Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Our biofuel policy is too expensive, focus instead on carbon pricing

Ottawa Citizen

By Mel Cappe, Glen Hodgson, and Christopher Ragan, Ottawa Citizen, October 23, 2016

As members of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission, we are pleased to see the growing national momentum for carbon pricing. Governments across this country are increasingly willing to implement policies that realistically promise a significant decline in greenhouse gas emissions.

Some people may be surprised to learn that we also favour the elimination of some “green” policies because some, while modestly successful in improving the environment, achieve their outcomes at too high a cost.

Opinions from OC Transpo Route 12 riders wanted

By Michelle Nash Baker, Ottawa Community News, October 21, 2016

If you ride OC Transpo Route 12, the city wants to hear from you.The city’s bus service launched the survey on Oct. 13 and wants to know what does and doesn't work with the route leading up to Montreal Road reconstruction in 2018.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury said the survey aims to find tangible answers for the route.

“We are looking at ways to make the 12 more reliable,” Fleury said. “More efficient, more on time and more reliable.”

No immediate fix for sewage problems at Mooney's Bay

By Jennifer McIntosh, Ottawa Community News, October 21, 2016

River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington called foul on the list of projects the city included for submission under the Clean Water Wastewater fund.

The fund – made possible by money from the federal government and Infrastructure Ontario – could exceed $92 million, according to the staff report.

Among the approved projects are the design of the Lemieux Island water purification plant intake improvements and the Mud Creek bank stabilization.

Bad luck lands bald eagle in Wild Bird Care Centre

By Megan Delaire, Ottawa Community News, October 21, 2016

Life has ups and downs, that’s a fact, but for one resident of the Wild Bird Care Centre in Nepean, the past month or so has been monumentally bad.

Three shot gun pellets, two broken wings and a fish hook later, a juvenile bald eagle is taking a well-earned rest under the care of the centre’s staff and volunteers.

When the bird first arrived at the centre on Oct. 4, it was clear to staff he had fallen on hard times.

O’Connor bikeway learns from Laurier’s mistakes

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, October 21, 2016

Ottawa’s newest segregated bike lane is already miles ahead of its predecessor, one councillor says.

The north-south O’Connor bikeway opened from Laurier to Fifth just in time for Thursday’s afternoon commute, and despite the dreary weather cyclists were already taking it for a spin.

Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney said the track incorporates many lessons earned from the earlier Laurier bike lane project.

O'Connor Street bike lane opening has some people celebrating, others worried - Ottawa - CBC News

By Idil Mussa, CBC News Ottawa, October 21, 2016

Cyclists in Ottawa are celebrating the opening of the O'Connor Street bike lane, but some drivers are concerned about the effect it will have on traffic flow downtown.

"I think it's going to be a problem because I'm sure there's going to be some mishaps," said Harcharan Singh.

Singh, who has been driving a cab in Ottawa for 20 years, said he's worried about manoeuvring around cyclists.

20 million litres of sewage to be dumped into Du Lièvre River next week during pump station repairs

Ottawa Citizen

By Norman Provencher, Ottawa Citizen, August 21, 2016

Residents in Gatineau’s Masson-Angers and Buckingham sectors are being asked to curb their water use for 48 hours next week as the city does work on a water station that will mean dumping about 20 million litres of raw sewage into the Du Lièvre River.

Although the Quai pumping station in Masson-Angers is only 21 years old, the city released photos and videos to show the advanced levels of corrosion.

City to hire property management company to run retail spaces in LRT stations

By Jennifer McIntosh, Ottawa Community News, October 20, 2016

A property management company will be hired to run retail space in the city’s transit stations.

The city’s transit commission approved the recommendation after a report from staff recommended the practice on Oct. 19.

The report recommends a system-wide strategy for retail space.

Plateau residents association calls on Gatineau to build light rail system - Ottawa - CBC News

By Stu Mills, CBC News Ottawa, October 20, 2016

As Gatineau's transit company held the first of two information sessions on expanding public transit in the city's west end, a Plateau neighbourhood residents association is calling for a light rail system.The STO is asking residents of the Plateau district and Aylmer how to better serve residents in the city's west end, and launched an online public consultation Oct. 17.

At an information session Wednesday night, the transit company laid out five different options for expanded service.

Power companies told to bill customers monthly, a $10-million cost that will likely end up on bills

By Peter Kuitenbrouwer, Ottawa Citizen, October 20, 2016

A government board has told power companies across the province that by year-end they must send customers a hydro bill every month — a change that could cost up to $10-million, and will likely show up on the bills of consumers.

The Ontario Energy Board, a provincial body whose “goal is to promote a viable and efficient energy sector,” ordered the change in April; it is now beginning to roll out across the province. Although some utilities such as Hydro One, which largely serves rural Ontario, have sent out monthly bills for years, about 1.9 million electricity customers across the province get six bills a year.

O’Connor’s new bike lanes now open, ahead of schedule

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, October 20, 2016

The new O’Connor Street segregated bike lanes opened Thursday, about a month ahead of schedule.

The city is calling it a “soft opening” because the official ribbon cutting isn’t happening until Tuesday.

Crews were out early in the day to uncover new traffic signals, remove construction pylons and temporary signs, and sweep the two-way bike lane on the east side of O’Connor, which is separated from cars with curbs and flexible bollards.

The train is coming: LRT track testing to start in November

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, October 20, 2016

Just weeks from now, Alstom Citadis Spirit trains will begin rolling along a stretch of track between Blair station and the Belfast Yard plant where they are being assembled.

They won’t pick up passengers just yet but instead will use the coming months to test and troubleshoot the fully automated LRT system in advance of its opening in 2018.