General Meeting – November 17, 2025 – Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital

Meeting Minutes

General Meeting – November 17, 2025

Published on:

December 8, 2025

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Meeting date:

November 17, 2025

Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), J.P. Unger, Jason Kania, Judie Garbo, Arto Keklikian, and Sofie Waters (guest)

1. Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was approved, with the addition of items 2e, New volunteer, 2f event announcements and 4c(i), Wall Road urban expansion area. Moved Jason, seconded JP. Carried.

2. Administrative items

a. Minutes of September 15, 2025, and October 20 meetings (for approval)

In the absence of any members present at these meetings, this item was deferred.

b. Association reports: The Chair confirmed that the participation of the Greenspace Alliance on the Mayor’s Environmental Round Table has been approved. JP reported that a CPAWS based group mounting a campaign to better protect the Greenbelt will be asking the GA for a meeting with the Chair and board as part of its consultations before holding a forum on the Greenbelt, likely in February 2026.

Action: The Chair to follow up with this contact.

c. Membership update: Following the fall reminder campaign, all but one of our 2024 members have renewed their membership for 2025 and two new members have joined. Our numbers remain stable, small but mighty.

d. Treasurer’s report: The Chair requested a reimbursement for the payment of the $12.00 fee for the annual corporate filing of the GA with Corporations Canada. Moved Jason, seconded JP.

e. Volunteer report: The Chair reported that Sofie Waters has volunteered to assist the GA with social media targeting a younger demographic and also with the Official Plan review file. She was warmly welcomed by all.

f. Event announcements: JP suggested that a new standing item be added to our agenda, a review of upcoming events that could be of interest to members, culled from the emails received at the GA email address, which he helps moderate. He gave as example a list of events which he compiled for the meeting this evening. While many of these might have already been distributed to the GA list, this curated list made for an interesting and brief agenda item. Seeing no objections, the Chair agreed to add this as a standing item on the agenda of our monthly general meetings.

Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Review
The GA reviewed the proposed conversions under the new Bylaw for areas currently zoned as Environmental Protection and Open spaces. Conversions that seemed anomalous were summarized in the GA’s GA submission to City staff. The most concerning of these are the conversions to Development Reserve of lands in the Southern Corridor and discussions on these with the City and the NCC are ongoing. Several other issues require further clarification and staff have indicated an openness to address these before finalizing the bylaw. The final draft of the new ZBL will be brought before Committee on December 17 2025.
City of Ottawa Budget
Members to make a submission to the City regarding its 2026 Budget focusing on ensuring that the greenspace acquisition fund is appropriately topped up now that the City has adopted formal criteria for the acquisition of rural lands for conservation purposes. We would also ask that activities scheduled for the year as per the Urban Forest Management Plan be fully funded.
Action: Chair to prepare the text of a submission for review.
Official Plan 2026
We now know that the new Official Plan will be undergoing its first review starting this month and through 2026. This review will focus mostly on the land budget, not general OP policies. We can expect new population and household projections, updated housing projections by type and the determination of how much, if any, new greenfield land will be needed to accommodate projected housing demand. The GA has been invited to a stakeholder’s meeting on November 19 to discuss the methodology and assumptions that will be used for this purpose.
Action: The Chair to attend the stakeholders meeting and report on it.

RURAL
Renewable Energy Concerns from Rural Residents
The Chair introduced the topic of the development of criteria for the location of clean energy infrastructure in the rural area, mirroring the process that was adopted for the acquisition of rural land for conservation purposes. Members suggested that the scope be broadened to include the urban area as well. They agreed that this is perhaps a gap that the GA could fill with the assistance of rural stakeholders.
MAJOR URBAN
POETS PATHWAY
The major threat at this point is the potential rezoning under the new Zoning Bylaw to Development Reserve of lands through which the Poets’ Pathway goes. This is being countered through our advocacy on the new Bylaw, in collaboration with the Poets’ Pathway Committee and the Community Associations directly affected. Contacts have been established with the local councillors, federal and provincial elected officials and a meeting was held with the NCC to explain the impact of residential development in these areas, which they own.
OTHER
Wall Road expansion area
The Wall Road area was added to urban land in the last round of the Official Plan. The Greater Avalon Community Association is asking other groups and individuals to send comments to the City to have a chance at mitigating the impact of the proposed development; as it stands, it would entail the destruction of wetlands, forest and farmland. JP circulated the message from the Community Association, which includes links with information and contact points for sending input.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:24.

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The Greenspace Alliance works with community organizations and individuals to preserve and enhance natural areas in the National Capital area, including public and private green spaces, wetlands and waterways.

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P.O. Box 45032 Kanata RPO Bridlewood Kanata, ON K2M 2Y1

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Tel.: (613) 513–8372

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