The Tewin housing development appears set to proceed after Ottawa councillors voted down a motion to block the controversial project.
The suburban development southeast of the city, approved in 2021, is projected eventually to house 35,000 to 45,000 residents.
Critics object to the development because of the costs of connecting the community to water, wastewater and transit services and because there was not adequate consultation with federally recognized First Nations.
Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh, who revived a 2021 motion by River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington that would block the development, said the original approval was a mistake.
“The decision was made back in 2021 to include Tewin in the city’s expanded boundary, and it was rushed and it was done without adequate consultation by important stakeholders, including the First Nations of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation Tribal Council, community groups, City of Ottawa staff and other Ottawa residents,” said Kavanagh during the Oct. 15 Planning and Housing Committee meeting.
The housing project is a partnership between the Taggart Group and the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO), comprised of 10 Algonquin communities. Of those, the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation is the only one that is federally recognized.
The AOO and Taggart say the Tewin development is Indigenous led and an act of reconciliation, an idea rejected by other local Indigenous groups.
Timiskaming First Nation’s Vicky Chief told councillors the Algonquins of Ontario was not the correct group to consult.
“By relying on the AOO as an indigenous partner the ciity has consulted the wrong party, and has excluded actual rights holders, the First Nations of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation, our member communities. And that is not reconciliation. This is actually a continuation of colonial practice,” the chief said.
Cindy Rottenberg-Walker, the lead planner of Tewin, told councillors during the meeting that the project is a once in a generation opportunity to create a new kind of suburb that is sustainable and community oriented.
While Kavanagh’s motion failed in a 7-5 vote, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tibal Council have said they are “seriously considering” legal action to ensure they are adequately consulted as required under the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the Taggart Group estimates the first homes will be built within five years, followed by multiple years of expansion.
