Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

BACKFLOW TO THE FUTURE: City proposes prevention program

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Stittsville Central, February 27, 2016

The City of Ottawa is holding public consultations about the proposed Backflow Prevention Program, which will require businesses, institutions and multi-residential buildings to install and maintain backflow prevention devices.

These devices will help prevent backflow incidents that can occur when low water pressure causes contaminants to flow from buildings into the drinking water system. Backflow is a potential source of drinking water contamination and poses a risk to public health.

Pull up a chair: Ottawa, Gatineau mayors can now participate in NCC board meetings

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, February 29, 2016

It’s official: Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and his Gatineau counterpart can finally take part in NCC board meetings.

The National Capital Commission’s board of directors amended their bylaws Monday to let the mayors participate – but not vote – in NCC proceedings.

Watson and Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin have been lobbying the federal government to give them a more formal role on the commission for several years, on the grounds that NCC decisions have a direct impact on city planning.

Winter storm warning in effect for Ottawa region

Ottawa & Region

News

Otta

By Aeden Helmer, Ottawa Sun, March 1, 2016

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Capital Region, with snow expected to begin in the evening rush hour Tuesday.

Up to 30 cm of snow could fall by Wednesday morning, meteorologists warn.

Environment Canada says strong northeasterly winds,gusting to 50 km/h may also produce whiteouts, particularly in exposed areas.

Letters for Saturday, Feb. 27: Alcohol abuse, taxing gasoline, helping others

Ottawa Citizen

By Jeff Spooner, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, February 27, 2016

No simple solution for climate change

Re: Gasoline, natural gas set to rise, Feb. 25.

The effects of climate change can hardly be solved by raising the cost of gas a few cents. Yet we have to be seen to be doing something, so taxes on fossil fuels are the government’s answer. It will decide which projects get built and which technology is deemed worthy. If you believe that the answer to climate change is this simple, and that government will be a good manager of this new tax, then this plan is for you.

The rest of us are skeptical that a government up to its eyeballs in debt will handle an additional $1.9 billion in tax revenue prudently. It is unlikely that modest taxes will reduce consumption. It is unlikely that these taxes will have any major effect on greenhouse gas emissions. Like the ubiquitous wristbands that signify you support a cause without really doing anything, the taxes will make people feel good.

Work to start this spring on new MacKenzie Avenue cycling lanes

Ottawa Citizen

by Don Butler, Ottawa Citizen, March 1, 2016

Work will begin this spring on a new two-way bike track on the east side of MacKenzie Avenue, adjacent to the United States Embassy.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, National Capital Commission CEO Mark Kristmanson and American Ambassador Bruce Heyman signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday to launch the tender for the construction work.

Councillor eyes fix for Slater and Elgin intersection

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, February 28, 2016

Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney says she’ll take a closer look at one of downtown Ottawa’s worst pedestrian intersections.

Slater Street at Elgin had five pedestrian collisions between 2010 and 2014, tying it for third place in Centretown, behind Bank at Gloucester streets and Bank at Laurier Avenue, the city said.And going back to 2004, there have been 12 pedestrian collisions there, according to data from Citizens for Safe Cycling.

Letters for Monday, Feb. 29: Photo radar good, fuel increases bad

Ottawa Citizen

By Antonia Larson, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, February 29, 2016

Outraged by cap-and-trade plan

Re: Gasoline, natural gas prices set to rise, Feb. 25.

I am a senior on a fixed income and am outraged with the announcement by Premier Kathleen Wynne that following the budget I will have to pay more for gas and home heating by natural gas.I use my car to get around – I am unable to walk distances – for important things like shopping, medical appointments and exercise classes, which help me keep more active. I use natural gas for heating, which in Canada is a necessity.

Anderson: Stop Coveting the Experimental Farm

Ottawa Citizen

By Peter Anderson, Ottawa Citizen, February 29, 2016

On March 7, the Ottawa Hospital will finally hold an information session on the design of the future Civic Campus. This comes 470 days after then-minister John Baird announced the severance of 60 acres from the Central Experimental Farm for a new hospital.

While I welcome the hospital’s latter-day commitment to bringing the public to the table, it is clear that this is not a true public consultation. On its website, the hospital notes “the first engagement session … will be informational.” Justifying its delays until now, Hospital CEO Jack Kitts said it would have been inappropriate to hold information sessions or consultations before receiving approval from the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to expand onto the farm.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Province promises funding for phase 2 of LRT, but still won't commit dollar amount :: News - Article

By Alison Sandor, CFRA News, February 26, 2016

While the provincial government will pay for a portion of Phase 2 of Ottawa's LRT project. it's not yet ready to commit to an exact dollar figure.

The City of Ottawa has asked the province to pay for one third of the $3-billion dollar project.

Ottawa South MPP John Fraser says they want to see final costs first."We've committed to be the cost-share and at the time they said it's $1-billion. That's what we committed to," said Fraser. "We just don't send a cheque for $1-billion. What we do is say is this doing all the things - there's accountability, right? Are you meeting the principles of how we put projects like these together? Because they're big, expensive projects. They take years to project out. You've got to get ridership numbers right. That's the transaction that's going on now. But you won't find a stronger local caucus that supports transit."

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: City deals with double the potholes :: News - Article

By CFRA News, February 26, 2016

The City is dealing with more than double the number of potholes this year, compared to the same period last year.

Crews have already fixed more than 16,000 potholes since Jan. 1; last year they repaired 7,800 during the same period.

"This year we've had a lot more potholes and the main reason for that is we've had over 10 freeze-thaw cycles," says Bryden Denyes, the area manager for core roads.

Ottawa's weather forecast calls for freezing rain and ice pellets - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, February 26, 2016

Saturday is the day to get your errands done as a mixed bag of weather threatens to make driving difficult on Sunday.

More snow, ice pellets and freezing rain are all in the forecast for the Ottawa region, according to a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada early Saturday morning. Things could start to get hairy Saturday evening, with snow and freezing drizzle in the forecast.

Gardening events this week

Ottawa Citizen

By Kristin E. Endemann, Ottawa Citizen, February 25, 2016

Ecological seed production workshop with Greta Kryger of Greta’s Organic Garden and Bob Wildfong, executive director of Seeds of Diversity Canada, an intensive, day-long session looking at the fundamentals of seed production, including crop spacing, planting times, isolation distances, rogueing, cleaning seeds and more, March 4, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., location to be given at registration. This is suitable for all farmers and seed growers. Register at [email protected].