Open NCC Invites Everyone to a One-Day Ottawa-Wide Event

 What exactly is Open NCC? Curious to see what the National Capital Commission does every day? Then Open NCC is just the ticket. This one-day event, now in its third year, tells the many stories of how our National Capital Region came to be the place we love today. Shaping

Report Says National Capital Commission Recklessly Squanders Taxpayer’s Dollars

 Behind Closed Doors: Unraveling the Truth of Canada’s Official Residences A saga of financial incompetence, lavishness, squand, excess and contradiction by the National Capital Commission (NCC) has come to light as the nation’s official residences come under scrutiny. The NCC narrative of “underfunding” for these residences has been cast aside

NCC and Senators CSDI reach agreement over LeBreton stadium proposal

 The National Capital Commission (NCC) and Capital Sports Development Inc. (CSDI), a group led by the Ottawa Senators, have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding an entertainment centre located at LeBreton Flats. The announcement comes after years of speculation over whether the Senators would move from their current Kanata location. CSDI

Laurier’s “Washington of the North” is a crumbling disgrace

 Above: The disgraceful state of Ottawa's ByWard Market. “The Washington of the North” was how Sir Wilfrid Laurier described his vision for Canada’s capital. The ramshackle lumber town of his time lacked just about everything needed to make for a noble seat of government for a country whose 20th century

Reign in the NCC to save Canada’s built heritage

 Above: Canada's six official residences are: (Clockwise from top left) Rideau Hall (Home and workplace of the governor general of Canada), 24 Sussex Drive, (Home of the prime minister of Canada), Harrington Lake (Country residence of the prime minister of Canada), Stornoway (Home of the leader of the Opposition), The

LeBreton Flats part deux, the Château Laurier and a ‘let them eat cake’ attitude by public servants

 Photo: RendezVous proposal for LeBreton (supplied by RendezVous LeBreton Group) After managing and overseeing the LeBreton Flats debacle, The National Capital Commission (NCC) sent out a notice in June in what appears to be LeBreton Part Deux. Apparently, it will “be open to a flexible real estate strategy to increase

Ottawa Architecture Week raises awareness about affordable housing

 Ottawa Architecture Week (OAW) is an annual week-long festival exploring architecture, urbanism, art and design in Ottawa. With the support of local volunteers and businesses, it is presented by the Ottawa Regional Society of Architects (ORSA). This year’s OAW ran in September, with the theme of ‘Affordability’. OAW explained that

Ashcroft Homes Announces Key Sparks Street Development in the Heart of the Capital

 It was over a decade ago, back in 2006 that Ashcroft Homes began discussions with the National Capital Commission (NCC) about developing a prime Sparks Street property, one block south of Parliament Hill. The RESIDENCES project was finally announced October 26, 2016 as Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Ashcraft Homes President

Controversial Contemporary Expansion Proposed for Iconic Château Laurier

 All photos supplied by Larco Investments Ltd. Anyone walking into the Fairmont Château Laurier Ballroom is wowed by the splendour of the renaissance-styled room. High ceilings and elaborate chandeliers take one back into a time of opulence. Peep through the tall arched windows and see… a parking lot? Larco Investments

Reinventing the Wheel: How E-bikes Are Revolutionizing Cycling

 The crisp March air filled Julie’s lungs as she walked along the sidewalk.  One unsure step brought a crack: the sound of her leg snapping as she fell sprawled across the ice. Two years later, she can still only take about 20 steps at a time as she recovers from

A Refreshing Response – The National Capital Commission Does the Right Thing for Lemonade Kids

 Over the years Ottawa Life Magazine writers have been critical of the NCC on many occasions. So we were a little indignant (like everyone else) when we heard the news this past weekend that that seven-year-old Eliza Andrews and her five-year-old sister Adela's lemonade stand was shut down by what appeared to be

The Lebreton Flats Fiasco and Why Melanie Joly Must Reform the NCC

 For years the National Capital Commission (NCC) has been the most inept, closed, secretive, elitist and incompetent organization in the federal government. Their tagline should be “The NCC—We Never Miss an Opportunity to Miss an Opportunity”. The NCC board of directors has 15 members, including the chairperson and the chief

The LeBreton Flats fiasco: Why Melanie Joly must reform the NCC

 A concept image for Rendevous LeBreton.  For years the National Capital Commission (NCC) has been the most inept, closed, secretive, elitist and incompetent organization in the federal government. Their tagline should be “The NCC- We Never Miss an Opportunity to Miss an Opportunity.” The NCC board of directors has 15

Give Pierre a Chance

 With new cabinet responsibilities, Pierre Poilievre has the opportunity to prove his worth The new minister responsible for the National Capital Commission isn’t without his critics. Pierre Poilievre, who has served as the minister of state for democratic reform since July 2013, has gained what seems like an unending supply

Tulip Chairs: Nature’s Design is Comfortable

 From left to right:  Michael Crockatt, Vice President Business Development and Marketing,  Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International  Airport;  Mark Kristmanson, CEO, National Capital Commission; Laura Brown, Executive Director Canadian Tulip Festival; David Luxton, Chairman of the Canadian Tulip Festival; Rochus Pronk, Chargé d’Affaires, Netherlands Embassy. Five bright tulip chairs stand out in

Ottawa – A Deadly Place for Wildlife

 Given that the City’s Official Plan lists Ottawa as “A Green and Environmentally-Sensitive City,” you would be forgiven for wondering why City Council has such a terrible track record in how it treats wildlife. Certainly this record is at odds with how people in Ottawa view the protection of green

Past Its Expiry Date: Time to Get Rid of the National Capital Commission

 Ottawa is changing in a good way. The increased urbanization of the core has re-energized communities like Westboro, Kitchissippi, Sandy Hill and parts of Lower Town. The renovation of Lansdowne Park proceeds apace, soon to breathe new life into the Glebe and the downtown core (much to the delight of

Is this the end of the Prince of Wales Railway Bridge?

 I fear for the future of the Prince of Wales railway bridge that crosses the Ottawa River a mile upstream from Parliament Hill. You've probably seen and admired it many times, without knowing its name. Just a short walk from the new Canadian War Museum, the old railway bridge crosses

The master plan for the growth — A Plan for the Capital

 By Katharine Fletcher Capital cities are fortunate entities. Their unique role is to symbolize a people's concept of nationhood. As such, they present particular challenges to planners. Ottawa is no exception. Does Ottawa and the National Capital Region (NCR) embody a sense of Canadian-ness? Marcel Beaudry, chairman of the National

Citizen Cain: Claudette Cain on the campaign trail

 By Kate Heartfield Claudette Cain has been scrutinized by the media, the public and her peers for 20 years. Yet after all this time in politics, she is not an easy woman to pigeonhole. Her office at Gloucester City Hall is trimmed with flowered window treatments and a crocheted doily,

Hidden surprises in Gatineau Park

 Above: Hiking the trails of the MacKenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park. (PHOTO: OLM STAFF) By Katharine Fletcher "I hereby bequeath to the Government of Canada as a public park in trust for the citizens of Canada . . .  my several properties at Kingsmere, in the Province of Quebec,