Members discussed briefly the City of Ottawa purchase of the Miller-Taggart landfill. While local residents are not happy, it was agreed that having this not yet developed facility in public hands is better than having it operated for profit by the private sector. From the broader municipal waste management perspective, it is a very positive development, adding decades to the inventory of secure municipal waste storage capacity well ahead of the eventual closing of the Trail Road landfill.

Both the GA and the Poet’s Pathway delegated at the December 17 joint meeting of Planning and ARAC, bringing welcome new attention to this key greenspace. Our focus will now extend beyond the two parcels currently under threat to mount a campaign to preserve and protect the entirety of the linked greenspaces that form the inner greenbelt that is the Poets’ Pathway. To raise awareness and mobilize ahead of the Council meeting on January 28, the GA participated as a panelist, along with nine other groups, in an event on January 17 at the Hunt Club and Riverview Park Community Centre. It was also attended by Councillor Brockington. The OFNC led a guided walk to the riverfront greenspace to close off the day. The event was well attended with over 70 people participating. It also generated good news coverage, which no doubt kept the issue of protecting these greenspaces in the news and on Council members’ radar. 

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, (Ottawa Valley chapter) will be holding on event on February 21 on the theme of preserving and protecting Ottawa’s Greenbelt. Many groups have pledged to attend, and some 150 registrants are expected. The GA will register and send two representatives, which is the maximum allowed per organization.

A planning application has been received by the City concerning a major development proposed in the Ottawa River floodplain near Petrie Island. This is not the first submission for this development. The GA has previously opposed the application when it was originally made in 2020 and again in 2022. At first reading, nothing has really changed and there is no reason to change our position on the merits of this proposed development.

Action: J.P Unger will take the lead further researching this application, liaising with allied local groups and organizations, and drafting an eventual submission by the GA on the matter.

The GA has been made aware of NCC plans for residential development along Sussex Drive on what are now fairly treed open spaces. We have not taken any position on this issue, but residents and others have mounted a campaign against development. It was agreed to look more deeply into this issue.

Action:   J.P Unger will take the lead further researching these plans, liaising with allied local groups and organizations, and proposing a course of action at the next general meeting.

Community-led greening initiatives program launched by City of Ottawa

The City of Ottawa has launched a program to regularize and provide a coherent policy framework for the use by residents of city-owned lands for gardening and related greening activities. As it excludes from its scope tree planting and the removal of invasive species, both important matters of interest to the GA, it was agreed not to pursue this matter any further.