Annual Report 2017–2018 Table of Contents 2 Message From the Chair 4 Message From the CEO 7 Beyond Canada 150: Building Legacies in the Capital 12 The Year in Review 37 Leading by Example 41 Looking Forward 44 Corporate Governance 54 Management Discussion and Analysis 78 Financial Statements 110 Appendices 2017–2018 Performance Highlights Over 822,000 visitors participated in the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) Canada 150 activities 822,000 and programs. A total of 300,000 Canada 150 tulips were planted in the Capital. Over 4.5 million anniversary tulips were 300,000 planted across Canada. The Rideau Canal Skateway welcomed 986,983 visitors 986,983 in the 2017–2018 season—374,072 more than last year. More than 117,500 visitors passed through the 117,566 Gatineau Park Visitor Centre at 33 Scott Road. The NCC recorded over 1 million social media interactions across all platforms, an increase of 1,091,916 190% compared with the past fiscal year. The NCC’s rental portfolio generated $20.4 million $20.4M in revenues. Cover: Unveiled in September 2017, the National Holocaust Monument, entitled Landscape of Loss, Memory and Survival, ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust, as well as the contribution that Holocaust survivors have made to Canada, remain within the national consciousness for generations to come. 1 Annual Report 2017–2018 NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR When I look back over the past year, my first as chair of the National Capital Commission (NCC), I am happy to report that I see an impressive organization, staffed by innovative and inspired Canadians, pursuing an ambitious agenda to build a world-class capital. he Canada 150 celebrations—and the years of work that went into them—are behind us now, but the legacies of that work remain. From the Confederation Pavilions to the TPlan for Canada’s Capital, and so many other projects and initiatives, the NCC’s contributions to Canada 150 will have a positive impact on the Capital for years to come. As we look now to the future, the Capital continues to undergo dramatic changes, and I am proud to see the NCC taking a leadership role in this evolution. Still, the NCC shares its ambitions and its successes with many partners. Indeed, one of the characteristics of the modern NCC is the spirit of collaboration that touches almost everything it does. Besides its trad- itional role as planner and steward of the Capital, the NCC puts great emphasis on being a creative partner in Capital building—and, in my first year, the extent of the engagement with stakeholders has been remarkable. NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION Annual Report 2017–2018 2 I would like to thank everyone—members of the Greenbelt; from Confederation Boulevard, which links public, the private sector and those in government so many of our great national landmarks and institu- (in particular the mayors of Ottawa, Gatineau, and tions, through the stately beauty of the Parliamentary other municipalities in the region; the members of the Precinct; from the lively Tavern on the Hill to the mov- National Capital Region parliamentary caucus; and ing National Holocaust Monument—there is much to our colleagues at Canadian Heritage)—for sharing our be proud of, and inspired by. vision of a capital that aspires to greatness. And finally, engagement, consultation and col- I would also like to once again salute the staff of the laboration are indispensable elements of the process NCC, as well as my colleagues on the Board of Directors of Capital building—but it is vital for the NCC to con- which, over the past year, has undergone great change tinue to focus on achieving real and meaningful results as well. When I look around our meetings, I see a board for Canadians. Legacy projects build lasting pride. that reflects an increasing level of diversity: diverse in From a personal perspective, I feel strongly that geography and gender, in age and experiences, in tal- the NCC is on the right track in its pursuit of all three of ents and passions, and in fresh perspective and insights. these goals, as evinced by the successes of the past year. For the first time, one of our new members is a mem- This is a solid foundation for a continued and evolving ber of the Capital Region’s Algonquin First Nation. In quest for even greater organizational excellence. this diversity, the Board is also a strong reflection of the I am proud of the NCC’s direction and of the Capital, and of Canada. dynamic professionals who carry out its mandate every Like the country and the Capital it serves, the day, and I am proud to be associated with the NCC. I modern NCC continues to evolve—and my goals for look forward to seeing it continue to evolve, modern- the organization in the years ahead are threefold. ize and improve, becoming an even stronger source of Building on the legacy of openness and trans- leadership in the National Capital Region. parency that was championed so passionately by my At the same time, I invite every Canadian to join predecessor, I would like to see the NCC continue to us in the year to come in making our capital even foster its already-powerful culture of collaboration and greater—because I am confident that the best is still engagement with its partners and the public, including to come. the Indigenous people of the region. Closely related to this is my hope that those of us within the NCC, who are so proud of our capital, and so inspired by it, will find new ways to share that pride and inspiration with all Canadians, because—from our pathways and parkways to Gatineau Park and the Marc Seaman Chair 3 Annual Report 2017–2018 NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION MESSAGE FROM THE CEO During a panel discussion last year on “heritage and sustainability” at the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) Urbanism Lab, an elder from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg remarked perceptively that these words have no equivalents in the Algonquin language. “These concepts are intrinsic to our world view,” she said. s the steward of a public “commons” comprising much of the 535 square kilometres of federal capital lands under its control, the NCC takes inspiration from this Algonquin tradition Awherein nature and culture are not disassociated. Indeed, during the NCC’s public consultations, one occasionally detects ancient echoes of how our ancestors once gov- erned the common spaces. For example, the ongoing engagement over the non-official trails that fragment and stress Gatineau Park’s ecosystems is primarily a case of cit- izens working out among ourselves how to manage this trail network sustainably as a commonly held resource. If you explore the picturesque pathway at Leamy Creek on the north shore of the Ottawa River, you will find the NCC’s new footbridge now called Mâwandòseg, meaning “land where we once gathered for celebration.” Aptly named by a group of young Algonquins, the bridge serves as a metaphor for themes that underscore the following report on this milestone year for the NCC: celebration, collabora- tion, reconciliation, resilience and legacy. The 2017 celebrations were at the centre of the NCC’s efforts this year. With more than 1.3 million visits to MosaïCanada150, the splendid exhibition of giant horticultural sculptures, Jacques-Cartier Park was the place to be in the summer of ’17. Working in collab- oration with dedicated partners, the NCC brought back to life 10 underused but magnificent properties as 2017 Confederation Pavilions, including the Moore Farm, 50 Sussex Drive and 7 Clarence Street. Other highlights NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION Annual Report 2017–2018 4 included the reopening of 330 Sussex as the Centre for advanced mitigation measures to address the impacts of Global Pluralism, the lovely restoration of the O’Brien climate change: rebuilding shoreline pathways to higher House at Meech Lake, and the new forecourt, fountain standards, increasing fire preparedness, strengthening and ceremonial entry at Rideau Hall. the forest canopy with more robust species and remov- The NCC’s spirit of collaboration honours the com- ing tens of thousands of infected ash trees. mitment in the Plan for Canada’s Capital, 2017–2067, Looking beyond Canada 150, I am proud of the to foster an “inclusive and meaningful” capital. The NCC’s staff for creating outstanding legacies that application of universal design principles at Rideau will benefit Canadians for generations to come. The Hall and Richmond Landing, as well as on Sussex Rideau Hall forecourt is now handsomely renovated Drive’s “Mile of History” was supported by the NCC’s as a superb gathering place, and the successful design Advisory Committee on Universal Accessibility. competition for renewing Nepean Point will lead in due The master plan’s call for a “picturesque and course to its long-term revitalization as an iconic public natural capital” connects us with a broad support space. The completion of the award-winning National group of environmental partners in developing the Holocaust Monument, designed by Daniel Libeskind, NCC’s sustainability strategy. The year was marked Edward Burtynsky and Claude Cormier, is an enduring by the completion of the Plan for Canada’s Capital, achievement in commemorative excellence. The cover 2017–2067, the product of a national conversation image for this year’s report captures the austere beauty with 20,000 citizens, and the innovative and award- of this new Capital landmark. winning Capital Illumination Plan. It is a credit to the diligence and professionalism Canadians want a “thriving and connected” of NCC staff that these substantive contributions to capital, and this encourages the NCC to collaborate Canada’s sesquicentennial were completed in parallel with municipalities and a wide range of partners to with the replacement of the NCC’s business systems.