It’s incredibly disappointing to see Clublink move forward with closing the Kanata Golf & Country Club in favour of development. For decades, this course has been a defining part of the Kanata Lakes community — not just a patch of green space, but a promise. A promise that helped shape home values, neighbourhood identity, and the very reason many families chose to live there in the first place.
It is also close to home as my boys enjoyed playing there this year with their Grandpa. It was some of our most memorable moments from the past summer.
What breaks my heart most is thinking about the homeowners who bought with the understanding — and yes, expectation — that they would have golf course views for the lifetime of their homes. Many paid large premiums. Many built their lives around that open space, that privacy, that sense of calm. To have that taken away is more than frustrating — it feels like a betrayal.
What’s even harder to wrap my head around is how a development with essentially zero public support — not from the local councillor, not from the MP, and certainly not from the mayor — could still push ahead and get approved. The community has been loud, organized, and united. Petitions, town halls, planning meetings — the message has been consistent: we don’t want this. Yet somehow, the desires of the residents who actually live here and elsewhere in Ottawa were outweighed.
It’s astounding, and frankly, unacceptable.
Clublink had an opportunity to stand by the community that supported them for decades. Instead, they chose to sell out. I understand business decisions, but there is a difference between business and values. This decision lacks the latter.
I truly hope that builders across Ottawa recognize the weight of this. Land comes with history — and reputation. I would be proud to see some of the city’s more respected builders take a stand and decline involvement in developing here. Not because they can’t build well, but because we need a message that communities matter. Commitments matter. Neighbourhood identity matters.
Will a boycott happen? Probably not. But it would be powerful to see people hit pause and ask: At what cost? What kind of city do we want to be? One that honours long-standing neighbourhood character and resident trust — or one that allows corporate interests to override community voice?
Our team helps with many HHTs each year, and each one is a little different from the rest. In one case this year, Colin and Chris first spoke with the relocating members in March after they were referred by a past relocation client. At that stage they were not familiar with Ottawa Relocations and were still interviewing Realtors who are registered with BGRS. They arranged a video call where Chris and Colin learned more about the plans and priorities for their move from BC to Ontario. Like many members who are reposted, there was a home to sell before they could confidently purchase a home in Ottawa. For a different twist, these members were also expecting an(other) addition to their family in the spring PLUS 1 member was scheduled for service at sea for the next several weeks. Needless to say, subsequent communication was a little spotty! Time can often pass while members await their official COS or for their current home to be sold. Here, Colin was not certain when the HHT would be scheduled and was even still waiting for confirmation that the team would be needed. In the meantime, he created a custom search portal to track home sales in Ottawa, continued to send market updates, and kept checking in on how things were coming along with the home sale preparation.
At long last, messages were exchanged! The house was listed on MLS in May, then sold in June! Somewhere in there a beautiful baby was born. Plans were made for an HHT at the end of June. Since all of the systems and parameters were already in place, it was easy for Colin to quickly kick the search into high gear. Finally, over 3 months after their first zoom call, all parties were boots on the ground in Ottawa and ready for a week filled with home viewings, school ratings, neighbourhood reports, and lots of phone calls. New baby certainly got to see lots of Ottawa in between feedings and naps!
To keep things moving, Colin scheduled every one of their top listings choices for Day 1, with a couple of late additions + some 2nd viewings on Day 2. After months of planning and updates, everything came together nicely (and quickly). By Day 3 a great deal had been negotiated & accepted, home inspections were booked & executed (Colin always has a couple of BGRS inspectors on standby during an HHT), and I think there was even time for some sightseeing. Maybe just some downtime at the hotel…. Either way, another happy ending to an HHT.
As we know, reposting letters can come at different times of the year. They can be requested, or they can be unexpected. Some of our house hunting trips come together only a few days after our initial contact with our new clients. However they happen, trust is always a key component to a successful HHT. It is challenging to by a home in the best of situations, and CAF members are required to work with a Realtor who they have likely never met. They need to feel that when they arrive in Ottawa, they can trust that the information they receive is current and insightful to meet their requirements and be confident that the details have been taken care of. The team at Ottawa Relocations is experienced, focused, and determined to make every HHT a huge success for every single military relocation. Just ask their past clients!
In 2008, I had the opportunity to work with Anny and Martin, a couple who were part of a BGRS move. What started as a regular real estate transaction turned into something much more meaningful. Their positive attitude, trust, and openness made the experience memorable, and it ultimately shaped my career.
After helping them purchase their home, I realized how rewarding it was to work with military families. It wasn’t just about the transaction; it was about understanding their unique needs, especially during relocation. This experience led me to specialize in military real estate, and I’ve never looked back.
Sixteen years and four transactions later, Anny and Martin contacted me to list their home in Kingston. This wasn’t just another listing; it was a reminder of the ongoing relationship we had built and how much of my business I owe to them and others in the CAF community.
Working with military families is about more than just buying and selling homes—it’s about being there for them during significant transitions. Anny and Martin are a big reason I chose this path, and they continue to inspire me to do my best for every client.
