Sir John Carling site better fit for Civic hospital, says Ottawa mayor

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said he prefers the site of the former Sir John Carling building over the National Capital Commission's choice for the future Civic campus of the Ottawa Hospital.

• Here's the skinny on the top 4 hotly contested sites for a new Civic campus 

Watson, speaking in advance of a meeting Thursday afternoon with representatives of the Ottawa Hospital, said the Sir John Carling spot is a logical choice given its proximity to both the O-Train line and the Queensway, and its lack of greenspace dedicated to research.

"I certainly think it is a better location than Tunney's Pasture, no question about that," said Watson.

Whether Watson's comments reflect a broader consensus will likely be known on Friday. A news release from the mayor's office issued Thursday said Watson will be joined by local, provincial and federal politicians on Friday morning at 10:15 a.m. ET to "provide their input on the future site."

Controversial NCC choice

A week ago the NCC board voted to select the western half of Tunney's Pasture as the parcel of land the federal agency would offer to the hospital for the Civic campus.

But the hospital board made it clear this week it has never had any interest in the land and would prefer the new campus be located close to its current campus on Carling Avenue.

Federal Conservative and provincial Liberal politicians also joined in the chorus of critics questioning the Tunney's selection.

Can't force hospital to choose Tunney's, says Watson

Watson met with representatives of the NCC on Wednesday in an effort to broker some kind of compromise, but said Thursday he thinks it's a "safe assumption" the hospital wouldn't be located at Tunney's Pasture, given that so few supported the location.

"You can't force the hospital and the province, which funds the hospital, into a site that does not make any sense whatsoever," said Watson.

Two years ago the hospital was offered 24 hectares of land at the Central Experimental Farm — across the road from the current location — by then cabinet minister John Baird, but critics complained that decision endangered scientific experiments at the farm and was made behind closed doors without public consultation.

The Sir John Carling site is near that location, but without the same issues concerning research. The site was the home of the Sir John Carling building, the former headquarters of Agriculture Canada, which was demolished in 2014.

• Read more about the site and other top location here