
Today's letters: Developers and architects should stop taking the easy way out
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A housing plan approval for Sussex Drive is probably a mistake, but considering the NCC's track record of not approving stunning new building designs, don't hold your breath. As Mohammed Adam points out, the Daly Building — which was the finest example of Chicago architecture in Ottawa — was demolished and instead of keeping that wonderful façade, its replacement beside the elegant Château Laurier and across from the stunning old Union Station is an architectural eyesore failure. There should be more public input into what the ultimate designs will look like.
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After all, Ottawa is the nation's capital. Shouldn't it set an architectural standard? Are tourists going to make the Canadian duty trek to their capital only to see architectural ugliness? Apartments and condo buildings along the 'embassy row' part of Sussex will radically change our grand avenue to the point where it may just eventually turn into another modern strip of car dealerships and burger joints.
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Developers and architects owe this city exceptional architecture rather than taking the easy way out and constructing something that doesn't attract attention, and might even make you want to throw up.
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Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, once supposedly said, 'A doctor can bury his mistakes, but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.' If the NCC and developers don't turn Ottawa into a place of grandeur, then vines might be the only answer, because you're stuck with these distasteful architectural results for decades.
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Unfortunately the night ended in tragedy as I was tended to in an ambulance onsite because I was over-heated and under-hydrated. When we arrived, after walking from Bayview Station, we dragged our thirsty selves around for about a half-hour trying to find a booth to buy water where there wasn't a long lineup to buy booze. What happened to the water stations that used to be located all over the site?
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Well guess what, they offer free water in the medical tent. So everybody, go to the medical tent to get your water.
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It sounds like the NCC was doing a competent job informing the public with the Access to information process. Then along comes the Commissioner of Official Languages, who claims that these NCC emails and short notes to the individuals have to be posted in both official languages. Now public access has been shut down.

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National Observer
2 hours ago
- National Observer
Toronto Zoo to become home of Cedar, a blind baby moose rescued near Ottawa
The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. "The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother," said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a "fantastic alternative." The two-month-old blind moose has been receiving veterinary care while sheltered at Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue. In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. "Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo," Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. "Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important," DeJong said. "Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive." DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. "Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations," he said. "And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him." At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. "This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible," he said. "He's certainly been through a lot," DeJong said. "It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly." Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said. "I'm very eager to see him settled into his new place," Rowe said. "I will definitely visit him at some point in the future."


Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
Toronto Zoo to become home of Cedar, a blind baby moose rescued near Ottawa
The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. 'The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother,' said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. Story continues below advertisement So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a 'fantastic alternative.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. 'Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo,' Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. 'Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important,' DeJong said. 'Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive.' DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. Story continues below advertisement 'Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations,' he said. 'And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him.' At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. 'This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible,' he said. 'He's certainly been through a lot,' DeJong said. 'It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly.' Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said. 'I'm very eager to see him settled into his new place,' Rowe said. 'I will definitely visit him at some point in the future.'


Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
Kingfisher SAR plane joins U.S. Coast Guard in medical rescue of Canadian mariner
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