Nothing like a good Townhall to get things fired up
As promised, a recording of the February 4th Townhall (just over 2 hours long) is ready along with a timestamp to let you drill down on various speakers. Townhall video recording
We will host a Townhall on February 4 at 7:00 pm
Greenspace Townhall February 4, 2025!
Response - Jamie Portman’s “Court ruling on Kanata golf course a betrayal”
Yes, the recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision essentially voiding the 40% Agreement should be of great concern to the City of Ottawa. Its impact is broad, much broader than the ClubLink issue in Kanata. After all, how can a city or any governing body enter long term, high value contracts if their terms can be ignored or voided in an instant. It makes no sense, even to the non-lawyers among us. The City should consider its legal options to be sure, however, along the way, it and other levels of government cannot drop the ball on their number one responsibility on this file, public safety.
Assessing and choosing a neighbourhood and the features and services it offers has been central to the home buying/renting decision since the housing boom of the1950’s and 60’s. Read our Letter to the Ottawa Citizen.
Court ruling on Kanata golf course a betrayal - Jamie Portman
The golf course was once the essential Crown jewel of an agreement to safeguard green space in the Kanata North community. ClubLink has been determined to get its way despite vigorous opposition from local residents, led by the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition, and a dismayed City of Ottawa. And now, after years of legal wrangling, ClubLink appears to have won, thanks to an appeal court ruling that voids a long-existing agreement protecting Kanata North’s green space. Ottawa Citizen article by Jamie Portman
Watch the Video of our November 28, 2023 Town Hall
Thank you to each and every one of the 300+ who turned out. It was standing room only! Our supporters roared in response to our incredibly engaged and committed Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Councillor Cathy Curry never fails to amaze with her energy, candor and her commitment to keep our greenspace whole. Watch the Video
Important Town Hall on November 28 at Mlacak Centre
We really want you to join us to hear what the KGPC is doing for you, and to get our next leg of community fundraising off to a great start. Come out on November 28 to the Mlacak Centre! Our full team will be out in force and ready to welcome you. More >>>
The City Plans to Fight Kanata Lakes Ruling
Barbara Ramsay of the the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition says the top issue in redevelopment battle is not golf but stormwater. More>>>
Ford Government under Investigation
Both Ontario’s Auditor-General and its Integrity Commissioner are launching investigations into the government’s decision to allow developers to build housing on parts of the province’s protected Greenbelt. More from the Globe and Mail
What is not Right with Bill 23
To say the City and its new Council contingent are a little shell-shocked is an understatement. The Ford government’s Bill 23 is a behemoth and City staff are wading through it for a path forward. Simply getting an opportunity to speak to it is incredibly difficult. No physical hearing outside of Toronto. More>>>
THE KGPC’S FIGHT CONTINUES
The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition is disappointed, but not surprised the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the City of Ottawa v. ClubLink Corporation ULC leave application.
KGPC Chair Barbara Ramsay says “we understand that the City of Ottawa leadership had serious concerns about the impact of the Court of Appeal decision on a plethora of agreements both in place and in progress. They have been very good partners for the KGPC in this fight to preserve urban greenspace and so, today, we’re particularly disappointed for them. However, we continue to engage our legal team in managing a full slate of legal options in this fight and we will now buckle down to ready for our next step, a return to Superior court on September 13 and 14.” More >>>
Kanata North tech park to lose talent if golf course razed for homes
The Speak Up for Greenspace presentation hosted by the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition and KNBA, sent a strong message that the tech business park must protect green space to keep its competitive edge. “Do not screw this up.” Was the mantra of the evening, spoken repeatedly by legendary tech entrepreneur Terry Matthews and later echoed by others during a 90-minute presentation Tuesday at the Hub350 RBCx Finance Quarter to emphasize the importance of keeping developers away from the Kanata Golf and Country Club. More >>>
Curry Motion asks Ontario to Provide Ottawa with the Level of Support Provided to Oakville in Resolving the Unwanted Clublink Glen Abbey Development
The KGPC wants to thank Mayor Watson, Councillor Cathy Curry and full Council for unanimously passing a motion asking the Government of Ontario to provide the City of Ottawa on behalf of our Kanata community the level of support provided to the Oakville community in resolving the unwanted ClubLink – Glen Abbey development proposal in 2021. More >>
Kanata Residents are Fuming over OLT Decision and Secret Deal with Glen Abbey
Kanata Lakes and Beaverbrook residents want answers following these latest setbacks for preserving Kanata’s greenspace. More>>>
We Are Taking the Fight to ClubLink
The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition is taking ClubLink Corporation to court, to stop the destruction of 175 acres of green and open space in the heart of the Kanata Lakes and Beaverbrook neighbourhoods. More >>>
Watch the Recording of Our Greenspace Townhall Feb 23
We have posted the complete proceedings of our virtual Townhall on February 23rd. There was a lot of valuable information regarding our fight with ClubLink. Full details here >>>
THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR GREENSPACE ISN’T OVER
The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition is deeply disappointed and frustrated by today’s decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal. However, our resolve remains steadfast to continue to defend our 175 acres of green and open space. KGPC Chair Barbara Ramsay, “we won’t stop until the green heart of Kanata (the Kanata Lakes Golf Club lands and Trillium Woods) is finally safe. We knew this was going to be a long haul and we aren’t giving up. It’s truly disappointing that Clublink Corporation and local developers Minto Communities and Richcraft Homes continue to push this destructive plan. We’ll continue to pursue all avenues to stop them." Read More
The 40% Agreement is Valid!
The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition is overjoyed by Ontario Superior Court Justice Marc Labrosse’s decision to uphold the 40% Agreement. His decision states, “The 1981 Agreement continues to be a valid and binding contract and ss. 5(4) and 9 are not void as contrary to the rule against perpetuities.” As well, he concludes that should the land be turned over to the City of Ottawa at some point, it can be used for park and recreational purposes beyond a golf course. More >>>
Video of Golf lands showing Issues
Planning committee rejects Kanata golf course redevelopment
City staff reject proposed changes to Kanata Golf and Country Club
MEDIA ADVISORY - CITY STAFF RECOMMEND SHELVING CLUBLINK PLAN
The Message in Loud and Clear; but Developers are not Listening
The Importance Of Liveable Neighbourhoods
On the Kanatapossibilities web site there is a process which ClubLink has prepared which misrepresents the facts.
Terry Matthews says, "Greenspace, it is like a magnet."
Real Estate Presentation from Our Meeting
BREAKING: ClubLink submits controversial application to pave over much of Kanata golf course
eNews – We’re Right in the Thick of Things
The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) will deliver a livestream of the ClubLink – 7000 Campeau Drive hearing on the Ontario Land Tribunals – YouTube. The hearing begins Monday January 17th at 10 am.Continue reading→
eNews – Facts You Need and Our Next Steps
The situation is just not as bleak as media reporting began to sound on Friday. We’re writing today with a step by step review of where the community really sits after the Court of Appeal decision. Your team at the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition (lawyers and all) has been working through the weekend, setting our next steps in motion for the coming week, and reassessing our short and medium term plans given Friday’s decision.Continue reading→
eNews – Time for Thanksgiving
While everyone continues to wait for the 40% Agreement decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal, we’re keeping busy on your behalf. Our experts will work throughout October on their written opinions in advance of the October 29 submission deadline for the January Ontario Land Tribuna (OLT) hearing.Continue reading→
eNews – An Update while we Wait, and Wait…
There is little that can be said about the frustration everyone feels as we continue to wait in anticipation of the 40PA decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal. With no decision to report, there are some interesting items ongoing in our calendar and we wanted to make sure they are on yours.Continue reading→
eNews – Answers to all Your Questions
We have been holding off on this e-News waiting for something to break free on the legal flank of the ClubLink issue. Still no news from the Ontario Court of Appeal to derail ClubLink, Minto and Richcraft once and for all. In the meantime, we need to stay vigilant on their latest push on the planning side and cover other good news too.Continue reading→
eNews – ClubLink Appeal & Glen Abbey
We are now into our third summer with ClubLink, Minto and Richcraft and their bad winds blowing across Kanata Lakes. ClubLink’s shenanigans does get tiring and reading their bumf does little positive for our spirits.Continue reading→
TAKING THE FIGHT TO CLUBLINK
February 22, 2202
The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition is taking ClubLink Corporation to court, to stop the destruction of 175 acres of green and open space in the heart of the Kanata Lakes and Beaverbrook neighbourhoods.
Today, KGPC lawyers will file a notice of application in Ontario Superior Court to stop the development of the Kanata Golf Course lands. The application seeks to have the court declare that two Restrictive Covenants are enforceable and thereby limit how the land can be used.
The first, is a Restrictive Covenant about the preservation of Greenspace due to the 40% Principle. It states that forty percent of the original development area, which includes the golf course and Trillium Woods, remain as greenspace. The KGPC is taking ClubLink to court to enforce the 40% Principle, as the Ontario Court of Appeal decision only dealt with the City of Ottawa’s ability to have the land conveyed to it.
The second, is a restrictive covenant concerning Stormwater Management that stems from an agreement ClubLink signed when it acquired the Kanata Golf Course lands in November 1996. It specifically restricts the (re)grading of the land and the altering of its inherent Stormwater Management function.
“We’re asking the court to enforce both Restrictive Covenants and declare that ClubLink’s proposed development breaches one or both of the restrictive covenants. This would prevent them from proceeding with this development and protect our precious greenspace,” says KGPC Chair Barbara Ramsay.
The KGPC will host a Help Save Our Greenspace virtual town hall on Wednesday, February 23rd at 7pm to update our supporters on the legal and planning aspects of our fight.
Event details and YouTube LiveStream link
KGPC Chair Barbara Ramsay is available for comment.
Contact: KGPC Chair, Barbara Ramsay at 613-725-6595 or chair@ourkanatagreenspace.ca
The Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition is a not-for-profit corporation, focused on increasing public awareness about the importance of greenspace preservation. Our goal is to raise funds and public support for the City of Ottawa efforts to ensure that the 40% Agreement is enforced.
eNews – More on the ClubLink Appeal
We have a couple of updates in the fight to Save our Greenspace. In our last e-news we told you about ClubLink’s costs submission to the court claiming $50,000 due from the Coalition citing our misguided efforts as an intervenor at the 40PA hearing. They suggested we unnecessarily increased their costs while failing to contribute to the positive solution of the case for the City among other things.
Continue reading→