Canada. National Capital Commission : The National Capital Commission is the successor of two other organizations which initially began in 1899. The National Capital Act (7 Elizabeth II, Chap. 37, 6 September 1958, proclaimed in 1959) confirmed the creation of the National Capital Commission (NCC) and expanded the powers of it beyond those of its predessors. The NCC gained the power to plan and develop the federal elements in a geographic territory identified as the National Capital Region (NCR) in order to ensure that the nature and character of the seat of government were in accord with its national significance. The legislative base for the NCC derives from responsibilities with the Ottawa Improvement Commission and the Federal District Commission. The National Capital Act's most recent revision in 1988 extended the NCC's mandate to pursue certain public policy objectives on behalf of all Canadians. Currently the NCC is a crown corporation accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Sir Wilfred Laurier encouraged the recognition for a need to beautify the City of Ottawa and develop areas for public assembly and enjoyment. In light of this initiative, the Ottawa Improvement Commission (OIC) was established in August 1899 (SC 1899, 62-63 Victoria, Chapter 10) as a Crown corporation and mandated, in co-operation with the City of Ottawa, to acquire, maintain and improve the parks, squares, streets, thoroughfares, and public buildings in the city and adjacent vicinity. The OIC reported to Parliament through the Minister of Finance and Receiver General.
In April 1927, the Federal District Commission Act (SC 1926-1927, 17 George V, Chapter 55) created the Federal District Commission (FDC) which replaced the OIC. Over the following years, the FDC extended its responsibilites to include Hull and vicinity and its efforts were focussed on making real changes to the physical appearance of the district. The National Capital District was established August 1945 (OCPC 5635, 16 August 1945) extending the geographic area of responsibility to 900 square miles and including lands in both Ontario and Quebec. The FDC reported to to the Minister of Finance and Receiver General, the Prime Minister and later through the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion.
The NCC is governed by a Commission (its Board of Directors), composed of the Chair, Vice-Chair and eighteen other members chosen from across Canada and appointed by Order-in-Council. The Commission is responsible for planning the overall direction of the organization, managing and safeguarding the NCC's resources; monitoring, evaluating and reporting on performance; and providing guidance on certain operational issues.
Through its corporate by-laws, the Commission delegates certain of its powers to committees, each composed of Commission members. The committees include the Executive Committee, Corporate Audit and Evaluation Committee, and Compensation Review Committee. Several Advisory Committees composed of recognized experts in various fields from across Canada are appointed by and make recommendations to the Commission and provide technical guidance to staff and other federal agencies in the National Capital Region. Advice is provided in the areas of marketing and programming; planning and real asset management; design; and Official Residences.
The Executive Management Committee composed of the Chair, the executive Vice-President (General Manager), and five branch Vice-Presidents meet regularly to review major issues related to corporate planning and daily operations and administration. This committee bridges the work of the various committees and commission work with the operational areas of the institution.There are four operational sectors which promote and plan for the capital, and manage and develop the real assets within the National Capital Region. The Vice-Presidents each head one of five branches: Capital Planning and Real Asset Management, National Programming and Marketing, Environmental and Land Management, Strategic Planning and Information Management, and Human Resources. Annual Reports of NCC; Extract of "The Fullerton Report", The Citizen; Archival Appraisal of Executive and Corporate Affairs Branch, 1997; "List of Chairpersons..." compiled by NCC dated July 30, 1993.
