HERITAGE OTTAWA
The National Capital Commission (NCC) has drafted a 50-year plan for Canada’s Capital and wants to know what you think about it.
Members of the public have until August 7 to submit their comments regarding the draft version of the NCC’s Plan for Canada’s Capital, 2017-2067.
The recently released Plan outlines nearly 30 signature projects intended to guide the NCC’s stewardship of federal lands, buildings, parks and spaces in Canada’s capital over the next five decades.
Some projects are already underway including redevelopment of Lebreton Flats, a lighting design plan for key sites in the Capital, and creation of waterfront parks along the north and south shores of the Ottawa River.
Heritage Ottawa has reviewed the draft Plan with particular interest for the NCC’s vision of heritage over the next 50 years. Here are some of our comments.
Pros
Heritage Ottawa is pleased to note the NCC’s affirmation of heritage as an important component of good urban planning which factors into our social, cultural, and economic well-being. The Plan particularly links heritage and nature, recognizing the capital’s wealth of natural heritage and the importance of its preservation for future generations.
We’re pleased to see that the NCC foresees the capital as an important gathering place for indigenous peoples, and that Anishinabek First Nations will see their history and presence in the region recognized.
Heritage Ottawa also applauds the NCC’s intention to restore the crumbling 24 Sussex Drive, the traditional home of Canada’s prime ministers and a classified federal heritage building. The Plan favours preservation of the 148 year old building’s unique heritage characteristics while improving aspects of its environmental sustainability.
Heritage Ottawa welcomes the NCC’s recognition of the heritage value of 20th Century Modernism, and the Plan’s commitment to conserving significant buildings and sites of the Modern Movement.
We note that the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) reviews buildings at 40 years of age or older. Within the timeframe of the Plan’s 50-year window to 2067, significant buildings and sites of the 21st century may merit consideration for heritage protection as well; the Plan may benefit from specific mention of this possibility. Heritage Ottawa encourages our Federal, Provincial and Municipal leaders to promote and foster design excellence in all current and future development projects.
Heritage Ottawa is pleased to see renewal of the 2005 Management Plan for the Central Experimental Farm (CEF), an active research facility and National Historic Site of Canada. Heritage Ottawa remains concerned for the future of the Central Experimental Farm, which in 2015 was listed as one of Canada’s Top Ten Endangered Places by the National Trust for Canada.
Suggestions
The diplomatic corps should be thanked for their stewardship of significant heritage properties, such as Earnscliffe. The NCC should work with foreign missions and Global Affairs Canada to encourage the continued occupancy and maintenance of heritage properties in accordance with heritage conservation standards, and to open these properties to the public when possible on occasions such as Doors Open.
Potential Concerns
Maps of the Central Experimental Farm (CEF) included in the Plan depict the Farm minus the lands previously offered to the Ottawa Hospital. Locations for a future hospital campus are currently under review, following expressions of concern for how 60 acres of CEF land came to be offered to the Hospital. As a decision regarding location for a future hospital campus is not yet made, these maps should be corrected to depict the CEF in its current intact condition.
The NCC supports establishment of a National Botanical Garden on the west side of the Rideau Canal, but the Plan is silent on specific location. A Botanical Garden and Arboretum already exist at the Central Experimental Farm but have been neglected in recent years. Does the NCC intend to revive these existing facilities, or does it intend to support a new project? How would such a project fit with conservation of the Central Experimental Farm? The Plan should clarify this.
Currently there is no legislative protection for National Historic Sites or other federally owned heritage properties. Heritage Ottawa encourages the NCC to work its federal counterparts to explore all avenues, including legislative protection, in order to remedy this situation, and enact enforceable protection for our National Historic Sites and federally owned heritage properties.
These are just a few highlights of the NCC’s 50-year Plan for Canada’s Capital.
We encourage you to read the Draft Plan in its entirety, and to submit your comments on the NCC website before the August 7, 2016 deadline.
Heritage Ottawa has always appreciated that the Capital is a special place.
Heritage Ottawa appreciates the NCC’s efforts, and looks forward to a future of cooperation in helping to ensure the preservation of the Capital’s rich heritage character and cultural landscapes for future generations.
UPDATE | AUGUST 2017: Read the results of the NCC's public consultation and the final version of the Plan for Canada's Capital, 2017-2067 here.
