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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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. 

 

  • Last Chance to Make Your Views Known: NCC Online Survey Re: Hospital Location Closes Today

    Today, October 6,  is the last day to have your say on the location of a future hospital campus.

    Heritage Ottawa remains concerned for the future of the Central Experimental Farm. There is...

  • Gregorich: Don't Jeopardize long-term farm research for a hospital site

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Edward Gregorich

    Fast-growing global population. No additional land for agriculture. Climate change. These three pressures, linked through the process of food production...

  • Public consultation for Site of new Civic hospital begins

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Elizabeth Payne

    After nearly two years of controversy over the site of a new $2-billion Civic hospital, the National Capital Commission asked members of the public for...

  • The Ottawa Hospital Site Review: NCC to Host Public Consultation Event on September 22

    NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION (NCC)

    The NCC is conducting a review of potential federal sites for the new Civic Campus of The Ottawa Hospital and wants your views.

    Members of the...

  • Padolsky: Save the environment - Put the Civic hospital campus on the LRT line

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Barry Padolsky

    In November 2014, the former Stephen Harper government allocated 60 acres of the Central Experimental Farm, a National Historic Site, for a new Civic...

  • NCC lists a dozen possible sites for the rebuilt Ottawa Hospital

    OTTAWA SUN, By Don Butler

    The National Capital Commission will review 12 potential sites for the new $2-billion Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital, including four on contested Central...

  • NCC reveals list of 12 possible sites for new Civic hospital campus

    CBC NEWS

    The National Capital Commission has revealed its list of 12 potential sites for the new Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital.

    Tunney's Pasture off Scott Street. Lincoln...
  • NCC: The Ottawa Hospital Site Review

    National Capital Commission

    The NCC is conducting a review of potential federal sites for the new Civic Campus of The Ottawa Hospital to ensure that this world class health care facility...

  • Ottawa's Outdoor Lab: Central Experimental Farm Research in the Era of Climate Change

    Heritage Ottawa continues to advocate for protection of the Central Experimental Farm, a National Historic Site of Canada and active scientific research facility of global significance. The Farm...

  • NCC Denies Asking for More Time to Review Potential Sites for New Hospital

    OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Don Butler

    The National Capital Commission wanted more time to determine the best site for The Ottawa Hospital's proposed new $2-billion Civic campus but was rebuffed by...

Pages