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Markham's Heritage Destroyed by Uncaring Act

Transport Canada Destroys Heritage House Against Plea from Markham Councillor

Transport Canada is out of control.  I am angry that Transport Canada has systematically ignored our attempts to save three important historic sites in the Town of Markham.  There are 43 more at risk.

These buildings are irreplaceable heirlooms, much like a prized possession handed down from generation to generation.   Please click here for a description of the buildings, and here for a chronology of the events leading up to the destruction.

On March 6 2007 , Transport Canada bulldozed three of the homes that our founding pioneers built even though the Mayor, Council and I had been attempting to have them saved.  While the Federal Government, including the Minister's office was working with us, their department, Transport Canada ignored all requests, and ordered them destroyed.  Obviously, Transport Canada doesn't think they have to answer to anybody.  They are slum landlords, who let the buildings in their care fall into disrepair and then evict the tenants because the dwelling is unfit for human habitation, and they want to demolish it.

In January 2007, I read in the newspaper, that Transport Canada was giving notice that they wanted to demolish the buildings, and gave a Toll Free number to call.  I called it, and the person on the other end was friendly and helpful until I made the mistake of being honest and telling her that I was the Councillor for the area.  Suddenly she became formal and hesitant and eventually said that she had no information and someone would get back to me.  Within 48 hours, I received a phone call and was bluntly told that they would not speak to me because, "They were only speaking the to the Mayor."  I was unhappy, but I gave the person the benefit of the doubt in case there were some sensitive negotiations going on.  I spoke to the Mayor, and Frank Scarpitti told me that they were indeed talking.  There had been a Heritage Committee with all the stake holders, but it had not met lately.  He said he'd requested that a meeting be set up.  Last month, I spoke strongly in Council and a resolution was passed in support of finding a solution.  On March 6 2007, Transport Canada gave orders to bulldoze the houses.

Transport Canada came into the Town to request a demolition permit, which was not granted, and one day later had security guards and a contractor on site to destroy the buildings.  I find it hard to believe that a contractor could have been hired on one day's notice.

It is obvious that Transport Canada is out of control and has no connection with the Federal Government or the wishes of the people.  What worries me is that this is the same branch that is supposed to be looking after the Pickering Airport.  I no longer trust them.  They do not understand that they are not in control, it is our Federally elected members of Parliament that make decisions.

The people of Markham are proud of our historic buildings.  If a developer were to demolish a historic building, they would be sued.  If vandals were to destroy a historic building they would be in jail.  If I were to change the exterior of the historic house that I live in, I would be charged.  Transport Canada has acted recklessly and above the spirit of our laws and should be held accountable.

The best way to make them accountable is to contact your member of Federal Parliament and tell them what you think. (Please send me a copy as well at jwebster@markham.ca )

In the Town of Markham, their contact information is as follows:

Hon. John McCallum M. P.
21/22 - 7750 Birchmount Rd
Markham, ON
L3R 0B4
905-475-8100
email: john@johnmccallum.ca

and

Lui Temelkovski, M. P.
137 Main Street North, Suite 301
Markham, ON
L3P 1Y2
905-294-0004
email: temell1@parl.gc.ca

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