2nd Session, 36th Parliament,
48 Elizabeth II, 1999

The House of Commons of Canada

BILL C-346

An Act to amend the National Capital Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (federal capital)

      Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

R.S., c. N-4; R.S., cc. 1, 45 (4th Supp.); 1992, c. 1; 1995, c. 29; 1996, c. 10

NATIONAL CAPITAL ACT

1. The long title of the National Capital Act is replaced by the following:

An Act respecting the development and improvement of the Federal Capital Region

2. Section 1 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Federal Capital Act.

3. The definitions of ``Commission'', ``local municipality'' and ``National Capital Region'' in section 2 of the Act are replaced by the following:

``Commission ''
« Commission »

``Commission'' means the Federal Capital Commission referred to in section 3;

``Federal Capital Region''
« région de la capitale fédérale »

``Federal Capital Region'' means the seat of the Government of Canada and its surrounding area, more particularly described in the schedule;

``local municipality''
« municipa-
lité locale »

``local municipality'' means a municipality wholly or partly within the Federal Capital Region;

4. (1) Subsection 3(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Corporation established

3. (1) There is hereby established a corporation, to be called the Federal Capital Commission, consisting of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and thirteen other members.

(2) Paragraphs 3(4)(c) and (d) of the Act are replaced by the following:

    c) one from a municipality in Ontario, other than the city of Ottawa, wholly or partly within the Federal Capital region;

    (d) one from a municipality in Quebec, other than the city of Hull, wholly or partly within the Federal Capital Region; and

5. Section 5 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Head office

5. (1) The head office of the Commission shall be in the Federal Capital Region.

Meetings

(2) The Commission shall meet at least three times a year in the Federal Capital Region.

6. Subsections 9(3) and (4) of the Act are replaced by the following:

Other committees

(3) The Commission may establish a Federal Capital Planning Committee and such other committees as it considers necessary or desirable for the administration of this Act.

Expenses of committee members

(4) Each member of the Executive Committee, Federal Capital Planning Committee or other committee established under this section is entitled to be paid reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by the member in the performance of his duties.

7. (1) Subsection 10(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Objects and purposes of Commission

10. (1) The objects and purposes of the Commission are to

    (a) prepare plans for and assist in the development, conservation and improvement of the Federal Capital Region in order that the nature and character of the seat of the Government of Canada may be commensurate with its significance for the federation ; and

    (b) organize, sponsor or promote such public activities and events in the Federal Capital Region as will enrich the cultural and social fabric of Canada, taking into account the national character of Canada, the equality of status of the official languages of Canada and the heritage of the people of Canada.

(2) Paragraphs 10(2)(h) and (h.1) of the Act are replaced by the following:

    (h) conduct investigations and researches in connection with the planning of the Federal Capital Region;

    (h.1) subject to any other Act of Parliament, coordinate the policies and programs of the Government of Canada respecting the organization, sponsorship or promotion by departments of public activities and events related to the Federal Capital Region; and

8. Section 11 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Coordination of development

11. The Commission shall, in accordance with general plans prepared under this Act, coordinate the development of public lands in the Federal Capital Region.

9. Subsection 12(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Development proposals

12. (1) Where

    (a) any department proposes to erect, alter, extend or demolish a building or other work on any lands in the Federal Capital Region,

    (b) any person proposes to erect, alter, extend or demolish a building or other work on public lands in the Federal Capital Region, or

    (c) any department or person proposes to change the use of public lands in the Federal Capital Region,

the department or person shall, prior to the commencement of the project, submit a proposal therefor to the Commission for approval.

10. Section 12.1 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Proposals for sale of public lands

12.1 (1) Proposals by any department for the sale of public lands in the Federal Capital Region shall be submitted to the Commission for approval prior to the sale.

Prohibition

(2) No public lands in the Federal Capital Region shall be sold without the approval of the Commission.

11. Subsection 13(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Power to construct railway

13. (1) The Commission may construct in the Federal Capital Region, in accordance with plans prepared under this Act, a railway and related facilities.

12. The title of the Schedule to the Act is replaced by the following:

DESCRIPTION OF FEDERAL CAPITAL REGION

CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

References

13. In any other Act of Parliament and in any instrument made under an Act of Parliament, unless the context otherwise requires,

    (a) every reference to the National Capital Act shall be read as a reference to the Federal Capital Act;

    (b) every reference to the National Capital shall be read as a reference to the Federal Capital; and

    (c) every reference to the National Capital Commission shall be read as a reference to the Federal Capital Commission.