The People’s Republic of China opposes a move to grant heritage protection to a historic telephone building in Ottawa, prompting the city to freeze the plan.
The property at 251 Besserer St. is a two-story red brick Beaux-Arts building. It dates back to 1912 and housed the second Bell telephone exchange in Ottawa.
Council voted to designate it under the Ontario Heritage Act in May. But the owner of the property, which turns out to be the Chinese government, still had the opportunity to object. Resolving their concerns has proven difficult.
In response, the council voted Wednesday to withdraw its intention to designate the property. The decision follows a recommendation from city staff, who are asking for more time to fix things with China.
Lesley Collins, director of the city’s heritage planning program, said the council has nothing to do with the cultural heritage value of the property, which the city still defends.
“Staff still believes the property deserves the designation,” he said. “But the Heritage Law has very strict deadlines that we cannot extend.”
Count. Rawlson King, who chairs the built heritage committee, said negotiations cannot be resolved before the 90-day deadline expires on Thursday. There are language considerations, as well as the need to network with Chinese officials abroad and Global Affairs Canada.
He said the committee may restart the appointment process at a later date.
“This withdrawal is strategic, not an abandonment of heritage protection,” he said.
The councilor sees a double standard
The building serves as an office for China’s mission in Canada, although the embassy did not explain exactly what it is used for. In his objection, China argues that the property enjoys diplomatic status and that international law requires it to consent to any alteration of its status.
While staff at the city’s heritage department agree that the telephone building has diplomatic status, they still do not accept China’s arguments. In a report they point out that there are more than 65 diplomatic buildings with heritage designation.
Still, Collins acknowledged that the property’s status could create difficulties under an international convention on diplomatic relations.
“The Vienna Convention does not prevent the city from designating the property under the Heritage Act, but it potentially imposes some restrictions on how that designation could be enforced in the future,” he said.
Kitchissippi County. Jeff Leiper voted against the withdrawal. He worries about a double standard for foreign governments, as the city routinely designates properties despite objections from churches and individuals.
“We frequently receive these notices of opposition from interested parties whose properties are to be designated,” he said. “We wouldn’t contemplate giving anyone that kind of additional time.”
Heritage Ottawa supports protecting the building, but defense committee co-chair Linda Hoad understands the challenges of designating a diplomatic property.
“I think the staff is taking the right approach,” he said. “If they raise their intention to appoint, they will continue negotiating and hopefully they can resolve the problems that the People’s Republic of China has.”
The Chinese Embassy did not grant an interview to CBC to explain its position.
