Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Canadian farmers face obstacle course of challenges with trade deals, climate change

By  Lindsay Biscaia, Global News, November 8, 2018

Whether it’s unpredictable weather, physical labour, or the price of land, being a farmer is no easy feat.

(...)Many farmers in the Kawarthas say climate change, which usually results in unpredictable weather, is already creating a challenge.

However, Learmonth has a slightly different take on that situation.

“Climate change is a little bit of a good news, bad news story for us,” she explained. “Because here in Ontario, we actually have more heat units now, and we can actually grow things here a little bit better than we could in the past.”

Grenville-sur-la-Rouge approves zoning changes to curtail resource extraction

By James Morgan, The Review, November 6, 2018

Grenville-sur-la-Rouge council has made another bold move aimed at controlling resource extraction in the municipality. On November 1, 2018, council officially approved zoning changes that will prohibit or curtail resource extraction and processing in the area where Canada Carbon has proposed to develop a new graphite mine and marble quarry. The move will also complicate Mirabel-based Uniroc’s sand pit and quarry interests in the municipality.

Earlier this year, Canada Carbon launched a $96-million lawsuit against Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, claiming that the then-council had unreasonably tried to block its proposed marble quarry and mining project. Uniroc likewise launched a $9.5-million suit earlier this in response to council’s efforts to block or curtail resource extraction.

The November 1 meeting to approve the changes went quickly. About two dozen residents were in the audience and rounds of applause followed each statement by Mayor Tom Arnold and council’s unanimous vote.

SNC accepting applications for Community Environmental Grants program

By Louise Sproule, The Review, November 5, 2018

Are you planning an environmental or recreational event for your community in 2019? South Nation Conservation (SNC) is now accepting applications for their Community Environmental Grants Program!

Non-profit groups are encouraged to apply to receive a grant of up to $300 to help offset the costs of their event or activity. The program has four grant categories: River, Heritage, Agri-Environmental and Community Outreach.

“The grant program supports events and projects within SNC’s jurisdiction that promote recreational use of our river, protect the environment or celebrate the natural heritage of the area,” said John Mesman, SNC’s Team Lead, Communications and Outreach.

Provincial update: There is no Planet B

Submitted by Joel Harden, MPP Ottawa Centre, Kitchissippi Times, November 5, 2018

It’s not often that something truly shocks me, but the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) recent report warning that we have twelve years to stop climate catastrophe hit me like a sucker-punch.

The picture the IPCC’s report paints is a grim one: if we fail to limit warming at 1.5°C, we can expect more frequent and severe drought, flooding, wildfires and a mass die-off of coral reefs by 2040.

The IPCC’s report is a wake-up call for decision makers to treat the climate crisis with the seriousness it deserves. We need bold leadership and a real plan. Unfortunately, the Ford government is offering neither.

LRT's impact on development

By CTV News Ottawa, November 7, 2018

Even before LRT rolls out, there are signs the city's investment in light rail is triggering large residential, commercial and mixed-use developments.

“To make the system thrive and grow we want to attract investment close to it,” said Stephen Willis, the city’s planning, infrastructure and economic general manager.

New numbers show in 2017, the city received 1,044 planning applications. That’s a four per cent increase over 2016 and a 23 per cent increase over 2015.

Home builders like Tamarack are also re-thinking their developments.

Barrhaven transit troubles linger with LRT delay

By CBC News Ottawa, November 6, 2018

More than six months after Barrhaven bus riders voiced discontent at two public meetings, some say OC Transpo service to the suburban neighbourhood hasn't improved — and short-term relief is running late.

Coun. Jan Harder said she's still getting numerous complaints from frustrated riders who are forced to squeeze themselves onto already packed buses, or find themselves waiting for a bus that never comes.

"It's taking them over three hours a day from Barrhaven to get to work and come home," she said. "People just don't have the time to afford that, and that's not good customer service from my perspective."

Keeping killdeer nest safe at Bluesfest cost $4K

By CBC News Ottawa, November 7, 2018

Keeping a family of birds free from danger on the grounds of a major Ottawa festival this summer came with a nearly $4,000 price tag, according to documents released to Parliament Monday.

The killdeer nest became a major issue in June because the birds had settled in right where the Ottawa Bluesfest main stage was to be set up.

• Killdeer move complete: Birds getting used to new digs at Bluesfest

• Killdeer eggs at Bluesfest made NCC scramble, documents reveal

The National Capital Commission (NCC) had to obtain a permit to move the nest and the move had to be carried out by a licensed handler.

A mysterious eye disease is wiping out house finches

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, November 7, 2018

Bird lovers who count birds at backyard feeders and send the results to scientists are keeping an extra sharp watch for a disease that has cut the number of house finches by about half.

The infectious eye disease that appeared in 1994 has mutated into a more powerful bug, and is spreading to new finch species.

House finches, purple finches, goldfinches and evening grosbeaks are all affected now by “house finch eye disease,” says the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Q & A: People pitch water taxis and 'woonerfs' for ByWard Market public spaces

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, November 8, 2018

City planner Jill Savage and her project team had an open door on Thursday for anyone to make a pitch on the future of the ByWard Market’s public spaces.

The city is taking a close look at the tourist district to understand how public spaces function today and how people would like to see them change. A design plan will create a blueprint for the city to follow.

Savage, the project manager on the study, which started in the summer, said it’s the time to make the market a priority, considering the renewal of the George Street pedestrian plaza, the opening of the Ottawa Art Gallery and the launch of the Confederation Line LRT.

Driver found not guilty in hit-and-run death of cyclist

By CBC News Ottawa, November 2, 2018

In a decision the victim's relatives called "a disgrace" and "sickening," the man accused of being behind the wheel in the hit-and-run death of a cyclist has been found not guilty.

Andy Nevin was struck and killed in June 28, 2015, while riding his bike on Leitrim Road in south Ottawa.

Deinsberg St-Hilaire was charged months later with dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene.

City to level $1M penalty for LRT delay

By CBC News Ottawa, November 2, 2018

The City of Ottawa will hold back $1 million from the next payment to the LRT contractor because of continued delays, but that could be just a small fraction of the millions the city has spent.

In a memo released late Friday afternoon, city manager Steve Kanellakos said the city would be holding $1 million back from the next payment to the company, which it will receive when the construction is substantially complete. The $1 million is a penalty built into the contract for missing the completion target.

City seeks 100+ volunteers for committees, advisory boards

By CBC News Ottawa, November 3, 2018

The City of Ottawa is looking for more than 100 volunteers to serve on advisory boards and committees during the city council term.

Volunteers must be Ottawa residents, at least 18 years old, and not employed by the city. They have until Dec. 13 to apply.

The committees and boards, some of which have councillors among their members, meet regularly at city hall to govern the city's transit system, library system, police service and public health agency.

(...)But the city is also seeking members for the Rideau Valley, Mississippi Valley and South Nation conservation authorities, as well as its five advisory committees, among others.