The NCC is currently tendering offers to develop the forested lot on Canal Woods Terrace, making it available at low or no cost to a developer willing to build a minimum of 40 units. The forest sits between the neighbourhood and Bronson Avenue, and part of it falls within a flood plain, meaning any development would also require approval from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and rezoning by the City.
Zero public consultation has taken place on this sudden move.
This small forest does significant work for the neighbourhood and the city: it cleans an estimated 50 kg of pollutants from the air each year, manages up to 90,000 litres of stormwater annually, provides cooling, reduces traffic noise from Bronson, and supports local biodiversity. Old Ottawa South already sits at just 28% tree canopy coverage — well below the city’s 40% target. Losing this forest would set the neighbourhood back further.
Densification is important — but the intent was always to redevelop underused built lots, not remove urban forests. Notably, the NCC’s own Forest Strategy states that the NCC must work to protect trees from the adverse effects of development, and that the Capital’s urban greenspaces must be conserved for the future.
How you can get involved:
Ask the NCC to follow their own guidelines: NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum — Tobi.Nussbaum@ncc-ccn.ca
Tell the City this forest should be zoned as greenspace: Councillor Shawn Menard — CapitalWard@ottawa.ca
Contact the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority: info@rvca.ca | 613-692-3571
Contact your federal representatives: Minister Joel Lightbound — joel.lightbound@parl.gc.ca Yasir Naqvi — yasir.naqvi@parl.gc.ca
You can also spread the word on social media and write to the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa.
This campaign is led by the Old Ottawa South EnviroCrew and the Campaign to Save Canal Woods Terrace Forest. See their flyer here!.