Central Experimental Farm
As stated in its National Historic Site designation, the 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.
As part of our work to protect the Central Experimental Farm from further encroachment, Heritage Ottawa has created an important three-minute video to held raise awareness about the need for protective federal legislation.
CLICK HERE to view the video.
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.
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The Western Producer, By Robert Amason
A coalition of scientists and heritage advocates are trying to save what may be the second oldest piece of agricultural research land in the world.…
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580 CFRA
River Ward Councillor Riley Brockington says that the Central Experimental Farm is vulnerable and is pushing for federal legislation to protect the site.
In 2014, the…
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OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Dave Reevely
Having given up hope that the Ottawa Hospital will talk to its neighbours about its plans to rebuild its Civic campus on the Experimental Farm, Councillor…
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HERITAGE OTTAWA, By Leslie Maitland
The current struggle to protect the Central Experimental Farm (CEF) from inappropriate development is certainly not a new one.
In 2008, the…
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GLOBE AND MAIL
The following Letter to the Editor was published in today's edition of The Globe and Mail, in response to last week's Globe Editorial entitled 'Two Monumental Errors…
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iPOLITICS, By Peter Anderson
The debate underway over the future of a field at Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm promises to shed light on the new Liberal government’s promises for…
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OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Elizabeth Payne
The Central Experimental Farm is such a beloved institution in Ottawa that volunteers contribute 10,000 hours every year helping to keep its public areas…
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HERITAGE OTTAWA
On October 14 architect John Cook of GRC Architects presented an informative lecture on the origins and award-winning transformation of a local heritage building.
…
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OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Elizabeth Payne
The chief operating officer of The Ottawa Hospital pushed to delay public consultations until a deal to build a new Civic campus on a 60-acre…
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Heritage Ottawa remains concerned about the proposed transfer of 64 acres of Central Experimental Farm lands for construction of a new hospital. The Central Experimental Farm is a National…