Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Somerset councillor wants more than just a hockey rink for LeBreton Flats

Metro

By Trevor Greenway, Ottawa Metro News, December 10, 2014

If the Ottawa Senators build a new NHL arena at LeBreton Flats, then Catherine McKenney wants to see a concert hall and art gallery come with it. The Somerset Councillor says she is all for having the team move into her ward, but wants to make sure the precious downtown land becomes more of an inclusive spot, rather than a place only for those who can afford hockey tickets. via Somerset councillor wants more than just a hockey rink for LeBreton Flats | Metro.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Capital Junk collecting "e-waste" for the Ottawa Food Bank. :: News - Article

By CFRA News, December 10, 2014

As part of their third annual Christmas Cheer fundraiser, Capital Junk will be collecting any "e-waste" you have lying around your house Wednesday and Thursday.

They'll collect and recycle any cell phones, computers, monitors or any other electronic equipment you want to get rid of.Audrey Stonehouse with Capital Junk says the service is free in exchange for a donation.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Councillor: “Impossible” not to be skeptical Plasco will succeed :: News - Article

By Stephanie Kinsella, CFRA News, December 10, 2014

Councillor Scott Moffatt says it is "impossible" not to be skeptical that Plasco Energy Group will actually succeed at turning city garbage into a form of electricity.

His comments on Wednesday come on the heels that the company is now proposing a smaller facility that might not be able to process as much daily waste as had originally been planned.

"If it worked, it would be the best solution for the city. The "if" has just become so big, that you can't stand behind it anymore. You have to be skeptical. If it was good, it would be on the road by now."

Reevely: Smart-meter fiasco brings out the worst in Bob Chiarelli

Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, December 10, 2014

When he was named Kathleen Wynne’s energy minister almost two years ago, Bob Chiarelli must have known there’d be days like this. A really damaging auditor general’s report came out Tuesday on his ministry’s smart-meter program, which is way over-budget and under-effective. Calls for his resignation followed. He gave a performance all his own — saying auditor general Bonnie Lysyk didn’t really understand Ontario’s electricity system — that made things worse via Reevely: Smart-meter fiasco brings out the worst in Bob Chiarelli | Ottawa Citizen.

Plasco proposing smaller facility as financing deadline looms

Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, December 10, 2014

Just three weeks before Plasco Energy must meet a city deadline to show it has financing for a proposed waste-to-energy plant, the Citizen has learned the company is now proposing a slightly smaller facility with potentially less capacity. It is unclear whether the changes would affect the terms of Plasco’s 20-year, multimillion-dollar contract with the city, although the changes could reduce the amount of daily waste the company is able to handle. via Plasco proposing smaller facility as financing deadline looms | Ottawa Citizen.

Residents Optimistic About Oblate Lands

Mainstreeter

By DJ Milburn, the Mainstreeter, December 2014

Area residents are generally optimistic the redevelopment of the Oblate lands north and east of Saint Paul University will reflect their desires.In the coming years the lands are expected to undergo a dramatic transformation. The site’s principal developer, the Regional Group, offered a first glimpse of its vision for the 10.5 hectares of largely vacant land to a packed house at Saint Paul University Sept. 16.

Company representatives explained their plan includes construction of more than 900 housing units as well as commercial and public spaces.

Front Page

Mainstreeter

By Joe Paraskevas, The Mainstreeter, December 2014

Calls for a pedestrian bridge spanning the Rideau Canal in Old Ottawa East returned this month, as candidates for capital ward councillor tried to assure voters they wanted a new bridge built sooner than planned.

Even Mayor Jim Watson, running for re-election, committed to build the bridge before the 2020-25 period the city had said would be the likely construction timeframe.

Reevely: Smart meters failing due to political decisions, auditor general finds

Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, December 9, 2014

Smart electricity meters have cost double what they were supposed to and haven’t saved Ontarians money by changing the times we use power, a major study by the provincial auditor general has found. A big problem with the $2-billion project, aside from the fact it was supposed to cost $1 billion, is that politicians haven’t insisted on charging much higher prices to people who use a lot of electricity at times of really high demand. That means we’ve spent all that money for smart meters but aren’t getting the benefits. via Reevely: Smart meters failing due to political decisions, auditor general finds | Ottawa Citizen.

Significant snowfall expected to hold off until Wednesday

Ottawa Citizen

By Alison Mah, Ottawa Citizen, December 9, 2014

The significant snowfall warning in the capital region beginning Tuesday evening is expected to hold off for another day, according to Environment Canada. Starting Tuesday evening, a low pressure system moving east over the U.S. will begin to shift northwards and affect Eastern Ontario. From Wednesday afternoon through to the evening, Environment Canada forecasted snowfall amounts between 10 to 15 centimetres in the capital region. via Significant snowfall expected to hold off until Wednesday | Ottawa Citizen.

Watson taps council veterans for committee chairs

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, December 9, 2014

Mayor Jim Watson has tapped experienced councillors to chair committees at Ottawa City Hall, but several rookies are also pegged for key posts. The recommendations were introduced and approved Tuesday at a brief nominating committee meeting and are likely to pass without much debate at Wednesday’s council meeting. The chairs are to serve for the entire four-year term. via Watson taps council veterans for committee chairs | Ottawa Citizen.

Loon recovers in shelter, as locals plan goose rescue

Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, December 8, 2014

Ferris the loon is on the mend in a bird shelter after locals in Edelweiss, Que. rescued the animal from the middle of a frozen lake. But now those rescuers are planning to save another feathered friend. A Canada goose has also been hanging around Pike Lake – long after its winged relatives have flown south for the winter. via Loon recovers in shelter, as locals plan goose rescue | Metro.

Councillors jockey for committee jobs

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, December 8, 2014

City councillors are jostling for spots on the planning committee before council decides their assignments for the next four years. The clerk's office Monday released the results of a survey which asked councillors their preferences for committees, subcommittees, boards and external agencies. via Councillors jockey for committee jobs | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.