Jones Commission – Page 2

Second City, Second Metro: “clashes of opinion between urban and rural elements”

Fisher Heights Public School. As it likely had a kindergarten, some in Nepean Township considered it a “frill”. Image: City of Ottawa Archives, CA025528.

In its submission to the Jones Commission, the Nepean Township Public School Board outlined how it had been dealing with the changes brought on by suburbanization.

Second City, Second Metro: an “inflexible solution to accommodate change”

John I. Butler, Chair of the Gloucester Planning Board, was owner/builder of the modern gem at 1 Kindle Court. Source: Ottawa Journal, June 26, 1965, pp. H4-5.

In 1965, John Butler appeared before the Jones Commission in his own capacity as a private citizen rather than as Chair of the Gloucester Planning Board.

Second City, Second Metro: An Orleans Divided

House in Orleans, 1954. Image: City of Ottawa Archives, CA031138.

The Orleans Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trustees of the Police Village of Orleans combined forces to express concern with the complicated administrative setup it had been saddled with.

Second City, Second Metro: Gloucester Township and Ottawa’s Hungry Eyes

Gloucester Township, new fire engine. August 10, 1956 Source: City of Ottawa Archives, CA039925.

With memories of 1947-50, Gloucester Township’s Council was not supportive of additional annexations, but did see additional roles for Carleton County.

Second City, Second Metro: Carleton County Federation of Agriculture Offers Its Vision

Carleton County Federation of Agriculture’s 1962 Executive, from left-to-right, Arthur Manchester of Carp, Donald Munro of Carp, and John Campbell of Vernon. Source: *Ottawa Journal*, December 16, 1961, 3.

The Carleton County Federation of Agriculture’s wide-ranging and detailed presentation to the Jones Commission highlighted the “strong need for a close urban-rural relationship in community planning, development and local government.”

Second City, Second Metro: Fitzroy “content with things as they are at the present.”

St. George’s Church of England, Fitzroy Harbour, Ont. June 9th, 1925. Source: Library and Archives Canada, Accession 1968-067 NPC, PA-026794.

At the far west end of Carleton County, the Township of Fitzroy presented picture of general contentment with the status quo.

Second City, Second Metro: March Township Could Use Help

Outbuilding, Pinney Homestead, erected c. 1825, March Township, Carleton County, Ontario. June 8, 1925. Source: Library and Archives Canada, Accession 1968-067 NPC, PA-026937.

When given the opportunity to appear before the Jones Commission, the Council of the Township of March expressed its need for a little help.

Second City, Second Metro: Extended Coverage for the Ottawa Hospital Council

The Ottawa Hospital Agency wanted to spread its wings a little. The Royal Ottawa was part of the Agency. Image: City of Ottawa Archives, CA008381 (1960).

In the same way that residents of the outside urban and township municipalities were anxious to either have freer access to Ottawa’s hospitals or have their own hospitals, the Ottawa Hospital Council was anxious to find a way to have those outside residents pay a few more bills.

Second City, Second Metro: Nepean Needs a Hospital

Nepean had eyes on a lot, but not yet a building for its hospital. Image: geoOttawa (1965)

The rapidly-growing Nepean Township needed a hospital and much like Harold Denman, the Nepean Township Hospital Committee made sure its arguments for one were heard.

Second City, Second Metro: Public School Board in Search of “an enlarged administrative area.”

The Ottawa Public School Board’s submission to the Jones Commission made it clear that its boundary should be the outer edge of the greenbelt.

Second City, Second Metro: Ottawa Separate School Board – “the principal of equal opportunity is being violated.”

The Roman Catholic Separate School Board of Ottawa had one thing in mind when its submissions were made to the Jones Commission: money. Although the Board was pleased with what it was able to accomplish in Catholic education with the funds it had been allotted, the 70% difference in per-pupil funding vis-a-vis the Public School Board did not sit right.

Second City, Second Metro: Nepean Hydro “provides superior administration by retaining a local interest and identity.”

Nepean Hydro was made possible by years of organization and advocacy and became a reality in 1964. The new utility was not about to voluntarily fold. Image: Hydro Ottawa.

Nepean Hydro, having only been formally a separate utility since 1964, showed little interest in being swallowed whole by Ottawa Hydro as part of the reorganization of local government.