Tewin Algonquin land development [Hwy 417/Boundary Rd] | Proposed

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

It was a horrible decisions but backtracking now would expose the city to lawsuits probably not just for costs already taken but they might end up on the hook for the whole expected profit and settle for some 9 figure sum.

Yeah. Can't turn back at this point unless they can somehow make a land swap, and only the Feds have enough land to do that. Confederation Heights in exchange for the Tewin lands would be great, but there's no reason for the Feds to play ball when they can make hundreds of millions selling the land in the first place.

[rocketphish]

Ottawa city councillor wants debate, reversal of Tewin development
Coun. Theresa Kavanagh hopeful development comes up during Osgoode byelection

Kate Porter · CBC News
Posted: May 07, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago



An Ottawa city councillor wants to reverse a council decision made four years ago and prevent the 445-hectare Tewin development in the city's rural southeast from being built.

But city staff asked to provide comments about Coun. Theresa Kavanagh's idea have laid out the many implications of changing course now that plans and projects have proceeded with the assumption the future suburb is a go.

During deliberations in 2021 about expanding Ottawa's urban boundary, the previous city council voted to allow rural lands owned by Algonquins of Ontario Realty Corp. and Taggart Group to be developed to house up to 45,000 people.

It caused controversy at the time when some councillors described it as an act of reconciliation, but many Algonquin communities disagreed. Staff had scored the land lower because of its clay soil and distance from existing infrastructure.

Since then, multiple studies and consultations have taken place to plan Tewin, and the design could reach the third of four phases by the end of the year. The Tewin developers have long promised "Tewin would pay for Tewin." They agreed to pay for three senior city planners to be dedicated to the file, and intend to pay for future transit, roads and water infrastructure.

The city approved a master plan for infrastructure in June 2024. It includes extending a trunk water main and sanitary sewer across the National Capital Commission's Greenbelt for Tewin, plus building a new pump station and reservoir.

The cost was pegged at $313 million for Tewin alone through to 2046, and rises to $591 million when a longer timeline and wider area is taken into account. The developers say they will only pay for infrastructure that directly benefits Tewin.

Kavanagh, who represents Bay ward, maintains council should have followed staff's original advice and chosen land closer to existing suburbs for development.

"I still believe that the right decision was made originally and we have to go back to it," she said. "If it's the right thing to do and it's going to save us hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure, then it's worthwhile."

Kavanagh intended to table a motion in mid-March, but later withdrew it because Tewin is located in Osgoode ward, which currently has no councillor of its own until a byelection is held June 16 to replace George Darouze.

Kavanagh said she hasn't spoken with the 11 candidates vying to replace Darouze, but hopes it becomes a campaign issue. She plans to introduce her motion in the fall once the area has a councillor again.

Kavanagh also insists council must listen to the Algonquin communities that don't feel the City of Ottawa consulted adequately with them, and don't feel the Algonquins of Ontario represent the larger Algonquin Nation.

Even though Kavanagh withdrew the motion, Coun. Glen Gower asked staff to provide information they had been preparing.

He said their response, which is included on the agenda of the planning and housing committee on May 7, shows the many "domino effects" of removing Tewin from land the city will allow to be developed.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...onse-1.7526603

[ponyboycurtis]

Makes no sense to develop here after building Line 2. Fill everything in between Riverside South and Findlay Creek first please.

[J.OT13]

This was such a dumb move by the City all those years ago. No water, no sewers, no transit. If someone makes a bad investment, even if it is the AOO, we can't just double down with tax payer money.

[lrt's friend]

We have already agreed to this. Any reversal will results in millions in lawsuits.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

We have already agreed to this. Any reversal will results in millions in lawsuits.

That's the thing. Unless we come to an agreement with them that includes a land exchange, land that the City doesn't even own, we're stuck with this stupid decision.

Best we can do is hold them to their claim they'll pay to bring services to the area.

[daud]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

Makes no sense to develop here after building Line 2. Fill everything in between Riverside South and Findlay Creek first please.

that'll never work. it makes way too much sense!

[rocketphish]

‘It’s not too late’: city councillor wants to stop ewin expansion plans
Coun. Theresa Kavanagh wants to reverse the decision to allow the development on the city's far eastern end.

By Douaa Qadadia, Special to the Citizen
Published May 29, 2025 | Last updated 8 minutes ago

A city councillor wants council to revisit its 2021 decision to bring Tewin lands into Ottawa’s urban boundary, a move she says was rushed, costly and based on lack of consultation with indigenous communities.

Coun. Theresa Kavanagh recently introduced a motion to reverse the 2021 decision that brought the Taggart Group and Algonquins of Ontario-led development into Ottawa. She later withdrew the motion, citing the absence of a representative from Osgoode ward, where the project would be built. Kavanagh said she would reintroduce the motion when the Osgoode seat was filled.

Kavanagh said the development was originally rejected by city planning staff because it didn’t meet the city’s planning priorities and was too far away and isolated.

“The clay soil is usually problematic, and it would cost a lot of money to put in infrastructure and transit to such an area,” she said.

Tom Ledgley, co-ordinator at the advocacy group Horizon Ottawa, said that, while more housing is needed in the city, Tewin is not the way to do it.

“We definitely don’t disagree that more housing needs to be built,” he said. “But this is not a dense housing development. It’s not happening near existing services. And there aren’t really many strong promises about this being like deeply affordable housing.”

In a written statement by Taggart, the company said that Tewin “is being planned to evolve alongside new investments in public infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and transit.”

“As growth occurs, services and amenities will be phased in to support residents with access to employment, education, healthcare, and recreation, all within a walkable, transit-ready urban fabric.”

The statement added that Tewin was in response to “Ottawa’s housing supply pressures.”

Kavanagh also raised concerns about how the project was framed as a partnership with First Nations.

“This project claimed it was working in conjunction with First Nations. And it turned out that this was bogus,” she said. “The true First Nations representatives were very angry and have always been opposed to Tewin.”

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/city-...xpansion-plans

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

Makes no sense to develop here after building Line 2. Fill everything in between Riverside South and Findlay Creek first please.

Most of the land between Riverside South and Findlay Creek is slated for development with the exception of the part shaded in dark orange which cannot be developed for residential due to airport noise.



See: https://www.yow.ca/about-yow/environ...gement-program

[Williamoforange]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

‘It’s not too late’: city councillor wants to stop ewin expansion plans
Coun. Theresa Kavanagh wants to reverse the decision to allow the development on the city's far eastern end.

By Douaa Qadadia, Special to the Citizen
Published May 29, 2025 | Last updated 8 minutes ago

A city councillor wants council to revisit its 2021 decision to bring Tewin lands into Ottawa’s urban boundary, a move she says was rushed, costly and based on lack of consultation with indigenous communities.

Coun. Theresa Kavanagh recently introduced a motion to reverse the 2021 decision that brought the Taggart Group and Algonquins of Ontario-led development into Ottawa. She later withdrew the motion, citing the absence of a representative from Osgoode ward, where the project would be built. Kavanagh said she would reintroduce the motion when the Osgoode seat was filled.

Kavanagh said the development was originally rejected by city planning staff because it didn’t meet the city’s planning priorities and was too far away and isolated.

“The clay soil is usually problematic, and it would cost a lot of money to put in infrastructure and transit to such an area,” she said.

Tom Ledgley, co-ordinator at the advocacy group Horizon Ottawa, said that, while more housing is needed in the city, Tewin is not the way to do it.

“We definitely don’t disagree that more housing needs to be built,” he said. “But this is not a dense housing development. It’s not happening near existing services. And there aren’t really many strong promises about this being like deeply affordable housing.”

In a written statement by Taggart, the company said that Tewin “is being planned to evolve alongside new investments in public infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and transit.”

“As growth occurs, services and amenities will be phased in to support residents with access to employment, education, healthcare, and recreation, all within a walkable, transit-ready urban fabric.”

The statement added that Tewin was in response to “Ottawa’s housing supply pressures.”

Kavanagh also raised concerns about how the project was framed as a partnership with First Nations.

“This project claimed it was working in conjunction with First Nations. And it turned out that this was bogus,” she said. “The true First Nations representatives were very angry and have always been opposed to Tewin.”

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/city-...xpansion-plans

Kavanagh & her NIMBY husband (Alex cullen) don't have a leg to stand on, javanagh say as a reason that she doesn't want this because it's not dense but the councillor continually opposes density within the Greenbelt.

https://heritageottawa.org/news/coun...erimental-farm

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by TransitZilla

Most of the land between Riverside South and Findlay Creek is slated for development with the exception of the part shaded in dark orange which cannot be developed for residential due to airport noise.



See: https://www.yow.ca/about-yow/environ...gement-program

Oh for sure. I would just prefer to see all hands on deck filling out that area before opening up something new.

[rocketphish]

Councillor moves to reverse city's approval for Tewin development
The 445-hectare development would provide housing for up to 45,000 people

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News
Posted: Oct 01, 2025 12:53 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

An Ottawa city councillor is taking steps to stop the massive Tewin housing development that council approved four years ago in southeast Ottawa.

Coun. Theresa Kavanagh first floated the idea in the spring, but held off to wait for the results of a byelection in Osgoode ward, where the planned community is located.

Council approved the 445-hectare development in 2021 during a debate about expanding Ottawa's urban boundary. The project, on lands owned by Algonquins of Ontario Realty Corp. and Taggart Group, would provide housing for up to 45,000 people.

While presenting her motion on Wednesday, Kavanagh argued that the cost of providing water and wastewater services to Tewin is simply too high, with a price tag in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

"Tewin's just way out there, and that is a problem," she said. "We're talking about water mains and infrastructure going out in a place where there's no connection to anything. That is very, very expensive, not including the transit system that we would need."

The cost had been estimated at $313 million up to 2046, but that rises to $591 million over a longer timeline. Though the developers have argued that Tewin will pay for itself and much of that sum would be covered by development charges, they've also said they'll only pay for infrastructure that directly benefits the project.

Kavanagh said the city already has enough development lands elsewhere to accommodate expected growth.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...ment-1.7648110

[Lakeofthewood]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Councillor moves to reverse city's approval for Tewin development
The 445-hectare development would provide housing for up to 45,000 people

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News
Posted: Oct 01, 2025 12:53 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

An Ottawa city councillor is taking steps to stop the massive Tewin housing development that council approved four years ago in southeast Ottawa.

Coun. Theresa Kavanagh first floated the idea in the spring, but held off to wait for the results of a byelection in Osgoode ward, where the planned community is located.

Council approved the 445-hectare development in 2021 during a debate about expanding Ottawa's urban boundary. The project, on lands owned by Algonquins of Ontario Realty Corp. and Taggart Group, would provide housing for up to 45,000 people.

While presenting her motion on Wednesday, Kavanagh argued that the cost of providing water and wastewater services to Tewin is simply too high, with a price tag in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

"Tewin's just way out there, and that is a problem," she said. "We're talking about water mains and infrastructure going out in a place where there's no connection to anything. That is very, very expensive, not including the transit system that we would need."

The cost had been estimated at $313 million up to 2046, but that rises to $591 million over a longer timeline. Though the developers have argued that Tewin will pay for itself and much of that sum would be covered by development charges, they've also said they'll only pay for infrastructure that directly benefits the project.

Kavanagh said the city already has enough development lands elsewhere to accommodate expected growth.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...ment-1.7648110

Never should have been approved in the first place, but now that it is, I'm afraid it will be too difficult to remove it. Good one Kavanagh for trying, it's a conversation that they need to have

[GeoNerd]

Anyone with half a brain and even the most basic understanding of urban planning can see that Tewin is a disaster. It is the definition of poor growth and sprawl. It will take many decades for the city to even break even, if ever. The developer bringing on the AOO is a stunt using a fraudulent organization. Taggart insisting that development charges will pay for the project and that they’ll only pay for what benefits the development is laughable. That’s not how planning or DC’s work. They know that.

Those saying that the city will get sued for stopping it now, who cares? Say we get sued for a few million in incurred costs. We are still saving hundreds of millions in costs on this abomination. It would be up to the courts to decide if the city is allowed to remove lands from the urban boundary or not. I’m sure the city helps Taggart/Tamarack/Doran/Tartan quite a bit. Might not be worth them souring that relationship with the city.

[rocketphish]

Why is the new east Ottawa Tewin development so contentious?
One councillor wants to halt the development in the city's rural east, but it's about more than just the cost of the project.

By Aedan Helmer, Ottawa Citizen
Published Oct 08, 2025 | Last updated 1 hour ago | 8 minute read

Bay ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh recently revived a motion to remove the controversial Tewin development from the city’s official plan, with public delegations set to speak on both sides of the debate on Oct. 15.

Kavanagh’s motion highlights a number of concerns with the Tewin development, including the lack of consultation with federally-recognized First Nations, the “isolated” location in the rural southeast end and lack of transit, the costs associated with extending water and wastewater services, along with the long-term maintenance, operational and lifecycle costs.

There remains a deep divide between the proponents of the project — led by Taggart Group and the Algonquins of Ontario — and others who want council to reverse its 2021 decision to include Tewin in the city’s urban boundary.

Here’s a rundown of why the project is so contentious and what could come next.

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/new-e...ment-explained

[rocketphish]

Algonquin tribal council ponders constitutional legal fight against City of Ottawa over Tewin
Motion on reversing 4-year-old decision on Tewin goes to committee Oct. 15

Kate Porter · CBC News
Posted: Oct 10, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council is seriously considering launching a legal challenge against the City of Ottawa, arguing the municipality is failing in its duty to consult First Nations under the constitution — especially when it comes to the massive future development known as Tewin.

That risk is one of many laid out in a motion by Coun. Theresa Kavanagh that goes to the city’s planning and housing committee for debate on Oct. 15.

Kavanagh is pushing colleagues to delete 445 developable hectares in Ottawa’s rural south-east from the official plan, effectively reversing a controversial decision made four years ago by the previous city council under former mayor Jim Watson.

Grand Chief Savanna McGregor, who represents seven of the nine federally recognized First Nations located in Quebec, has opposed the development project between the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) and developer Taggart Group since council first debated it in 2021.

For her, Tewin is part of a much larger fight about who should legitimately negotiate, and be consulted about, unceded Algonquin territory in the National Capital Region and beyond.

The AOO was formed 20 years ago to negotiate a modern-day treaty, and includes 10 communities in Ontario. Only the First Nation of Pikwakanagan on Golden Lake west of Ottawa is a federally recognized band. In recent years, nearly a quarter of the AOO's members have been stripped from its voter list because they didn't have Algonquin ancestry.

First Nations located in Quebec are not part of the AOO, and many see it as an illegitimate organization.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...ewin-9.6932082

[J.OT13]

We're getting screwed no matter what we do.

[rocketphish]

Tewin moves forward as City of Ottawa committee defeats motion to halt controversial project
The city's planning and housing committee voted 7-5 against a motion that would have halted the project to create 15,000 new homes on 445 hectares of land

By Aedan Helmer, Ottawa Citizen
Published Oct 15, 2025 | Last updated 4 hours ago

Ottawa city councillors rejected a motion to halt the controversial Tewin community land development planned for the city’s southeast end following a lengthy debate and numerous public delegations that spoke out against the project.

Bay ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh introduced the notice of motion on Oct. 1, saying council’s initial approval of the Tewin project was “rushed” and was done without proper consultation with appropriate Indigenous groups.

The motion was formally raised at the Oct. 15 planning and housing committee and highlighted a number of concerns with the Tewin development, including the lack of consultation with federally recognized First Nations, the lack of transit infrastructure and the costs associated with extending water mains and wastewater services to the “isolated” location in the rural southeast.

Kavanagh’s motion was narrowly defeated by a vote of five councillors in favour of halting Tewin and seven councillors against.

Couns. Cathy Curry, Laura Dudas, Clarke Kelly, Wilson Lo, Tim Tierney, Glen Gower and David Brown voted against the motion, while Couns. Kavanagh, Riley Brockington, Laine Johnson, Ariel Troster and chair Jeff Leiper voted in favour.

A second motion brought by Johnson, on behalf of Coun. Jessica Bradley, council’s liaison with the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, was defeated by the same voting lines.

Bradley had called for staff to hold further consultations with the 11 Algonquin First Nations and their two tribal councils and report back to the committee and council in the spring of 2026.

Representatives for 10 of the 11 Algonquin Anishinabeg First Nations spoke at the committee to voice their opposition to Tewin, including Savanna McGregor, Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation Tribal Council, Chief Vicky Chief of Timiskaming First Nation and Grand Chief Lisa Robinson of the Algonquin Nation Secretariat.

Robinson told committee members they had an opportunity to amend the “planning error” and to “correct what could be a historic wrong,” she said.


<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/tewin...forward-ottawa

[J.OT13]

As much as I'm no fan of this one, it's probably best. Once approved, you can't take it away, years later at that after the developer invested (probably) millions in planning, without facing major lawsuits.

Of course, we'll still probably get sued by the Algonquin tribal council, but that won't be as significant of a fight.

If it's built as planned, it won't be too bad. We just really need to out the onus on them to intergrade decent transit and fund the infrastructure needed.

[Aylmer]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

If it's built as planned, it won't be too bad. We just really need to out the onus on them to intergrade decent transit and fund the infrastructure needed.

It appears to me that if the onus was truly placed on them to get the pipes and transit out to Tewin, it would effectively torpedo the economic viability of the project. The problem isn't whether the project can be built, it's the fact that everything will need to be shored up and replaced 10 years in because the loose clay will have shifted every which way. And it'll have to be replaced 10 years after that, and after that... i

Long after the developers have run away, this will be an eternal money pit for Ottawa taxpayers. Personally, I'd sooner give them a few million in a lawsuit than to be throwing billions into shoring up Tewin forever.