On January 23rd CAFES attended the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) meeting to delegate in favour of the City of Ottawa's potential purchase of a 223-acre parcel of land at 5689 Ferry Road for the purpose of environmental conservation. We were joined in making our public delegation by support from Ecology Ottawa, Greenspace Alliance, Bird Friendly Ottawa and Rural Woodlands.
This property, which features 800 m of Ottawa River shoreline with 40% pasture, and 60% forest and wetlands, was identified by City of Ottawa staff as an excellent opportunity to advance ecology in Ottawa. The plan was approved by the Finance and Corporate Services committee (FCSc) on December 3rd and the FCSc recommended council approve the purchase (with Councillors Luloff, Darouze, and Kitts dissenting). However, at the last Council meeting of 2024, council decided to send the project to ARAC for discussion.
At the Jan 23rd ARAC meeting, the purchase was faced with significant opposition from Ward 5 Councillor Clarke Kelly who believed the money could be better spent, and that the land, being 30 km from the urban boundary, is not at risk for development and not worth the price.
In our delegation, delivered by Jennifer Humphreys, CAFES expressed strong support of the purchase. The property has connectivity with other City conservation areas on the Ottawa River, and the combined shoreline and interior land benefits both aquatic and terrestrial species. The property provides essential habitats for species in decline including aerial insectivores, shoreline birds and grassland birds, and is on a major bird migration corridor. Further, the pasture provides an excellent opportunity to increase Ottawa's tree canopy in view of our 40% canopy cover goal by planting new trees. Check out this immersive video by the realtor which offers stunning views of the land.
We opposed Councillor Kelly's statements that the money would be better spent elsewhere - at $2 million, this property is actually a great price. Compared to a similar property nearby selling for $39,000 per acre, the property at 5689 Ferry Road is only $8,700 per acre. Since the Natural Area Acquisition (Rural) Account has been approved in support of Ottawa’s Official Plan and climate and resilience policies, the purchase can be made using pre-approved funding. Given the recent green-light of the Tewin development and other residential developments outside of the urban boundary, no land seems out of danger from development.
The acquisition would undoubtedly support the City of Ottawa's ambitious goal to be a green, resilient, equitable city for all and the most livable mid-sized city in North America.
Council met on Wednesday, January 29th to deliberate and vote on the purchase. Unfortunately, Council voted 13-12 to defer the decision of the purchase to April. One of the reasons was to explore further avenues and potential partnerships that would essentially allow the city to purchase the land for cheaper. Read more about council's decision in this article by Joanne Laucius in the Ottawa Citizen.
Voted against deferral: Brockington, Bradley, Kavanagh, Leiper, Devine, Menard, Carr, Plante, King, Curry, Troster, Gower (12).
Voted in favour of deferral: Tierney, Kitts, Hill, Luloff, Johnson, Kelly, Dudas, Darouze, Brown, Lo, Desroches, Hubley, Sutcliffe (13).
What can you do?
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Visit the following links to watch the recordings of the committee and council meetings. The CAFES delegation has been uploaded below, as well as the City staff report on the land acquisition.
