Tewin deforestation

On February 23, the GA was alerted by a member of some tree cutting happening in or near the Tewin urban expansion area, on the southeastern edge of Ottawa’s urban area. We reported it immediately to City staff, who were already aware and investigating it.  It became apparent that a massive clear cut was ongoing, which made for front page news on March 1. We wrote to Mayor and Council on March 2 and set about to enlist the support of other organizations to fight this deforestation. Ecology Ottawa was already on board and many other POP members joined in. Paul did an interview with the CBC on March 7 and also live on Ottawa Morning on March 8.  By now, local residents had organized and joined forces with us, forming a very representative working group. Together we decided to organize a rally to protest the deforestation, to be held in the community, near Carlsbad Springs, on Sunday March 12. It was organized in the space of a few days. It was well attended, with about 80 local residents and activists present, good speakers and music coming together outdoor in a local park partially plowed by a local. <pictures>. There was a lot of media present and the event was well covered by several outlets.  We engaged with a number of City Councillors and the issue was put on the agenda of the meeting of the Environment and Climate Change Committee to be held on March 21. The working group collaborated to develop coherent and comprehensive positions that would be presented by delegations to the Committee.

Access to Gatineau Park

Following our discussion at the February meeting, Nicole and her group put out a press release on the issue of pedestrian access to sites along the Gatineau Parkway. It generated some local coverage and perhaps will open the door to some dialogue with the NCC.

Update on Greenbelt Protection:

While the GA will continue to explore having the Greenbelt recognized as an Urban National Park as a means of having it better protected, we have been informed that there may be another high level initiative underway to achieve a similar result, with perhaps some indication of it in the upcoming federal budget.

Protect the Farm:

We are still waiting for the signal from Heritage Ottawa to make representations at a Parliamentary Committee concerning Bill C-27, a bill to better protect National Historic Sites, like the Central Experimental Farm.

Embassy Row:

It seems that a negotiated settlement between the NCC, the City of Ottawa and the local community has been reached, dedicating in perpetuity as greenspace a sizeable portion of the site, including unfettered access to the Ottawa River shoreline, this as a result of effective advocacy by the local community, assisted by the GA. More to come.

Nothing to report.