As most readers are by now aware, on June 22 the NCC announced the closing of the Canada and the World Pavilion, the glass and steel structure in Rideau Falls Park which was erected four years ago despite vigorous protest from our community. The NCC has closed the Pavilion as part of an overall 5% operating budget cutback exercise.

As of October 16th, the building will be permanently closed to the public and the exhibits dismantled in preparation for a refitting of the premises for some future use. What that use will be remains undecided, and the NCC will be considering its options as the Fall unfolds. Another of the principal budgetary measures identified by the Commission when it announced the closure of the Pavilion was to “optimize the overall performance of the (its) leasing portfolio,” an objective which would suggest that long-term leasing of the building will be high on the list of the options under consideration.

NECA is currently in the process of contacting the Commission to request an opportunity to discuss possible options for the Pavilion, and to express its opposition to any form of commercial or office use which would entail the requirement for additional parking facilities and/or exacerbate existing traffic problems along Sussex Drive at the Confederation Bridges. Based on the evidence of last spring’s community campaign to oppose construction of a new institution in the green space along Sussex Drive opposite the Pavilion, it seems clear there is a strong consensus that this area should be preserved and enhanced as a “Green Precinct” surrounding the official residences of the Prime Minister and Governor General. Any future use of the Pavilion which detracted from this precinct’s natural beauty and heritage charm would thus not be welcome news in our community.

NECA is also urging the Commission to preserve some form of public access to the building in light of its spectacular location overlooking the Ottawa River towards the Gatineau Hills, an unequalled view which all Canadians and visitors to the area should be able to enjoy. And of course there’s the inescapable fact that public money was used to plan, build and operate the institution, so we all have a vested interest in retaining some access to its premises, premises which occupy a space that was once unspoiled parkland in the public domain.

Watch for more news about future plans for the Pavilion in the next issue of the News and in the meantime, anyone with creative ideas about possible uses for the building is welcome to e-mail NECA Chair Gemma Kerr at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Jane Heintzman at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it