General Meeting – April 20 2026 – Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital

Meeting Minutes

General Meeting – April 20 2026

Published on:

June 10, 2026

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Meeting date:

April 20, 2026

Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), J.P. Unger, Iola Price, Jason Kania, Erwin Dreessen, Arto Keklikian, Judie Garbo

1. Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was adopted, with the addition of 2(e), 4c(i) and 4c(ii). Moved by Jason, seconded by Iola.

2. Administrative items

a. Minutes of March 16, 2026 (for approval)

Moved by Erwin, seconded by J.P. Approved.

b. Invitations

The Chair has been invited by the City to attend the Urban Forest Community Forum on April 22. This is a new initiative to bring together representatives of all lead organizations that have an interest in the urban forest to guide the evolution and implementation of the Urban Forest Management Plan. The GA also received an invitation from a Carleton University graduate student to participate in a study on climate communications, which J.P. volunteered to follow up. The GA was also invited to sign on to an open letter to the Minister of the Environment regarding the Santa Marta Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, to which the GA agreed.

c. Association reports

The Chair reported that he had agreed to moderate an Ecology Ottawa Council Watch session, one of its public participation activities. This one focussed on the Committee and Council deliberations regarding the City Growth projections as part of the current review of its Official Plan.

d. Treasurer’s report

A major expense item, the renewal of the GA’s general liability insurance, was brought to Board and members for consideration. This is an insurance policy that the GA is required to carry as a condition of the Maintenance Agreement it has signed with the City regarding the mural installation at the New Edinburg park field house. The mural was installed in 2022 as part of the chief Pinesi Portage Trail project that the GA sponsored and co-managed. Year 2026-27 is the last year of the Agreement. Members discussed the termination options of the agreement, with a particular focus on what happens at the end of the agreement. All agreed that the GA should not continue in this role beyond the end of the agreement and that a new party should be identified to carry on. The local community association, which has a contract with the City to manage the field house, is a logical option as is the Pikwakanagan First Nation, which partnered on the project. Payment for the renewal of the insurance policy was approved (moved by Iola, seconded by JP) and the Chair was charged with following with potential parties willing to assume responsibility for the maintenance agreement in the future.

e. Registration as third-party advertiser in upcoming municipal elections

With the municipal elections soon upon us (October 26, 2026), what role the GA might play needs to be addressed. In the past, the GA has through various means identified candidates that would best advance its policy interests regarding greenspace protection and preservation. In this context, a question was raised whether it would be wise to register as a third-party advertiser. It has not done so in previous elections on the basis that it does not spend money in support of any candidates or policies. It just expresses preferences, which is well within normal political discourse for not-for-profit advocacy group. It was nevertheless agreed that the provincial policy on the matter should be re-examined to ensure that that this interpretation is correct.

Action: The Chair to review the relevant policies and legislation and report back to members.

Official Plan 2026
City staff held a meeting of stakeholders regarding Ottawa’s growth projections on April 13. This was the third meeting of this group. Staff presented a new projection report, which reflected the feedback and directions of the Joint Planning and ARAC Committee and full Council. These directions reflected the GA’s submission and delegation on the matter. As a result, the household formation and housing type propensities of the initial consultant’s report have not been retained and are being replaced by five growth scenarios, including zero urban expansion. Staff confirmed that household formation and propensity assumptions will be modified such that a no expansion scenario is feasible and supported by observed trends, and not just a strawman as was the case for the current Official Plan.
Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature
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 part of our second pillar, Canada will integrate its nature and economic agendas to support timely development decisions while protecting nature.”

These principles ought to apply to the housing versus greenspace conflicts that are proliferating in Ottawa, with the NCC offering up greenspace lands for housing willy nilly, some right in the PM’s riding. As well, the worry that one day the Greenbelt will fall prey to this same pressure is never very far form the surface. The GA would do well the follow this file closely to see if any real benefit for greenspace protection materializes.
Climate Emergency Declaration
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 group. It will be published on the City website when finalized.
Mayor's Roundtable on the Environment
Following the latest meeting of the Mayor’s Environmental Round Table, the mayor made a request for suggestions on quick environmental win-wins that could be actioned in the short term. The GA put forward the suggestion that the Mayor recognize in some way the importance and value of the Poets’ Pathway, either by participating in an event organized by the Poets’ Pathway or some social media commentary on this realization largely funded by City grants.
Greenbelt Master Plan
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 is planned for early May.

MAJOR URBAN
Federal Greenspace Conservation and Protection
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 of the discussion, but it seems that this has now been pushed back several months in the absence of a final list of NCC lands for redevelopment.
POETS PATHWAY
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 the end of June. A Jane’s walk is planned on the Merivale-Prince of Wales section of the Poets’ Pathway on May 2.
OTHER
Councillor Lo motion
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 small area of Barrhaven with marine clay subsoil. Despite the softening of the motion, members still supported delegating at the April 21 meeting in defense of the Tree Protection Bylaw.
Action: Chair to prepare a text and delegate at the ECCC meeting of April 21.
Canal Woods
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.
Action: Chair to contact the residents to arrange whatever support can be provided.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25.

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