Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Desrochers: Our cities are making us fat, and we can do something about it

Ottawa Citizen

By Brigitte Desrochers, Ottawa Citizen, March 31, 2016

Recently, a Senate committee issued a report on the spread of obesity among Canadians, which costs an estimated $4.6 billion to $7.1 billion annually in health care and lost productivity. Our cities contribute to this crisis, insofar as they raise barriers to the physical activity that keeps us fit.

The report notes that our participation in organized sports remained stable; it is in the areas of active child play and everyday life activities that losses were recorded. The issue is not with our sports facilities, but with everything around them. With 85 per cent of Canadian adults and 91 per cent of children failing to meet recommended thresholds of physical activity, we would do well to revisit our urban policies and programs with a view to improving obesity-related outcomes.

So Uber will be legalized – what does that mean for you?

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, March 31, 2016

The city revealed sweeping changes to its taxi regulations Thursday, to welcome ride-hailing companies and deregulate traditional taxis.So how will it work?

Uber

The city plans to legalize Uber and other ride sharing companies with a new licensing category for "private transportation companies."

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: High water closes some NCC pathways :: News - Article

By Norman Jack, CFRA News, March 31, 2016

Water levels are unusually high on both the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers, and that's flooded some of the pathways operated by The National Capital Commission.

Some sections of the Voyageurs, Leamy Lake and Gatineau River pathways are closed because of flooding.

NCC officials are urging people to avoid those pathways, and the nearby river banks - the fast-flowing water is dangerous.

City gets cash boost for downtown cycling path

By Michelle Nash, Ottawa Community News, March 30, 2016

A $325,000 boost in funding will help make riding along MacKenzie Avenue a little safer for cyclists.

The funding is thanks to the province’s $10 million Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program, which will help pay to build a separated cycling lane along the avenue from Rideau to Murray Streets.

Ottawa-Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi made the announcement in Major Hill’s Park on March 29. Mayor Jim Watson, Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury, Ottawa-Vanier MPP Madeleine Meilleur and Dr. Mark Kristmanson, chief executive officer of the National Capital Commission joined Naqvi for the funding announcement.

Judge denies Ottawa cabbies' request for Uber injunction

Ottawa & Region

New

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, March 31, 2016

A judge has dismissed an injunction application from the Ottawa taxi union, which wanted the court to ban Uber drivers in the city.

Justice Robert Smith released his decision before the city was scheduled to release results from a critical review of the taxi bylaw. The decision is dated Wednesday. The judge heard arguments last month.

The judge found that cabbies are “acting in their own financial interest in a private law case and not in the public interest” and there are “conflicting” court decisions on whether the definition of a taxicab applies to Uber drivers.

Ottawa weather forecast calls for up to 40 mm of rain today - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, March 31, 2016

A special weather statement is in effect with "significant rain" — possibly 40 mm — expected to fall today through to Friday morning in Ottawa-Gatineau.

Thursday's weather forecast calls for between 10 and 20 millimetres of rain with wind gusting from the southwest at 30 kilometres per hour to 50 km/h in the morning.

Reevely: City hall shows rare courage with its plan to legalize Uber

Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, March 31, 2016

Ottawa plans to open its streets up to ride-sharing companies like Uber by summer, letting the company and its drivers compete with traditional taxis as long as they meet some basic safety and insurance standards.

There could be blood on those streets first.

In brief, drivers for Uber or other ride-sharing companies that might want to set up here will have to pass a detailed criminal-record check, present their cars for safety inspections and prove they have $5 million in liability insurance, none of which they’re doing — to the city’s satisfaction — as they drive today. They’ll pay a 10.5-cent-a-ride fee to cover the city’s regulatory costs, and be restricted to picking up riders who’ve summoned them via an app.

Opinion split over changes to Uber regulations

Ottawa Citizen

By Chris Lowrey, Ottawa Citizen, March 31, 2016

The president of a local cab driver’s union stormed out of council chambers mid-meeting Thursday after hearing the City of Ottawa’s proposed regulations of ride-sharing service Uber.

Unifor Local 1688 president Amrit Singh was followed out of the chambers by a crowd of reporters as he claimed that “all the rules are for taxi drivers.”

Ottawa’s Greystone Village set to create sustainable green community

Ottawa Citizen

By Sheila Brady, Ottawa Citizen, March 30, 2016

You can almost feel the green seismic shift rumbling through Ottawa triggered by a deeply committed handful of developers and designers.

Their focus is on building sustainable, waterfront communities that blend homes with shops and pay tribute to the past while promoting bike and footpaths over gasoline-loving vehicles and double garages.

This is why I drive for Uber

Opinion

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Josh Williams, Ottawa Sun, March 30, 2016

There has been a heated debate in our city about ride-sharing for over a year now. With tempers flaring over how and if Uber should be on our streets, it seems that conversation rarely turns to the many faces of Uber, the people in our city who rely on ride-sharing both to get where they need to be and to earn an income. Uber has a huge impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people right here in Ottawa that use Uber, and I'm one of them.

My name is Josh Williams. I grew up in Ottawa, have lived here my whole life and have so much love for this city and the opportunities it brings. I have been a stand-up comedian for seven years -- to me, there is no better feeling than getting up on that stage night after night and making people laugh. But around my shows, it's also important for me to earn some extra money which is why, since last summer, I have been supplementing my income as an Uber driver right here in Ottawa.

Gatineau issues boil water advisory for parts of city east of river - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, March 30, 2016

The City of Gatineau has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for three sections of the city east of the Gatineau River.

While the advisory is in effect, residents must boil their water for one minute before consuming it.

The tap water may be discoloured, the city said. In that case, residents should open the cold water tap and let the water run until it becomes clear again.

Uber's future in Ottawa to be revealed in taxi report - Ottawa - CBC News

By Paul Jay, CBC News Ottawa, March 30, 2016

The city's plan to reshape taxi regulations in Ottawa to account for the emergence of app-based ride-hailing services such as Uber is expected to be unveiled Thursday, a week before councillors debate it at committee.

The report, to be revealed in a technical briefing for councillors on Thursday afternoon, comes after city staff were tasked with coming up with alternatives to the current bylaws, which require both the vehicle carrying passengers for a fare and the driver operating it to have municipal taxi permits.