By Liz MacKenzie
Bright, experienced, and politically savvy, a young Richard Cannings, caught the attention of Liberal MP, Hon. André Ouellet. In 1977, Cannings, then Quebec National Assembly Bureau Chief for CFCF-TV, was offered and accepted a job in the Minister’s office as Press Secretary.
Ouellet’s Ottawa offices were in the Connaught Building on Sussex Drive, and from his window Cannings watched Heritage Ottawa demonstrators denouncing the planned demolition of the Daly Building. As a Montrealer deeply involved in the Save Montreal campaigns in the 1970s, he knew he had found his people in Ottawa.
He volunteered his expertise and energy to Heritage Ottawa while studying at Carleton University in the History of Art and Architecture program and became involved in many landmark campaigns. As President of Heritage Ottawa from 1988 to 1991 he was a force in the growing heritage-conservation movement in the City of Ottawa.
Then, in 1991 “the force” brought his booming voice, media savvy and unwavering convictions to Ottawa City Council!
His election signs said it all: bold, no frills, unapologetic and strategic. And they were everywhere! Who was Cannings?
The City soon found out! He represented By-Rideau Ward from 1991 to 1994 and then Rideau Ward until 2000.
During his tenure he turned the tide on the impending total destruction of Lowertown West. He had to educate City Council on the importance of Lowertown heritage. Then came the hard slog of getting support at City Hall for the establishment of Heritage Conservations Districts in Lowertown West (1991) and the Byward Market (1994).
Neighbourhoods like Rockcliffe Park Village with grander buildings were already designated, but few people recognized the value of Lowertown, with its historic French and English institutions and the irrefutable legacy of Col. By, City Planner and builder of the Rideau Canal. The value of vernacular architecture was not recognized, and the small workmen’s cottages and crumbling and abandoned industrial infrastructure seemed of no value. Poverty-stricken residents did not stand up to City Hall. To stem the rampage of demolition, Cannings pressed Council to accelerate the designation process, thus saving key buildings and streetscapes.
Richard had enormous energy: hard work, persuasion and passion were the root of his success. As an owner of many heritage rental properties, he knew owners’ issues. His knowledge of the history of art and architecture were solid, and his background in media was key to knowing a good story and selling it to the press. The media, in turn, were key in raising awareness and support for heritage conservation.
And Cannings gave them good stories. A veteran community organizer, at any time he could round up 50 or 60 banner-waving demonstrators to attend a media event. On any “Cannings issue” that came to Council, everyone knew that the press was paying attention. He got a lot of “ink” and often good-natured cartoons.
In December 1992 the Ottawa Citizen ran an article entitled “Meet Kid Kodak”. In it Cannings explained, “… it’s the quintessential radio reporter. You hear something, whammo, it goes on the air…That’s my training, my stock in trade.” The reporter conceded that “…the media, including this newspaper [the Ottawa Citizen] have lapped it up, broadcasting and publishing hundreds of Cannings stories.”
A complete catalogue of his contributions, as a councillor and as a private citizen, would be thick indeed. Some highlights include:
- 1980. Saving Guigues School from the wrecking ball by finding heritage funds to repurpose it as a Francophone seniors’ condo complex.
- 1980s. Delaying with others, but not stopping, the demolition of the Daly Building. After the demolition, Jean Piggott, then chair of the NCC, brought him a bag containing bits of the building. He said: “It was like being handed my brother’s head on a platter.”
- 1983. Playing a key role in Heritage Ottawa’s campaign to save the Aberdeen Pavilion (Cattle Castle) in Lansdowne Park. After 20 years of controversy, in 1992 Council finally voted to save it.
- 1986. Co-founding, with Grant Hooker, the “Save the Market Campaign”, which successfully blocked a 17-storey high-rise hotel from being built at 99 Rideau Street. (It is currently McDonalds.) The building would have cast a shadow over the Market and threatened the streetscape at the west end of Rideau.
- 1988. Forming a coalition which halted an expensive NCC plan, spearheaded by Jean Piggott, to develop a ceremonial route along MacKenzie Avenue. The route was to be painted red and heavily landscaped. The coalition claimed that the expense was excessive, given the needs of the adjacent Lowertown community.
- 1993. Chairing the task force on prostitution which led to creating street closures to stop johns endlessly cruising neighbourhoods. He called prostitutes “flowers that bloom in the night”.
- 1996. Persuading the City to purchase Routhier School for a Lowertown community centre.
- 1999. Working to delay and then stop the Vanier Parkway from extending through New Edinburgh and King Edward/Bordeleau Park in Lowertown.
No-one will ever accuse Cannings of being patient, supporting the status quo, or suffering fools. Sometimes viciously critical of those who are divisive or put personal gain above community, he never fears making enemies of those who are self-serving, sycophantic, or duplicitous.
In his retirement from politics, he gradually sold his rental properties, then worked tirelessly on campaigns for progressive candidates at all levels of government. Knocking on doors with Richard Cannings is a rich experience, not easily forgotten. Behind those doors are residents with long memories. Some are wildly flattering and others … well not so much.
He despairs that the present leadership at City Hall is not more courageous, creative and progressive. One of his heroes is Naheed Nenshi, the former visionary mayor of Calgary, known to bring people together and fearlessly fight for transparency, the environment, housing and an end to developer influence.
With his wit, punctuated by his rumbling Santa laugh, Richard has stories to tell and “Cannnings wisdom” to offer on just about anything that has happened in the City of Ottawa for the past 40 years. His theme is unwavering: progressive government and our heritage are always worth fighting for.
