Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
Sincere apologies that I have been late getting this mid-Sept update out. Several fun and/or interesting events have passed that I have since deleted – but perhaps that is good – given, once again, the crazy length of this update! I will honestly try harder to shorten things down better in future! Perhaps this edition will also possibly require a cup of tea! We have actually been really excited and really busy applying for a couple of grants for a spring community build of an Algonquin birch bark canoe in Kingston’s Inner Harbour. Excited to include more info as soon as plans come together a bit more……
In the meantime, it is fun to reflect on what the park looked like back in 2014 before our award-winning street art festival! (See pic) Remember how, at the time, some people were actually accusing us and our idea of a legal art wall as a corporate take-over of the park? Personally, I still feel that it is a really great platform for young street artists to be able to exhibit their work without fear of the police.
1) Call Out for Possible Boat Ride?
2) Third Crossing Public Engagement: Detailed Impact Assessment
3) Turbidity Fencing for Turtles at Third Crossing
4) Engage for Change, Sir John A etc.
5) FKIH Table at Queen’s Sustainability Week, Tues Oct 2
6) Breakwater Park video!
7) Limestone Boat and Board Club News
8) Great Lake Levels Likely to Rise in 2020
9) Tanya Talaga Talk – Sept 26
10) City Named AIP2 Organization of the Year
11) City Launches Change for Climate Campaign + COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION!
12) Kingston Fire and Rescue Family Evacuation Plan Contest – Deadline Oct 2.
13) Reminder All Candidates Meeting: Food and Farm Issues, Sept 24
14) Frontenac Heritage Foundation Talk, Sept 25
15) Home Base Housing Concerns
16) True North Aid September Campaign
17) “Kingston Moves” Household Travel Survey
18) Ask your Questions about Red Light Cameras.
19) Local Photo Exhibit by Chris Miner – Sept 17-Oct 26
20) WellingtonX Celebration Event – DF Park Oct 5
21) Great Indigenous News Site – Sakatay!
22) “Grandmothers take next steps in legal battle to determine authority to represent Algonquins”
1) Call Out for Possible Boat Ride?
As the winds increase throughout the rest of September and October we would really appreciate it if any of you have a seaworthy boat and might be willing to take Kenny out to try and track some of the turtles with antennae attached. We are really trying to find out where they are gathering to hibernate. This is a new initiatve. The waters on Lake Ontario can get a bit rough at this time of year and our small outboard with a 5 horse power is probably not up to the task. Thanks so much Adam Malus for getting his boat license to also be able to help!
2) Third Crossing Public Engagement on Detailed Impact Assessment. Received Sept 13.
This is a really important report. You can request a borrowers’ hard copy from the city if interested. Otherwise do try and make it to one of the public meetings.
“The Third Crossing project team is starting public consultation for the federal environmental assessment of the Third Crossing, known as a Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA), by posting the document online for public review starting today, September 13 until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca.
As part of the 30-day engagement the project team will also be hosting two open houses – one on the east and one on the west shore of the Cataraqui River.
The open houses details are:
a) Wed, Sept 25, La Salle High School, Hwy 15, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
b) Thurs, Sept 26, LCVI High School, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Required for complex projects, the DIA is the most intensive form of review required by Parks Canada’s regulatory process. This comprehensive analysis shows the environmental considerations, impacts and proposed mitigation strategies for the project.
After consultation on the DIA, the City will compile the questions and comments received into a report, which will be submitted along with the DIA for Parks Canada’s review. Residents will be able to see the public consultation review on the project website as well as the City’s Get Involved site.
The Detailed Impact Assessment report is available in alternate formats upon email request to thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca.
Additional links
More detail on environmental work associated with the Third Crossing, including the 2013 Environmental Assessment, is available at
ThirdCrossing.CityofKingston.ca/Engagement/Environmental-Work.
Join the Third Crossing email list on the Third Crossing microsite at ThirdCrossing.CityofKingston.ca/Engagement.
Background
The DIA process was selected by Parks Canada to meet regulatory requirements for all levels of government and fulfill its mandate to protect the environment and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment. In 2013, an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Third Crossing was approved by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Construction of the Third Crossing, joining Gore Road to John Counter Boulevard over the Cataraqui River is expected to be complete by early 2023.”
3) Turbidity Fencing for Turtles at Third Crossing
Received Sept 13.
“Turtles and the protection of local turtle habitat are important considerations for the project team and we continue to learn and hear from residents about this community consideration. To protect turtles in the Cataraqui River during the bridge construction, a turtle fence and turbidity curtain will be installed in the river over the next few weeks.
A turbidity curtain is a flexible, impermeable barrier to contain sediment in water. These curtains are generally weighted at the bottom to ensure sediment doesn’t travel under the curtain and is supported at the top through a floatation system. The curtain will be installed completely around the work area.
A turtle fence has been specially designed to attach to the turbidity curtain to prevent turtles from possibly entering the construction areas. This work has been approved by Parks Canada and all the necessary permits / approvals have been received.
A glimpse into the process – what you will see over the next few weeks
As part of installing the turtle fence and turbidity curtain, here are some things you could see:
First, a drone will capture images of the area and the submerged aquatic vegetation. Only the aquatic vegetation within the turtle exclusion area will be trimmed to help encourage any turtles to leave the immediate area and for easier turtle monitoring during construction.
Any trimmed vegetation will be placed on shore, above high water, to dry. Once dried, it will be composted.
The turbidity curtain and turtle fencing will be then be installed in the water.
Upcoming engagement on environmental considerations with Parks Canada
The team has been working closely with Parks Canada over the last several months to ensure the project will not have an adverse impact on the Cataraqui River and the wildlife, vegetation and cultural heritage of the river. Parks Canada has been working with our team on the Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA). As part of the DIA, we will be launching online and in-person engagement, including two open houses and the release of the full DIA document on the project website. We will be sharing these dates of the open houses and posting the full document with our environmental considerations very soon.
Continued communication through construction activity
We appreciate your patience as we start to have more site presence on both the east and west approaches. As work continues we want to ensure we have good communications with our near neighbours. If at any time you would like to speak with member of the project team, please email us at thirdcrossing@cityofkingston.ca and a team member will be in touch.”
See link for picture
https://www.facebook.com/327971477301533/posts/2269484839816844?substory_index=0&sfns=mo
4) Engage for Change, Sir John A. etc
Sincere apologies once again for being late with this update as the event at the Grand has passed – but do take note of the upcoming follow-ups.
“As you many of you already know the City of Kingston has been working to build a more inclusive and diverse approach to how we share history through our municipal sites, events and programs. As a part of this initiative we have undertaken a community consultation on how we best approach and negotiate our relationship to Sir John A. Macdonald within the Kingston context – which needs to include focused education on the legacy impacts of John A. and the traumatic systems that were put in place during his time and that continue today. On September 17, Christopher Moore, Charlotte Gray and Lee Maracle will be joining us in Kingston for a speakers panel and discussion on this topic. The panel will be moderated by Bob Watts. Guy and Melissa from First Peoples Group will also be there to offer support. The panel will be organized in a respectful way and we are working to ensure that cultural support is available for anyone attending…
The panel will be followed by two workshop sessions on October 16 and 17 where community members are being asked to share their input and ideas for how we tell a more inclusive and accurate history of John A. and his legacy. These workshops will follow respectful protocol and will again be supported by Guy, Bob and Melissa. If anyone has suggestions for how to support these events and conversations in a good way, I appreciate your insights and value your experiences and would welcome hearing from you. With thanks and all the best,
Jennifer Campbell, Manager, Cultural Heritage, Cultural Services”
Contact? jcampbell@cityofkingston.ca
5) FKIH Table at Queen’s Sustainability Week Event: Tues Oct 1
Queen’s Sustainability Week extends from Sunday, Sept 29 at 9 am until Sat Oct 4, at 12 am.
Lots of great stuff happening. https://www.facebook.com/events/466904490769427/
FKIH will have a table at the corner of Union and University from 10 am til 2 pm on Tuesday, Oct 1 with Kenny and live turtle and snake as well as info about preserving the Tannery shoreline from development. All welcome!
More info about entire event? sustainqueens@gmail.com
6) Breakwater Park video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGo0TlQTZE
And thanks so much to members of the CFB Dolphin SCUBA Club and others who cleaned up the area of the Gord Downie Pier.
7) Limestone Boat and Board Club News
We are truly sad that this never happened in the Inner Harbour. That was Plan A. But it was never to be due to the proposed Wellington St. Extension. We wish Brad Brennan and all involved in this project huge success. When completed, construction of their dock at Rotary Park will be open for general public use providing greater access to the waterfront for recreational small craft users.
More info? http://limestonebbc.com
8) Great Lake Levels Likely to Rise in 2020 Received Sept 11, 2019 from New Baltimore Voice Newspapers, Clinton Township, Michigan. “This year, a number of the Great Lakes set records for high water. Lakes Superior, St. Clair and Erie set all-time monthly mean highs in May; in June and July, all three, plus Lake Ontario, set records; in August, Lake Superior tied its all-time high, and Lakes St. Clair and Erie set records. The USACE’s official forecast extends out six months.”
9) Tanya Talaga Talk – Sept 26
What: Queen’s Faculty of Education is pleased to invite you to a lecture by award-winning journalist and author of Seven Fallen Feathers, the tragic story of seven Indigenous teens found mysteriously drowned in the river in Thunder Bay.
Where: Duncan McArthur Hall Auditorium (B101)
When: Thurs, Sept 26, 5 – 6:30 pm
NOTE: In this compelling and thought-provoking lecture, Tanya Talaga will highlight the research she’s done, emphasising its application to education and youth.
10) City Named AIP2 Organization of the Year!
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Received Sept 11, Charlotte, NC. “Developing a Public Engagement Framework in order to improve the city’s decision-making process has earned the City of Kingston Organization of the Year honours from the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada. The award was one of the IAP2 Core Values Awards, presented at the annual IAP2 North American Conference in Charlotte. The IAP2 Core Values Awards recognize achievements in the field of public engagement, ensuring that people affected by a decision are given the opportunity to give input on that decision and to know how their input was taken into account. Kingston’s Public Engagement Framework (PEF) was developed through consultations, guided by IAP2 principles for public engagement. Workshops, surveys, open houses, one-on-one interviews, focus groups and presentations were held, and City Council adopted the PEF in October 2017. The PEF aligns with the City’s 2015-2019 Strategic Plan, which lists transparency and citizen engagement in its Open Government priority, and is now entrenched in a Public Engagement Charter, which states that the city will follow IAP2 as the recognized standard for public engagement. Among other things, the IAP2 Core Values Award judges were impressed with the pervasiveness of the PEF, rather than applying the principle ad hoc, along with the organizational changes and quantitative evidence that shows, after less than eighteen months, a true commitment to public engagement. ‘In the last term of council, we set Fostering Open Government as a top priority,’ says Kingston Mayor Brian Paterson. ‘We committed to being more transparent and accountable – and to ensuring that the public was engaged in the municipal decision-making process. In Kingston, we have an incredibly passionate community. It’s been great to see an engagement process unfold in a way that caters to individuals across the city and to see people respond in equal measure. This award is a testament to the incredible work done to further our engagement goals as a city and I couldn’t be more proud.’ The City of Kingston now has the opportunity to be recognized on the world stage, as it will compete against Organizations of the Year from other IAP2 affiliates in Australasia, Southern Africa, USA and Indonesia. That award will be announced in October at the IAP2 Australasian Conference in Sydney, Australia. Other IAP2 Canada Organizations of the Year include the City of Edmonton (2018), City of Burlington (2017), BC Ministry of Health (2016), City of Victoria (2015) and the City of Calgary (2014). Find more information about the IAP2 Core Values Awards. |
11) City launches “Change for Climate” campaign + COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION!Received Aug 26, 2019 from the city:
“What’s our city doing to address climate change?” “As a resident, what can I do at home?”
These are just a couple of the questions the City of Kingston will
address in its inaugural Change for Climate campaign, launching today.
‘Change for Climate is an opportunity for us to build awareness and
engage residents in tackling this climate emergency,’ says Julie
Salter-Keane, community projects manager for the City.
The City has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across
the City’s operations by 15 per cent between 2018 and 2022, and aims to
be carbon neutral by 2040 or sooner. ‘Through Change for Climate, we
will explore the steps we’re taking to meet these goals. Departments
across our City are taking an even deeper look at their work through the
lens of climate change. This includes everything from how we manage
waste to how we build and maintain our parks,’ says Salter-Keane.
This campaign, which will begin to roll-out on the City’s social media
channels before making its way more broadly into the community, is also
a call to action to all Kingstonians to take a deep look at their home,
work and recreational practices and make their own plans to make real
and sustainable changes.
‘We know if we want to tackle climate change in a meaningful way, we
need wide support.’ Residents can find climate actions tips at CityofKingston.ca/ClimateAction.
On March 5, the City of Kingston was the third municipality in Canada
and the first in Ontario to declare a climate emergency. Since then,
City council has set its strategic priorities and identified
‘demonstrate leadership on climate action’ as one of its priorities.
These priorities help direct and inform the City’s work.”
If you are interested in getting involved, there are a number of
community organizations in the city that are truly concerned about this
actual climate emergency! Do get involved! It was truly inspiring to
be part of the worldwide movement started by Greta Thunberg this past
Friday in Market Square! Congrats to the large number of youth who came
out to lead the march!
Climate Action Week,September 20th – 27th
Contact Julia Miller for updates – JM11.HLR@gmail.com
Similarly if you have an event or any resources related to protecting the environment or learning about climate change that you would like to promote please send information to Julia Millerand sign up to receive her updates – JM11.HLR@gmail.com.
Here are some useful contacts:
Kingston Climate Hub
Learn about how you can get involved. Participate in the Kingston Climate Hub’s survey to help inform the City’s actions moving forward on climate change.
Kingston and the Island Greens
Learn about the local green movement.
350 Kingston
Learn how you can become a member of the local chapter. Sign up for our mailing list.
Tim Yearington
Learn more about the Algonquin view on climate change.
Anonymous for the Voiceless
Learn about this organization working towards saving animals, health and our environment.
The Healthy Living Revolution
Learn about free resources and other tools to support healthy living.
Arbonne
Learn about pure, safe, beneficial vegan personal care and nutrition options.
BOHO & HOBO
Learn about alternatives to single-use products to work towards a zero-waste lifestyle.
12) Kingston Fire and Rescue Family Evacuation Plan Contest – Deadline Oct 2.
Received Sept 12, 2019
“Kingston Fire & Rescue invites young people to plan and practice their home escape plan with their families for a chance to win tickets to the Oct. 10 Gaels vs. Guelph Gryphons game at Richardson Stadium.
‘In the event of a fire, you may have as little as two minutes to safely exit your home. Having a plan in place so your family knows exactly what to do is essential,’ says Chief Fire Prevention Officer Ted Posadowski.
‘We hope this contest provides residents with an added incentive to sit down as a family and create a home escape plan,’ he adds.
This contest runs until Oct. 2 and is open to young people aged 2 to 13 who, with help from a grown-up, successfully complete and practice their home escape plan, and submit a ballot. Ten winners will be selected through a random draw, and will receive two tickets to the Gaels game, the opportunity to participate in a half-time firefighter challenge, and a KFR Hero Kit!
How to participate:
Download and print the KFR home escape plan worksheet. If you don’t have a printer, visit one of the following locations during hours of operation to pick up your worksheet: 500 O’Connor Dr. or a Kingston Frontenac Public Library urban branch. Please note: worksheets will be available at libraries as of Sept. 16!
As a family, complete and practice your home escape plan. Fill-in and detach the ballot on the second page of the worksheet and return it to one of the City locations listed above.
Winners will be contacted directly Oct. 4.
“We hope families take the time to participate in this fun contest,” says Posadowski.
Stay tuned. As we approach Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12, Kingston Fire & Rescue will be announcing more community events and opportunities to learn, prepare and win!Share.
13) Reminder All Candidates Meeting: Food and Farm Issues, Sept 24
What: All Candidates Meeting Eat Think Vote All-Candidates Meeting on Food and Farm Issues
Candidates running in the Kingston and the Islands riding and the Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston riding will speak briefly about their party and personal commitments regarding food and farm issues, followed by Q&A
When: Tues, Sept 24, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Where: Memorial Hall, City Hall, 216 Ontario St.
NOTES: Free admission. Donations welcomed to cover meeting costs. Refreshments served.
14) Frontenac Heritage Foundation Talk – Sept 25
What: Creating the Missing Middle: A Path to
Sustainability and Affordability. Talk by well-known Ottawa architect,
Toon Dreessen. Toon is president of Dreessen Cardinal Architects and
former President of the Ontario Association of Architects.
When: Wednesday, September 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Meeting Room 1 (formerly the Wilson Room) at the
Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library at 130 Johnson
Street, Kingston.
NOTES: Bring a friend – this should be an interesting talk! The session is open to the public and free
15) Home Base Housing Concerns.
Received Sept 3, from Tom Greening, Executive Director of Home Base
Housing as a follow-up to our piece on housing in the last update.
“We really believe that the impact of students on housing
availability and cost has been under-estimated. Post Secondary brings
immense benefits to Kingston….but low income individuals and families
are bearing the brunt of others successes.”
https://globalnews.ca/news/5840842/kingston-housing-crisis-queens-st-lawrence/amp/
More info? 613-542-6672
16) True North Aid September Campaign
Received Sept 3, 2019
“In honour of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action and the newly implemented Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30th), True North Aid is launching a Month of ReconciliACTION and
will bookend this campaign with our first annual “Bridging the Gap: A
Walk Towards Reconciliation” in Kingston on September 29th and Orange Shirt Day on September 30th. Throughout
the month of September, True North Aid is inviting Canadians to take a
step forward towards an intentional journey of reconciliation, offering
ideas on how to meaningfully do so on our social media platforms
including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This campaign will highlight
how True North Aid’s eight stones of support are empowering Indigenous
communities by way of practical humanitarian assistance in providing
food, water, health, education and many other support projects.
Some examples of reconciliaction include:
a) Young Isobel who helped to facilitate and encouraged other Canadians to get involved with her project “Backpacks for Pikangikum”
b) Being a good ally and helping to inspire the next generation of
indigenous youth by providing them with unique opportunities like “The Good Ally Project”
c) learning and educating yourself and others about the impacts of residential schools and the issues that indigenous peoples continue to face in Canada
d) encouraging workplaces and schools to take cultural competency training
e) participating in events like the KAIROS blanket exercise
True North Aid acknowledges the past and works hard to ensure that
history will not repeat itself as together we work towards
reconciliation as a country and a society. True North Aid understands
that reconciliation is about building relationships and respecting
Indigenous culture and we acknowledge that reconciliation is a
continuous process and a complex issue. We also recognize that
reconciliation is the responsibility of every Canadian if we want to
ensure a better and brighter future.
Join us throughout the month of September and pledge to make that first
step towards reconciliation if you have not done so already. Let this
month be the start of learning and of action. If you have joined us on
this path already, would you consider sharing True North Aid’s mandate
with others? CONTACT US today to get involved.”
More info? www.truenorthaid.ca
17) “Kingston Moves” Household Travel Survey
Received Sept 13, 2019
“The City officially launches Kingston Moves, its Household Travel
Survey, today. This voluntary survey selects households at random to
report on their travel within the city over a 24-hour period. The data
gathered through the Kingston Moves survey will inform future planning
of the City’s transportation system and services.
‘Residents who participate in the Kingston Moves survey are helping to
shape our transportation future,’ says Ian Semple, Director,
Transportation Services Department. ‘Having an understanding of how,
where and why residents are travelling within Kingston is invaluable as
we work towards achieving Council’s strategic priority to improve
walkability, roads and transportation in our city.’
The Kingston Moves survey is being administered on behalf of the City of
Kingston by R.A. Malatest & Associates, an independent research
firm with extensive experience in municipal and regional travel surveys.
Households that are selected to participate will receive a letter in the
mail from Mayor Paterson. This letter provides more detail on the
survey as well as the household’s unique participant ID. The survey can
be completed by phone or online at www.KingstonMoves.ca.
Selected households that complete the survey will be entered into a draw
to win a cash prize of $500 or one of 60 $25 e-gift certificates.”
18) Ask your Questions about Red Light Cameras.
Received Sept 18, 2019
“The City is inviting residents to ask their questions about a
potential red-light camera program in Kingston, which is included as a
safety measure in the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, endorsed by council
earlier this month. A separate report specific to red-light
cameras will be presented to Council for consideration later this year,
at which time Council will have the opportunity to decide whether or not
to move forward with implementing this automated enforcement program.
Red light cameras have been operating in Ontario for almost 20 years and
have been proven to improve the level of safety at intersections for
all users.
‘The red-light camera program specifically addresses one of the emphasis
areas identified in the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan; intersections and
red-light running,’ explains Deanna Green, Manager, Traffic Division at
the City of Kingston. ‘Based on current data, we expect the
program to result in a 50 per cent reduction in drivers running red
lights and a 25 per cent reduction in right-angle collisions.’
Beginning today and until Friday, Oct. 11, residents can submit their questions to City staff through the Get Involved Kingston platform. Staff will review and respond to questions as they are received.”
Two public information sessions planned: Monday, Sept. 30 from 2 – 4 p.m. & 7 – 9 p.m. in Memorial Hallat City Hall.
Each session will begin with a brief presentation delivered by staff
from the Transportation Services Department. A facilitated Q&A
session will follow.
19) Local Photo Exhibit – Chris Miner
What: Inner Lives: Photos by and of patients of Providence Care Hospital
Where: This is the first exhibit Chris is offering at
his studio, located at 209 Wellington, Suite 202, near the corner of
Wellington and Queen, downtown Kingston.
When: Tues, Sept 17 – Sat, Oct 26, 2019. Exhibit
hours: Tuesdays from 1-6, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1-5 and Art
After Dark, Sept 27, from 7-10 pm. Or by appointment call Chris Miner –
343-363-2649 or come by chance.
Notes: Many have seen this extraordinary exhibit at
McArthur College or at Providence Care Hospital in the spring of 2019.
Do feel free to share this invitation with those you believe will find
it interesting.
20) WellingtonX Celebration Event – DF Park Oct 5
Received Sept 20, 2019
“It is exciting that on May 21st Council voted to remove the
southern section of the Wellington Street Extension from the North
King’s Town traffic plan — which effectively means they have canceled
it. So let’s celebrate!
Saturday, October 5th, 1-3 pm in Doug Fluhrer Park
On the 5th anniversary of the kickoff event of Wellington X,
join Wellington X and the community to celebrate our collective victory
over road construction through Doug Fluhrer Park! Drop by to help us
finish a wall mural, eat cake and apples, chat with neighbours and
allies, and browse the Really Really Free Market. There will be free
Wellington X tees! Rain date is October 6th, same time. Hosted by Wellington X and AKA Autonomous Social Centre
However (sigh! There is always a however!), the City is still pursuing
the possibility of building the northern section of the WSE. Please read
on for a full picture of the situation as we see it, and why Wellington
X will continue to oppose building the northern section.
You may have heard that the fight had been won against the entire WSE.
We and others in the community thought that was a possibility when in
October, 2018 the NKT Secondary Plan transportation consultants
concluded that the WSE “does not present a substantive benefit to the
road network’s service that would justify its construction”: NKT Traffic Consultants Say WSE Not Necessary.
A second report this
past May, by Dillon Consulting, confirmed that the southern portion of
the WSE (from Rideau Street at Montreal south to Wellington Street at
Bay) is not required “since there is adequate capacity with the existing
roadways in all future growth scenarios”.
As a result, City staff recommended to Council that “the southern
section of the WSE is not required” be incorporated into the NKT
transportation plan, and also that the southern section be removed from
the list of planned projects for the 2019 update of the Development
Charges By-law. Council voted in favour of these motions on May 21st.
This is GOOD NEWS! These are the first steps and foundations to the
southern section being removed from all City documents and plans.
We would like to thank City staff and Dillon Consulting for their timely
work on this. The DC By-law expires this month, and the analysis was
necessary because the DC bylaw is appealable. If the report had not been
completed in time for a Council vote before the deadline, the next time
at which the southern section of the WSE could have been removed from
the DC list of planned projects would have been 2024.
UNFORTUNATELY, according to the Dillon analysis, “the northern half of
the WSE will provide benefits to the capacity of the transportation
system as growth occurs within the study area”. This contradicts the
analysis by the NKT transportation consultants.
Why the difference? The primary reason is that the NKT transportation
consultants used historical data to forecast future growth in the area,
and thus predicted a population increase by 2034 of 1000, whereas the
Dillon consultants were told to use the desired growth specified in the
NKT plan, which doubles the population in the area over 20 years from
8,119 in 2014 to 16,447 in 2034.
Interestingly, the results of the analysis done by Dillon, using a “more
robust and trusted” model clearly illustrate the phenomenon of induced
demand, which would occur in the area if all or part of the WSE were to
be built. In fact, their modeling shows that traffic congestion would be
worse if the southern section of the WSE were built, and that transit
use and active transportation would likely decrease.
Does this new Dillon study mean that the northern section of the WSE should be built? We say no.
Here are a few reasons why not:
Traffic analysis should not trump community vision.
The proposed northern section of the WSE runs adjacent to the K&P
trail, a rare urban trail through quiet green space that should not be
lost. Here is a portion of that section of the trail:
The traffic analysis is based on factors that can be changed by public
policy decisions. In fact, as the report points out, their analysis was
completed prior to the new express buses being added along Montreal
Street, and that alone will reduce the 2034 “over capacity” percentage
from 26% to about 21%. If that reduction can occur while the analysis is
being done, what can we achieve by 2034?
Effective programs can also greatly increase transit use. The analysis
uses a target of 15% transit usage, since that is the target that was
set by City Council in 2015. City Staff are already looking at what
other cities have done to go beyond that, for instance the ECO Pass Program in Boulder, Colorado.
The analysis is based on some assumptions that are likely to become
outdated with new developments. For instance, e-bikes will facilitate an
increase in the distance of the average bicycle commute.
The analysis is based on a desired growth forecast that may not occur.
Is the population of North King’s Town really going to double within 15
years?
The fact that there is a climate emergency, recently officially declared
by Council, should become a real policy driver (no pun intended)
towards finding alternatives to more roads and more cars.
The Dillon report is one input to the transportation plan, which forms
part of the NKT Secondary Plan. Future steps will look at changes that
could be made to the network to address traffic issues, including
transit and active transportation. We have been told that alternatives
to the northern section of the WSE will be included in the analysis.
Let’s celebrate that the southern section of the WSE is not required!
Saturday, October 5th, 1-3 pm in Doug Fluhrer Park
And let’s continue our work to have community vision trump traffic analysis on the northern section.
Mary McCollam, Anne Lougheed, Laura Murray”
21) Great Indigenous News Letter – Sakatay!
Received Aug 30. This really is an amazing site for keeping up to date on Indigenous issues across Canada.
Contact?http://sakatay.ca/contact/
22) Given that we are planning an Algonquin Canoe build in the
spring in consultation with Indigenous community members, this piece
from Sakatay was especially interesting:
“Grandmothers take next steps in legal battle to determine authority to represent Algonquins
https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/grandmothers-take-next-steps-legal-battle-determine-authority-represent
The Traditional Grandmothers of Pikwakanagan want the Ontario Superior
Court to rule that they represent the ‘Tiji Pikwakanagan and all other
members of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation’ and they, not a chief and
band council under the Indian Act nor an organization of First Nations,
have the right to negotiate with the federal and provincial governments
and private developers.
‘With this court case, the grandmothers from Pikwakanagan have come
together and … grandmothers are a council that speak and they have to be
adhered to,’ said Jane Chartrand.
Chartrand and Matriarch Jacqueline Sarazin are the plaintiffs named on
behalf of the traditional grandmothers in the legal action, which began
in 2016.
A ‘fresh amendment’ Statement of Claim was filed this July. The claim is
in case management by Superior Court Justice C.T. Hackland in Ottawa.
The action is calling for a temporary halt of a land claim
agreement-in-principle with the federal and Ontario governments, as well
as a temporary halt to development by Windmill Development at Chaudiere
and Albert Island.
Before the proceedings can go further, however, Hackland has to rule on a
representation order, says Michael Swinwood, legal counsel for the
grandmothers.
‘This is all going to culminate in one big hearing. We’re either going
to be defeated or we’ll prevail. It’s our task to show that the
traditional grandmothers are the proper title holders and not a chief
and band council,’ said Swinwood.
He adds that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples supports the contention that the Algonquin are a matriarchal
society.
Swinwood expects the representation hearing to take place in October or
November with the decision to come within 15 to 30 days of the
hearing.’If we’re successful in the sense of being acknowledged by the
court as the proper representative, that’s going to change the
complexion of everything we’re doing,’ said Swinwood.
However, he did not comment on what would happen to the court action if
the traditional grandmothers are not acknowledged as the proper
representatives.
A number of issues have spurred the grandmothers into taking legal action.
First is the 36,000-square-kilometre Algonquin land claim, the largest
land claim being negotiated in Ontario, between the two levels of
government and the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO).
As far as Chartrand is concerned, the AOO has no authority to negotiate on behalf of the Algonquin.
The AOO consists of 10 communities. Only the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan
First Nation has an elected chief and council. The other nine
communities each has an Algonquin Negotiation Representative. The 10
communities signed a protocol agreement in 2004 to work together.
Chartrand points out that when the ratification vote was held for the
proposed Agreement-in-Principle in 2016, the AOO overall voted in
favour. However, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation held a
separate vote and did not ratify the proposed AIP.
Chief Kirby Whiteduck signed the AIP six months later, although it remained almost identical to the proposed AIP.
Another issue of contention for the grandmothers is the acquisition by
property developer Windmill Development Group of the unceded Algonquin
land of Albert and Chaudiere Island.
‘The developer buys land, but it was never for sale. It had been leased
to lumbermen. When the last lumbermen had finished with it, it was to
come back to the Algonquin. Now they’re building condos on it,’ said
Chartrand. ‘We want them to move their condos somewhere else.’
The land under development includes the Chaudiere Falls, a sacred site.
Windmill Development signed an agreement in 2015 with both the
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and the AOO for development on
those lands.
Chartrand contends the Algonquins were not consulted about the
development. She says she took Whiteduck to task over what was happening
when he said members would be employed in the development.
‘I said, ‘You mean to tell me you sold out a sacred site for a job creation program’?’ Chartrand told Windspeaker.com.
The court action names chief and band council of the Algonquins of
Pikwakanagan, the AOO, Windmill, and the federal and provincial
governments.
In 2012 and 2014 Swinwood was involved in a court action that argued
that ‘the Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763 spoke to fraud,
pretenses and abuses. And our overall thesis is that all relationships
presently are based on fraud, pretenses and abuses.’
His argument further suggests the Indian Act is apartheid and genocide
and compromises the representative powers of chief and band councils.
‘Because in the end, it’s the federal government dealing with itself.
The Indian Act called for the Indian agent. The Indian agent was
replaced by chief and band council, who are supervised by the
superintendent of Indian Affairs. Any band council resolution the
superintendent doesn’t like goes out the window,’ said Swinwood.
The earlier court action had to be dropped because of the high financial costs to those plaintiffs.
Swinwood says he did not approach the traditional grandmothers in order to give new life to an old claim.
‘They took the position that they needed to do something (and) the only
way that you can gain a position is to be asserting Indigenous title,’
he said.
Chief Kirby Whiteduck declined to comment on the issues raised in this article as the matter is ‘before the courts.’ “
So there we are! Here’s hoping things will slow down in October!!!
Cheers,
Mary Farrar, President,
Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour