Peace and Environment News* June 1995
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Peace and Environment News * June 1995 |
by Heather Burke
On April 27, 300 to 400 residents from Blackburn Hamlet and other communities bordering the Greenbelt packed into the gym of Glen Ogilvie Public School. They were there to find out what the National Capital Commission (NCC) plans are for Greenbelt land and to let the NCC know they are not going to sit and watch while the NCC sells off greenspace. It was standing room only, and NCC officials were said to be "surprised" at such a large turnout.
People are concerned because the NCC has proposed a master plan which includes the sale of several parcels of land now defined as Greenbelt. One of those parcels acts as a buffer between Blackburn Hamlet and a four-lane high speed road. Other proposals include a strip mall on Innes Road near Green's Creek, which is recognized as an extremely valuable ecosystem with plants and animals rare to this part of Ontario.
Another proposal is for an industrial park to be built on Greenbelt land. "How has the NCC demonstrated a need for this," asked Alex Munter, Regional Councillor for Kanata, "when there is a 30-year surplus of industrial space in Ottawa right now?"
The rally was organized by the Preserve the Greenbelt Committee-Blackburn Hamlet Branch. There were presentations by the NCC, the mayor of Gloucester, Gloucester's federal MP, several regional councillors, as well as several other community organizations that are committed to preserving the Greenbelt.
Some individuals from Nepean who had done battle with the NCC a few years ago over the Hunt Club extension expressed cynicism about "public process." One man accused the NCC of claiming community opinion was in their favour when he himself had been to public meetings and had seen that it was not. In a very effective move, he asked people in the audience to raise their hands if they agreed that "the NCC should not sell any Greenbelt land." All the hands in the audience went up. He then challenged the NCC to try to misinterpret that.
For more information, please contact Sue Sheridan of the Blackburn Hamlet Preserve the Greenbelt Committee at 824-8936.
Converted July 7, 2000 - Lg
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