Hello,

May has been a busy month for Ontario. The provincial government released its latest budget, which it framed as a response to mounting threats from the Trump administration’s disruptive trade tactics. The budget forecasts a $6-billion deficit for 2024–25, growing to $14.6 billion next year, and $7.8 billion in 2026–27 before returning to a slim projected surplus by 2027–28. Critics say it also neglects support for everyday Ontarians and the environment while prioritizing short-term gains for businesses.

The Ontario government also tabled a slew of proposed legislation with major implications for the provincial economy. The Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act, laid out in Bill 2, would remove interprovincial trade barriers in order to boost economic growth and unlock new opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and labor mobility.

Another—Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act—is an omnibus bill that will speed up mining projects and create “special economic zones.” But critics say it also undermines protections for endangered and threatened species and is designed to ensure that projects get done with little resistance. Several First Nations came out against Bill 5 saying it tramples their rights, later adding that last minute changes to include duty-to-consult came “way too late in the process” to be acceptable.

Meanwhile, Bill 17, the proposed Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, would gut green building standards implemented by some cities to help achieve climate and environmental goals.

May also included Peace and Environment Resource Centre’s (PERC) Annual General Meeting, which took place on the 23rd at the Rideau Park United Church. You can read about the AGM below, in this update written by PERC’s Operations Manager, Hannah Rockburn.

From Muffins to Momentum: PERC Celebrates a Year of Growth

On Friday, May 23rd, the Peace and Environment Resource Centre (PERC) gathered in person for its Annual General Meeting at the Apartment Sustainability Office. It was an afternoon filled with connection, reflection, and a renewed sense of momentum for the year ahead.

The meeting kicked off in true PERC fashion, with a warm welcome, lively conversation, and a table of delicious food and homemade muffins. As longtime supporters and new faces came together, the room quickly filled with stories of progress, shared values, and anticipation for what’s to come this summer.

In the absence of Board Chair Charlie Scromeda, the meeting was led by Stefan Kleitsch, who was warmly welcomed into his new role as Board Chair for the 2025–2026 term. The rest of PERC’s passionate board continues their leadership journey, with Owen Wady returning as Vice-Chair, Alexandra Keenan as Secretary, and Meranda Nolan stepping into the role of Treasurer. Their continued dedication is a powerful testament to the strength and stability of PERC’s governance.

Operations Manager Hannah Rockburn presented the 2024–2025 Annual Report, showcasing the incredible strides PERC has made over the past year. From supporting over 50 youth across Canada in environmental career development, 20% of whom are based in Ottawa, to publishing 40 articles in the Peace and Environment News, the report reflected a year of growth, outreach, and direct impact.

Among the many highlights was PERC’s leadership in national programs such as the Leadership Labs and the BIPOC Fellowship. These initiatives provided essential mentorship, microgrants, and professional networks to empower diverse young environmental leaders. In total, over 510,000 individuals were reached through PERC’s outreach efforts, amplifying the voices and work of grassroots organizations committed to sustainability, peace, and social justice.

The meeting also offered a glimpse into exciting new partnerships. We were thrilled to welcome guest Katharyn Stevenson, Community Gardening Coordinator with Just Food, who expressed interest in joining the board in a governance role. Her passion for local sustainability and community connection would be a wonderful addition to PERC’s leadership in the coming months.

It’s been an eventful and inspiring year. As PERC navigates this exciting period of transition, one thing remains clear: our commitment to community is unwavering. We look forward to maintaining a strong, consistent presence while exploring new collaborations, strengthening our network, and embracing change as a pathway to more profound impact.

Here’s to the year ahead—rooted in connection, energized by purpose, and full of promise.

Hannah Rockburn is Operations Manager for the Peace and Environment Resource Centre.

Stories from the PEN!

This month’s Stories from the PEN include:

• In Ask Your Councillor for a Spring Budget Consultation!, Ecology Ottawa provides an important update about contacting councillors for consultations on the City’s 2026 budget in the spring. But act fast, as it takes time to set up a public meeting, and City Hall will soon enter summer mode.

• Protecting Our Trails describes an initiative that support outdoor recreation in Newfoundland, which the authors says “can inspire similar efforts across our region.”

• And the King of England came to visit Ottawa last week. In addition to visiting a bespoke farmers’ market, King Charles gave a throne speech that asserted Canadian sovereignty amid pressures from the U.S., The Energy Mix writes.

From the PEN Archives

The May 2007 PEN Insider included “If Trees Could Talk: Local Signs of Climate Change,” in which Michelle Wardman interviews Elizabeth Gammel about her observations about climate change’s impacts on the local environment. Gammel talked about a tree in her Sandy Hill neighborhood that had started budding out in December and rabbits whose white winter coats failed to camouflage against predators when the ground was bare of snow, while Marilynne Drummond noted how maple sugaring conditions in Spencerville were declining.

Other News

• It appears that Ottawa is on track to implement the controversial “Bubble Bylaw,” after City Council gave staff nine months to create draft aimed at protecting “vulnerable public infrastructure.”

• Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner and Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady have co-written a private member's bill that would create a task force of farmers, agricultural experts and land-use planners. The task force would draft recommendations for creating a protected food belt in Ontario that would support the province’s food security and help the agriculture industry survive U.S. tariffs.

• Ottawa residents can use the Just Food Seed and Soil Program to access free seeds, soil, and gardening information. The Program will provide people with at least 6 free vegetable seed varieties and 160 litres of free, organic top-soil (about three blue / black recycling bins’ worth). Find out more here.

• The LeBreton Community Utility Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, has formalized an agreement to implement an advanced Sewage Energy Exchange System (SEES) at the LeBreton Flats redevelopment. The project will use heat from wastewater to heat residential units and retail spaces in Odenak, a 608-unit, two-tower project adjacent to the Pimisi light rail transit station.

• The Ford government’s latest provincial budget suggests that Ontario taxpayers could be on the hook for more than half a trillion dollars in debt by 2027… eek 😬.

• Meanwhile, the average income required to buy a new home in Ottawa rose almost $1,000 this spring. According to a report from Ratehub.ca, Ottawa homebuyers would need an income of $134,300 to buy the average priced home in April, up from $133,350 in March and $133,600 in February. The average price home in Ottawa also rose $5,000 since March, to $631,200 in April.

I look forward to connecting with you again next month through the PEN Newsletter. In the meantime, please use the comments section of the newsletter or email [email protected] with thoughts or questions.

—Christopher Bonasia, PEN editor

PERC appreciates all of our readers for giving us this chance to connect with members of our community, and we love being able to provide you with a forum to discuss pressing environmental and social justice issues.

But we also rely on your support to make this happen. If you are interested in helping our organization continue to use storytelling and networking to help individuals, non-profits, and community groups work locally for a greener and more peaceful world, please consider making a donation to the Peace and Environment Resource Centre.