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

Meeting Minutes

General Meeting – March 17 2025

Published on:

May 28, 2025

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Meeting date:

March 17, 2025

Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), Nicole DesRoches, Erwin Dreessen, Arto Keklikian, J.P. Unger

1. Adoption of the agenda

The proposed agenda was agreed upon. Moved by Nicole, seconded by Erwin. Approved.

2. Administrative items

a. Minutes of February 17 2025 meeting (for approval)

Moved by Erwin, seconded by Arto. Carried.

b. Plant Sale

Janice Seline has confirmed that she will once again organize our participation in the Friends of the Farm plant sale. This is our main annual fundraiser. It will be held on May 11, 2025, in the side parking lot of the K.W. Neatby Building, 960 Carling Avenue, from early morning to noon. With one of our usual suppliers of perennials out of commission, Janice could use some additional donations from members.

Action: Advertise the plant sale through our networks and organize additional plant donations for Janice.

c. Association reports:

Sad news from the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club. We have learned that long time member and supporter of the Greenspace Alliance, Ian Whyte, has passed away. It was agreed to memorialize Ian and his contribution in the In Memoriam section of our website.

From the Peoples Official Plan, Paul reported that the GA has signed on to a POP letter to Mayor and Council regarding additional measure the City could include in its response to the announced American tariffs from and environmental perspective.

Erwin reported on a gathering he attended of a newly formed group associated with ReImagine Ottawa focussed on improving the City of Ottawa’s public engagement practices. This group is planning a Peoples Summit this spring as part of its program. There are opportunities for sponsorships of the event and participating on its steering committee. This led to a discussion of the many perceived deficiencies in public engagement in City processes. Members expressed an interest in learning more about the summit and, based on what we learn, bringing a motion for making a monetary contribution at the next general meeting.

Provincial Election Strategy
Paul reported on the GA statement sent to all local candidates in the February 27 Provincial election. Several responses were received, including some from elected candidates, though not on the government benches.

RURAL
Chalk River
J.P reported on two court victories regarding the planned Near Surface Disposal Facility for nuclear waste at Chalk River. In the first case, the court ruled in favour of a judicial review of the ECCC decision to issue a species at risk permit for the giant radioactive waste dump (NSDF). This is a very important win, as it shines a spotlight on the site chosen for the dump, which has been the number one concern of opponents of the facility since the project was announced in 2016. Background information on this challenge and the judgement is here. The challenge was brought by Kebaowek First Nation, Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area, the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility and the Sierra Club Canada Foundation. Globe and Mail coverage here.

In the second case, the Kebaowek First Nation won its court challenge of the CNSC decision to grant the license to construct the NSDF. National Observer coverage here. CBC coverage here. “The judge ordered the commission and CNL to resume consultations with Kebaowek “in a robust manner,” while properly considering the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its standard of free, prior and informed consent.”
OTHER
POETS PATHWAY
Paul and Erwin reported on recent meetings of the Poets’ Pathway team and in particular the enthusiastic support of Beechwood Cemetery for restoration of the path and programing at the Beechwood end, laid out in a nine-page proposal! The proposal has been reviewed and desired amendments and additions discussed. These will be communicated to Beechwood. Members suggested that programming at the Britannia Bay end of the trail should also be planned and that partners may be found to support this. They also proposed somehow promoting both the Poets’ Pathway and the Chief Pinesi trail through Tourism Ottawa and other tourist oriented channels.

The Meeting was adjourned at 8:38.

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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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