National Capital Commission: Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs—February 27, 2020
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Commitment on the National Capital Commission
As part of the mandate, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is leading the National Capital Commission (NCC) and leveraging PSPC’s strengths in real property management and heritage rehabilitation, as demonstrated in the Parliamentary Precinct rehabilitation.
PSPC is working with the NCC in its core functions of federal lands planning, stewardship of nationally significant public places, and creative partner for development and conservation.
PSPC is also addressing the demonstrated need for an additional National Capital Region (NCR) crossing with a long-term integrated interprovincial crossing plan led by the NCC.
Key messages on the National Capital Commission
- The NCC’s mandate fits well with PSPC’s responsibilities for real property management, heritage rehabilitation and engineering assets
- The NCC will, with PSPC, update the studies for a new crossing in the National Capital Region as well as develop, with municipal and provincial partners, a long term integrated and sustainable interprovincial crossings plan
Background on the National Capital Commission
The responsibility for NCC was transferred to the PSPC in November 2019 as part of a new government mandate. The NCC is the main federal urban planner in Canada’s Capital Region. In this role, it works in collaboration with stakeholders to enhance the natural and cultural character of the capital. As the largest landowner in NCR, the NCC cares for and protects public places that are unique to Canada’s symbolic, natural and cultural heritage.
In order for the NCC to achieve its mission, Parliament granted the corporation several key powers, including the acquisition and disposal of lands. The NCC is authorized to:
- construct, maintain and operate parks, squares, highways, parkways, bridges, buildings and any other works
- maintain and improve any property of the commission, or any other property under the control and management of a department, at the request of the authority or minister in charge thereof
- cooperate or engage in joint projects with, or make grants to, local municipalities or other authorities for the improvement, development or maintenance of property
As steward of these holdings, the NCC manages Gatineau Park, the Greenbelt, the Rideau Canal Skateway, urban lands and parks, pathways, scenic parkways, real property and heritage buildings, agricultural and research facilities, and commemorative monuments. The NCC is also the custodian of the capital’s 6 official residences.
Some of its most noteworthy plans include the following:
- The Gatineau Park master plan: for the long-term planning use and management of Gatineau Park as a model for protecting natural and cultural heritage
- The Greenbelt master plan: outlines the values that should inform any decisions made pertaining to the Greenbelt
- The capital illumination plan: includes recommendations related to access and wayfinding for public spaces, public safety and comfort, and the protection of natural areas, artistic lighting and energy savings
- The capital urban lands plan: applies to urban lands that extend to the Greenbelt boundary on the Ontario side, and those located within the urban perimeter on the Quebec side
- The capital core area sector plan: applies to the federal lands in the downtown areas of Ottawa and Gatineau
- The LeBreton Flats master concept plan: a vision for the redevelopment of the LeBreton Flats in Ottawa, encompassing a mixed-use community, green spaces, and capital-building attractions
In 2018 to 2019 the NCC received $72 million in parliamentary appropriations for operating expenditures and $37.3 million in parliamentary appropriations for capital expenditures, while generating $46.4 million in operating revenues and spending $134.6 million to fulfill its stewardship and long term planning mandate.
Questions and answers on the National Capital Commission
In this section
Question 1
What is the NCC’s role in the proposed addition to the Château Laurier?
Answer 1
The Fairmont Château Laurier is on private lands that are not subject to the National Capital Act. The NCC’s role is one of working with the proponent on the integration of the new addition with Major’s Hill Park and the Rideau Canal terraces.
Question 2
What is the status of the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats?
Answer 2
The NCC remains committed to the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats to the highest standards of design, accessibility, sustainability and connectivity, and released its draft master concept plan for building LeBreton on November 21, 2019. Following the release of its draft plan, the NCC conducted a public consultation survey to seek feedback on the plan.
On January 23, 2020, the NCC’s Board of Directors approved the preliminary master concept plan for LeBreton Flats with a vision for a mixed-use community that is pedestrian-friendly, connected to the nearby Ottawa River and surrounded by lively and active parks, plazas, shops, restaurants and cultural offerings. The plan includes space that can be reserved for a potential major event centre or arena.
The vision will be implemented in phases over the coming decades, using an approach that is focused on supporting the project’s guiding principles including achieving social, environmental and economic benefits.
In summer 2020, the NCC will seek the Ottawa City Council’s approval of amendments to the city’s official plan in order to implement the vision in the master concept plan.
Question 3
What has been done to address the need for interprovincial crossings in the National Capital Region?
Answer 3
As part of the budget 2019, the NCC and PSPC were given the mandate to update the 2013 studies for a new crossing in the NCR as well as to develop a long-term integrated interprovincial crossings plan with municipal and provincial partners. No decisions pertaining to a sixth interprovincial crossing have been made. The results from the updated study will serve to present options and will help inform future decisions on this matter.
Question 4
Has rehabilitation work begun at 24 Sussex, the official residence of the prime minister?
Answer 4
The NCC is currently working to develop a plan for the future of 24 Sussex Drive to enable the government to make a prudent and informed decision.
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