HERITAGE OTTAWA | Media Release
Heritage Ottawa is pleased to announce that its recent fundraising campaign has raised $65,000 to date towards fighting the incompatible and insensitive addition to the Château Laurier.
Along with the recently formed Friends of the Château Laurier, almost 500 Canadians from Ottawa and across the country have already joined the fight in preventing the proposed construction of this much-criticized design.
“Our goal is to raise $150,000 to support the legal challenge, and we are very pleased with the strength of our GoFundMe campaign and generous private contributions, both large and small, and the many encouraging comments that donors have shared on the fundraising platform,” said Richard Belliveau, president of Heritage Ottawa. “The level of public opposition to the proposed design highlights that Ottawans – and people across Canada – see the Château Laurier as a national icon, and that preserving its cherished image is indispensable to the identity of the National Capital Region and the country”.
Heritage Ottawa will be filing a challenge to the City’s approvals under the Ontario Heritage Act in the Ontario Superior Court. It will also be filing a written submission on the merits of the “minor variance” application by the owner to the Committee of Adjustment in advance of the scheduled date of September 18, and will appear at that hearing.
Efforts to raise funds and public awareness will continue in close collaboration with the Friends of the Château Laurier and other partners. Public and private contributions are tax deductible and continue to be welcomed though the GoFundMe account, or by direct contact with Heritage Ottawa.
Heritage Ottawa and the Friends of the Château Laurier are committed to preventing a design which denigrates rather than enhances the Château Laurier, a National Historic Site of Canada that holds a unique symbolic place in the magnificent Canadian landscape.
CONTACT Heritage Ottawa at: info@heritageottawa.org | 613-230-8841
For details of how to donate, including by cheque, please visit our web page at https://heritageottawa.org/save-chateau-laurier .