Hello Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
It’s been a while since you have heard from us. We hope all is well and that you are enjoying the changing of the seasons.
There’s been change here, too. Mary Farrar, after many years and many, many successes on behalf of the Cataraqui River and its inhabits, has stepped down as President of Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour. She stopped sending out her regular newsletter that kept us all so well informed at the end of 2025.
Mary, thank you for all your exceptional efforts on behalf of the Inner Harbour and the Cataraqui River.
Mary is continuing to keep her eye on Transport Canada’s plans for the Inner Harbour. We are, too.
The new Board is:
- Mary Louise Adams, President
- Martine Bresson, Vice-President
- Vicki Schmolka, Secretary
- Annette Burfoot, Treasurer
Today, we want to let you know about Transport Canada’s current plans for the Inner Harbour and how you can get involved in the city’s new Official Plan consultation. It’s not too late.
Transport Canada and the Inner Harbour
Transport Canada has scaled back its clean-up plans, now focusing on the most contaminated parts of the river. The proposed work is on the western side of the river.
At online community briefings in March, Transport Canada announced that they would run a pilot project off-shore of the Tannery Lands in 2027 and will also plan to clean up the area around Anglin Bay. We can expect to see a Detailed Impact Assessment Plan for both projects in the coming months. We’ll let you know.
Kingston’s new Official Plan at the second draft review stage
Important dates
April 21 — TODAY! — the last day to submit comments on the natural heritage study, the mapping of natural heritage areas, and definitions of and protections for locally-significant wetlands and many other natural features.
April 27 — an on-line public meeting to explain the second draft of the Official Plan and give people a chance to ask questions of planning staff. Here’s a link to more information and registration.
May 3 — the last day to comment on the second draft of the Official Plan. You can email your comments here.
Helpful information
There’s a toolkit to provide information about what the City is proposing. It was prepared by the Kingston Climate Justice Coalition.
There is also a petition asking the city not to expand into rural areas until all the costs to taxpayers are known. “No blank cheque for urban sprawl.”
That’s all for today.
Be well and be happy — spring is here.