City saves historic First Parliament Site

McConnell moves to expropriate the entire site and council agrees

By ggustaf@toronto.ca –

On Thursday, July 12, 2012, Toronto City Council unanimously adopted a staff report moved by Councillor Pam McConnell that confirmed intent to expropriate the remaining privately owned properties that make up the First Parliament site.  The site of Canada’s First Parliament buildings is located between Parliament Street and Berkeley Street, south of Front Street.

“It is very fitting that we reach this historic milestone as we commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812,” said Councillor McConnell. “One of the very last items approved by the old City of Toronto before amalgamation was to declare their intention to bring all of the lands into public ownership.  This accomplishes that intent.”

“It has been a very long struggle to bring back into public ownership the lands that were initially set aside for public use,” said Rollo Myers, Old Town heritage activist and Manager of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. “I want to thank Pam McConnell for her tremendous effort for over 15 years in making this a reality. She has worked very hard in securing an important piece of our nation’s heritage.”

From 1798 to 1813, these lands were the location of Canada’s First Parliament buildings, which were burned in an American attack on April 27, 1813, as part of the War of 1812.  The second Parliament Buildings were on this site until 1824.  Afterwards, these lands were home to the District Jail from 1838 until 1882, and later of the Midland Railway Roundhouse and the Consumers Gas complex.

While the property at 265 Front Street East is owned by the Province of Ontario –currently the location of an interpretative centre to commemorate the War of 1812.  The parcels to be expropriated, at 271 Front Street and 25 Berkeley Street, currently house a car wash and car rental agency.  Immediately south of these properties are a City-owned parking lot and Parliament Square Park.

“The history and growth of the Old Town of York and the City of Toronto are very much tied to this site,” said Councillor McConnell.  “The action approved by City Council is the significant, final steps of a long process and an enormous amount of effort.”

Leading up to Thursday’s vote, staff in the City’s Planning Division worked with Councillor McConnell to identify options and opportunities to attain the First Parliament site.  At the May 2012 Council meeting, City Council adopted Councillor McConnell’s motion that directed staff to work with the property owner of the First Parliament lands to secure the site under public ownership at no net cost to the City.  Real Estate Services staff entered into negotiations with the property owner for a land swap, but these negotiations required further Council direction.

The deal adopted by Council in July initiates expropriation proceedings and grants authority to complete a land exchange for the Toronto Public Library property at 281 Front Street East and the property owner paying the difference in land values.  The Library site currently houses a processing centre that was already scheduled to be relocated.  This move will be accelerated with an expanded centre on Ellesmere Road, consolidating processing operations.

“City staff have done an exceptional job in negotiating and working to a resolution,” said Councillor McConnell. “I particularly want to thank the director of Real Estate Services, Joe Casali, and his team for the countless hours and late nights they put in to bring this together.”

“It has been a very long struggle to bring back into public ownership the lands that were initially set aside for public use,” said Rollo Myers, Old Town heritage activist and Manager of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.  “I want to thank Pam McConnell for her tremendous effort for over 15 years in making this a reality.  She has worked very hard in securing an important piece of our nation’s heritage.”

It has been envisioned that the First Parliament Site will be the future home for the St. Lawrence Library, which was scheduled for relocation and expansion into a regional branch in the next five to ten years.  Along with the library branch will be a suitable and permanent commemoration and interpretation of the First Parliament Buildings and the other uses of the land.

“City Council is securing a significant legacy for generations to come,” said Councillor McConnell.  “Our next step will be to bring people together to create an appropriate commemoration for this landmark and touchstone of our City’s heritage.”