Report on Activities – June 2021

On June 23, the NCC Board of Directors met via videoconference to discuss recent and upcoming projects.

Here are the highlights presented in my Report on Activities.

Summer progresses, new COVID-19 cases continue to fall, and vaccination rates continue to climb. Favourable conditions have allowed us to continue facilitating outdoor activities, whether on the Parkways, the pathways, or the beaches and lakes that we manage on behalf of Canadians.

Our greatest priority continues to be the health and safety of our employees and those who enjoy NCC assets and participates in NCC activities.

I would to thank our team – all of the employees of the NCC – for the work they have done. Not only did they help the NCC achieve its goals over the past year; but they also made it possible to continue delivering safe, physically distanced outdoor experiences to the public who more than ever, craved that opportunity during the Pandemic. I am very proud of the work they’ve accomplished.

The May 27 discovery of 215 Indigenous Children’s bodies at a residential school site in Kamloops, British Columbia was truly heartbreaking and a reminder of the important work towards genuine reconciliation still required.

We have been focussed over the last number of years on working closely with our Algonquin Nation partners on a range of shared interests and files.

Earlier this year, I commissioned work to develop a principles-based approach to the toponomy and the naming and renaming of NCC sites in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation. The intention is for the approach to be developed in full consultation with Indigenous Peoples – our Algonquin partners in particular.

As well, our Urbanism Lab’s June 16th session was entitled Reconciliation and the city: working toward reconciliation from an urban perspective. Urban planners and academics, with experience spanning initiatives from Winnipeg, Montreal and Toronto, shared with us their lessons learned in the role that urban planning can play to enable reconciliation.

Colonel By Drive will be reserved for active transportation – e.g. activities such as cycling, walking, running, or in-line skating – from July 1 until at least September 6.

• Colonel By Drive retaining wall: A retaining wall between Colonel By Drive and the Rideau Canal, running from the Avenue Lane and Mount Pleasant intersections, is in need of significant repair. The best way to assure timely completion of the work is to ensure the contractor is not competing against other motorized vehicles for access to or control over the site.
• Champlain Lookout: We completed work on the reconstruction of the Champlain Lookout retaining wall. Those of us who have missed this most famous of Gatineau Park’s views can once again safely navigate the top of the Eardley Escarpment, and move from there to the network of trails to which the site enables access.
• National Capital River Pavilion: In addition to the completion of our mechanical system, all of our architectural finishes are nearing completion. The General Contractor will demobilize from the site in the coming few weeks and assure substantial completion of the project.

• The beginning of summer and the promise of a summer of re-opening has allowed the NCC not only to continue but to expand its NCC Bistros offering. The NCC Bistro opened at Remic Rapids on June 18, while the Bistro at Confederation Park opens today, on June 23.
• And, after two years of extensive engagement, I am delighted to report that we have secured the local support necessary to proceed with the opening of a third NCC Bistro, at Patterson Creek, beginning in July. We look forward to announcing a formal opening day at the earliest opportunity.

I am pleased to announce that we have successfully negotiated the purchase of 80 Elgin Street. The purchase of this building demonstrates important progress against the NCC’s 2017-2067 Plan for Canada’s Capital and its commitment to purchase assets of national interest along Confederation Boulevard.

Over the next 18 to 24 months, we will be conducting the work necessary to bring the building into the 21st century, and eventually move NCC Headquarters to 80 Elgin.

Thank you. Meegwetch.