On Tuesday June 23 the National Capital Commission (NCC) held a public meeting to share the NCC’s annual report, overview current priorities, and address community questions – many of which pertained to NCC greenspaces, conservation, and concerns about development.
Between 2025 and 2026, there has been an uproar of community concern about several prized NCC greenspaces that are now at risk for development. In 2025, some areas within the McCarthy Woods were temporarily re-zoned to “Developmental Reserve” in a draft of the new Zoning By-law, at the request of the NCC, with the intention to ready the lands for future development. It was soon reversed back to its protective zoning designation after swift advocacy from Councillor Brockington, OSEAN, Hunt Club Community Association, however concern remains about the future of this important urban forest.
A similar story has surfaced in Old Ottawa South, where the NCC is 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 along Bronson Avenue and part of it falls within a flood plain. This forest is enormously important as it cleans pollutants, manages stormwater, provides cooling, and reduces traffic noise from Bronson.
Densification is undoubtably necessary and Ottawa is in desperate need of affordable housing. But the NCC should be proposing to redevelop underused built lots or grey areas, not removing mature urban forests.
CAFES made our concerns clear by submitting a question to the NCC during their public feedback period in June 2026 asking what framework the NCC uses to determine whether a specific parcel of land is appropriate for development versus conservation. Additionally, we asked how the NCC ensured this process includes meaningful public consultation, is consistent with its own conservation plans, and is made transparent and accountable to the communities these lands serve.
Toby Nussbaum at the June 23 public meeting explained more about the public land bank and that their process for choosing lands for development involves a formula that accounts for proximity to transit and existing infrastructure, which is especially the reason for the Canal Woods Terrace. He explained the areas that would be developed near the McCarthy Woods would not remove the actual forested area and that the Poet’s Pathway will try to be retained despite housing going in around the Merivale Corridor. They explained 100 hectares have recently been acquired for land conservation, compared to the 18 hectares being put up for development. You can watch the public meeting here.
To further address these community concerns, the Riverside Park Community Association, with support from CAFES, has been in conversation with Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi. MP Naqvi is planning to hold a meeting between his office and representatives from the NCC to seek clarity on the NCC’s intentions. We will keep our network posted on when this meeting might take place.
How you can get involved:
- Ask the NCC to follow their own guidelines: NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum — Tobi.Nussbaum@ncc-ccn.ca
- Contact Yasir Naqvi to share your concerns and request that his meeting with the NCC include community representatives – yasir.naqvi@parl.gc.ca
- Read more on McCarthy Woods and Canal Woods Terrace and join the green resistance!
- You can spread the word on social media and write to the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa about these issues