Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Chianello: Want more Transpo use? Start with the fare policy (with video)

Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, February 6, 2015

It’s always easy to complain about rising prices. In some cases, the grumbling is even justified. Take OC Transpo fares, which are set to rise an average of 2.5 per cent in the current draft budget is passed. While city-to-city fare comparisons aren’t exact, as each municipality has its own unique price schedule, there’s still an argument to be made that Ottawa’s basic fares are among the highest in the country, especially when you exclude Toronto (although even in Toronto, the single cash fare is lower than Ottawa’s, and kids ride for free). via Chianello: Want more Transpo use? Start with the fare policy (with video) | Ottawa Citizen.

Plans to widen highway 174 anger residents

By Laura Mueller, Ottawa Community News, February 5, 2015

A number of Cumberland residents mounted vocal opposition to a plan to widen highway 174, but Coun. Stephen Blais believes it’s the only way to make the road safer and improve the section through the village. City staff presented preliminary plans to widen the 174 to four lanes east of Trim Road at a meeting held Feb. 3 at the R.J. Kennedy Memorial Community Centre. The work isn’t scheduled to be done until sometime after 2031, but the plans are being drawn up now in conjunction with the highway’s widening to the west, which will include the extension of the Confederation light-rail line from Blair Station to Place D’Orleans. via Plans to widen highway 174 anger residents.

Chianello: Watson will ultimately face choice between services, bigger taxes increases

Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, February 5, 2015

Mayor Jim Watson was voted into city hall in 2010 to get all sorts of things under control and at the top of that list was taxes. He won his first mandate by promising to keep property tax increases to a maximum of 2.5 per cent a year, and he succeeded — Watson even managed to convince councillors to hold the 2014 increase to 1.9 per cent (not a difficult task in an election year). via Chianello: Watson will ultimately face choice between services, bigger taxes increases | Ottawa Citizen.

City Hall Blog: Egli’s opening remarks at transportation committee

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, February 5, 2015

Wednesday’s big story at city hall was, of course, the tabling of the draft budget. (...) SPEAKING NOTES — Councillor Keith Egli Transportation Committee February 4, 2015 This year we’re moving ahead with Stage 2 environmental assessment studies for Confederation Line West LRT Extension, the Trillium Line Extension to the south and the Confederation Line East LRT Extension. Stage 2 will add 30 kilometres of new rail and 19 new stations to Ottawa’s transit system. This expanded light-rail system will bring close to 70 per cent of the total city population, within five kilometres of rail transit by 2023. These studies will be considered by Transportation Committee this year. via City Hall Blog: Egli’s opening remarks at transportation committee | Ottawa Citizen.

Free Wi-Fi in the works for OC Transpo buses

Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, February 4, 2015

Ottawa’s transit riders will soon be able to check email and Facebook on the bus without racking up data charges.

Thirty-seven new OC Transpo double-decker buses will be outfitted with free Wi-Fi – 15 of which should be rolling out on the streets later this year.

Property taxes, sewer and water rates going up

CTV Ottawa News

By CTV News, February 4, 2015

The cost of living in Ottawa is going up. The city unveiled its 2015 draft budget. It calls for a 2% hike in residential property taxes. That translates to around $67 for the average homeowner. It also requires no significant service cuts to achieve. via Property taxes, sewer and water rates going up | CTV Ottawa News.

Kitchissippi councillor opposes infill application

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, February 4, 2015

Coun. Jeff Leiper is at odds with the city’s planning department over an infill development proposed for his Kitchissippi ward. Falsetto Homes wants to rezone a property on the southwest corner of Hilson Avenue and Clare Street, east of Kirkwood, to build seven townhouses and two semi-detached units. via Kitchissippi councillor opposes infill application | Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa issues boil water advisory for Greely well users

Ottawa Citizen

By Ottawa Citizen, February 4, 2015

Ottawa Public Health said Wednesday it has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for some users of the communal well water system in the Shadow Ridge community in Greely. It said the advisory, issued due to a depressurization in the well system, affects 229 water users and would remain in effect until further notice. via Ottawa issues boil water advisory for Greely well users | Ottawa Citizen.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: City seeking input on east-end LRT at open houses this week :: News - Article

By Ted Raymond, CFRA News, February 3, 2015

If you live in the east end, the City wants to know what you think about Phase 2 of LRT.

Specifically, they're looking for input on the preferred alignment of the Confederation Line East extension.

The City says, for the most part, the preferred alignment for the rail line is the median that runs in the middle of Highway 174, and is being co-ordinated with the eventual widening of the highway.

Baird's departure can't derail LRT talks: Mayor

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottaw

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, February 3, 2015

Mayor Jim Watson still expects results from the 100-day western LRT challenge, even though the guy across the negotiating table is leaving the federal government. As John Baird prepared to deliver his goodbye speech in the House of Commons Monday, reporters at City Hall were eager to know how the local minister's departure would affect city files. via Baird's departure can't derail LRT talks: Mayor | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottaw.

Public invited to Airport Parkway Bridge safety audit Tuesday night

Ottawa Citizen

By Ottawa Citizen, February 3, 2015

Safety concerns about the new Airport Parkway Bridge will be on the agenda at a public safety audit Tuesday night at the pedestrian bridge site. The meeting, to be led by councillors Diane Deans and Riley Brockington along with city staff, will begin at the Cahill Drive/Plante Drive entrance to the pathway at 7 p.m. The group will then walk the route over the bridge to the South Keys transit station. via Public invited to Airport Parkway Bridge safety audit Tuesday night | Ottawa Citizen.

Mystery ‘wildlife’ attacks horse in Greenbelt, NCC says

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, February 3, 2015

The National Capital Commission says “wildlife” attacked a horse in the Greenbelt near Woodroffe Avenue, and as a result it has closed two trails. The agency won’t say what wildlife is responsible, or much else about the incident, although on the weekend it warned that a coyote had been seen in the area. via Mystery ‘wildlife’ attacks horse in Greenbelt, NCC says | Ottawa Citizen.