Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Goose poop patrol: Ottawa city seeks funding for bird problem

Metro News

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, September 13, 2015

Thanks to dogs, drones and “egg addling,” the City of Ottawa is finally controlling Petrie Island’s pesky geese.

The only problem: the city can’t afford more geese police action.

After the "Geese Management Strategy" launched on Petrie Island, the city’s community and protective services committee asked staff to fix the problem at four goose-poop-filled parks along the Rideau River. The pilot project aimed to quell the highly populated, fiercely feathered animals (and their droppings).

Ottawa police probing latest berating taxi video on You Tube

Ottawa & Region

By Corey Larocque, Ottawa Sun, September 13, 2015

A profanity-laced argument, caught on video, between two men in front of the Chateau Laurier hotel Friday night has prompted police to open an investigation and the mayor to denounce it as “vulgar.”

The 81-second clip opens with a man standing outside a vehicle, telling the driver: “If I see you again, you’re dead meat.”

Ontario launches grants to help protect the great lakes - Queens Park - Orléans Star

By Kelly Snider, Orléans Star, September 11, 2015

PROVINCIAL. The Ontario Government has launched their fourth round of applications for the Great Lakes Guarding Community Fund grant. This fund provides a grant of up to $25,000 to not-for-profit organizations, schools, First Nations and Métis communities, and other local groups.©

"Since [the project] launched in 2012, $4.5 million has been awarded to more than 220 community based projects, to help the ecological health of the great lakes watershed, including the Ottawa River," said Ottawa-Orléans MPP Marie-France Lalonde.

(...)

Lalonde was joined by local environmental organizations including Friends of Petrie Island, Ottawa River Keeper, South Nation Conservation Authority, and Ecology Ottawa for the announcement on September 4, at Banana's on Petrie Island.

(...)

"[Ecology Ottawa] received a grant of over $6,000 for what we call Adopt a Stream project conducted in 2013," explained Robb Barnes, managing director. "The objective was to engage neighbourhood teams of volunteers to run an event, with the goal of improving the health of creeks and streams."

Federal election neighbourhood profile: Hintonburg

Metro News

By Joe Lofaro, Ottawa Metro News, September 11, 2015

On a sunny afternoon in late August, the streets of Hintonburg are bustling with people from all walks of life. A trio of moms shares a coffee on a patio at Thyme & Again with their newborns nestled in their laps. A husband and wife chat up the clerks at the Parkdale Farmer’s Market while inspecting the ripened tomatoes. And kids help adults pick fruit from a tree next to the Castle Towers apartment building.

A neighbourhood in transition, Hintonburg is one of Ottawa’s trendy, sought-after spots for single, young professionals and young families.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Water non-consumption order issued for part of Aylmer :: News - Article

By CFRA News, September 11, 2015

Gatineau has issued a water non-consumption order for part of Aylmer.It's in the Aylmer Road and Belmont Street area. You can view a map of the affected region here.

People are being advised not to boil or drink water. Showers are permitted.

Parks funding added to Medical Arts Building project

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Community News, September 11, 2015

After a tumultuous summer, city council has finally approved a hotel and condo development for 180 Metcalfe St. – as long as the developer pays $200,000 upfront for green space and other recreational facilities.

The project, owned by Toth Equity Ltd., will preserve the 1920s art deco Medical Arts Building at the corner of Metcalfe and Nepean streets while attaching a six-storey addition where the current parking lot exists. The developer will also build a 21-storey condo tower above, with a parking garage underground.

Ontario considers importing more electricity from Quebec

CTV News

By CTV News Ottawa, September 11, 2015

QUEBEC - Ontario will look at the financial implications of buying more electricity from Quebec under an agreement to be signed Friday at a joint cabinet meeting in Quebec City.

The Canadian Press obtained a copy of an agreement between the two provinces to look at the costs of moving more hydro-electric power from Quebec to Ontario, which has some of the highest electricity rates in the country.

New cycling rules, safety tips highlighted - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, September 12, 2015

Ottawa police Const. Chuck Benoit is also a cycling instructor — and he sat down with Adrian Harewood on Our Ottawa this week to review some of the new road rules implemented this month along with general safety tips.

The "one-metre rule," for example, came into effect across Ontario on Sept. 1, requiring a minimum buffer zone between motorists and cyclists whenever possible.

NCC reform as an election issue

Ottawa Citizen

By Tyler Dawson, Ottawa Citizen, September 12, 2015

As Pierre Poilievre is out door-knocking in the Carleton riding, the National Capital Commission and the Memorial to the Victims of Communism do come up “sporadically,” he allows.

“I very rarely get … complaints about the NCC these days,” said Poilievre, the Conservative candidate. “That’s not to say it’s perfect, but it’s been a big improvement.”

McLeod: There are many ways skateboarding improves our communities

Ottawa Citizen

By Jonathan McLeod, Ottawa Citizen, September 11, 2015

It was a bittersweet day when the new skatepark at the McNabb Community Centre opened back in July.

I never met Charlie Bowins, but by all accounts, he was the embodiment of youthful energy and civic engagement. A skateboarder, Charlie died suddenly on March 3, and the new park would be named after him as a testament to his dedication to the community.The skatepark is also a testament to the city’s embrace of skateboarding, an unalloyed good.

NCC to remove 40 infected elms on Confederation Boulevard

Ottawa Citizen

By Norman Provencher, Ottawa Citizen, September 12 ,2015

National Capital Commission work crews are set to begin work Monday to cut down 40 dead or dying elm trees along the Confederation Boulevard route.

The trees, on Wellington and Elgin streets in Ottawa and Laurier Street in Gatineau are afflicted with Dutch elm disease and represent a potential danger to pedestrians and motorists.

Ottawa city council approves new cash-in-lieu policy

Metro News

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, September 9, 2015

Whether replacing rusty swing sets or investing in new green space, Ottawa councillors now have more flexibility when it comes to spending their cash-in-lieu of parkland funds.

On Wednesday, city council voted in sweeping new amendments to the cash-in-lieu policy. The changes include the option of spending park funds on repair, renewal and lifecycle projects.