We’re overwhelmed at the number of requests from you for direction as to where your vote should go to best protect our urban greenspace. We’re flattered that you value the work of the Coalition, the relationships we’ve built across the City, to a degree our ability to keep our fight alive and, ultimately, our opinion. But the best part of living in a Canadian city is democracy; your vote is yours. The Coalition works diligently to remain outcome focused and non-partisan along the way. We hope that our efforts to get the candidates speaking about our issue will provide you with at least some of the information you need to make your choice.
We asked the candidates directly. Point blank you might say.
This month’s municipal election is being dubbed a ‘change election”. With literally 50% of the Council assured to be won by non-incumbents including the Mayor’s seat… it’s all about change. The solution we need for the Kanata Golf Club development issue most assuredly involves the City. The Councillor we elect and their ability to engage their colleagues and build support across the Council for urban greenspace protection is critical to our success. The Mayor and her/his/their office will impact the engagement and leverage of staff, the breadth and quality of discussion at committee(s) and Council and the engagement and respect shown to the wishes of all communities. Not just on this issue, but on all issues. There can be no doubt in your mind. Your vote has never mattered more in Ottawa than in the 2022 election.
We know how important our greenspace issue is to you. We’re overwhelmed at the number of requests from you for direction as to where your vote should go to best protect our urban greenspace. We’re flattered that you value the work of the Coalition, the relationships we’ve built across the City, to a degree our ability to keep our fight alive and, ultimately, our opinion. But the best part of living in a Canadian city is democracy; your vote is yours. The Coalition works diligently to remain outcome focused and non-partisan along the way. We hope that our efforts to get the candidates speaking about our issue will provide you with at least some of the information you need to make your choice.
And so, we emailed a letter on September 18, 2022, with four questions to the candidates for Ward 4 City Council. Given that the Mayoralty field was unduly large with 14 candidates, we identified a subgroup of eight emerging candidates based on a recent Mainstreet Research poll of September 14, 2022, and forwarded to them a backgrounder on our issue along with two specific questions. The response deadline of September 30 was chosen for both groups to ensure their responses were published in this e-News ahead of the Advance Polling Days. We placed no other restrictions on their responses. All responses remain unedited and are listed as of the date they were received. We included their websites to make it easy for you to connect with them and read more on other important issues. Because the documents are quite long, they are posted on our website and we link to them here….
KANATA NORTH VOTES 2022 – Hear from our City Councillor Candidates
KANATA NORTH VOTES 2022 – Hear from our Mayoralty Candidates
We truly hope you find this information helpful as you decide where to place your valuable vote on October 24 or at an Advance Polling Day. We include these reminders of other events and articles for additional information and perspective on our Councillor candidates.
2022 Municipal Election Debate: Kanata North – Ward 4
Rogers TV – The Local Campaign August 29, 2022
Meet the candidates in Ward 4 – Kanata North
CTV News Ottawa September 26, 2022
What’s the biggest election issue in Ward 4 – Kanata North?
The Ottawa Citizen September 28, 2022
Ward 4 – All Candidates Debate – Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 7-9pm
Information page here
Livestream on YouTube -link will be active on October 11
And to help you with your choice for Mayor, you may find this link valuable.
Mayoralty Debate on the Environment, September 28, 2022
Hosted by the People’s Official Plan, Centretown United Church
Video recorded by Rogers Cable 22TV – 2 hours
With your vote, we remind you that you need to be the change you want to see. The October 24 election will provide an important opportunity to protect nature and ensure Kanata North remains a healthy community. But please….JUST VOTE!
Waiting for the 40% Agreement decision.
As we said in our last issue, we expect the decision may be some time in coming as Justice Labrosse clears his lengthy list of reserve decisions and spends the time he believes it will take to determine this one. Regardless, we cannot be caught flat-footed when it does come down. We also have our direct action against ClubLink on the restrictive covenants in the hopper. We were successful in getting the commitment of Justice Labrosse to help case manage its development forward. More on that in the coming weeks and months. But more legal work requires us to ensure our coffers are full.
Thank you to everyone who came out last week to support us at Tapas and Tunes for Greenspace. The final numbers are not quite in yet. The cool evening on Thursday night chased us inside The Brookstreet, but the Lucas Haneman Express did not disappoint. Wonderful sound and amazing vocals. An incredible local band fronting an incredible group of supporters. A great night to be sure!
Thank you also to our supporters who could not attend but sent us over $3,500 in donations.
Fundraising that’s Good for Greenspace and the Environment too
We’ve got a new eco-friendly fundraiser to tell you about….
Did you know that every year, 700,000,000 plastic laundry jugs are dumped into landfills across North America? Have you been looking for ways to reduce your plastic use? Check out TruEarth’s line of amazing Canadian-made products.
They’re healthier, more economical and much kinder to our planet. The KGPC will benefit each time you make a purchase. Every day of the week 20% of each sale will go to helping Save Our Kanata Greenspace.
It’s clean, green and simple! All you have to do is order your products using our special link: https://fundraising.tru.earth/ourkanatagreenspace
(You must use this link to support the KGPC)
We’ve tried many of the products and they’re really good quality. They’ve got a great selection of laundry detergents, cleaning products, reusable bags and wraps. Plus, shipping is free anywhere in Canada
One more thing! On Wednesday, October 5, there is a one-day special and the KGPC will earn 30% off every order. Give our environment and the KGPC a helping hand… SAVE our KANATA GREENSPACE, our landfills and our planet. Please, SHARE the link with family and friends.
Thank you again for all that you do to help us in what might seem like a struggle without end. Remember that we are better together! Thanksgiving weekend is just around the corner. We hope that you will have special moments with family and friends over the next week and an opportunity to give thanks for all that life gives us.
Don’t forget. Take the time and enjoy one of Kanata North’s most beautiful months.
The trees and fields will be incredible… even the weeds and grasses of summer are full of colour this year. Enjoy it all and, if you’re able, celebrate with a donation to keep our fight alive.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the KGPC!
Take good care.
Barbara
Chair, Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition
T – 613-725-6595
E – chair@ourkanatagreenspace.ca