| MacLeod Calls on Government to Support Dickinson Square in Manotick - June 12, 06 |
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| Sunday, 11 June 2006 19:00 |
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Queen’s Park – Nepean-Carleton Tory MPP Lisa MacLeod is calling on the Ontario Government to take a leadership role in keeping Dickinson Square, a national historic treasure, in public hands. Currently, the Square is home to the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority who is planning to vacate the centuries old premises within the next year. MacLeod and hundreds of Manotick residents want to ensure the site is preserved as an historic and cultural site for years to come. “The provincial and municipal governments have an important role to play in working with the RVCA to ensure our Square remains an historic treasure. It is humbling that Moss Kent Dickinson, Ottawa’s first Mayor, and Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, once roamed the streets on what is now Dickinson Square. The Square is so steeped with local and national history, that I believe we owe it to our generation and future generations to preserve it”, said the Nepean-Carleton MPP. Last week Ms. MacLeod tabled a petition at Queen’s Park that was signed by residents, including Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli, Nepean-Carleton MP, Pierre Poilievre and Councillor Glenn Brooks to ensure the buildings of Dickinson Square, some dating back almost two centuries, are kept in public hands once they are vacated by the conservation authority. “I am pleased with the outpouring of public support for this project which has been lead by a team of local volunteers on the Save Our Square (SOS) Committee, said MacLeod, who added, “I am encouraged that SOS has been able to build a broad coalition of politicians of all stripes to keep our Square in public hands and I look forward to working with all Members of the Legislature, City Council and the RVCA to ensure Dickinson Square will be enjoyed by residents of Ottawa for two more centuries”. In the Legislature: “That in the opinion of this House, the Government of Ontario take a leadership role in working with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the City of Ottawa in order to ensure the historic site of Dickinson Square remain under the auspice of public ownership and management,” said Ms. MacLeod. There is no date scheduled for debate on this resolution. -30- Ted Yeomans Special Assistant to Lisa MacLeod, MPP Nepean-Carleton 613-297-2051 |