September Newsletter 2025

Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
Our turtles always need advocacy. Do consider helping out by supporting local artists and attending the fundraiser. Thanks so much.
Also, please consider expressing your opinion, both to the federal government and also to the city of Kingston to express your budget priorities for both the country and the city.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/consultations/2025/pre-budget-consultations-2025.html    Deadline Aug 28
My personal concerns are for much more money to be allocated for trails, cycling infrastructure and transit + climate change. A quick sentence or two will do. 
As for the City: 
GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKIngston.ca or phone 613-546-0000 to express your views on the First Draft of Kingston’s New Official Plan and Integrated Mobility Plan: Two Plans, One Coordinated Approach.

Finally, do have a look at the Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation’s August Update. https://kcat.ca.  Sustainable travel choices for everyone, everywhere, every time. It contains so much that is so important!

LOCAL ISSUES, NEWS, AND EVENTS
1. Tannery Update
2. Pond’s Edge Exhibition/Turtles Kingston Fundraiser
3. Updates on Housing, New Provincial Recycling, and Wolfe Island Ferry
4. Update from Limestone City Cooperative Housing
5. City Launches $300K in Pilot Funding to Support the Local Food System
6. Veterans Village Funding Update
7. Green Burial Kingston Update- Pine Grove Cemetery Grand Opening Sept 7
8. Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cites Partnering with Kingston to Host First-Ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup in Ontario
9. City Drives Awareness of Car-Share Pilot Program to Reduce Community Emissions
10. Register for the Truth and Reconciliation Reading Challenge
11. Artillery Park Aquatic Centre to Close for Annual Maintenance
12. Residents near Butternut Creek “Suspicious”
13. Limestone City Cooperative Housing Update
14. Kingston Tariff Information and Support for Businesses
15.SCAN: Progress with Government on Non-Profit, Small Neighborhood Home Development & Affordable Housing for Older Adults on Fixed Incomes
16. Seniors for Climate’s Draw the Line, Sept 20
 
OF BROADER INTEREST
17. Canada Issues Tree Planting Update
18. Carney’s Oil and Gas Strategy is Coming into View

SEPTEMBER FUN
19. Twenty-five things to do in Kingston in September
20. September Fitness Frenzy in Kingston
21 Canada Bass Cisa Open
22. Nature Programs for Seniors
23. The 60th Anniversary Hike Challenge at 4 Conservation Areas – Sept 1 – Oct 31
24. Regenerative Agriculture and Community Resilience
 
LOCAL ISSUES, NEWS, AND EVENTS
1. Tannery Update
Received from the Canadian Environmental Law Association,
Case Update – Proposed Brownfield Development in Kingston

After conducting a multi-week public hearing in 2024, the Ontario Land Tribunal recently released its decision on land use planning appeals involving the proposed re-development of highly contaminated shoreline property in Kingston’s inner harbour.

The decision conditionally approves a scaled-down version of the residential/commercial development, but the Tribunal agreed with the City and CELA’s client No Clearcuts Kingston (NCK) that an on-site portion of a Provincially Significant Wetland must not be developed.

Additional plans, documents, studies, and approvals are required before the development can be constructed, and NCK will continue to closely monitor this situation. More information on this case can be found on our website – https://cela.ca/casework-proposed-brownfield-development-in-kingston-2/

Received from No Clearcuts Kingston. Aug 24
Tree Lovers Needed: Tannery Trees are Under the Axe

This is an emergency newsletter! All 2,000-plus trees are in danger!! 

We know that the City won’t protect the forest, other vegetation, and wildlife. The previous council voted to let developer Jay Patry cut with impunity.
We think more study needs to be done to make sure the property can be developed! Contaminated former tannery properties across the developed world have not been turned into residential areas.
We, the City, and the developer know what contaminants lie underneath the trees. But we don’t know to what extent they exist, nor how they may be mobilized by altered movement of underground water. None of us knows what might make development difficult and too expensive, making Patry walk away after removing all life above ground.
We need Kingstonians to keep watch on the property! To warn others if the chainsaws and bulldozers go in!! Will you help?
Just go to the site whenever you can!! Create signs letting others know why you are there! And please let us know if you see any destructive activities.
We have asked that a hydrogeologist examine what is under the forest before the trees are cut down.
 
Here is our media release OF August 18, 2025:
Kingston, ON – No Clearcuts Kingston (NCK) is calling on the City to hire a hydrogeologist before any irreversible damage is done to the Tannery land and surroundings.
“We realize that the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) located miles away in Toronto has ruled against saving the 2000 trees of our largest urban forest,” said Kathleen O’Hara, No Clearcuts Kingston. “However, our group will continue working to prevent unnecessary environmental damage to the area.”
A hydrogeologist is a scientist who studies groundwater, focusing on its movement, distribution, and quality in the Earth’s subsurface. They apply expertise from geology, hydrology, chemistry, physics, and engineering in order to understand how groundwater interacts with the environment.
“We need a hydrogeologist to model how the remediation of the Tannery land might affect contaminant flow into the Provincially Significant Wetland and the river,” said Kerry Hill, No Clearcuts Kingston. “Right now, we have no idea what is flowing where beneath the forest and we definitely need to know.”
Observers of the site do know that there are buried streams and tributaries from Little Cataraqui Creek to the Cataraqui River. It is imperative to find out where they are and how effectively they might spread any contaminants disturbed by clearcutting and excavating.
For example, the Caton Stream still runs along its original underground channel and flows under the most concentrated areas of the legacy contaminants – because those contaminants were once fed directly into the creek.
This and other groundwater issues could greatly affect efforts to remediate the property.
“We need to err on the side of caution,” said Hill. “Tearing apart this contaminated forest without doing a thorough assessment of the property would be reckless and could easily cause irreparable damage to the air, water, wildlife, even humans.”
NCK noted that no final remediation proposal has been submitted by Jay Patry Enterprises, so the company’s plans regarding what areas will be excavated and where some of the contaminated earth will be moved and/or stored are unknown.

Let’s show the City that they can’t ignore and destroy nature!
Thanks for your continued interest and support!

2. Pond’s Edge Exhibition/Turtles Kingston Fundraiser
Received from Turtles Kingston Aug 14, 2025
This exciting exhibition brings together a diverse collection of local artists to showcase their take on turtle inspired art. This unique event is an intersection of art and conservation to both give a platform for local artists and raise awareness for the challenges faced by our local turtle populations and how you can help.

Stop by the gallery viewing from 10-12 noon on Sat September 27 in the Tett Centre Rehearsal Hall or buy tickets for the afternoon event (12:30-3pm).

All gallery pieces will be given away to guests at the ticketed event. $100 tickets (art ticket) guarantee you will bring home a piece of art. $25 tickets (attendance ticket) give you a chance to win 1 of 5 art pieces. This will be a great event to attend with friends and family.

Buy tickets and learn more here: 
https://www.turtleskingston.com/turtle-store/p/ponds-edge-exhibition-and-turtles-kingston-fundraiser

3. Provincial Updates on Housing, New Provincial Recycling Guidelines, and Wolfe Island Ferry
Received from Ted Hsu’s August Community Update, Aug 26, 2025
Housing
Housing starts in Ontario remain low and continue to underperform compared to all other provinces. In the first half of this year, Ontario was the only province to see a steep decline in housing starts compared to the same period last year—down 25%. While Kingston recently received $3.2 million for exceeding its 2024 housing target and is performing better than much of the province, the need for affordable housing here remains urgent. Average rents for apartments and condos are still far too high for many residents. 
I’ll be calling on the government to cut development charges on smaller housing to encourage building of more dense, modest and affordable homes
New Provincial Recycling Program
Emterra has taken over the city’s recycling operations as of July 1. While many of the issues from the start of the transition have been resolved, I am still hearing from some constituents who continue to experience repeated problems with their recycling pickup. I encourage anyone facing issues to contact Emterra directly via their customer complaint line –https://www.emterra.ca/pages/emterra-group-customer-service
and to copy my office in an email so I can remain informed on any ongoing issues.  
One issue that has been raised is that new recycling bins can only be picked up in Napanee during restricted hours on weekdays, which is inconvenient for most. This may also pose challenges for students returning to Kingston this fall to whom many recycling bins are distributed – thousands in a typical year. I am currently asking, along with City officials, whether Emterra can offer a more accessible pickup location.  
Wolfe Island Ferry
Recently, it was announced that the Wolfe Islander IV will remain out of service until October. This is for two reasons. One, the Wolfe Islander IV was already slated to remain docked for September as the new Marysville dock’s charging and auto-mooring equipment is commissioned. Secondly, since some new issues came up with the generators, MTO decided to pull it from service a few weeks early rather than returning it to service for the last part of August just to have it go out of service again. In its place, the Wolfe Island III will continue operating out of Dawson Point, with a shuttle bus connecting Dawson Point to Marysville. This will provide some more stability, in the short term, for the service, which has experienced serious disruptions this summer.   
Earlier this month, I met with officials from the Ministry of Transportation to understand the factors contributing to these issues and to raise some of the most common questions I’ve heard from constituents. You can watch my full recap of that meeting on YouTube, and a brief video responding to questions about why the Wolfe Island IV can’t be docked at Dawson Point while out of service, also on YouTube. 
I am also looking into why the completion, now estimated to be 2027, of Kingston’s charging infrastructure has been delayed, and whether construction can be expedited. In the meantime, I continue to meet with Wolfe Island residents and ferry passengers to assess the impact of these disruptions and to advocate for improved ferry operations or any other mitigation measures whenever possible. 

4. Update from Limestone City Cooperative Housing
Received Aug 17, 2025
A few exciting updates from LCCH!
Say hello to LCCHv1 – our brand-new AI chatbot is now live on our website! It’s our first minimum viable product (MVP), so while it’s already pretty helpful, it may need a little fine-tuning. Feel free to test it out and definitely let me know if it gives you any “creative” (a.k.a. stupid) answers. It achieved the semblance of sentience just after midnight today—so be kind, it’s still waking up.
Please visit: lcch.ca 
The rest of the website should be ready in the next week or so.
Interval House Gala
We recently met with representatives from both Interval House and Tipi Moza to explore potential partnerships for residents transitioning out of supportive housing. The initial conversations were very encouraging. Our next step will be to present the idea to their respective boards for a non-binding letter of engagement. Further down the line—ideally before we apply for grant funding—we’ll work toward a legally binding Memorandum of Understanding outlining the number of housing units and the support program structure. Alyssa and I have also been invited to attend Interval House’s Fundraising Gala on August 28th, which is a great opportunity to continue building these relationships.
Wright Crescent Update
We’re officially on track to have our pre-consultation meeting with the City on August 26 regarding the proposed site at Wright Crescent. It’s a major step in bringing the vision to life.
Princess Street Promenade – Sept 13
We’ll have a presence at this year’s Promenade and it’s a great opportunity for anyone seeking membership to get involved. Volunteering here counts toward your membership criteria—and it’s also just a great day to meet people and share what LCCH is about.
Next LCCH Board Meeting – Sept 14 at 4:15 PM
We’re planning to meet the day after the Promenade, likely at the Kingston Coffee House in the Kingston Centre. We’re looking forward to welcoming some new members as our co-op community continues to grow.

5. City Launches $300K in Pilot Funding to Support the Local Food System
Received from the City of Kingston Aug 25, 2025
As part of the City of Kingston’s recently approved Food Framework, pilot funding is now available for new and existing initiatives that directly support the local food system. This funding—a combination of $200K from the City’s operating budget and $100K in Fines for Food fees—is part of a larger strategy to grow an inclusive and sustainable food system that ensures all residents have equitable access to healthy, affordable and culturally relevant foods.
One of the key recommendations within the Food Framework was to provide funding to help agencies, businesses, food producers and community organizations make long-term changes.
Eligible projects will align with one of three funding streams:

1. Food access programs (e.g., direct food services or products to individuals facing food insecurity, collaborations between organizations to efficiently share resources, etc.)
2. Small capital and infrastructure enhancement (e.g., small-scale building improvements to enhance service delivery)
3. Innovative projects and pilot initiatives (e.g., new models for food access, urban and rural agriculture, technology-driven solutions, etc.)

“The funding streams are intended to provide opportunities for solutions to support food programming in Kingston,” says Benjamin Leslie, Community Development Coordinator.
Funds can help service providers expand existing programs or develop new initiatives. Priority will be given to collaborative initiatives that centre accessibility, increase service efficiency or address cultural needs within Kingston’s communities.
“This initiative provides a unique opportunity for multiple partners to collaborate and apply together for a pilot project,” adds Leslie. “It encourages partners to combine different strengths and resources to develop or grow meaningful, integrated programs that meet community needs.”
Interested applicants can review full descriptions and criteria for each funding stream on Get Involved Kingston.
Applications are open until Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.
Background
In May 2025, City Council approved the City’s Food Framework (Report 25 – 120), a guiding document to help strengthen the local food system and align food initiatives in the region. Ten of Kingston’s 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities are connected to different areas of the food system.
The Food Framework is built around five interconnected pillars: food production, infrastructure and distribution, food access, education and literacy, and governance. It will be used to map out programs and actions that impact the food system, identify opportunities to empower and collaborate with partners, create a structure for monitoring food systems, provide recommendations to strengthen them and track progress toward resulting goals.
Council directed staff to implement the Food Framework funding strategy through an application process for a total of $300,000 in programming funds, available in 2025, and report back to Council in fall 2025 with the recommended funding recipients.

6. Veterans Village Funding Update
Received from ygktoday@mail.beehiiv.com

7. Green Burial Kingston Update – Pine Grove Cemetery Grand Opening Sept 7.
Received Aug 28, 2025
We are waiting in anticipation for the Grand Opening on Sunday, Sept 7 at 4pm– a special day! After all the advocating and support over the years, we are so excited to be a mere week and a half away from Kingston officially having a Green Burial space.
Trolley Tickets:
In case you missed it… we have rented a Kingston Trolley to bring us to the cemetery for our celebration! Anyone and everyone is welcome aboard- we hope to fill all 30 seats! You can get your $12 tickets here:   https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gbk-pine-grove-cemetery-celebration-trolley-tickets-tickets-1533770712489?aff=oddtdtcreator

We will begin boarding in the parking lot of The Woolen Mill at 4 Cataraqui St at 3:15pm on September 7.
If you would like to ride in your own vehicle following the Trolley, or prefer to meet us at the cemetery, we welcome that as well!

At Pine Grove Cemetery (shown at both 4251 Church Lane, Kingston on Google Maps or at 3645 Brewers Mills Rd., Kingston) we will have a ribbon-cutting and short ceremony, beginning at about 4:15pm, followed by some light refreshments.
We will begin boarding the trolley for the return trip to the Woolen Mill at about 5pm.

8. Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cites Partnering with Kingston to Host First-Ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup in Ontario
The following information is shared on behalf of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is pleased to announce that it has secured a grant from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment,
Conservation and Parks to host Ontario’s first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup.
The Cites Initiative will receive $85,000 through Ontario’s Great Lakes Local Action Fund to host six shoreline cleanups for this inaugural event.
This World Rivers Day, September 28, the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup will bring together more than 250 volunteers to collect up to 200 kilograms of litter at beaches, parks, and other shoreline areas along Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, along with the St. Lawrence River. The Cities Initiative is partnering with six communities for this first multi-site cleanup: Thunder Bay, Chatham-Kent, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Cobourg, and Kingston. These municipalities will partner with local organizations to set up cleanup sites, provide supplies, and train volunteers.
Mayor Bryan Paterson of Kingston: “Kingston is proud to be one of the founding cities of the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. Our community understands the deep connection between a healthy environment and a vibrant future. This initiative is a powerful way to bring residents together, raise awareness, and take real action to protect the Great Lakes shoreline. We’re excited to roll up our sleeves and make a meaningful impact this September.”
Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks: “Our government is proud to support the first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup – a fantastic community initiative to clean plastic and litter from local beaches, parks and shorelines across the province. By investing in this project led by Cities Initiative, the Great Lakes Local Action Fund is making a lasting impact on the health of lakes and rivers in Ontario, contributing to stronger, healthier communities – now and for the future.”  
Mayor Mat Siscoe, Co-Chair of the Cities Initiative and Mayor of St. Catharines: “We thank the Government of Ontario for their generous support, along with the six participating communities, to host the province’s first Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. This investment shows the Province of Ontario’s and these communities’ engagement and passion for protecting our most precious freshwater resources. We hope this cleanup will be the first of a growing annual movement across Ontario and all the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.”  
It is estimated that 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes each year, a source of drinking water for more than 40 million Canadians and Americans. Shoreline cleanups help reduce pollution at the source, as well as raising awareness around the impact of waste and litter in our lakes and rivers. In addition to the Government of Ontario’s generous support, the Cities Initiative recognizes financial and in-kind support provided by participating municipalities and Greenland Consulting Engineers. 

9. City Drives Awareness of Car-Share Pilot Program to Reduce Community Emissions
Received from the City of Kingston Aug 17
This summer, the City entered into an agreement with Communauto, a subscription car-sharing service, for a pilot program to offer more flexible transportation options while reducing overall community emissions.
Increased choice and availability
With the expanded pilot project, cars are conveniently located at 10 stations with even more to roll out through 2026, creating easier access for more neighbourhoods. There are currently 17 active vehicles with three more slated to arrive by the end of the month
The municipal locations now include:

• Rideau Heights Community Centre, 85 Maccauley St.
• Anglin Lot, 1 Bay St.
• Kingston Memorial Centre, 303 York St.
• Springer Memorial Lot, 140 Queen St.
• Pittsburgh Branch – Kingston Frontenac Public Library, 80 Gore Rd.

The car-sharing model allows users to book a car for short periods of time, a flexible option for those who only require a car sometimes.
“The expanded car-sharing program offers more choice while helping reduce community transportation emissions,” says Soren Christianson, Project Manager, Climate Leadership. “Car-sharing provides flexibility for those who don’t own a car or typically use other modes of transportation and infrequently need a car. It’s also a great option for households considering downsizing from several cars but who may occasionally need another vehicle.”
Flexible transportation options help to reduce emissions
The increased number of car-share vehicles will help achieve several environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the overall number of personal vehicles in the community and the number of trips taken by car.
Car-sharing can supplement active transportation and use of public transit; the Transit mobile app assists users by showing where available Communauto vehicles are located.
Driving awareness of the pilot project
To create the most impactful pilot program, the City will promote the car-sharing pilot to the public within existing operating budgets. This includes reserving several public parking spaces for Communauto users. City funds, from the Cash-in-Lieu of Parking levies, will be used internally to cover the cost of the reserved public parking spaces; no City funds are being directed to Communauto.
The City is not responsible for operations related to the car-sharing service; please direct questions to Communauto. For more information, including a map of vehicle locations in Kingston, visit  https://ontario.communauto.com/how-it-works/

10. Register for the Truth and Reconciliation Reading Challenge
Received from the KFPL Aug 30, 2025
Learn about and work towards Truth and Reconciliation through reading-based activities and time-based reading milestones.
Reacher are encouraged to explore titles by Indigenous authors that relate to the histories, languages, cultures, economic achievements and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples. The challenge starts Sept. 30
More info?   613 549-8888

11. Artillery Park Aquatic Centre to Close for Annual Maintenance
Received from the City of Kingston Aug 18
The City of Kingston’s Artillery Park Aquatic Centre (APAC) will be closed from Tuesday, Sept. 2 – Sunday, Sept. 14 (inclusive) for annual maintenance. This closure will allow staff to conduct minor repairs, perform a deep cleaning of the facility and complete any fitness equipment and pool maintenance activities. 
During the shutdown, the pools, gym, fitness centre and meeting rooms will be closed to the public. The front desk area will only be open on Sept. 4 and 5 from 8 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., during which time staff will be available to process aquatic program registration.  
During this time, single-facility APAC pass holders and FitPass holders can access alternative facilities: 
For Single-Facility APAC pass holders: 

• Pool pass: Access Culligan Water Park
• Gym pass: Access INVISTA Centre or Kingston East Community Centre (KECC) fitness centres 

For Fit Pass holders: 

• Access to Culligan Water Park, INVISTA Centre, and KECC fitness centres. 

Programs and schedules at all City recreation facilities can be found through our recreation portal. For additional information or assistance, please call 613-546-0000.

12. Residents near Butternut Creek “Suspicious”
Received from Vicki Schmolka from What’s Up Kingston – vickischmolka+urban-growth@substack.com, Aug 19, 2025
At 7:30 am, they asked Taggart Construction to explain habitat destruction.
This morning at 7:30, a group of residents met at the stormwater pond on Fieldstone Drive, on the west side of Butternut Creek, east of Highway 15. They wanted to know why Taggart Construction equipment was digging up the stormwater pond and who had given permission for the work.
Sandra Diaz, Friends of Butternut Creek, had emailed her city councillor, Ryan Boehme. He replied that he had not received notice of the work and was unaware of it.
Neighbour Serge Labbé said, “We’re concerned citizens and we just want to know what’s going on. No one talks to us and we have reason to be suspicious.”
The Taggart crew on site called Taggart’s foreman David Hinchliffe who arrived to answer questions. He in turn called in David Patterson, Forefront Engineering.
They explained that testing had showed a high level of salt contamination in the “floor bay” of the stormwater pond. It did not have enough of a liner. After the soil removal is complete, the bottom will be capped and replanted so that it can function properly to capture rainwater and road runoff.
Residents asked about the ecological study that documented at least one species of conservation concern using the stormwater pond: Western Chorus Frog, a species at risk listed as threatened by the federal government. Residents report regularly seeing Kildeer, which is protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act (Canada), around the stormwater pond. Diaz wanted to know if the city’s ecologist had authorized the work given the presence of the species-at-risk frogs which were identified in a report filed on the City of Kingston’s DASH system. Her question was not answered.
Construction work along Butternut Creek is being closely watched by residents who are worried about proposals to move the urban growth boundary to allow new housing developments in forested areas on the east side of the creek. Concerns include the capacity of Gore Road to handle increased traffic and the cost to taxpayers of new developments outside the urban boundary that will require expanded city services.
City drawings show new city sewer and water pipes running through the stormwater pond area to service the new developments on the east side of Butternut Creek.
City Council will be making a decision on the urban growth boundary in the months to come.

Reply from City forwarded from the Friends of Butternut Creek, Aug 20, 2025
Hi Sandra, 
Thank you for your email and information provided by your group. I visited the site this morning and spoke with the contractor on site, along with my colleagues in planning who have informed me that the work is being conducted to correct deficiencies in city storm infrastructure as a part of the existing subdivision agreement prior to final assumption. For clarity, I understand that this work is not related to creating new infrastructure or the urban boundary expansion application for 630 Gore Road. I will work closely with my planning colleagues to provide ecological technical expertise for infrastructure maintenance activities. Further information will be coming from planning in response to your inquiries.
Kind regards,
Matt Wheeler
Project Manager, Ecologist, Business, Real Estate, and Environment,
mwheeler@cityofkingston.ca

13. Limestone City Cooperative Housing Update
Received from LCCH, Aug 17, 2025
Say hello to LCCHv1 – our brand-new AI chatbot is now live on our website! It’s our first minimum viable product (MVP), so while it’s already pretty helpful, it may need a little fine-tuning. Feel free to test it out and definitely let me know if it gives you any “creative” (a.k.a. stupid) answers. It achieved the semblance of sentience just after midnight today—so be kind, it’s still waking up. Please visit: lcch.ca
The rest of the website should be ready in the next week or so.
Interval House Gala
We recently met with representatives from both Interval House and Tipi Moza to explore potential partnerships for residents transitioning out of supportive housing. The initial conversations were very encouraging. Our next step will be to present the idea to their respective boards for a non-binding letter of engagement. Further down the line—ideally before we apply for grant funding—we’ll work toward a legally binding Memorandum of Understanding outlining the number of housing units and the support program structure. Alyssa and I have also been invited to attend Interval House’s Fundraising Gala on August 28th, which is a great opportunity to continue building these relationships.
Wright Crescent Update
We’re officially on track to have our pre-consultation meeting with the City on August 26 regarding the proposed site at Wright Crescent. It’s a major step in bringing the vision to life.
Princess Street Promenade – Sept 13
We’ll have a presence at this year’s Promenade and it’s a great opportunity for anyone seeking membership to get involved. Volunteering here counts toward your membership criteria—and it’s also just a great day to meet people and share what LCCH is about.
Next LCCH Board Meeting – Sept 14 at 4:15 PM
We’re planning to meet the day after the Promenade, likely at the Kingston Coffee House in the Kingston Centre. We’re looking forward to welcoming some new members as our co-op community continues to grow.
End-of-Summer Potluck Party – Details on webpage
We’ll be celebrating the changing seasons and all the progress we’ve made together. It’ll be a casual and joyful get-together—you won’t want to miss it.

All the best,
Jeff McLaren
Councillor – Meadowbrook-Strathcona
Chair – Limestone City Co-operative Housing Inc.M www.lcch.ca
Cell (613) 328-1638, Work (613) 888-4327, www.jeffmclaren.ca
P.S. I also make myself available every Sunday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM at the Kingston Coffee House in the Kingston Centre to hear your concerns. Please join me sometime.

14. Kingston Tariff Information and Support for Businesses
Received from Kingston Economic Development – communications@investkingston.ca
Aug 18 – supporting its manufacturing and business communities during this period of uncertainty.
More Info?Tariff Business Support – Kingston Economic Development Corporation

List of products from the United States subject to counter-tariffs, updated June 10, 2025
If you are importing any of these products. Please let us the know the quantities you are importing and we will connect with Global Affairs Canada, Provincial/Federal agencies, and foreign diplomatic delegations to try and find you alternative sources.
Tariff Finder – Find the tariff applicable for your product
The tool shows the tariff rates generally applicable to all nations. It also shows the preferential rates applicable to Canada when a Free Trade Agreement is in place, including the phasing-out period of such tariffs when applicable.
Selling to new markets
Supporting Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges
If you are looking to sell to new markets the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service can support through 160+ locations worldwide. 15 ratified Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in force with 49 countries, giving Canadian produces access to 1.5 billion consumers.
Trade Impact Program to support exporting to new markets
The program will deploy $5 billion over two years, starting this year, to help exporters reach new markets for Canadian products and help companies navigate the economic challenges imposed by the tariffs, including losses from non-payment, currency fluctuations, lack of access to cash flows, and barriers to expansion.
Governmental Support Programs
$500 million in loans through Business Development Canada
$500 million in favourably priced loans are available through the Business Development Bank of Canada to support impacted businesses in sectors directly targeted by tariffs, as well as companies in their supply chains. Businesses will also benefit from advisory services in areas such as financial management and market diversification.
Implementation of an update to the Investment Canada Act
Strengthened regulations under the Investment Canada Act to prevent harmful foreign takeovers during this economic uncertainty.
Work-sharing program flexibility to retain workers and reduce layoffs
The federal government is introducing temporary flexibilities to the EI Work-Sharing Program to increase access and maximum agreement duration. The Work-Sharing Program provides EI benefits to employees who agree with their employer to work reduced hours due to a decrease in business activity beyond their employer’s control.
Ontario Together Trade Fund
The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) provides financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs. With a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the program will help businesses, build local capacity, enhance trade resiliency, and make the necessary investments to successfully expand into new markets.
Business Development Canada advisory services for Tariff-affected business
BDC is offering up to two hours of free consultation with trade and financial experts to help businesses build resilience against trade volatility. Through this program, entrepreneurs can assess their financial position, explore new markets and suppliers, and identify strategies to reduce operational costs and increase competitiveness, ensuring their business can adapt and thrive in changing economic conditions.
Finding Canadian suppliers
Directories of Canadian companies
Search directories for Canadian products and suppliers and resources on supply chain alternatives.
Ontario made
Ontario Made product directory
Contribute to the growth of Ontario’s economy and help Canadian businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs—showcase your products and shop Canadian made!
Resources to support businesses during trade uncertainty
BDC Tariff Special Support & Trade Resilience Brochure
Business Development Canada tools to help build your company’s resiliency.
Weathering the Storm
World Trade Center Toronto playbook for Canadian SMEs navigating US-Canada tariffs.
US-Canada trade tracker
Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker
Canadian Chamber of Commerce trade tracker. Information on the unique economic relationship each province has with the U.S.
Tariffs remission requests
Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S. – Canada.ca
The Government of Canada outlined a framework and process for how it will consider remission requests for the tariffs on products from the United States. Under specific circumstances, remission allows for relief from the payment of tariffs, or the refund of tariffs already paid.
The Kingston Economic Development Corporation is here to support your business during these challenging times. Please reach out if you need assistance navigating imports or exports.

15. SCAN: Progress with Government on Non-Profit Small Neighbourhood Home Development & Affordable Housing for Older Adults on Fixed Incomes.
Received from Seniors for Social Action (Ontario) Aug 18, 2025
A NON-PROFIT SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD HOMES INITIATIVE FOR ONTARIO
Recently Seniors for Social Action Ontario’s (SSAO) Research and Writing team had a very positive and productive meeting with senior officials at Ontario Health concerning the need for small, neighborhood homes delivered by non-profits and municipalities to support older adults living with frailty and/or cognitive disabilities. At the meeting an SSAO report on Small Neighborhood Homes was presented to Ontario Health – see https://mcusercontent.com/36363a028fc1d1a14890ff48e/files/610e4273-7631-c044-84e6-f551d8b65aa1/SSAO_Small_Neighbouhood_Homes_Project.pdf
Ontario Health is now moving forward to plan and ultimately operationalize small neighborhood home development across Ontario. 
If you are affiliated with a non-profit organization and/or a municipality or region interested in this initiative please contact SSAO at seniorsactionontario@gmail.com  and we will connect you with the Ontario Health lead on this project.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTS ON INCLUDING OLDER ADULTS IN ITS DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE
A few weeks ago, the Chair of SSAO met with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing and they had an excellent discussion about what was needed in the way of housing and social infrastructure for older adults to support aging in place.  This brief was presented to the Parliamentary Secretary – https://www.seniorsactionontario.com/_files/ugd/50033d_e97e08743b8a4466b572e46988345ed7.pdf
This week, Build Canada Homes (BCH) – the agency charged with creating affordable housing in Canada – produced a discussion paper that included most of the points made in the meeting with the Parliamentary Secretary that will have an extremely positive effect in creating affordable, accessible housing for older adults who may require support to age in place.

Some highlights include:

• An emphasis on a mix of homes that respond to the needs of older adults on fixed incomes and other households geared to producing strong resilient communities.These can include cooperatives, community housing, and being able to use federal lands to accelerate these kinds of developments.
• Affordable housing with supportive and wraparound services focusing on those experiencing homelessness, but this also provides an opportunity for non-profit assisted living residences to be built for elders – something SSAO has long advocated as an alternative to nursing homes.  Elders live in apartments with a range of integrated care services provided in the building. 
• Flexible financing tailored to the needs of those partnering with BCH to build supportive housing and transitional homes. 
• Build Canada Homes, in some cases, will act as a developer in varying capacities to construct housing and lease it to affordable housing providers – which could be a significant benefit to non-profit seniors serving agencies and municipalities wishing to create housing that supports aging in place. 
• There is an emphasis on environmentally friendly, low carbon building materials and climate resilient construction and more modern, 21st century approaches to building homes more quickly – healthier for people and for the environment.

The full  Build Canada Homes market sounding discussion paper can be found here: https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/alt-format/pdf/bch-mc/market-sounding-guide-sondage-marche-en.pdf

16. Seniors for Climate’s Draw the Line Event – September 20
Received Aug, 2025
In July Canada burned its way past a record. Wildfires torched more land than they had all last year. And that was the second-most destructive fire season ever, surpassed only by the year before that.

On Canada Day the prominent Canadian climate scientist Katharine Hayhoeissued a sobering warning. Dr. Hayhoe lives in Texas where climate breakdown-related floods had just killed some 137 people. She explained that just being affected by climate disasters will not — by itself — make people more willing to support climate action.
“That’s why it’s SO important that we talk about it.”

That’s why Seniors For Climate is part of a coalition organizing a September 20 national action called Draw The Line. Our big tent connects climate, social justice, peace and democracy groups. We’re part of a world-wide movement to build a just and livable planet. It’s not too late to talk about the planet’s future. Our future. It’s not too late act.

Draw The Line is a cross-country Day of Action. On September 20th people in communities across Canada will come together to resist Prime Minister Mark Carney’s fossil fuel-driven policies. The Day of Action coincides with a global week of action calling for climate and economic justice.

Mere months into his mandate, Prime Minister Carney is promoting pipelines as “nation-building projects,” trampling Indigenous rights. Why pour billions of public dollars into militarism and surveillance to appease Donald Trump? If Bills C-2 and C-5 are any indication of what’s to come, we have our work cut out for us. Draw The Line is an opportunity to build a historic alliance to form coalitions that can continue to build beyond September 20th.

Here in Kingston Seniors For Climate is reaching out to supporters and anyone interested in our Draw The Line Parade for people, for climate and for peace. We’ll gather in Victoria Park at 1:30 on September 20, heading over to McBurney Park at 2:00. 
Our fossil fuel free parade welcomes quiet contraptions that don’t fry the planet.  

Ahead of the global #DrawTheLine day of action, join us for a powerful webinar with award-winning author and journalist John Vaillant. 
In a 30-minute presentation followed by live Q&A, Vaillant will speak about his most recent work, Fire Weather— a #1 national bestseller and one of The New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2023. Drawing on the devastating Fort McMurray wildfire, Fire Weather explores how fossil fuels and a rapidly warming climate are reshaping life on Earth. 
John Vaillant is a master storyteller whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and National Geographic. His books have won major prizes around the world, including the Baillie Gifford Prize, Governor General’s Award, and Shaughnessy-Cohen Prize for Political Writing.
Fire Weather was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize and praised across the political spectrum — from Catherine McKenna to Stephen Harper’s former head of communications.
 Join us. Be informed. Be inspired. Draw the Line. 
👉 *Free registration required.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dsOpM-quSbSOod1AQKDdyg#/registration

OF BROADER INTEREST
17. Canada Issues Tree Planting Update
Received from Natural Resources Canada, Aug 29, 2025
Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced that Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program has agreements to plant nearly one billion trees since the program’s launch in 2021. 
As of June 2025, Canada has signed or is negotiating tree-planting agreements with 11 provinces and territories, 58 Indigenous partners, 30 municipalities and 88 non-governmental organizations.
To date, over 228 million trees have been planted, representing important progress to protect crucial wildlife habitat, restore wildfire-impacted areas and sequester carbon.
The Government of Canada remains committed to restoring and conserving nature and biodiversity, including by creating at least 10 new national parks and marine conservation areas and 15 new urban parks and working toward our ambitious goal of protecting 30 percent of our land and waters by 2030.

18. Carney’s Oil and Gas Strategy is Coming into View
Received from Canada’s National Observer, August 29, 2025
When Prime Minister Mark Carney and his energy minister, Tim Hodgson, flew to Berlin at the end of August, their ostensible purpose was to announce a “new partnership with Germany on critical minerals and energy.” On paper, the trip was a trade mission with modest immediate results (three deals between Canadian mining companies and German industries). More significantly, it provided an opportunity to tell Canadians about the first two major projects likely to be chosen under Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act. 
The two major projects Carney and Hodgson teased are a pair of port expansions: one at Montreal’s Contrecoeur, and the second in northern Manitoba at the Port of Churchill.
The Port of Churchill got the most attention. Perched on the edge of Hudson Bay, it has long been a tantalizing link to European markets — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been pitching it for years as a destination for oil pipelines. This week in Berlin, Carney and Hodgson both framed it as a great location from which to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe “in the medium term,” meaning once a pipeline and liquefaction terminal are built. In the “short term,” Carney said, critical minerals can be sent forth. In fact, they already are. 
When Hodgson was asked by reporters if oil might also be passing through Churchill, he said, “I’m not aware of any proponent who’s talking about that right now.”
Wab Kinew, the premier of Manitoba, is enthusiastically on board with expanding the Port of Churchill. So is the Arctic Gateway Group, the coalition of 29 First Nations who own it. 
It all spoke volumes about the direction Carney plans to take Canada’s climate and energy policies on the eve of Parliament’s return. Liquefied natural gas is in. So are the critical minerals at the heart of the clean energy transition. Oil, on the other hand, can fend for itself.
A gateway to Europe, or a bridge to nowhere?
The Port of Churchill exemplifies the strengths and weaknesses of Carney’s C-5 strategy. On the one hand, it has strong provincial and Indigenous support. It also shows clear promise as a gateway for the critical mineral supply chains that Carney has spent a great deal of energy promoting, from the G7 he hosted in June to the NATO summit he visited shortly afterwards. 
After months of ambiguity on his view of oil, gas, and clean energy, the prime minister has begun picking favourites.
On the other hand, its promise as a fossil fuel export terminal is almost certainly a fiction. One complicating factor is that Hudson Bay is frozen for over half of each year; another is that demand for LNG in Germany and Europe is declining, even as a global supply glut looms. 
“If you’re doing critical minerals, this can be overcome,” Heather Exner-Pirot, the director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa, told Canada’s National Observer. Minerals can be mined year-round and stockpiled through winter at virtually no cost, Exner-Pirot explained. When the ice melts, the minerals can then be shipped to waiting European markets. “But you can’t do that with natural gas,” she said — the cost of transportation, storage and liquefaction (which requires extremely low temperatures) are simply too great. “No one would invest in a pipeline and a liquefaction terminal to use for five months of the year. You just don’t get your return on investment.”
Exner-Pirot’s critique is all the more notable given her advocacy for increasing Canada’s exports of oil and gas. She is a proponent of reviving the Northern Gateway oil pipeline to northern BC — a project that represents the polar opposite of sending fossil gas to Churchill: economically viable, but politically toxic. 
“Everyone is always very pleased when Indigenous groups want to be proponents of oil and gas projects. I’m very pleased when that happens. On paper, it is all very attractive. But you only have to peel through one layer of the onion to appreciate that [LNG from Churchill is] not economic. And that’s why you have provinces and federal governments and Indigenous governments as the advocates for this and no private shippers.”
Balancing political necessity with economic reality
Rachel Samson, vice president of research at the Institute for Research on Public Policy, agrees that sending fossil fuel through Churchill is an economic dead-end. But she also has some sympathy for the position Carney finds himself in with respect to oil and gas.
“The challenge that the current government’s weighing is the situation with Alberta,” Samson told Canada’s National Observer. “The population in Alberta is very skeptical of a Liberal government, and they feel that the Trudeau government has held back their economic potential. So, the current government’s looking to demonstrate support for their products. … It’s a choice between oil and natural gas.”
Earlier this summer, both Carney and Hodgson did express support for oil pipelines making Bill C-5’s major project list. Those comments were delivered in Calgary, however, directly to oil industry executives; since then, neither one has said anything about oil. By contrast, they have frequently spoken in favour of LNG.
“I think there was a view prior to a few years ago that the need for natural gas would be relatively minor and relatively short term,” Hodgson told reporters in Berlin. “I think what we all realize post the Ukraine, post what’s happening with AI, is that natural gas is going to be a transitional fuel that’s in greater demand in Germany and for a longer period of time.”
That view is partly true — the German government is currently in the process of revising its renewable-energy targets and is likely to slow its transition away from fossil fuel. But even with the revised outlook, Germany — along with the rest of Europe — are forecast to reduce their long-term consumption of natural gas after 2030. Even under the most optimistic assessment, it would take far longer than that to build the infrastructure required to deliver Canadian LNG to Germany. Not only that, but Germany currently has access to far cheaper LNG, from Norway and the US, than Canada can supply; neither of those sources will dry up any time soon.
In spite of all this, Samson expressed cautious support for Carney’s overall rhetoric. “I do think that governments need to be very careful about how they talk about the global and domestic [energy] transition,” she said, pointing to the huge number of Canadians who depend on the fossil fuel industry. “A lot of people in these communities, this is an existential question for them; for their livelihoods, their careers, their communities, the value of their homes. It’s all tied up together.
“I think putting it on the private sector to say, well, what risks are they willing to take? What type of money are they willing to put on the line within all this context? That’s a smart strategy.”
 Carney and Hodgson were in fact careful when speaking in Berlin — as they have been all summer — to emphasize the need for any new project to have a private proponent stepping up with money.
“We are indeed interested in supplying Germany with our LNG, should the demand and Canadian infrastructure exist,” Hodgson told a group of businessmen at the Canadian embassy this week. “But any proponent who comes forward with a project that features good economics and buy-in from their province and Indigenous people, we will take a good look at.”
 For different reasons, that leads to one thing an oil pipeline to BC’s coast and an LNG terminal in Churchill do have in common: The absence of an actual proponent.

FOR FUN IN SEPTEMBER
19. Twenty-five things to do in Kingston in September
Received from tourismkingston.com, Aug 27
https://www.visitkingston.ca/stories/25-things-to-do-in-kingston-this-september

20. September Fitness Frenzy in Kingston
In September, join us at City recreation facilities for Fitness Frenzy — a special opportunity to experience our most popular group fitness classes at no cost. Whether you’re curious about a new workout or want to revisit an old favourite, there’s something for every interest and fitness level. 
How it works

• Classes are free for everyone — no membership required.
• Create an account at cityofkingston.ca/play if you don’t already have one.
• Register for any classes you’d like to attend.

When and where? 
From September 22 to 25, 2025, at various City Recreation Facilities.
Activities 
Check out our free programming. Log in or sign up on our recreation portal to register.
Monday, Sept. 22

• Low Impact: 11 a.m. at Kingston East Community Centre
• Cardio Core Strength: 12 p.m. at Artillery Park

 Tuesday, Sept. 23 

• Cycle Fit: 12:30 p.m. at INVISTA Centre

 Wednesday, Sept. 24

• Hatha Yoga: 10 a.m. at Artillery Park
• RIP: 6 p.m. at INVISTA Centre

 Thursday, Sept. 25

• Gentle Mobility Flow: 1 p.m. at INVISTA Centre
• Cycle Fit: 5:30 p.m. at Artillery Park

21 Canada Bass Cisa Open
Received from the Kingston Whig Standard, Aug 28, 2025

22. Nature Programs for SeniorsReceived from Cataraqui Conservation,
August 25, 2025
Cataraqui Conservation is pleased to announce we have new nature-based programming for seniors.
Join us for monthly programming starting in September and running into spring 2026. Cataraqui Conservation staff and partners will be hosting a variety of program topics such as tracking, birding, medicine walks, guided hikes, snowshoeing, reconciliation walk, virtual programs and much more.
Programs are free to attend and registration is required. Our First fall events are open for registration with more coming soon.
https://cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/seniors-programs?se_activity_id=173577371805&syclid=d2pheuqsefgc738skv70&utm_campaign=NEW+-+Nature=Programs=for-Seniors_173577371805&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

23. The 60th Anniversary Hike Challenge at 4 Conservation Areas – Sept 1 – Oct 31.
 Received from Cataraqui Conservation, Aug 25, 2025.
More info?https://cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/hike-challenge

24. Regenerative Agriculture and Community Resilience
Received from James Brown, August 30, 2025
“One beautiful example of focusing and facilitation frustrated citizens deep desire to help us walk the regenerative path. I love the idea that one can visit and experience firsthand the incredible difference we can make when working together.
Surely that’s energizing nourishment for heart, and mind. And encourages us to pro-actively expand the bridges of trust and relationships with each other. 

At Agraria, we believe in the power of land to heal, nourish, and sustain both people and ecosystems.OurAdopt-an-Acre program invites you to symbolically adopt a piece of our regenerative farm and support our mission to cultivate a healthier, more resilient food system.
How it works

• Review Agraria’s Land Use Plan & Map – https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61e712909554fc7ccd2ee998/t/67bcb70c9170b028954b65b8/1740420877468/Agraria+Land+Use+Map+2025.pdf 
• Select a part of the farm that you want to adopt using the map (ex. “A8 – the Perennial Garden”).
• Click the ADOPT HERE button and fill out a simple form
• Your adoption request is submitted when you make a donation

What you receive
✔️ A personalized adoption certificate with photo
✔️ Updates on the impact of your support
✔️ Recognition on our website & newsletter
✔️ The satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference!
Optional – Tour of your adopted acre(s)

Good things are where we find them.  Seek and we shall see.  Enjoy this lovely day,
Jim and Joan (jamesbrown@browns.ca)”

Wishing you all an amazing September,
Cheers,
Mary Farrar,
Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour