Second City, Second Metro: Harold E. Denman Finds Inspiration in Metropolitan Toronto

On March 30, 1965, Bell’s Corners resident Harold E. Denman appeared before Murray Jones to offer his thoughts on regional government.

Interestingly, while Denman’s concerns were chiefly related to keeping the established municipalities, transportation and educational issues, a family health scare would later see him lead the charge on founding what would become the Queensway-Carleton Hospital.¹Also see “Nepean Hospital Approved,” Ottawa Citizen, February 5, 1966, 4; “Nepean starts on a $375,000 parks plan,” Ottawa Citizen, August 23, 1966, 4; “Nepean Hospital Site Revealed,” Ottawa Journal, November 22, 1966, 3; Christopher Cobb. “The man behind the making of a hospital,” Ottawa Journal, October 4, 1976, 29. His main issue, the comparative inaccessibility of Ottawa’s hospitals for residents outside of the city, was flagged by others who appeared before Jones.

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HAROLD E. DENMAN

BRIEF

     The situation in Bell's Corners in 1962 was similar to that in North York Township adjacent to Toronto in 1949 with respect to development and proximity to an urban area. Problems confronting the local council increased with population. 

     Nepean, Gloucester, Cumberland, Goulbourn and March Townships will grow but should retain their local governments. When a certain population is attained, a Board of Control system should be established in each with responsibility for financial matters, health, welfare, assessment, fire protection, local parks and planning, etc. Each Mayor and/or Reeve should be a member of the National Capital Commission. 

     The Metropolitan Toronto system would serve as a model for any contemplated regional government with metro given sole control over transportation, sewers, water, water pollution, municipal courts, regional planning and regional parks. The transportation system, particularly bus routes, should be completely revamped by means of a computer analysis program to discover traffic flows. A suggested new regional control would be over motor vehicles, their inspection by semi-annual compulsory check-ups, and removal if considered a safety hazard, driver education, parking, speed limits, etc. Some consideration might be given to recent recommendations made by Governor Rockfeller [sic] on New York State transportation problems. 

     The standardization of education would be aided by the establishment of one authority to ensure that schools use the same textbooks and provide the same courses. This would save money and inconvenience in a transient Canadian society. Also, the present educational administration could be given over to a Board of Professional

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Educators with the electorate well informed as to their qualifications.

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HEARING

     In the discussion, Mr. Denman stated that the lack of course and textbook standardization among the municipalities comprising Metropolitan Toronto represented one of its failings, hence his recommendation for a single educational authority for the Ottawa region to ensure such standardization.

     With reference to the final point in the Brief recommending that educational administration be given over to a Board of Professional Educators, it was noted that such a Board would be appointed, would be ultimately under control of the council.

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