Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Reevely: Preston merchants learn the hard way that private parking rentals are illegal

Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, May 3, 2016

People who live in Little Italy will risk fines in the thousands of dollars if they follow advice from the Preston Street merchants’ association to rent out their driveways during a bike festival this weekend.

“We had no idea this wasn’t legal. Like, totally mea culpa here,” said Lori Mellor, the association’s executive director.

The business group is closing Preston Street for CycloFest on Sunday, its first annual celebration of “the ideal urban neighbourhood for those who want multiple transportation options.” Worried about a shortage of parking for people who’d rather drive, the merchants joined up with a Toronto company called HonkMobile, which has an app that’s essentialy an Uber for parking spots.

Ottawa Fire Services finally lifts weeks-long burn ban

Ottawa Citizen

By Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen, May 3, 2016

Ottawa Fire Services announced Tuesday that an ongoing burn ban, which has blanketed the city for weeks, has finally been lifted.

The weekend rain was enough to dampen the ground sufficiently to a point where the possibility of brush fires has been diminished.

Western LRT tweaks still irk property owners, ByWard Market transformation gains ground

Ottawa Citizen

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, May 3, 2016

The city can’t escape controversy whenever it changes the western LRT route.

While folks at the Unitarian campus on Cleary Avenue are pleased the LRT tunnel won’t cut through their property, owners of neighbouring condos and a strip mall aren’t thrilled with the new alignment.

“The city must be prepared to pay for the consequences,” Randy Gordon told council’s finance and economic development committee Tuesday.

Ontario Provincial Police investigate wind-farm record allegations

Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, May 3, 2016

The Ontario Provincial Police has launched another investigation into allegations that provincial government officials illegally destroyed documents concerning an aborted contract to supply electricity to the provincial grid.

This time, it’s a green-energy contract with a company that builds wind farms.

LETTER: Kids deserve to be safe from traffic on residential streets

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Amber Bowditch, StittsvilleCentral Letter to the Editor, April 26, 2016

I was hit crossing the street in Ottawa, at Richmond and Churchill in Westboro. I was between the white lines and I had the light. I made sure the car saw me (she looked at me and stopped so I began to cross). Sadly she did not register my presence, proceeded and hit the gas by accident when she realized she was going to hit me and the stroller I was pushing. At 10 km an hour (officers guess based on distance) she broke two bones in my leg. Think of what that would do to a child.

 

Business leaders ask mayor to accelerate light rail to west end

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Staff, StittsvilleCentral, May 1, 2016

West end business leaders say that Kanata’s poor transit service is hindering their ability to attract talented employees, and they’re asking the mayor to extend light rail to Kanata before 2031.

Earlier this month the Kanata North BIA sent a letter to Mayor Jim Watson, co-signed by other business associations, west end politicians, and a bevy of business executives including Sir Terence Matthews. (There are nearly four pages of signatures attached to the end of the letter, which you can read below.)

More Main Street closures start Monday

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, May 1, 2016

There’s more pain coming for Main Street drivers as the city closes northbound lanes on 400 metres between Clegg Street and Riverdale Avenue this Monday.That’s on top of the 700 metres of northbound lanes already closed between Lees Avenue and Clegg.

(...)

The disruptions are part of the city’s Main Street renewal project, which is replacing water and sewer facilities and rebuilding the road into a complete street with better cycling and pedestrian facilities. Most of the street will reopen with new segregated cycle tracks, wider sidewalks and better transit facilities.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Beaver 'No More Fever': Ottawa's Justin Beaver swims back into the wild :: News - Article

By Chris Holski, CFRA News, April 30, 2015

Justin Beaver is back in the Ottawa area.

The formerly sick beaver whose image was shared across the nation after needing a ride to Muskoka for treatment was released back into the wild in Ottawa on Saturday.

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary board member Heather Badenoch was glad to see him.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Corktown underpass closes for LRT construction :: News - Article

By Caissie Aylward, CFRA News, May 2, 2016

As LRT construction continues, so do the changes to your commute. As of Monday, the Corktown cyclist and pedestrian underpass between Sandy Hill and the Canal has closed along with the Campus OC Transpo station.

That's sending those pedestrians and bike commuters to the already crowded Laurier and Nicholas intersection that's now hosting buses that normally stop at the University of Ottawa.

Rideau Vanier Councillor Mathieu Fleury says while there are improvements to be made, Monday's commute went smoothly.

New business says group-buying will save some homeowners money on hydro, gas bil

By Don Butler, Ottawa Sun, May 2, 2016

A Kitchener man says his company can save some residential customers and small businesses money by enrolling them in groups to access lower commercial rates for electricity and natural gas.

Tomas van Stee, the founder — and so far, sole full-time employee — of EnPowered, came up with the group-buying concept last November. Customers are able to sign up on his website, www.en-powered.com, as of Sunday, the same day that time-of-use electricity prices in Ontario were scheduled rise nearly four per cent.

Hydro-Québec to expand electric charging network to Ontario - Montreal - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, May 2, 2016

Hydro-Québec will install 22 charging stations for electric vehicles in eastern Ontario, mainly along the corridor between Ottawa and the Quebec border, the company announced on Monday.

This is the first foray outside Quebec for the utility's Electric Circuit branch, which is building a network of charging stations for electric cars.

More than a dozen stations will be installed in Ottawa and others along Highways 401, 416, 417 and 17. Some will be also installed outside Metro and Food Basics grocery stores and St-Hubert restaurants.

Your letters for Monday May 2: LeBreton, driving with your dog

Ottawa Citizen

By Bernie Ashe, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, May 2, 2016

Lansdowne a model of public consultation

Re: LeBreton sounds good, but let’s heed the lessons of Lansdowne, April 29.

In his column, Mohammed Adam wrote that the lessons of Lansdowne must be heeded as we embark on the transformation of LeBreton Flats into a memorable capital landmark. We who were involved in the transformation of Lansdowne into a modern, award-winning urban lifestyle district echo that sentiment.