Richard Cannings (Ontario politician)

Richard Cannings
Ottawa City Councillor for By-Rideau Ward
In office
1991–2000
Preceded by Pierre Bourque
Succeeded by Jacques Legendre and Madeleine Meilleur
(ward redistributed between Rideau-Rockcliffe and Rideau-Vanier)
Personal details
Residence Ottawa, Ontario

Richard Cannings was a former Ottawa City Councillor, who served on council from 1991 to 2000. He represented By-Rideau Ward from 1991 to 1994 and then Rideau Ward until 2000.

Cannings received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bishop's University and a Bachelor of Education from Dalhousie University. He was a teacher in Nova Scotia and Quebec. In 1973, Cannings was the Quebec City Bureau Chief for CFCF-TV. In 1977 he later became press secretary for federal cabinet minister Hon. André Ouellette. In 1980 he became press secretary for Consumer and Corporate Affairs.

In 1985 Cannings co-founded with Grant Hooker, the protest group- called Save the Byward Market.  It’s sole purpose was to stop the erection of a 17 floor hotel which would have put the Market in shade.  Cannings has been credited with playing a major role in preventing major developments that would have harmed the heritage environment.

In 1986, Cannings received a degree in History of Art & Architecture from Carleton University. He served as President of Heritage Ottawa from 1988 to 1991.

While on council, he worked on such issues as the Vanier Parkway Extension, the Kettle Island Bridge Proposal and The Task Force On Prostitution.

On September 10, 2010, he announced his candidacy for Councillor of Rideau Rockcliffe Ward in the October 25th Municipal Election.

Accomplishments:

  1. Digestor tower on the Hull side of the Ottawa river; in the 19th century it was the epitome of technological advancement or the pulp and paper industry. It had been slated for demolition by the NCC. Our protests resulted in it’s preservation.
  2. Lady Aberdeen Pavilion aka the Cattle Castle; a masterpiece of early steel skeleton construction by Moses Eadey. City council wanted to demolish the pavilion for additional parking space. Spent 3 years, full time, organizing community leaders, provincial and federal governments. Ultimately we were successful.
  3. Guigues School; home of the infamous “Reglement 17”, the law that forbade the teaching in French. The French catholic school board declared it redundant and put it up for sale for re-development. Eventually the school board donated to the City at a much reduced rate.
  4. The Wallis House on Rideau St; Together with Councillor Tim Kehoe negotiated with the federal and provincial governments to  greatly reduce the cost and renovate this one time hospital.
  5. Byward Market; given credit by the Mayor at the time for advocating for the creation of a Architectural conservation zone to protect the Market from future development.
  6. Lowertown West; spearheaded council’s resolution to create an architectural conservation zone.
  7. Jeanne Mance St in Montreal; lobbied CMHC in Montreal to conserve and protect 19 Victorian houses between de Maisonneuve and Sherbrooke. Those houses are still standing and occupied to this day.

Award:

He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for his efforts to preserve the Byward Market.

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