Sep. 13, 2026
The KGPC had a busy run up to summer in our work with the Kanata Beaverbrook and Kanata Lakes Community Associations (KBCA and KLCA) developing our forward-facing plan to save our Greenspace lands and our community for tomorrow.
We hope you’re thrilled to be back to school and work or in the garden after a summer of fun and sun! The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition (KGPC) took a bit of time off too. We had a busy run up to summer following May and June and our work with the Kanata Beaverbrook and Kanata Lakes Community Associations (KBCA and KLCA respectively) developing our forward-facing plan to save our Greenspace lands and our community for tomorrow. We hope you took a few minutes to read it.
Here it is again: Ottawa Resilient: Protecting Vital Infrastructure and Our Shared Greenspace .
Premier Ford…time to roll up your sleeves and find the solution.
The Canada Day storm created unbelievable damage across Ottawa and put misery behind them. We are told our proposal above in addition to that awful damage contributed to the passing of Councillor Curry’s motion on July 15 at Ottawa City Council. It directed Mayor Sutcliffe to actively engage (read the mayor’s letter here) with Premier Doug Ford’s government and identify land use alternatives that will support a negotiation with the developers and ultimately leave the City in a position to protect our 71 hectares of flood plain for the benefit of all in Kanata North. This is the best next logical step. Timing is everything and unfortunately a municipal election campaign may slow communication down. The KGPC refuses to sit still.
KGPC invests in a new strategy
Over 7 years, our dedicated group of volunteers have engaged and listened and tried any number of strategies to fight this unwanted attack on our community’s well-being. We’ve tried just about everything. Signs. Letter-writing. Text campaigns. Rallies. And while it has worked to some degree… we and the city are without the solution we need and our elected officials are subject to reduced communication options during an election period.
The KGPC Board wants to keep it all moving forward. We are putting the necessary strategy and resources in place to continue our advocacy. Our goal is to maintain pressure and to keep our efforts to protect the Kanata Greenspace Lands front and centre through the municipal election period and into the autumn. More to come.
Municipal Elections…
This is the second municipal election where our community’s number one issue is the protection of our greenspace and the protection of our community from reckless development. You’ll recall that the KGPC election practice is to poll our candidates with a series of questions on our issue and share their answers with you, so that you can make your choice. We value democracy and refuse to put our thumb on the scale.
This year, Rogers TV has done much of the work for us with the release of their Ward 4 Kanata North Candidate’s Debate. They drilled down specifically on our issue, and the answers from the three candidates were clear and cogent. Cannot but help make the comparison to the 3 Bears… hot, medium and not. Cathy Curry is totally opposed to the ClubLink/Minto/Richcraft development and favours the community proposed plan and Premier Ford’s involvement in a solution. Rob Millan says yes to a negotiated solution and supports a land swap. And James Murchison [no website available] says it is time the city stops spending money in opposition and let the ClubLink/Minto/Richcraft development go ahead.
Get these days on your calendar… and make your plan to VOTE!
Special Advance Voting Days – October 1, 2, 3 and 4
Advance Voting Day – October 16
Voting Day – October 26
Sharing some news about change… personal and positive
At home, our situation has changed. My dear dog friend Harley the Newfoundland has developed spondylosis and is now unable to manage our stairs. At 185 lbs ( yep, he’s a big boy!) I cannot carry him and he needs more access to one floor living. And so, I have decided to sell my home and take this opportunity to downsize.
Why tell you all here? While we would like to think that personal stuff is just that, this very emotional 7-year journey has crossed boundaries for many of us. Board members and others were concerned that our neighbours and supporters might ‘assume the worst’ seeing a FOR SALE sign in front of my home. And that could not be further from the truth! We will take this fight for justice to the finish line. Our dedication and resolve have not wavered one bit. And we know so many of you are just as equally committed. I was so pleased to be asked by our Board to stay on as KGPC Chair.
It’s business as usual (with a bit of moving thrown in) until we get the just solution we all deserve and our community is no longer under threat.
Neil Thomson is up and running… almost!
Most of our supporters know Neil, the long serving President of the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association (KBCA) and member of our board at the KGPC. Neil lives and breathes Kanata North and early this week, while out on his regular run, he felt unwell and promptly headed to the Queensway-Carleton hospital ER to be checked out. The week included a visit to the Heart Institute including their surgical suite. Neil is well and at home recovering with his new stent. Neil, we wish you a very quick recovery and great health going forward. I know our supporters do too.
And before signing off, we also want to thank all of you for your kind comments on our Facebook page following the mayor’s presentation of an Ottawa 200 commemorative coin to me (on behalf of the work of the KGPC) in recognition of meaningful contributions to our community. It’s truly a team effort for a truly great community!
Take good care,
Barbara
Chair, Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition
E – chair@ourkanatagreenspace.ca
C – 613.725.4345 Get involved by following us on Facebook or Instagram.