Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Ottawa-Vanier gathers for climate conversation

By Michelle Nash Baker, Ottawa Community News, July 14, 2016

Residents gathered in Vanier to discuss what all levels of government can do to help shape the city's and Canada’s approach to action on climate change.

The town hall meeting at the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre was organized by Ecology Ottawa and included federal Canada Climate Action consultants on July 11, who met with residents to discuss what type of changes that can be made in the city as well as across Canada to take action on climate change.

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Robb Barnes, managing director of Ecology Ottawa, said he was impressed by the large turnout for the evening that addressed four questions concerning climate change.

Barnes explained the goal of the evening was an opportunity for residents to have their say in what mattered most to them about the topic.

“This is a really important piece to the process, and something that we really hope the federal government will pay attention to and we are confident it will work,” Barnes told the crowd.

Ottawa gardener employs tiny helpers to save prized flowers from pesky beetle - Ottawa - CBC News

By Waubgeshig Rice, CBC News Ottawa, July 14, 2016

With the help of a Carleton University researcher, an Ottawa gardener has unleashed a foreign parasite in his backyard in hopes of eradicating an unwanted pest that's devouring his beloved lilies.

For years, the red lily beetle has been chewing holes through the leaves and pink flowers of Rob Stuart's Asiatic and oriental lilies. It's a cycle that's taken a toll on his garden.

Charter bus consultations to bypass Ottawa

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, July 12, 2016

If you’re hoping to discuss inter-city buses this summer, you’ll need to book a Greyhound to Kingston.

The province will hold 13 public consultations across Ontario in July and August to discuss how to modernize the “intercommunity bus” industry. That includes any fare-based bus service, be it a chartered tour or a scheduled commuter trip, that takes you from one city to another.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Province setting up 41 electric car charging stations in Ottawa :: News - Article

By Chris Holski, CFRA News, July 13, 2016

41 of 500 new electric vehicle charging stations the province has pledged to build will be in Ottawa.

They will be at 10 locations in total, including three city lots, Ben Franklin Place, the city's fire administration building, IKEA, two St. Huberts, a Tim Hortons and a McDonalds.

Woodpark community fears LRT station will take out its only park

By Melissa Murray, Ottawa Community News, July 11, 2016

Putting the New Orchard LRT station through Byron Linear Park would make the Woodpark community not only “woodless” but “parkless” as well, say its members.

Larry Ladell, chair of the transportation committee of the Woodpark Community Association became aware of the proposal to locate the station south of Richmond Road – in the Byron Linear Park – between Woodland and Harcourt Avenue at a June 4 open house.

‘Missed opportunity’: Bayview lot plan falls short of potential, former councillor says

By Erin McCracken, Ottawa Community News, July 12, 2016

A for sale sign is up at the vacant Bayview school site, but a longtime area resident and former city councillor said the city should freeze the sale of the land so that a community design plan can be developed first.

The advantages of such a plan is it would prevent vacant and underutilized properties in Riverside Park from being parcelled off piecemeal, and allow for sites to be developed and integrated within a broader community context, said George Brown, who first raised his concerns in writing to Mayor Jim Watson, River Coun. Riley Brockington and city staff in April.

“I just think it’s a lousy plan that is the maximum that the city could get without upsetting some neighbours. I’ve never believed in planning that way,” said Brown. “What is the best plan for that site? I don’t think we have it.

Ontario building nearly 500 electric vehicle charging stations - Toronto - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 13, 2016

Ontario is building nearly 500 electric vehicle charging stations across the province with hopes they will encourage more residents to use electric vehicles.

The provincial government says the network of public stations will help address "range anxiety" among electric car drivers who may be concerned about the distance their vehicles can travel compared to traditional vehicles.

Ottawa Public Library reveals 12 potential sites for flagship location - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 13, 2016

The Ottawa Public Library revealed the sites that could potentially become the location of its new flagship central library on Wednesday. The twelve proposed sites include both public and privately owned properties.

Eight of the locations were brought forward through the request for expressions of interest process that took place in the fall of 2015.

In May, the library held two in-person sessions at city hall to come up with a list of criteria to evaluate possible sites.

ParaTranspo service extended to riders with developmental disabilities, mental heath issues - Ottawa - CBC News

By Joanne Chianello, CBC News Ottawa, July 13, 2016

Riders with development disabilities or mental health issues will be able to sign up for ParaTranspo door-to-door rides after council approved changes to the way the system operates.

City officials estimated that between 800 and 2,000 additional people could be eligible for ParaTranspo services under the new rules, although some current riders may no longer qualify.

Almonte Councillors and residents show support for hydro-electric project

Ottawa Citizen

By Aidan Cox, Ottawa Citizen, July 12, 2016

Councillors and residents of Almonte gathered along the Mississippi River on Tuesday morning to show their support for the expansion of a hydro-electric generating station.

“From a building point-of-view and a river point-of-view, the project has a lot of benefits. The flow of the river will be improved and the (river’s) levels will be better,” said Almonte Ward Coun. Alex Gillis in an interview.

Don't be a jerk: Snarky signs tell drivers to respect cyclists

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, July 11, 2016

Hey drivers: chill out.

That’s the message behind some snarky new road signs on the McIlraith Bridge in Old Ottawa East.

The green and yellow signs read “Cyclists can take the lane; stop honking” and are meant to remind drivers that bikes are vehicles, too.

Bike lanes for Booth Street bridge?

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, July 11, 2016

The Booth Street bridge could get bike lanes, after all.

Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney said staff have agreed to rethink their decision to build the new Booth Street bridge without any cycling infrastructure, after she met with Mayor Jim Watson and an official from Rideau Transit Group last week.

“I made my case that there was plenty of space to chip away from the vehicular lanes and provide a segregated bike lane,” McKenney said. “That’s what we’ve agreed to come back and look at.”