Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
Thanks so much Hilbert for this current local turtle pic – sadly damaged by a propeller – like so many! Turtles are on the move! Look out for hatchlings and nesting moms. Do become interested in learning more about local turtles. See Item #1 below. Always good to have a current phone number on hand if you see anything!
LOCAL NEWS, ISSUES, AND EVENTS
1. Local Turtle Info Meetings: Today, May 9 and Wed, May 15.
2. URGENT: Petition vs. ON Gov Bill 185
– severely limiting community appeal rights.
Deadline May 10!
3. LaSalle Causeway update
4. Tannery Update
5. Sistema Kingston Concert, Today, May 9.
4:30 pm, Isabel Bader Centre.
FROM FURTHER AFIELD
6. Lake Ontario Water Levels Expected to Stay Near or Just Below Average into Summer.
7. To Reach Net-Zero, Shipping will have to Challenge the Status Quo
FOR FUN AND GENERAL INTEREST
8. Things to Do in Kingston in May
9. Homemade Herbal Tinctures
10. Fun Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids
LOCAL NEWS, ISSUES, AND EVENTS
1. Turtle Info Meetings May 9 and May 15
What: Free public info sessions including hatchlings, nesting adults & injured turtles
Who: Turtles Kingston
When: Thurs, May 9 at 5:30 pm & Wed, May 15 at 12:00 noon
Where: May 9 at Frontenac Village Condo, Wed, May 15 at OHIP Building, 49 Place d’Armes, Kingston
More info?turtleskingston@gmail.com
General turtle info?turtleskingston.com
2. URGENT: Petition vs. ON Gov Bill 185 severely limiting community rights to appeal. DEADLINE TOMORROW: May 10
Received from the Canadian Environmental Law Association, April 30, 2024
Bill 185 Threatens Public Appeal Rights
The province’s latest bill (Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024) again seeks to remove the public’s ability to appeal the adoption or amendment of Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws. These amendments were first included in Bill 23 in 2022 but were rightly removed in response to public concern. We urge the government to – once again – remove these proposed amendments and maintain the public’s critical, long-standing right to appeal local land use decisions to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
CELA has serious concerns with these proposals.A strong land use planning regime helps to protect critical resources like water and agricultural lands, and relies on robust community engagement to be properly informed about local circumstances and prevent costly mistakes.
The public deserves to maintain their say in how their neighbourhoods develop and the quality of their local environments. We urge you to:
- Contact your local MPP and tell them that Bill 185, Schedule 12 – https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-185
- They should not remove the long-standing right of the public to appeal the adoption or amendment of Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Make a submissionunder the Environmental Registry Posting # 019-8369 by May 10, 2024 to oppose the removal of the public’s appeal rights. https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8369
This is important. It is being hidden in the housing bill.
Only a couple of minutes for a sentence of two expressing your opinion.
More information can be found on CELA’s website here.
https://cela.ca/blog-bill-185-threatens-to-remove-the-publics-appeal-rights-on-land-use-planning-affecting-their-communities/
3. LaSalle Causeway Update
Received from MP Mark Gerretsen’s office, May 3, 2024
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) held a technical briefing on May 2 to advise the current status of the work underway on the Bascule Bridge as well as key considerations regarding timelines.
Here’s what we know:
Repair work, through a phased approach, is currently underway with an anticipated timeline of 8-10 weeks for bridge re-opening, subject to findings from a laser survey that will commence shortly. **Timeline subject to change should there be unforeseen issues with the bridge.
Phase 1 Repairs (currently underway) involve strengthening various elements of the bridge and completing key existing contract work to prepare for repair of the damaged element.
Phase 2 Repairs (next step) will involve repairing the damage suffered on the diagonal steel element, and then strengthening it.
As repairs are ongoing, PSPC is evaluating the viability of removing a span on the East Bridge to allow for the opening of a marine navigation channel
PSPC, specialized engineers, and contractors are working collaboratively with others to address this situation in a safe and expedient manner. They will continue to communicate new information as it becomes available.
PSPC’s latest update is available here: https://www.canada.ca/…/update-on-lasalle-causeway…
Timeline to Date (Information previously Released by PSPC):
March 30 – an essential bridge component buckles, unexpectedly, while the bridge is undergoing scheduled repairs
April 2 – PSPC advises LaSalle Causeway is fully closed to all public access, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, until further notice
April 4 – PSPC advises specialized equipment was brought in to support the counterweight and stabilize the structure
April 12 – PSPC advises that the bridge has stabilized and that initial inspections indicate that extensive damage to the bridge will require a complex repair solution
April 22 – PSPC advises that a dedicated team of specialized engineers and contractors have begun work on repairs through a phased approach
4. Tannery Update
On behalf of No Clearcuts Kingston, CELA lawyers participated in a five week video hearing by the Ontario Land Tribunal in relation to the proposed development of a heavily contaminated property in Kingston’s inner harbour.
The hearing focused on the developer’s appeals against the City’s refusal to approve the development, which would destroy part of a provincially significant wetland and remove significant woodlands that exist on-site. In support of the City’s refusal, our client’s expert witnesses provided opinion evidence on potential impacts to groundwater, surface water, natural heritage, ecological receptors, and public health and safety. Our client’s final written argument was recently filed with the Tribunal, and the developer’s reply argument is due in early May.
STILL NO WORD!
5. Sistema Kingston Concert, TONIGHT, THURS, MAY 9, 2024
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. 4:30 pm.
All Welcome! Come and support this wonderful program.
FROM FURTHER AFIELD
6. Lake Ontario Water Levels Expected to Stay Near or Just Below Average into Summer.
Received from Yahoo, May 2, 2024
While nothing is set in stone, early indications and forecasts from the Inernational Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board, which maintains outflow from Lake Ontario for the International Joint Commission, are that the normal mid-summer high point for Lake Ontario levels will remain slightly below average.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/lake-ontario-water-levels-expected-214610316.html
7. To Reach Net-Zero, Shipping will have to Challenge the Status Quo
Received from World Ports Org, May 9, 2024
DNV Maritime chief executive Knut Orbeck-Nissen says shipping needs all low-and-zero-carbon alternatives, and should even look at creating “pink corridors”. International shipping has come a long way in the past five years, with a clear consensus around the need to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas.
https://www.worldports.org/to-reach-net-zero-shipping-will-have-to-challenge-the-status-quo/
FOR FUN AND GENERAL INTEREST
8. Things to Do in Kingston in May
Received from Visit Kingston, May 1, 2024
https://www.visitkingston.ca/25-things-to-do-in-may/
9. Homemade Herbal Tinctures
https://ashleyadamant.substack.com/
10. Fun Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids
https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/mothers-day-crafts-for-kids/
So that’s it for now.
See you out and about.
Cheers,
Mary Farrar, President,
Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour