While making an announcement in Russell on Monday, Premier Doug Ford responded to questions on our ongoing battle to stop ClubLink from developing the Kanata Golf Club land. He firmly supported Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s plan to block the development. The full transcript is here doug-ford-announces-10m-for-russell-ont-rec-centre.
Part of transcript relating to Kanata Greenspace
16:55 – Reporter: Now that the Kanata Lakes Golf Course legal appeal has been turned down by the Supreme Court will the province use its authority in the planning act in any way such as a ministerial zoning order to stop development on the golf course?
Premier Doug Ford: So this went up to the Supreme Court, they didn’t want to hear the case, the Supreme Court said the developer and the municipality has to deal with it. I agree with the Supreme Court, they have to work things out, that’s what they need to do, between the developer and the municipality, work things out, figure it out.
Reporter: A few years ago, then Housing Minister Steve Clark called ClubLink and asked them to stop residential development plans on the Glen Abbey course. ClubLink immediately dropped their plans at Glen Abbey. If that solution was suitable then, why is it not suitable for Kanata Lakes and what did ClubLink get in return for their decision at Glen Abbey?
Premier Doug Ford: We never made any deal, they didn’t get anything over at Glen Abbey and now this went in front of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court has ordered the municipality and the developer to work things out. So, I have confidence that they’re going to sit down and work things out.
30:30 – Reporter: You said that the Mayor and the city and the company should be working together on this, but the Mayor has come out and said that he is going to use every tool at his disposal to block the development
Premier Doug Ford: Good for the Mayor.
Reporter: I wonder how you react to that and how that squares with you pushing for a more amicable resolution of this?
Premier Doug Ford: Well, I always like working together but that’s up to the Mayor. This is his city right, he’s accountable, he’s the one standing in front of the microphone, in front of the media every single day. I support the Mayor and he knows what the people feel, I know the local mayors know how the people feel, and if they don’t want it, they shouldn’t do it. If the Mayor wants to put up roadblocks, God bless him. Good for him, he’s protecting his community.
doug-ford-announces-10m-for-russell-ont-rec-centre