Central Experimental Farm

 

As stated in its National Historic Site designationthe heritage value of the Central Experimental Farm (CEF) lies in its research capacity. As worldwide climate change threatens global food security, worldwide importance of the CEF's research cannot be dismissed. 

UPDATE: June 19, 2024

Heritage Ottawa was pleased to learn that, at Councillor Riley Brockington's urging, a Central Experimental Farm Working Group has been created, composed of the City of Ottawa, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, and the National Capital Commission to develop terms of reference for a plan to assess and mitigate potential impacts of future development on the scientific and heritage values associated with the Central Experimental Farm National Historic Site of Canada. Heritage Ottawa has written to the City's Planning and Housing Committee to support this important initiative and to request that the consultants engaged as part of this process have the skills and experience appropriate to the task. The goal is to obtain the information needed to create digital 3D models, conduct shadow analysis, and show shadow impacts on specific research activities on the Farm. Heritage Ottawa has recommended that the City put any upcoming development applications for construction in proximity to the Farm on hold pending the consultants' recommendations and a decision by Council on how to proceed. Heritage Ottawa has also recommended a public presentation on the consultants' report with an opportunity to comment and contribute.

UPDATE: November 29, 2023

The proposed construction of three residential towers at Baseline and Fisher Roads, adjacent to the Central Experimental Farm, is the latest affront to this important research facility and National Historic Site of Canada. 

With concern for the negative impact of shadows on the CEF’s research fields, city staff has recommended approval of only one 24-storey tower. Approval of the second and third towers, which would be 24 and 32 storeys, has been paused pending further analysis on the potential effects on the farm's research.

Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada (AAFC) has stated that Towers B and C of Phase 2 of the proposed development "will have a significant detrimental effect on the ability to carry out research on those plots of farmland in shadow”.    

Representatives of AAFC including Pascal Michel, director general for the Ontario-Québec Region’s science and technology branch, spoke to Committee, describing the lands along Baseline as a “jewel” for agricultural research.  

Representatives of AAFC have joined a working group with city staff to help determine how development around the CEF should be handled. The group is slated to meet in December. 

City of Ottawa staff have been asked to report back to the Planning and Housing Committee by early 2024 with a decision on whether the second and third towers will be built on Baseline Road. 

Heritage Ottawa attended today’s meeting to request that the Committee not recommend Phase 1 of the tower development proposal on Baseline Road until completion of the proposed third-party review of impacts on the Central Experimental Farm research.  The Committee, however, voted unanimously to approve rezoning of the southern portion of the property to allow construction of the first tower, with a height of 24-storeys.    

UPDATE: September 27, 2023

Today at City Council, a Zoning By-law Amendment allowing a tower development of 16 and 27 storeys at 1081 Carling Avenue was passed with no discussion by a recorded vote of 18 yeas and 7 nays.

Thanks to Councillors Bradley, Troster, Menard, Devine, Brockington, Kelly and Kavanagh for voting in favour of respecting the Central Experimental Farm and its valuable research. 

Heritage Ottawa remains vigilant in our commitment to seeing the cultural heritage attributes and scientific research protected on the Central Experimental Farm. 

UPDATE: September 26, 2023

Heritage Ottawa has written to Mayor Sutcliffe urging a deferral on the zoning application decision regarding the proposed towers that will overshadow the Central Experimental Farm until further discussions with Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada (AAFC) on the impacts to critically important scientific research fields can take place.

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Heritage Ottawa has been advocating for protection of the Central Experimental Farm for years. Scroll down for a compilation of media coverage, along with our own statements relating to protection of the CEF and its important work, presented in reverse chronological order dating back to November 2014. 

 

  • Naqvi proposes protection law for Experimental Farm while Civic Hospital project rolls on

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Jon Willing

    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...

  • Protesters Decry the Paving of Paradise to put up a Parking Lot (and Hospital)

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Bruce Deachman

    Passing cars honked in support as one of about 100 protesters who gathered at Dow’s Lake at noon on Sunday waved a large Joni Mitchell-inspired placard...

  • Neighbours of Future Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus don't want to trade Park for Parkade

    CTV OTTAWA NEWS, By Shaun Vardon

    The City of Ottawa hosted an information meeting on Zoom Tuesday night to review the master plan for the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus on Carling Avenue...

  • PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION: OTTAWA HOSPITAL MASTER PLAN

    HERITAGE OTTAWA

    The City of Ottawa will hold a Public Information Session to discuss The Ottawa Hospital Master Plan.

    WHEN: TUESDAY JUNE 29, 2021 – 6:00 PM

    Online: www.zoom.us/...

  • An Open Letter to Ministers Responsible for Heritage in National Capital

    HERITAGE OTTAWA

    On December 2, Heritage Ottawa submitted an open letter to the Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of Public Works and Procurement Canada with responsibility for the National...

  • Heritage building could face wrecking ball for hospital project

    CBC NEWS | OTTAWA

    Heritage advocates in Ottawa say they'll be disappointed if a vacant 1960s cafeteria building is demolished to make way for Ottawa's new hospital.

    The building in...

  • Reevely: Ottawa Hospital looks for ways to salvage heritage at Sir John Carling site

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By David Reevely

    Unless The Ottawa Hospital can build a new Civic campus around the old cafeteria at the Sir John Carling Building, the historic structure the government...

  • Ottawa Hospital unveils plan for new Civic campus

    CBC NEWS | OTTAWA, By Matthew Kupfer

    The Ottawa Civic Hospital unveiled the architectural plans for its new campus on the northeast corner of the Central Experimental Farm on Wednesday...

  • The Ottawa Hospital unveils plans for $2-Billion Civic campus

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Andrew Duffy

    The Ottawa Hospital’s preliminary plan for a $2-billion Civic campus envisions an oval-shaped hospital that preserves the site’s mature trees and maintains...

  • Public to get first glimpse at architectural concept of new hospital

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Elizabeth Payne

    Ottawa residents will get a first glimpse this week of how a new Ottawa Hospital Civic campus will be situated on the eastern edge of the Central...

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