Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

NOTEBOOK: Congestion pricing, cell phone tower, patio season

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Glen Gower, StittsvilleCentral, April 2, 2017

CONGESTION PRICING BACK ON THE RADAR

Looks like the debate over “congestion pricing” might be coming to City Hall in the near future. That’s the idea of using financial incentives (or disincentives) to decrease car use and increase transit ridership, particularly from the suburbs of Ottawa into the downtown core.

The four downtown councillors – Chernushenko, Leiper, McKenney and Nussbaum – commissioned a study that was presented at a symposium last week.

City to host meeting on next phase of Richardson Ridge development

By Ottawa Community News, April 4, 2017

A public meeting will be held on April 10 to discuss phase four of the Richardson Ridge development in north Kanata.

The draft plan of subdivision proposes a total of 194 residential units, with 42 single-family homes and 152 townhouse units.

The plan includes a park, pathway connections, environmental blocks that contribute to the provincially-significant Kizell wetland and open space.

Residents push for tweaks to LRT through Woodpark

By Melissa Murray, Ottawa Community News, April 4, 2017

A realignment of the city's Stage 2 light-rail system — previously called a win-win — isn’t winning over residents.

Residents are mobilizing through the Facebook group Keep the Park in Woodpark. According to Paola St-Georges, who runs the page, residents want the city to move the LRT closer to the Sir John A Macdonald Parkway and away from homes on Edgeworth Avenue. The routing through that area was changed because of a nearby floodplain and the National Capital Commission’s desire to re-naturalize the covered Pinecrest Creek. At the meeting where the commission approved the rerouting, board members said it was a win-win for the commission and the city.

Spring rainfall prompts Rideau River flood watch

By Ted Raymond, CFRA News, April 4, 2017

This week's rainfall could bring flooding along the Rideau River.The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority says lower-lying waterfront properties along the Long Reach of the Rideau between Kars and Kemptville will likely be the first affected.

"In particular, access to Hilly Lane, Cedar Beach, Rideau Glen and other neighbourhoods on that reach of the river can be expected to be compromised as the rain enters the system," the RVCA said in a statement Tuesday.

Part of Rideau Centre under water advisory - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, April 3, 2017

Some stores and offices in the Rideau Centre are under a do not drink water advisory after workers on the light rail project affected the supply, the city said Monday.

Ottawa Public Health issued the advisory for 100 Rideau Street for the Tim Hortons, Shoppers Drug Mart and Forever 21, including washrooms, effective Monday at 1:45 p.m.The advisory is in effect until further notice and will be rescinded once health officials can confirm the tap water is safe to drink.

The city said Confederation Line light rail construction workers outside the Rideau Centre connected to a water source within the mall and backflowed into the City's watermain, affecting the water in one area of the mall. Some tenants noticed murky water, the city said.

Transport Canada investigating Picton fuel leak - Ottawa - CBC News

By Elise Skura, CBC News Ottawa, April 3, 2017

The Pitts Carillon barge has been lifted and removed from Picton Bay, but Transport Canada says it still has not decided if it will punish McKeil Marine, the company which chartered the barge.

Last week, the flat-topped barge became partially submerged in Picton Bay, leaking about 30 litres of what's believed to be a mix of hydraulic fluid and diesel fuel into the water.

Para Transpo improvements aimed at reducing 'frustrating' wait times - Ottawa - CBC News

By Trevor Pritchard, CBC News Ottawa, April 4, 2017

The City of Ottawa is in the midst of hiring about 20 part-time and full-time customer service representatives to help speed up a sluggish Para Transpo booking service that riders say leaves them stuck on hold.

Pat Scrimgeour, OC Transpo's director of transit customer systems and planning, said Monday that "a good number" of those new workers would be trained to take Para Transpo calls — and that users should start noticing a decline in wait times in the coming weeks.

Gatineau Park bringing plenty of green, economic study finds - Ottawa - CBC News

By Stu Mills, CBC News Ottawa, April 4, 2017

Gatineau Park is a natural wonder that also contributes a significant amount of green to the country's economy, according to a new study released by the National Capital Commission.

According to the study by market research firm Environics, the park generates $241 million toward Canada's gross domestic product each year.

Ontario's first cap-and-trade auction sells out current allowances

By Allison Jones, Ottawa Citizen, April 3, 2017

TORONTO - Ontario's first cap-and-trade auction sold out all current allowances, giving the new market a strong start, but the province's environment minister warned the real test of the system will be in the emission reductions it brings about.

The March 22 auction brought in $472 million, the government said Monday.

But over the next 15 auctions, to the end of the compliance period in 2020, the market can probably expect "a reasonable amount of volatility and unpredictability," said Environment Minister Glen Murray.

‘Renegade’ Uber drivers snarl Lansdowne traffic

Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, April 3, 2017

So many people are taking taxis and private buses to major events at Lansdowne Park that the city is struggling to find places for them to get in and out of vehicles without blocking traffic.

People taking taxis, Ubers or private shuttles put on by faraway bars account for almost 10 per cent of the attendees at Redblacks football games, according to figures from 2016 — which makes a big difference when Bank Street is packed tight.

It’s a whole category of traveller that wasn’t considered at all in the transportation plans when the city government and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group redeveloped the dilapidated fairground in the Glebe to host a new football team and big outdoor concerts: attendees who arrive in some kind of private vehicle and leave in them afterward, but don’t park in the meantime.

City hopes reorganization will resurrect ByWard and Parkdale markets

Ottawa Citizen

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, April 4, 2017

Council’s finance and economic development committee on Tuesday approved a new governance structure for the ByWard and Parkdale markets, with hopes that severing oversight from city hall will produce fresh ideas.

Vendors are closing. Revenues are in the pits. Customers are going to other markets.

The city has been reacting to change, but struggling to draw up plans for the future.

Reevely: Climate-change policy a rift between provincial and federal Tories

Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, April 4, 2017

Federal Tory leadership candidate Kevin O’Leary is against pricing carbon-dioxide emissions to fight climate change. Provincial Tory leader Patrick Brown is in favour of it. Which puts Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, a Tory who backs both guys, in a delicate spot.

Clark became one of O’Leary’s highest-profile supporters in Ontario on Friday.