The final hearing for the Near Surface Disposal Facility for nuclear wastes at Chalk River is scheduled for August 10 2023, expressly for the purpose of allowing affected First Nations to present their concerns regarding the proposal. In response to CNSC’s refusal told this hearing in person, the FNs have organize an in person gathering where their briefs will be presented live, with Commissioners observing online. The GA has been invited, and will attend, this in person gathering.

Iola provided background information on Enbridge’s plan to expand and relocate an existing pumping/compression station on the eastern fringe of Rockcliffe Park, abutting Manor Park. The proposed location is unacceptable to the local community, imperiling the long fought for Mile Circle area. An alternative site, an underused NCC work yard nearby, seems to be an obvious solution and it was agreed to support this option in any further communication with the NCC on this matter.

A development application for two apartment towers at the corner of Parkdale and Carling Avenue, immediately adjacent to the Central Experimental Farm, has come to our attention. The shading they would produce would render unusable a large section of research fields on the Central Experimental Farm. The whole point of Protecting the Farm during the Ottawa Hospital siting controversy was to preserve the research fields, and thus the research mission of the CEF, which is the only long term guarantor of the preservation of the Farm, one of our most valuable urban green spaces. Approving these applications would undo all of this work.

It was agreed that we should mount a strong defense against this proposal as currently constituted by working with the heritage and scientific community through the Protect the Farm coalition and through POP and the broader environmental community. The application will be considered by Planning Committee on August 16th.

Last year, the GA partnered with Kichi Sibi Trails to revitalize and promote a new walking trail retracing an ancient portage bypassing the Rideau Falls. The new trail was named in honour of Chief Pierre Louis Constant Pinesi, who led the Algonquin nations in this area at the time of settlement in the early 19^th century. It was inaugurated on July 1 2022 and it was agreed with the Pikwakanagan First Nation that this should be an annual event. The GA was present at the second annual Chief Pinesi Day on July 1. It was a well-attended gathering at New Edinburgh Park, with speakers, drumming and dancing, and walking tours on offer. The trail markers and the striking mural we sponsored on the field house have fared well over the winter. We hope this will be a lasting feature of the community landscape.

Nothing to report.