Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Ottawa won’t boost bus service for looming Gatineau strike

Metro Ottawa

By Dylan C. Robertson, Ottawa Metro News, January 17, 2017

Ottawa commuters could face packed buses on OC Transpo routes that cross into Gatineau, where the local bus drivers’ union has served a strike notice.OC Transpo says it won’t boost its bus service if a labour disruption occurs.Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) drivers could strike as early as 4 a.m. Friday, after the union’s strike notice kicked off a 72-hour countdown

The union meets Wednesday to decide how to proceed. A strike could mean a total walk-off, or interim measures like refusing to work overtime, or a gradual escalation between both.Unlike most transit agencies, OC Transpo and STO are partially federally regulated, because they serve interprovincial routes. The federal Labour Code prohibits any work stoppage until both sides meet with mediators Thursday.

Province launches infrastructure-funding report online

By Michelle Nash Baker, Ottawa Community News, January 17, 2017

Wondering when that local hospital’s renovations will be complete?

Or what the status of the downtown light rail construction is? What about upgrades to your child’s local school, when will they be done?

In an effort to streamline all these questions, the Ministry of Infrastructure has revamped its website to help you, help yourself.

NCC won't install coyote-warning signs at McCarthy Woods in wake of attack

By Erin McCracken, Ottawa Community News, January 16, 2017

The National Capital Commission will not install coyote-warning signs at entrances to McCarthy Woods following its investigation into a fatal coyote attack on a pet dog there last fall.

The review was launched following a report that three coyotes targeted a small dog at the forested site in the Hunt Club community on Oct. 25, 2016, but the results do not support “a natural, compelling need” to place warning signs at the federally owned property, said Jean Wolff, NCC spokesperson.

Why not skate – or paddle – to a new Ottawa library?

Ottawa Citizen

By Allen Teramura, Ottawa Citizen, January 17, 2017

We have heard a lot about the success of the new Halifax Library, and its unique architecture certainly contributes to this. But another factor in its success is something more basic: its location on Spring Garden Road. It is surrounded by shopping, businesses, a university and a residential neighbourhood. Realtors have a cliché for this.

The proposed location for the new Ottawa Public Library main branch has none of these properties. At the end of Wellington, west of Bronson, it is separated from downtown proper by an escarpment and busy arterial roads and is many blocks from where people naturally congregate today.

City of Ottawa plow shears off tree on boulevard near canal

Ottawa Citizen

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, January 17, 2017

If snow plow operators in the Glebe were told to remove everything from the boulevard on Queen Elizabeth Place, they took the message too literally.

They sheared a tree right off at the ground.

(...)

Capital Coun. David Chernushenko said the plow incident was “unacceptable.”

Rideau Canal to fully open to skaters Wednesday

Ottawa Citizen

By Bruce Deachman, Ottawa Citizen, January 17, 2017

The Rideau Canal Skateway, a.k.a. the world’s largest skating rink, will fully open at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the National Capital Commission said, the first time this season that its entire 7.8-kilometre span, from downtown to Hartwells Locks at Dow’s Lake, has been open.

The skateway, which typically attracts about a million skaters each winter, only opened last Saturday, when the 4.4-km stretch from the Laurier Avenue Bridge to the Bronson Avenue Bridge was cleared for skaters.

Outaouais transit workers serve 72-hour strike notice

Ottawa Citizen

By Susana Mas, Ottawa Citizen, January 17, 2017

Gatineau public transit users could be forced to look at other means of transportation by week’s end as the union that represents the Quebec region’s public transit workers has given the Outaouais regional bus system a 72-hour strike notice.

The notice comes as the Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled Monday that the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) is not an essential service.

Ottawa group wants Ontario to end snapping turtle hunt

Metro Ottawa

By Adam Kveton, Ottawa Metro News, January 16, 2017

They’re big, they bite and they’re at risk.

But you can still hunt them in Ontario.

A local group says that could spell the end for snapping turtles.And while the province is looking into restricting the hunt, local nature groups are hoping to do away with it entirely.

Local ecologist David Seburn who prepared the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club’s submission to the environmental registry said the province’s interest in continuing the hunt is “not based on science.”

Plan for 'East Flats' overshadowed by 55-storey tower

By Melissa Murray, Ottawa Community News, January 16, 2017

There are high hopes for the proposed east LeBreton Flats development, but they might not be 55 storeys high.

At a meeting on Jan. 9, Claridge Homes unveiled its plans for what it is calling “East Flats,” which includes a 55-storey tower at its centre.

“No doubt there are some positive pieces to what they have shown us,” Coun. Catherine McKenney said in an interview after the meeting.

(...)

McKenney highlighted some of the plan’s positives, including uncovering the aqueduct, and adding public amenity space as well as cycling and pedestrian connections, and she is applauding the plan for the buildings to face Booth Street. All of that is good, she said, but it it’s being overshadowed.

Mini branch at city hall an option after flagship library moves

Ottawa & Regio

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, January 16, 2017

Opening a mini-library branch at city hall could be an option if the flagship Ottawa Public Library branch moves out of Centretown, Mayor Jim Watson says.

Watson said he has been looking at potentially using one of the gallery spaces at city hall for a library.

The Ottawa Art Gallery Annex is expected to vacate one room since the art gallery will have a larger space at the redeveloped Arts Court, which is scheduled to open later this year. The Barbara Ann Scott exhibition was also created in 2012 with the expectation it wouldn't be a permanent installation at city hall.

Ottawa weather forecast calls for mild temperatures this week - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, January 16, 2017

The temperature will rise again today in Ottawa, Gatineau and the surrounding area, which means messy weather is on the way Tuesday.

Monday's forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud to start the day along with a southwest wind at 20 kilometres per hour in the morning. There should be more sun in the afternoon as the high reaches 1 C.Overnight, you should be able to stargaze as the sky remains clear with a low of –11 C.

STO not an essential service, board rules as strike looms - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, January 16, 2017

As Gatineau's public transit workers prepare to vote on whether or not to invoke their strike mandate, the Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled Monday that transit is not an essential service.

The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) had urged the board to rule transit services must be maintained during peak hours in the event of a strike.