Issues

The issues related to the protection of the South March Highlands and the Carp Hills are multi dimensional and cut across all three levels of government. Long term solutions to protecting this special area will require the coordinated action by many different public and private sector stakeholders.

The work of SMH-CRC Inc. are focused on the ABCs of environmental protection:

A-wareness

The South March Highlands and Carp Hills are in many ways Ottawa’s best kept secret. Our group works to increase  public awareness of this special area and mobilize citizens to request answers from their elected representatives. We are currently engaged with several local area schools,  organizing school field trips into the South March Highlands.  We publish current events and issues analyses on our website and our members are present on the Greenspace Alliance and the Green Belt Coalition Board of Directors and on the National Capital Commissions Public Advisory Committee, working to keep South March Highlands and Carp Hills issues on the planning and environmental protection radar.

B-uilding alliances and coalitions with stakeholders

The SMH-CRC has built strong relationships with Greenspace Alliance, the Greenbelt Coalition and Ecology Ottawa and works together with these group on forest and species protection related issues. During the past year we have worked closely with local community associations, the Algonquin community and the Catholic School Board.   In 2013 we hope to engage with other local organizations (e.g. Boucher Forest Foundation in Aylmer Quebec)

C-alling government agencies to account

Federal Government: Our members actively follow the National Capital Commission’s activities and are working hard to ensure that the NCC establishes linkages to the South March Highlands and Carp Hills included in its future expansion plans of the Greenbelt  (http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/planning/master-plans/greenbelt-master-plan-review)

Province of Ontario: Legislation and regulations exist that could help protect the South March Highlands and the Carp Hills from further development. Again, because of the determined efforts of one of our members, in September 2011 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ designated Kizell Pond (in the South March Highlands)  as a Provincially Significant Wetland. This protected status has forced local housing developers Urbandale and Richcraft to reconsider their planned subdivision west of Goulbourne Forced Road (an area also known as “KNL Phases 7 and 8″).

In July 2013,  new Endangered Species legislation will take effect in Ontario, this new legislation could help ensure the survival of many threatened and endangered species found in the South March Highlands (including Blandings Turtles, Butternut Trees, American Ginseng)

City of Ottawa: In January 2012, an agreement was reached between the City of Ottawa and Greenspace Alliance on the importance of Eco-Corridors in future land use planning in Ottawa  (our group participated actively in this process). We are now working to ensure that the City of Ottawa complies with this agreement and follows through on its commitments.

In the fall of 2012, the release of engineering and technical studies prepared by the engineering firm AECOM occurred because of the efforts of one of our members (by filing an access to information request). The findings of this study (detailed on this website) have caused further delays to planned housing development in the South March Highlands areas (also known as KNL Phases 7 and 8).

Some businesses we know

Dufferin Rogers Dental Clinic Family Dentist
2032 Dufferin St, York, ON M6E 3R5
(416) 658-3384

The Resurfacer Barn Painters
1673 Richmond St #145, London, ON N6G 2N3
(519) 694-3045

Cannect Home Equity Loans
1006 King St W, Toronto, ON M6K 3N2
(416) 214-9000

Cannect Home Financing Mortgage Broker
81 Navy Wharf Ct, Toronto, ON M5V 3S3
(416) 766-2666

Cannect Private Mortgages & Small Business Loans
33 Gladstone Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 3K7
(416) 766-2666

Trinity Family Dental Clinic Whitby
185 Thickson Rd, Whitby, ON L1N 6T9
(905) 579-5551

TPI Personal Injury Lawyers
2800 Skymark Ave #503, Mississauga, ON L4W 5A6
(905) 361-1500

Uptown Yonge Dental
2717 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4N 2H8
(416) 487-3333

Adelaide Barks Dog Daycare and Boarding
23550 Highbury Ave N, London, ON N0M 1P0
(519) 854-1214

Atlantis Pools & Spas
23550 Highbury Ave N, London, ON N0M 1P0
(519) 471-2058

Rotondi Mold Assessors
6 Richard Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, United States
(518) 852-9090

Commercial Painting & Renovations Ltd. - Internal & Exterior Painters
2339 Ogilvie Rd, Gloucester, ON K1J 8M6
(613) 769-3435

1350 Market St #420, Tallahassee, FL 32312, United States
850-668-1515

Presbyterian Podiatry in Rio Rancho
2400 Unser Blvd SE Suite 08100, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, United States
505-253-6100

Gutter Guys Plus
1021 Princess Ave, London, ON N5W 5L1
(519) 871-0636

Blue Diamond Window Cleaning
1021 Princess Ave, London, ON N5W 5L1
(519) 681-7827

Coronation Construction - Home, Kitchen, Bathroom and Basement Renovations Contractor
2215 Lilac Avenue, London, Ontario N6K 5C5
(548) 888-7366

Advantage Vinyl
130 Copernicus Blvd, Brantford, ON N3P 1L9
(519) 758-0439

Super Steam London Carpet & Air-Duct Cleaning
1020 Hargrieve Rd #10, London, ON N6E 1P5
(519) 857-9444

Green Collar Landscaping
1632 Wilson St. West Ancaster, Ontario L0R 1R0
(289) 339-8746

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