I attended the presentation of the master plan on September 23 at Saint-Elizabeth Church. The room was filled with about 50 residents who were curious to see what the municipality and the firm Domus Architecture and Design had developed as a 10-year vision for North Hatley.
Unfortunately, there was no question period at the end of the meeting. Citizens were invited to submit their questions online, by email. This prevented us from hearing each other’s concerns and discussing them collectively.
You can download the master plan here.
Adopting a plan that reshapes North Hatley for 10 years—in just 7 days
My impression remains that no real exchange took place regarding the plan itself. Consulting the population about its needs, concerns, and interests at the beginning of the process is certainly a good thing. However, it seems essential to me that the plan be discussed with citizens at the end of the process—and especially before it is adopted and transformed into a PPU, which will allow the adoption of new urban planning regulations.
Presented on September 23, adopted on October 1, 2025.
Despite this, the municipal council of North Hatley officially adopted the master plan presented on September 23, 2025, by Domus Architecture and Design. The document proposes a 10-year development vision and will serve as a strategic tool to guide municipal actions while preserving North Hatley’s unique character.
Strong citizen involvement at the beginning, but very little afterwards…
The plan was developed with strong citizen participation, through public consultations, surveys, an online portal, and an open house. However, once the plan was unveiled, I had no opportunity for interaction or discussion on the subject.
Its adoption on October 1 now launches the next steps, including the creation of a Special Planning Program (PPU), which will detail future interventions on the territory. A citizen committee will be formed in the coming weeks to contribute to its development.
Adoption of the plan by the CCUP
The council highlights the favorable recommendation of the CCUP, thanks the residents who participated in the process, and acknowledges the decisive contribution of an anonymous donor, via the Ottawa Community Foundation, who made the master plan possible. It is worth noting that, based on my understanding, the CCUP had access to the master plan at least a month before the public presentation.
From the master plan to the PPU, then the “PC”
The municipal administration is now mandated to undertake all necessary steps for the development of the future PPU.
Obviously, it feels as though the population was shown the plan, and then it was very quickly adopted before moving on to the legal stage of the PPU. Several citizens I have spoken with share the same sentiment: strong public involvement early on, a plan presented, and then adopted just a few days later. What’s the rush?
Forgive me, but did I miss the citizen discussions on the master plan?
Where and when did the discussions about the presented plan take place? It certainly wasn’t on September 23, since I was there, and Ms. Gerrish clearly stated that there would be no question period out of respect for online participants. So how were citizen comments taken into account? By email, within just seven days?
All in all, this feels quite rushed for a plan meant to guide North Hatley’s development for the next ten years.
With that, I leave you to reflect.
Reference: Adoption of the Master Plan (Resolution 2025-10-01.203) from the minutes of October 1, 2025.
