National Capital Commission
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The National Capital Commission (NCC) is a federal commission that administers the federally owned lands and buildings in Canada's National Capital Region, including Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec.
The federal government is the largest employer and largest landowner in these two areas and the NCC thus has a great deal of influence over the cities. This has sometimes been criticized as it is a non-democratic organization run by an appointed board. This was emphasized in 1998 when the NCC proposed leveling a large strip of downtown Ottawa to build a ceremonial boulevard along the city's existing Metcalf Avenue.
Over the last thirty years the activities of the NCC have been denounced or castigated by several Quebec governments. They considered municipal affairs to be a purely provincial jurisdiction, according to the constitution of Canada.
The NCC also has the duty of encouraging tourism to the capital and thus runs events such as Winterlude and the Tulip Festival. Among other things, it sees to it that the skating rink on the Rideau Canal keeps its title of longest rink in the world. The NCC also administers official residences such as 24 Sussex Drive and Stornoway.
The NCC was created in 1959 replacing the Federal District Commission. It reports to parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The NCC is headquartered at a building at the corner of Elgin and Wellington Streets.
External links
- Official Site (http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/)
- NCC Watch: site critical of the Commission (http://nccwatch.org/)