Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Walking school buses plateaued despite increase in children walking - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, August 25, 2015

About 1,900 more elementary school children are expected to walk to school this year after the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority revised its walking zones and cut the number of school buses. But only eight schools will have paid walking supervisors this year; the same number of schools as last year. They are: via Walking school buses plateaued despite increase in children walking - Ottawa - CBC News.

Mailbox revolt: The chrysanthemums of wrath

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, August 25, 2015

Catherine Fortuné has no illusions that flower power alone will hold back the tide of community mailboxes, but she figures gardening may slow them down and make them an election issue. That’s why there are flowers (mostly mums) planted on two concrete-and-brick pads that are waiting for big new mailboxes in the Copeland Park neighbourhood. via Mailbox revolt: The chrysanthemums of wrath | Ottawa Citizen.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Nicholas Street reduced to one lane northbound near uOttawa for LRT related work :: News - Article

By Ted Raymond, CFRA News, August 24, 2015

A stretch of Nicholas Street northbound near the University of Ottawa will be down to a single lane until the middle autumn.

Workers will be relocating a heating and cooling duct bank under the Transitway near Campus Station as part of LRT construction. The ducts service the campus of the University of Ottawa. Work started Sunday evening.

Para Transpo consultations to start in September

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Community News, August 24, 2015

City officials will host 16 small sessions to discuss who is eligible to use Para Transpo, and what can be done to make the booking model more efficient. Beginning Sept. 17, OC Transpo officials will welcome 20 people at a time to discuss the barriers and challenges that exist for operators and users of the city’s alternative transit system. via Para Transpo consultations to start in September.

Ottawa's Roadkill Cafe: Dead animal nearby? Here are some suggestions

Ottawa &

By Sam Cooley, Ottawa Sun, August 24, 2015

A fresh carcass is outside your door, and soon it could be stinking up the whole street; so why bother visiting a grocery store when you can scoop it up and cook something with it? While not exactly a "popular" pastime, roadkill cooking is not unheard of. What you do need, though, is a bit of knowledge of the condition of the animal (in other words, make sure it's SAFE to eat) and your local roadkill laws. In many areas, dead animals can legally be harvested, but check your local laws before heading out on a roadkill food pantry stocking expedition. via Ottawa's Roadkill Cafe: Dead animal nearby? Here are some suggestions | Ottawa &.

TransCanada's Energy East pipeline clears another hurdle - Montreal - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, August 24, 2015

TransCanada Corp. resolved a major challenge to its $12-billion Energy East project after reaching an agreement with three natural gas distributors who say the deal insulates customers from the additional costs of converting the pipeline. Under the agreement announced Monday, customers in Ontario and Quebec won't be on the hook for extra construction and development costs and will save $100 million between 2018 and 2050, the natural gas companies said. via TransCanada's Energy East pipeline clears another hurdle - Montreal - CBC News.

The Gargoyle: Greens answer Ottawa mayor’s summons

Ottawa Citizen

By Patrick Smith, Ottawa Citizen, August 24, 2015

The federal Green Party was well represented at City Hall Monday, sending all of its Ottawa-area nominated candidates, three Gatineau-area candidates and the chief executive of the Ottawa West-Nepean riding association (which has yet to select a candidate) to Mayor Jim Watson’s second briefing session. Similar to the first session, held for the Liberal Party last Thursday, the meeting addressed local concerns including infrastructural needs, community housing and future transit planning. via The Gargoyle: Greens answer Ottawa mayor’s summons | Ottawa Citizen.

Planting trees in the city makes residents healthier, study shows

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, August 24, 2015

A study of Toronto shows that adding 10 trees per city block makes residents healthier — by the same amount as raising their incomes $10,000 per household. It’s well known that rich people enjoy better health than those in poorer neighbourhoods, the University of Chicago scientists who did the research knew. via Planting trees in the city makes residents healthier, study shows | Ottawa Citizen.

Carleton profile: Green candidate Deborah Coyne

Metro News

By Michael Woods, Ottawa Metro News, August 23, 2015

After a long affiliation with the Liberal Party, including a 2013 bid for the leadership, Deborah Coyne is hitting the hustings as a Green Party candidate in the new riding of Carleton. The constitutional lawyer, professor and author joined the party as a senior advisor to leader Elizabeth May in February. Her goal now, she said, is to convince Carleton voters that this is the time to “think outside the box” with their vote. via Carleton profile: Green candidate Deborah Coyne | Metro News.

Battleground NCR: It's anybody race in Gatineau this election

Ottawa & Region

By Dani-elle Dubé, Ottawa Sun, August 23, 2015

Ahead of the Oct. 19 federal election, the Sun will be taking an in-depth look at all National Capital Region ridings, breaking down what forces are at play in each, who the real contenders are versus the ‘also-running’, and what history shows could happen come election day. Today’s profile takes a look across the river at Gatineau. It’s anybody’s game in the riding of Gatineau for the federal election, if recent history is any indication. via Battleground NCR: It's anybody race in Gatineau this election | Ottawa & Region.

Bear family lingering around Chelsea, Que., homes - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, August 23, 2015

A black bear and three cubs have been hanging out in yards outside homes in Chelsea, Que., for several weeks, causing both excitement and concern from residents over the animals' bold behaviour. Lee Adrian has seen many deer in the 20 years she has lived on a one-acre lot on St. Clément Road, east of Gatineau Park, but this was the first time she has seen bears in her yard, snacking on her chokecherry tree. via Bear family lingering around Chelsea, Que., homes - Ottawa - CBC News.

A user’s guide to the the islands, the falls, Zibi and the Windmill development

Ottawa Citizen

By Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen, August 23, 2015

For decades, the islands in the Ottawa River surrounding Chaudière Falls have been all but invisible to area residents. Ground zero for Ottawa’s lumber trade, Chaudière and Albert islands, and nearby shorelines were fenced-off industrial zones throughout much of the past 100 years, and the falls, once a leading tourist attraction, were dammed and hidden from public view. But the lands have remained front-of-mind for members of surrounding Algonquin communities, who view the area as key to their cultural heritage and the falls themselves as sacred. via A user’s guide to the the islands, the falls, Zibi and the Windmill development | Ottawa Citizen.