Our Social Media

Facebook-f Jki-twitter-light Globe-americas

Author: Paul Johanis

Policies & Threats Related to Greenspaces

Your search result for:

Review of the Greenbelt Masterplan

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:01 The inaugural meeting of the Public Advisory Group for the review of the Greenbelt Master Plan was held on April 9. The scope and timeframe of the review was presented, and initial feedback was provided by members on a draft terms of reference for the review. The TOR will be published on the NCC website when finalized. A second meeting on vision and guiding principles

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026

Build Canada Homes

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:01 A framework for smooth collaboration between the City and the federal agency Build Canada Homes was approved on April 10. The agreement covers two large projects that were already known and for which there are no major greenspace issues (re-development of Confederation Heights and of the Campanile Campus on Heron Road). It was initially thought that a similar agreement with the NCC would be part

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026

Poets’ Pathway public outreach

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:01 The Poets’ Pathway was featured at the River Ward Earth Day event on April 18, at which the GA and the Poets’ Pathway shared a table. Many visitors stopped at the table and a few unexpected but welcome contacts were made that will help promote the Poets’ Pathway. Good progress is also being made on the new website, which should be ready to launch by

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026

Tree Protection By-law challenged

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:01 A notice of motion brought by Councillor Lo at the Environment and Climate Change Committee, if adopted, would have completely eviscerated the City’s Tree Protection Bylaw. The GA and allied groups were prepared to delegate at the Committee meeting of April 21 against the motion. Thankfully, staff had greatly reduced the scope of the motion and had reduced its impact to exceptional cases in a

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026

Small urban woodland threatened

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:01 A resident reached out to the GA to seek support in defending a small woodland owned by the NCC bordering Bronson Avenue in Old Ottawa South. The NCC is planning to sell this well-treed property for housing construction. Having gathered basic information on the property, members agreed that the GA should put its full weight behind the residents for whom this is a valuable greenspace.

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026

City Climate Working Group

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:00 The Chair attended a Climate Working Group meeting hosted by the Director, Climate Change and Resiliency Services, Strategic Initiatives Branch. Other attendees included CAFES and Ecology Ottawa representatives. This group has met a few times before and is intended as a sounding board on public engagement regarding City climate policy, both mitigation and adaptation. A draft Terms of Reference was discussed and finalized by the

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026

Federal strategy to protect nature

New updated content: 2026-06-10 16:48:00 The Prime Minister made an announcement in Wakefield, Québec, on March 31 regarding Canada’s strategy to protect nature. It includes statements that are germane to a constant challenge that we face, the tension between development vs greenspace protection: “When conservation and economic activities are seen as competing priorities this risks weaker conservation outcomes and project delays. However, these goals need not be at odds. As

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026

National Capital Greenbelt Forum, February 21 2026

New updated content: 2026-06-10 15:18:29 The Chair and members of the GA attended this half day long forum organized by CPAWS on the future of the Greenbelt. While well organized and featuring many excellent speakers, the event failed to focus on any specific, imminent threats to the Greenbelt and so no clear strategy emerged going forward. Nevertheless, it provided much food for thought and an opportunity to meet with NCC

Read More »
Paul Johanis June 10, 2026 June 10, 2026