The KPS apartments backlash revisited

and you may be surprised to realize that, love or hate their decision-making, North Grenville at least has a Council that puts extra effort forward.

My editorial on the subject of the apartments – which heavily criticized Council for not hearing residents’ concerns over the KPS apartments – was not inspired by a hatred of the current Council, but rather by a surprise at how they handled the situation.

situation. Unfortunately, our population growth and diminishing available land make it impossible for everyone to live in a large “white picket fence” house.

Last month, North Grenville Council took its fair share of backlash regarding the planned apartment complex to be built on the land of the former Kemptville Public School site. Some residents of the area presented specific concerns about why they felt the proposed apartment complex would be too large, too tall, or too aesthetically unpleasing. Others argued that it will be too big for the area, with not enough jobs to support the newcomers, and far too much traffic for an area where many young children live. And then there were those, myself included, who had no opinion one way or the other regarding the merits of the planned apartments, but instead felt that Council could have done a better job hearing residents’ concerns before voting on bylaws to move the project forward.

Much like any government at any level and at any point in history, the current North Grenville Council has both support-

Chamber of Commerce to hold Business Expo

by Brandon Mayer

The North Grenville Chamber of Commerce will host an exciting new event this weekend. On Feb 25 from 9am-4pm, the Chamber will host the 2023 Business Expo at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, located at 285 County Rd #44 in Kemptville.

“With 27 vendors registered for our event, the lineup looks amazing! We’re looking forward highlighting our local businesses, both new and established, and connecting them with potential customers,” Chamber Chair Karen Quigley.

Moose FM will be on site broadcasting from 9am until 1pm. Beth Donovan Hospice will be accepting monetary donations at the door to help support their programs. The purpose of the Expo is to give local businesses the chance to engage and interact with the community. Many North Grenville residents are passionate about supporting local, and the expo is an excellent opportunity for them to do just that.

We encourage you to support our local entrepreneurs by visiting the expo and learning more about the products and services they provide, this event is open to everyone and is family friendly.

Come check it out – chances are you’ll be glad you did!

Special thanks to our sponsors Lisa Hale from Compass Accounting and Scott Waldron from Gravitate Travel.

ers and opponents. However, Council had enough support in the October municipal election to be re-elected as a whole, and it is no secret that the current Council members have an active presence in the community, far beyond what is minimally required of a sitting Council. I encourage anyone to watch livestreamed meetings from neighbouring municipalities, and do an internet search to attempt to find photos of politicians from these municipalities attending events. You will have difficulty,

Last week, Deputy Mayor John Barclay sent two documents to the Times to help explain the reasoning behind the apartment complex decision-making. One was a Globe and Mail article published earlier this year that outlines a need for more high-density housing as a means to help alleviate the current housing crisis. The article actually points out the shocking fact that average home sizes in Canada are growing significantly, while the average number of people living in each household is shrinking. People are wanting bigger and bigger homes, and have difficulty letting go of the idea of a detached single family home as the only acceptable living

Attention farmers: You could win cash

Change is hard, especially for residents of small towns. The residents of the Reuben Crescent area who will be most greatly impacted by the planned apartment complex brought forward real concerns. Their lives will change, with the potential for their quiet existence to become a busier and more congested one, and the small town feel of their home changing to feel more like a city suburb. Such a change would be difficult for anyone, but shouldn’t North Grenville do its part to help resolve the housing crisis? Or should high density homes be reserved for large cities only?

I don’t live in Kemptville and don’t feel that I have a right to register my own opinion, but that hasn’t stopped many others from speaking out. The problem is that when people are angry at Council, they turn out at Council meetings in droves, which can give a false sense of overall public opinion.

The other document sent by Deputy Mayor Barclay was the Municipality’s housing strategy, published in May of 2022. The 98 page document has a wealth of information, but one important point is the that residents of North Grenville were surveyed, and on average, stressed the need for smaller, higher density housing. Is it possible that those who showed up to the Council meeting to express concerns over the development were actually the minority?

Council does not get a free pass for failing to adequately dialogue with the dozens of concerned residents who opposed the project and almost certainly still do. However, new evidence can be great for forming new understanding. The project decisions were not made due to Council’s hands being in developers’ pockets, as some angry residents alleged without any evidence. Instead, Council gets an A for following the research, and a D- for open communication.

on Farming, but there is also cash up for grabs, with $4,000 in cash prizes available for winners in six categories: Canadian Farm Scenes; Faces Behind Food & Farming; All about Animals; Farm Innovation; Crazy about Crops; and Farm to Plate.

To answer the obvious question – yes, this contest is open to farmers from our area as well. Why not submit a photo? With entries accepted until July 1, there is plenty of time to wait until the “perfect shot” reveals itself!

by Brandon Mayer

Everyone knows that farming is a grueling lifestyle, filled with long hours, back breaking work, and financial risk.

A photo taken by local farmer Carrie Paquin & Food Care is launching a Canada-wide photo contest for the next edition of The Real Dirt on Farming, a publication that answers common questions about food and farming practices in Canada.

In celebration of Agriculture Day, the Guelph based organization Farm

Not only may winning photos be used in the next edition of The Real Dirt

Full contest guidelines are available on the

Municipal Flags lowered to honour former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion

North Grenville Municipal flags were lowered to honour former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, who died at the age of 101.

“Hurricane” Hazel McCallion served as the iconic Mayor of Mississauga for 36 years, from 1978 to 2014.

“On behalf of myself, my Council colleagues, and the Municipality of North Grenville, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Ms. McCallion’s family, colleagues and loved ones,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“Hazel McCallion was legendary in so many ways. Outspoken and feisty, she held the respect of political leaders from all levels and all parties, and was regarded as of the most iconic politicians in the country. She was an inspiring and determined leader that led with passion and compassion,” added Mayor Peckford.

Prior to her longstanding career in politics, Ms. McCallion played professional women’s hockey, and continued to be a strong advocate for girl’s hockey.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie honoured Hazel as the City’s Matriarch and Architect of Mississauga, leaving a lasting legacy.

In 2016, in honour of her 100th birthday, the Government of Ontario renamed February 14th as “Hazel McCallion Day.”

When asked about serving as a female politician in a largely male-dominated sphere, Mayor McCallion responded, “Think like a man, act like a lady and work like a dog.” Ms. McCallion, true to form, did just that for over three decades, and 12 terms.

North Grenville Municipal Flags were lowered to half-mast until after the state funeral on February 14, 2023.