"These are our buildings."

 House of Commons Ottawa February 9, 2001 MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP): "The federal government owns 68,000 buildings."

Recently sold for housing: The Kingston Pen and 3 more Corrections Canada properties on King Street. 

• Kingston Penitentiary is a National Historic Site of Canada and a Classified Federal Heritage Building. The City of Kingston wants the perimeter walls removed to accommodate buses and cars, and guard towers cannot interfere with views of Lake Ontario. The southern half of the Pen will be demolished for residential housing.
• The Isabel MacNeill Halfway House for Women, 525 King Street West. Was protected by Part 1V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
• St. Helen's Complex, 440 King Street West. It was protected by Part 1V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
• Stone Gables, 462 King Street West, created by inmates of KP with limestone. Protected by Part 1V of the Ontario Heritage Act. 

A video called "PSAC National President John Gordon Delivers Speech" is on YouTube. Comments by NDP MP Peggy Nash: "Our job representing Canadians on the Government Operations and Estimates Committee is to ensure that spending from the federal government is in the best interest of Canadians. We are the democratic stewards of the tax dollars paid by Canadians."

 "So you would think, that with a sale like this, hundreds of millions of dollars of Crown assets, that we would be informed as to the details of such a huge sale that is going to affect the well-being of Canadians...Our parents and grandparents have worked very hard over the years and our tax dollars have paid for these buildings, for the assets of the people of Canada. These are our buildings."

When Government of Canada buildings are privatized, our Maple Leaf Flag, Coat of Arms and the names of prominent people are stripped from the edifice. 

The Stanley Park National Historic Site of Canada.

The park was designated a National Historic Site of Canada by the federal government in 1988. Prior to 1988 there were attempts to transfer ownership, from the Crown to the province and to the City of Vancouver.

Stanley Park

Property Number: 16938

Custodian: Parks Canada Agency

Official Contact: General Enquiries---Telephone (888-773-8888) Email information @pc.gc.ca

Interest: Crown Owned

Restriction: No Restriction

Primary Use: Parks and Recreation

Address: George Street, Stanley Park

Place Name: Stanley Park

Municipality: Vancouver

Province/Territory: British Columbia

Federal Electoral District: Vancouver Centre

Census Classification: Urban

Land Area: 384.4514 ha

Building Count: 0

Floor Area: 0 sq. m.

Record Created On: February 21st, 1990

Record Last Modified On: October 27th, 2022

Stanley Park in Vancouver is Dominion, Ordnance and Admiralty Land, reserved for the defence of Canada.

The Canada Public Land Bank wants to sell properties that belong to Canadians.

Red Flags---

• Zoning laws, land use regulations and environmental assessments will be removed because "they create significant delays."
• Buildings that our ancestors built and paid for are being given away. (From: Submission to the Federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement, October 18, 2024.)

Land Use Regulations that should be preserved, in my opinion:

• National Historic Site of Canada
• National Interest Land Mass - Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Deputy Prime Minister Erik Nielsen created the National Interest Land Mass designation in 1988 1.) to prevent government entities including the City of Ottawa and NCC from using federal property as a land bank. 2.) to stop the privatization of Crown assets that belong to all Canadians.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 900 square miles in the National Capital Region are dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers who were killed fighting in foreign wars
• Parks Canada Act
• Heritage Conservation District
• Museums Act---The Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Pen in Laval, Quebec was envisioned as a museum. 
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
• Cultural Heritage Landscape
• Classified and Recognized Federal Heritage Building
• Dominion, Ordnance and Admiralty Land
• By-laws---"File contains material regarding by-laws to protect Sparks Street; commercial development on Zellers Building Site; controls on urban development; height and slant restrictions on buildings (The Brouse Building; The Slater Building; The Bate Building; The Birks Building)Simpson's store; The Bank of Canada; St. Andrew's Church development." (Google: Romeo LeBlanc, NCC, March 1983 to May 1984, page 11/19.)

Zoning Gatineau Park - "The NCC has prepared a new zoning plan for Gatineau Park which, among other things, will preserve strictly the park's wilderness area." (1975-1976 Annual Report of the NCC, page 21/52.)

Already targeted by the Canada Public Land Bank---

Hurdman North, a parcel west of Riverside Drive and south of Highway 417 (4,000 units)

315 Terminal Avenue Ottawa (300 units)

1460 Riverside Drive Ottawa (500 units)

1250 Ledbury Avenue Ottawa (up to 200 units)

Southern Corridor, Woodroffe Avenue at Norice Street South Ottawa (1,000 units)

210 Laurier, Gatineau (up to 400 units)

1055 Aylmer, Gatineau (200 units)

Rochester Park on 529 Richmond Road

Kingston Penitentiary National Historic Site 

CBC buildings in Ottawa--- Edward Drake Building on 1500 Bronson; and the Graham Spry Building on 250 Lanark.

Rideau Falls Lab, 1 John Street in Ottawa

L'Esplanade Laurier

The following properties are most likely on the radar of the Canada Public Land Bank

Gatineau Park

The Ottawa Greenbelt

Lebreton Flats

Portsmouth Olympic Harbour in Kingston

Vincent Massey Park

Hog's Back Park

House of Commons Ottawa December 14, 1970 The Hon. Arthur Laing (Minister of Public Works) Liberal: "The area of land owned by the federal government as recorded in the Central Inventory of Federal Properties by province is:

• Newfoundland - 96, 041 acres
• Prince Edward Island - 1, 353 acres
• Nova Scotia - 22, 514 acres
• New Brunswick - 318, 532 acres
• Quebec - 280, 485 acres
• Manitoba - 51, 707 acres
• Saskatchewan - 77, 445 acres
• Alberta - 101, 751 acres
• British Columbia - 164, 158 acres
• Yukon Territories - 21, 125 acres
• Northwest Territories - 90, 193 

Includes only those properties that are being utilized by federal departments and agencies. 

One dollar real estate deals:

1.) The Fraser Institute recommended that all the national parks in British Columbia be transferred to the province. The Mulroney government refused to give the national parks to the province or to any other foreign or domestic entity:

• Stanley Park
• Pacific Rim
• Gulf Islands
• Yoho
• Kootenay
• Mount Revelstoke
• Gwaii Hannas
• Glacier
  

2.) The Fraser Institute wanted to see the transfer of CMHC properties to the province of B.C.

3.) Paul Martin Sr. Federal Building in Windsor was donated to the City of Windsor.

4.) Windsor Armoury was given to the University of Windsor.

6.) "Kingston buys prime waterfront land from federal government for a token sum of $2 dollars." by billhutchins, Global News.

7.) CBC Headquarters on 354 Jarvis Street, Rosedale in Toronto were donated to the National Ballet School. I appeared on the CBC-TV program "Take 30" in 1979.

Land beside Maplelawn will be used for affordable housing.

Maplelawn is a Classified Federal Heritage Building located at 529 Richmond Road in Ottawa. And the Maplelawn House and Gardens are National Historic Sites of Canada. National Historic Sites are legally protected by buffer zones.

"A representative from the office of the Minister of PSPC said certain features, like windows and the exterior will need to be preserved. By adding 529 Richmond Road to the Land Bank, PSPC will have the opportunity to vet applications and choose contractors that meet certain criteria for protecting the building's heritage."

 "Say goodbye to Rochester Field"

 "NCC looks to revive 'controversial' Rochester Field development though the land bank. The federal government has added the site at 529 Richmond Road to the Canada Public Land Bank" by Catherine Morrison, Ottawa Citizen, November 19, 2024.

"Federal land in Ottawa's west end now available for housing" by Josh Pringle, CTV News, October 8, 2024.

Maplelawn and Gardens National Historic Site of Canada

Address: 529 Richmond Road, Westboro, Ottawa Ontario

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. H-4)

Designation Date: 1989-06-22   

Ottawa city councillor Jeff Leiper is opposed to what is happening. Councillor Leiper: "For over a century, Rochester Field has been a jewel in Westboro. If a plan is rushed forward through City zoning by the National Capital Commission, we'll lose the best parts of it forever. It's time to take a second look."

"Rochester Field is a large NCC parcel that straddles the land from the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway to Richmond Road. It is a barely maintained space. Through the years cow paths have been worn along natural desire lines as dog-walkers and people walking to the Dominion transit station have used the field, while the rest of it has lain largely fallow as habitat for various flora and fauna. 

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 National Capital Commission wins their 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 Maplelawn field (Rochester Field) for a park, so perhaps he knew it was in danger of disposal."

The Cole and Rochester families sold 529 Richmond Road to the Federal District Commission in 1952.. The Deed stipulated that the land would remain a greenspace, for people to enjoy in perpetuity. 

Green Living Ottawa Practising Urban Environmentalism (Part of the Internet article.) 'We pride ourselves on being a city with an impressive amount of green space. However, unless we have a clear vision, commitment and political leadership to protect these green spaces, they will disappear.'

'Rochester Field is one such space...it is well used by residents as a recreational pathway along the Ottawa River and to the Transitway, as well as a place to run, explore nature, fly kites and walk dogs. The City zoned it as Parks and Open Space." (The park is 3.8 hectares or 9.39 acres, and the article is from January 22, 2018.)

 

The Lebreton Flats.

 "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." (Greber Report of 1950, page 228/395.)

Parkland in the National Capital Region that cannot be sold or subdivided:

• LeBreton Common
• Confederation
• Jacques Cartier
• Rockcliffe
• Rideau Falls
• Major's Hill
• Commissioners - envisioned as a parking lot for the Ottawa Hospital.
• Hog's Back/Vincent Massey
• Leamy Lake 
• Brebuef (Information about Key Capital Parks is from "NCC land holdings outside Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt."1999)

 CMHC and Wartime Housing Ltd created housing for World War 11 veterans on Lebreton" "Wartime Housing Ltd. was a federal agency founded in 1946 to house returning war veterans."

"NCC won't pay tax-like fees for LeBreton Flats, arguing it's a park." by Elyse Skura, CBC News, January 8, 2025.

This land is part of the Parliamentary Precinct in Ottawa House of Commons Ottawa November 23, 1967 The Hon. George McIlraith (Minister of Public Works):"The Lebreton Flats were envisioned as a western extension of the Parliamentary Precinct. Buildings on or near the Parliamentary Precinct cannot be any taller than the Peace Tower."

House of Commons Ottawa February 23, 1965 The Hon. Mr. Cardin (Minister of Public Works, Liberal): "Some time ago a decision was reached to construct the Department of National Defence headquarters building in Lebreton Flats. At that time it was decided that other government buildings should be located in the same area, forming a government complex of office buildings in the area from Parliament Hill west to Lebreton Flats."

House of Commons Ottawa November 22, 1991 Mr. Mac Harb (Ottawa Centre, Liberal)): "We have approximately 150 acres of land on the Flats...In the summer part of the flats is used for camping, balloonists and people who might want to take a walk."

The 130-acre landscape in 1983. House of Commons Ottawa November 23, 1967 The Hon. George McIlraith (Minister of Public Works): "The land is 4,450 feet from the Peace Tower, less than a mile."

The Canadian National Parks Act S.C 2000, c.32---Clause 4 (1) "The National Parks of Canada are hereby dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, education and enjoyment...The parks shall be maintained and made use of so as to leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future Canadians."

1992

Designated a National Interest Land Mass "Land forming part of the NILM will be retained by the National Capital Commission 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 involvement by the Treasury Board Secretariat."

• Part of Lebreton Flats N of Transitway - 65.37 ha, or 161.53279 acres.(Google: 1988-09-15-TB-re-NCC Land Holdings.)

House of Commons Ottawa June 16, 1966 MP Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre, NDP) Public Buildings in Ottawa---Height of Proposed National Defence Headquarters on the Lebreton Flats "I understand that the height of the Peace Tower, from its base to the top of the tower is 296 feet. The information given us concerning the proposed national defence headquarters is that the height of the building from the ground to the top would be 450 feet."

"I think that the skyline of the city of Ottawa is something of which we can be proud. A tower that is only a few blocks away, rising higher than the Peace Tower, would detract from the Peace Tower and spoil the skyline of the city of Ottawa."

"I think that a government that is in power for only a short time has to be careful when it takes a course of action that has an effect for decades, perhaps for half a century or a century. Mr. Speaker, one newspaper in an editorial against me says that I am living in the past and asks if I do not realize that skyscrapers reflect progress. I think the story of the Tower of Babel gives the answer to that. I hope we are not going to build another one." (Note: The Dream LeBreton condos will be 36 and 31 storeys high.  Developers can appeal to the City of Ottawa and the Ontario Municipal Board to remove any height restrictions.)

Proposal to sell Moffat Farm "This inquiry is about the NCC and its endeavours to sell a national capital parkland. These are public lands. They are not the private land holdings of a private developer. There is burgeoning public unhappiness about the destiny of the national capital parklands, like Vincent Massey and Hog's Back, which are similarly zoned and similarly at risk." (Proposal to sell Moffat Farm, Senate Debate April 23, 2002,)

 

The Lebreton Park encompassed 173 acres in 1992, not 8. Proof---1992 Directory of Federal Real Property, page 377.The document is on this page.

The Lebreton Flats are on the Canada Public Land Bank list: "The master plan for LeBreton Flats proposes construction of 6,000 new housing units near public transit." (October 8, 2024: Public Services and Procurement Canada updated the Canada Public Land Bank list.)

;

Similarities between Alcatraz and the Kingston Pen. Updating.

• They are popular tourist attractions. The Pen is Canada's Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal.
• Alcatraz is an American National Historic Landmark, and the Pen was a National Historic Site of Canada and a Classified Federal Heritage Building.
• In 2008 the San Francisco landmark faced demolition; KP may lose 11 buildings, the perimeter walls, a parking lot and guard towers. 
• Alcatraz was built on a huge limestone rock, hence the nickname "The Rock." The Kingston prison was created with limestone and constructed by the inmates.
• They were filming locations: 'The Rock' starring Nicholas Cage and Ed Harris; 'Escape from Alcatraz' with Clint Eastwood, and 'Point Blank' with Lee Marvin. KP was a backdrop for 'Alias Grace' and a YouTube video 'Vera Sola---Small Minds' by Danielle Aykroyd.
• Nicknames---Alcatraz is known as 'The Rock' and 'Uncle Sam's Devil Island'. The Kingston prison is 'The Big House' and 'KP'.
• Songs---'Alcatraz' by Leon Russell in 1971; '89 Days of Alcatraz' by Emm Gryner; 'Alcatraz' by Nazareth. (Songs that Linda Ronstadt performed at a Tennessee prison were 'Desperado' and 'You're No Good.')
• More songs---'Time off for Good Behaviour' by Neil Young; Gord Downie wrote about Millhaven which is located a few miles down the road---'He's 38 years old.' The Ramblers recorded 'Misbehavin' in Millhaven." And The Blue Diamonds concert 'Live at Collins Bay Penitentiary' is on YouTube.