May 1, 2026
We must start this week with a big shout out to the Community Rally Organizers and the hundreds of supporters who came out to our third rally on Sunday. Over the past 6 weeks, we are seeing more engaged community members
We must start this week with a big shout out to the Community Rally Organizers and the hundreds of supporters who came out to our third rally on Sunday. Over the past 6 weeks, we are seeing more engaged community members, lots of support from drivers passing by and honking, our elected officials showing up, and great media coverage. Thank you Diane, Elena, Jane, Dett and Liz (she’s mean with a megaphone!).
And a shout out too to RicharD Murphy who gifts his pro photography skills to us every rally. His pictures grace so much of our media.
The protests are also valuable because they put pressure on our elected officials and keep public attention on our issue. We continue to work on turning over new aspects of our issue and getting them in front of decision makers. Read this week’s Kanata North newsletter – we’ve written MP Sudds and Ottawa Public Health on these very issues and are pleased that meetings are happening for Councillor Curry. We remain in regular contact with Mayor Sutcliffe and the Councillor and we know they are working diligently to get the solution that we desperately need and want.
Premier Ford can no longer claim he’s unaware of our issue, in fact, he’s acknowledged he’s hearing a lot about it, thanks to your emails, letters, texts, and rally support and other advocacy by you and the KGPC. He recently mentioned that he plans to discuss our issue further with the mayor, so we ask…what’s taking so long Premier Ford?
We have a quick and easy suggestion for first consideration… a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO). You did it to protect Glen Abbey using a Heritage designation, why not Kanata Lakes? We’ve got a REAL ISSUE here – these lands are a vital stormwater management (SWM) plain. Their contribution to the entire Kizell SWM system is currently irreplaceable. Beyond that… the extensive contamination will require remediation of the entire 173 acres, at a cost yet not evaluated. Can they even afford to build on this land it is so heavily encumbered? The city has a stack of restrictions (SWM approvals and easement controls) and they make this development more expensive and less affordable. This land was promised to our community. Premier Ford, it’s time to step up… here’s our latest letter to the Premier.
Here’s our Video Proof: Pre-testing is killing our land
As mentioned in our letter to the Premier, we’re releasing a new video that shows exactly how damaging the testing work has been to our greenspace. It is shocking. And yes, while we can breathe a short sigh of relief that the heavy trucks and digging have stopped for the moment, we cannot rest.
The latest April 24 developer update to the City on Engage Ottawa Kanata Lakes suggests they expect to restart work in a couple of months. So, while they take a rest, we keep working to ensure this testing never progresses to development. We need your help…
Launching… Our Voices Rising Campaign
Week 1 of Voices Rising – Kanata Residents Demand Action to Protect Greenspace launches this weekend. This is even quicker and easier than letter writing!
- Week 1: Share our new video: go to our Facebook and our new Instagram and share it with your contacts
- Tag the Premier: @FordNation
- Tag the Mayor: @SutcliffeOttawa
- Text Premier Ford: at 1-647-612-3673 a few thoughts and the video link
- Email Premier Ford: at premier@ontario.ca a few thoughts and the video link
We’ll be in touch soon with a Week 2 and 3 and 4….
Launching… Our 2026 Lawn Sign Campaign
They made their debut at the rally and are now popping up across the neighbourhood. Order yours online today!
Our volunteers are going door-to-door trying to connect with homes closest to the golf course. But as we know we have thousands of homes that will be impacted if the development goes ahead and more testing starts. It would be mere metres from our foundations, so if our volunteers don’t make it to your home (we are a small group), or you live streets away in Beaverbrook (which could be devastated by flooding if the stormwater system fails), don’t be offended that we haven’t reached out personally. Please order a lawn sign today. We’ll deliver it to your lawn.
We’re getting rave reviews about the FAQ’s our canvassers are handing out. If you haven’t seen them, check them out (add link to the FAQ’s once they’re added to our website). Scan the QR code on the sheet or click the link on our website and order a couple of lawn signs TODAY!
As we wrap up this week, we hope this eNews reminds you that we are still in the thick of this fight. We hear from people who hear from people who hear from people… that it’s over. IT’S NOT!
We firmly believe that if this community does not quit… it will not be over. Stay with us.
Do your bit this week for Voices Rising and text/email Doug Ford. He might even call you back. Get a chance to share your views one on one.
Order a lawn sign for your front lawn.
Get involved by following us on Facebook or Instagram.
We will see you out and about now that the Spring has Sprung.
Take good care until then.
We’re better together!
Barbara
Chair, Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition
E – chair@ourkanatagreenspace.ca
C – 613.725.4345