In the 1960’s, urban planning visionary Bill Teron (known as the “Father of Kanata”) envisioned a “garden city” built on walkability, mixed-density housing, abundant green spaces, schools, and accessible local amenities. In many respects, it’s what’s now described as a “15-minute city.” This vision gave rise to the original Beaverbrook neighbourhood.
1970’s
- When Campeau Corporation took over the lands it expanded on Teron’s concepts, planning the Marchwood-Lakeside community (now Kanata Lakes and the KNL lands).
- The plan set aside 40% of the Kanata Lakes and KNL lands as open space, including a golf course, stormwater management features (such as the Kizell wetlands), natural areas (including Trillium Woods), parkland, and pathway connections.
- The golf course represented roughly 30% of the designated open space. The 40% open space lands were in lieu of large parks for Kanata Lakes; without them the community would have less park land than most other communities in the Ottawa area.
- A key factor in preserving the golf course was its integration into the areas stormwater management (SWM) system, which plays an important role in mitigating flood risk for the Kanata Lakes and Beaverbrook neighbourhoods. Beaverbrook sits, on average, 3-metres below the golf course. A failure of this SWM could flood the entire community.
1981
- The 40% Agreement was signed by the City of Kanata and Campeau Corporation; it stated that the lands (including the 18-hole golf course) were to remain open space in perpetuity (intended to be forever). If Campeau desired to discontinue operations of the golf course, it said “it shall convey the golf course to Kanata at no cost and Kanata shall operate the land as a golf course.”
- It allowed the City to designate pedestrian and cycling linkages through the golf course open space, such as the pathway from Knudson Avenue to Stephen Leacock Public School. The community was intertwined with the golf course lands.
- Additionally, the 40% Agreement stated that “the golf course shall be made available for reasonable use by the public in the winter season for pedestrians, cross-country skiing, and non-motorized winter activities (sledding, snow-shoeing, etc)” – the community was promised that it would be able to use these lands for roughly half the year while the golf course was closed.
1988
- Residential development proceeded in Kanata Lakes, including projects by builders such as Richcraft Homes. Home buyers paid a premium for lots backing onto the golf course. They were marketed as a master-planned community centred around access to protected greenspace.
- Each time the golf course changed hands, there was a requirement for the new owner to agree to follow the provisions of the 40% Agreement – this was a binding commitment that was honoured by successive landowners
1996
- ClubLink acquired the Kanata Golf Club (KGC) lands and agreed to adhere to the provisions of the 40% Agreement.
2006
- The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) approved development of the nearby KNL lands (adjacent to the Beaver Pond). To soothe public anger over the loss of this natural area, the developers (Urbandale and Richcraft) indicated that the 40% Agreement would remain in place.
2018
- ClubLink, Minto and Richcraft announced a proposal to redevelop the KGC lands which included building roads and 1500 homes on the fairways and greens.
- Community opposition was swift. The City stated that it would not fund major SWM infrastructure upgrades associated with such redevelopment. It’s believed the costs of such a complex project would be exorbitant.
2019
- The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition (KGPC), a not-for-profit corporation, was formed to raise funds and public support for the City of Ottawa’s efforts to keep the KGC lands as green and open space.
- The City initiated legal proceedings regarding the status of the 40% Agreement, with the KGPC participating in support of the City and the rights of Kanata North residents.
2021
- The Ontario Superior Court found the 40% Agreement to be valid and enforceable. Subsequent appeals resulted in portions of the agreement being found inoperative. An application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was declined.
- Despite continued efforts by the KGPC to get the Provincial Government to block the development of the KGC lands, Conservative MPP Merilee Fullerton told her constituents in Kanata Lakes that stopping the Kanata Golf Course redevelopment was up to the city, not the province. Without explanation, the province blocked the development of Oakville’s Glen Abbey Golf Course.
2022
- An Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearing examined the proposed redevelopment. Extensive expert evidence detailed the public health risks, flooding and stormwater challenges, property damage concerns, and potential safety hazards. Planning experts called the proposed redevelopment, incompatible, inappropriate, and fundamentally flawed.
- Meantime, the legal matter was sent back to the Superior Court of Justice to clarify the impact of the inoperative clauses. Subsequent appeals picked away at the validity of the 40% Agreement.
2025
- For a second time, the City sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada and was declined. The SCC did not make any decision or ruling on this case.
- Despite the legal challenge concluding with the invalidation of the 40% Agreement, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe maintained that the agreement’s intent remained clear and announced that the City would not grant the easements required for development. Premier Doug Ford stated that he firmly supported Mayor Sutcliffe’s plan to block the development.
2026
- The OLT issued a final order approving zoning and draft plan of subdivision, but noted that 192 requirements remain outstanding. The decision does not authorize immediate construction; the conditions must first be satisfied.
- City Council indicated its intent to continue fighting the development and passed a motion directing staff to explore all options to protect the KGC lands. Mayor Sutcliffe acknowledged this decision does not conflict with goals to create more housing in the city, saying “there are properties all over the city where homes can be built. And there are places all over the city where homes should not be built.”
- ClubLink/Minto/Richcraft began site preparation activity on the land, which included heavy equipment to build access routes, moving soil, and importing fill.
- City Council passed a motion directing staff to create a dedicated public engagement page to provide regular updates on the City’s independent technical and/or legal third-party review of every substantive report or work plan submitted by the developer related to the proposed development.
- Hundreds of residents turned out at multiple rallies organized by a group of local citizens to protest the development and raise concerns about contaminated soil and stormwater issues. Residents are urging the City and Province to act now and put a permanent stop to the proposed development.
- The City’s third-party review determined the original Environmental Site Assessment must be redone due to gaps and omissions in testing. New testing has revealed mercury in 70 of 71 soil samples collected.
- The City and KGPC maintain that the intent of the 40% Agreement should be upheld. As Kanata North Councillor, Cathy Curry has stated, “this is our park and was meant to be our park forever.” These lands function as part of our stormwater infrastructure and represent valuable urban greenspace – supporting community well-being and contributing to the appeal of the Kanata North Tech Park.