic site the limits or the condition through which the permit would be granted."

"You may ask "Well, does the federal Parliament have the capacity to give this power to the National Capital Commission, which would limit the right of building, changing, erecting or demolishing anything around Parliament Hill?"

Save the Greenbelt and Experimental Farm - Senator Mike Duffy.

The Hon. Acting Speaker: Senator Duffy?

Senator Duffy: "Thank you Your Honour. 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." 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."

"I do not think that my constituents would choose to sacrifice an open space."

A quote from the Hon. Lloyd Francis, a future Speaker of the House of Commons.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE- CONTINUATION OF DEBATE:

House of Commons Ottawa October 10, 1974 Mr. Francis (Ottawa West) Liberal: "...The hon. member for Grenville-Carleton (Mr. Baker) raised a whole series of points concerning the functioning of the National Capital Commission and its relationship to the federal government structure in this area. I understand that a special committee will be dealing with this matter and, as one member of this House, I certainly intend to take a concientious interest in the work of that committee. The report of the former Chairman of the Commission Mr. Douglas Fullerton, will no doubt, be the basis of the examination which is to be carried out."

"I wish to pay tribute to Mr. Fullerton for his imaginative and innovative use of public funds and public lands. However, I wish to take issue with him on one score and express quiet but firm disagreement with him. He may have been right on a number of things, but I do not think he was right when he proposed that part of the Experimental Farm should be used for housing. Despite the fact that there is a serious housing shortage in this area I do not think that my constituents would choose to sacrifice an open space which is such a precious thing for the community."

Some hon. Members: "Hear, hear!"