Copeland Park Community Alliance
Annual General Meeting 2025 November 17, 2025
Trinity United Church 1099 Maitland Ave
7:00-9:30pm
1. Call to order
- Stephane Shank opened the meeting, welcomed attendees, and provided a land acknowledgement.
- Steve Harrod (President) called the AGM to order and provided opening remarks
- There were no comments on the Agenda and it was unanimously approved.
- Introductions were made for the current Board members:
- Steve Harrod (President)
- Adrian Mckeague (Vice-President).
- Brent Smith (Treasury)
- Jay Storfer (Secretary)
- Ryan Malcom (Board member)
- Dave Madden (board member)
- Stephane Shank (board member)
2. The President’s Report (Steve Harrod)
- The President’s Report focused on three elements. Those being: An overview of the initiatives and events from 2025 Proposed initiatives and interest areas for 2026 Reflections and lessons learned from the past year
- A copy of the President’s Report will be included as an appendix in the final version.
3. Treasurer’s Report (Brent Smith)
- The goal was to eliminate participation fees and encourage involvement without financial barriers.
- Community members were encouraged to participate and contribute in ways that did not require financial costs.
- Through donations, fundraising efforts, and city grants, a total of $3,280 was raised.
- This funding allowed the organization to add new features to events while keeping them free for participants.
- Expenses included event costs and the purchase of $620 in equipment for the local rink.
- Overall, there was a net operating loss of $275, which was considered a positive outcome given the scope of activities.
- The goal for next year is to develop a funding model that will allow the organization to break even, while still keeping costs as low as possible and maintaining free access to events.
Question: Was the grant funding related to the rink?
Response: No. The grant was designated for a specific event only and was separate from rink funding. Adrian explained that the rink operates under a separate contract and is managed independently. Its funding is used to cover expenses such as gas, plowing, and other supplies.
Question: Can the CPCA reapply for the City of Ottawa grant each year?
Response: It is unclear. This was the first year the program was offered and the first time the organization applied. There is hope that an application can be submitted again next year.
4. 2026 Events Calendar
- The proposed 2026 events calendar was reviewed and discussed.
- The proposed list of initiatives would be the same as 2025:
a winter skating party,
- Easter egg hunt event,
- Summer BBQ,
- Fall community market,
- Participation in Cleaning Up the Capital.
- It was noted that this represents a manageable number of events for the year and strikes an appropriate balance between community engagement and organizational capacity. The group agreed that this is the right number of initiatives to successfully plan and execute.
- In addition to these events, it was suggested that the Pollinator Garden initiative be formally added to the 2026 calendar. This would ensure it is prioritized, properly planned, and supported throughout the year
5. Call for nominations of 2025-2026 Board members
- The Chair opened the agenda item by noting that the current Board, including the Executive (President, Treasurer, and Secretary), is seeking re-nomination.
- Stephane Shank is stepping down from the Board.
- A motion was proposed to nominate the following new Board members:
- Stephen Harrod
- Adrian McKeague
- Brent Smith
- Jay Storfer
- Ryan Malcolm
- Dave Madden
- A call for additional volunteers to join the Board was made during the meeting. Andrea Gowing was added as a Board member.
- A request was made that communication regarding nominations be circulated in advance of future meetings.
- It was noted that a Director-at-Large position is available for individuals who wish to be involved, provide input, and support the Board, but who would not participate in formal voting.
- A motion was proposed to accept this group as members of the CPCA Board of Directors. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
6. MAPP (Andrea, Pam)
- The project began in January 2023 with a focus on growing native plants.
- Seeds are sown over the winter and seedlings are sold in July and August.
- Funds from seedling sales are used to purchase soil for community projects.
- Seeds are provided free of charge and distributed based on volunteer support — volunteers who help receive seeds in return.
- Agincourt Road (first site):
- Site preparation began in 2023.
- Planting took place in 2024.
- The site is expected to be fully established by 2025.
- A Grade 6 class participated in a three-day workshop connected to this project.
- Ainsley Drive (second project):
- Community planting day held in June 2025.
- Agincourt PS School Projects:
- Quiet garden project.
- Butterfly garden project.
- Future Gardens:
- Ainsley Park along the multi-use pathway.
- NCC pathway by the ponds — raised bed installation planned for 2026 with an educational component.
7. Councillor Laine Johnson update
- Commended the smooth transition between past and current CPCA leadership
- Noted that community events have been very successful and positively received.
- As her third year as Councillor, she acknowledged that, in addition to community activities, there are other ongoing interests and priorities, particularly related to planning matters and development applications.
- With respect to housing, she noted that while many projects have received approval, fewer are actually being built. She cited supply challenges and affordability issues, which are creating cascading impacts. She emphasized that this is not necessarily a failure of the market, but there are clearly systemic challenges affecting progress.
- Regarding the Clyde/Maitland site, she shared that it has not advanced despite having had three different owners
- Observed that College Ward does not experience the same level of demand for development proposals as some other wards.
- Referenced the Mayor’s task force report, which included 53 recommendations aimed at increasing housing supply
- Discussed land use charges, noting that they were reduced from 4% to 2%. This was the only motion passed to adjust them, as the Mayor had proposed eliminating them entirely.
- Noted that the Province is reducing urban design guidelines and limiting how municipalities can refine and question building plans, including elements such as shading and structural considerations.
- In response to a question about buildings on the opposite side of a referenced site, she stated that there are currently no plans to move forward and no further details have been shared about next steps.
- Regarding high-performance development standards, she explained that changes to the Ontario Building Code and federal building code harmonization are underway. The City is waiting for direction from new legislation and is uncertain about the current status.
- When asked whether recent intersection changes have led to improvements, she stated that she has not yet reviewed the data but will look into it
- In response to a question about Highway 417 construction, she noted that work on the Maitland span is scheduled for 2026. She indicated that traffic conditions are unlikely to improve in the near term and that she is not actively following the project at this time.
8. Questions from the floor
No additional questions from the floor
AGM adjourned at 8:41pm