Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Letter: Canada ranks poorly on climate change

Ottawa Citizen

By Nancy Biggs, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, December 1, 2014

Re: Barack Obama alienates friends at a time when his country needs them the most, Nov. 25.

As a dual citizen of Canada and Australia, I am very thankful for U.S. President Barack Obama’s climate change speech accusing the current Australian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, of being a laggard on climate change. I am also thankful that Obama is making sure the proper approval process is being carried out on the Keystone XL pipeline.

Energy East open house raises as many questions as gives answers

By Joe Morin, Kemptville Advance, November 28, 2014

The Energy East open house held at the North Grenville Municipal Centre on Tuesday evening, Nov. 18 featured more questions than conflict from interested area residents.

Earlier in the week, leaked reports that Trans Canada , the parent company of Energy East, was developing a public relations strategy that targeted opposition groups and individuals, had caused some concern that various environmental groups would brace Energy East representatives at the open house.

Prentice to meet with Ontario, Quebec premiers over Energy East - Calgary - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, November 30, 2014

Alberta Premier Jim Prentice is scheduled to meet with his Ontario and Quebec counterparts this week to lobby for support of the Energy East pipeline. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Premier Philippe Couillard of Quebec have established a list of conditions over the project. via Prentice to meet with Ontario, Quebec premiers over Energy East - Calgary - CBC News.

Letters: Western LRT dispute: the best solution?

Ottawa Citizen

By Clive Doucet, Richard Jamieson and Alan McDonald, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, November 29, 2014

Carling LRT route would benefit many Re: Mayor decries ‘meddlesome’ NCC, Nov. 25. The issue concerning the western LRT extension is not elected versus unelected officials. Sometimes, there are disagreements between the two and this is healthy. I want public servants giving and defending their best advice, not doing what they’re told. The issue here is whether or not the western parkway is the right extension of the Centretown tunnel. If Bob Chiarelli had not been defeated by Larry O’Brien in 2006, there would be no debate today, the Carling Avenue line would be built, as would the north/south line. via Letters: Western LRT dispute: the best solution? | Ottawa Citizen.

With Christmas Market, a new era starts for Ottawa’s Farmers Market.

Ottawa Citizen

By Laura Robin, Ottawa Citizen, November 29, 2014

When the ribbon is cut at Ottawa’s Farmers’ Christmas Market at Lansdowne on Sunday, it will not only be a homecoming celebration complete with hot local apple cider and Christmas goodies, it will mark the start of the first year-round, indoor, producer-based market for Ottawa. After Sunday, the Christmas Market will run Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 6 and 7, and 13 and 14, then vacate for just three weeks before the farmers market reopens Jan. 11 for the first time as a regular indoor winter market. via With Christmas Market, a new era starts for Ottawa’s Farmers Market. | Ottawa Citizen.

The right track? Explaining Ottawa’s western LRT debate — what you should know

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson and Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, November 28, 2014

It’s been a week since the National Capital Commission held a dramatic news conference that some feared might spell the end of the city’s plan for light rail in the west end. That’s not the case, and this week, both Mayor Jim Watson and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird — the senior Ottawa MP who oversees the NCC — vowed to dial back the rhetoric, committing to “taking the next 100 days to continue to work constructively.” via The right track? Explaining Ottawa’s western LRT debate — what you should know | Ottawa Citizen.

At long last, after all the turmoil, the Airport Parkway pedestrian bridge officially opens

Ottawa Citizen

By Andrew Seymour, Ottawa Citizen, November 29, 2014

The bridge was over budget, years behind schedule, the basis for a multimillion-dollar lawsuit and one of the walking paths leading up to it was the scene of the city’s latest homicide. On Saturday, the Airport Parkway pedestrian and cycling bridge finally opened with city officials hoping to put its difficult past behind it. via At long last, after all the turmoil, the Airport Parkway pedestrian bridge officially opens | Ottawa Citizen.

TransCanada dumps PR firm, renews focus on pipeline

Metro

By Ottawa Metro News, November 26, 2014

TransCanada Corp. will not renew its contract with Edelman, the PR company that suggested bullying detractors of the Energy East pipeline and proposed creation of “third-party” proxy groups. On Wednesday, one week after Greenpeace Canada leaked Edleman documents detailing controversial strategy for the high-stake $12-billion pipeline, TransCanada said it wants to bring the conversation back to the merits of the pipeline. via TransCanada dumps PR firm, renews focus on pipeline | Metro.

Letters: LRT vision, the Ottawa River, and the ‘NIMFY’ factor

Ottawa Citizen

By Marcia Falconer and Domingo Mespolet, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, November 28, 2014

Nothing more than the ‘NIMFY’ factor Re: The whiff of politics behind NCC demands, Nov. 22. Placing the western light-rail transit line along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway will make everyone’s experience of the Ottawa River much poorer, and goes contrary to the enlightened view of saving this waterfront and all waterfronts to serve everyone. via Letters: LRT vision, the Ottawa River, and the ‘NIMFY’ factor | Ottawa Citizen.

Watson, Baird agree to work on light rail

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, November 27, 2014

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Mayor Jim Watson are pledging to “work constructively” to solve the impasse between the city and the National Capital Commission over the western expansion of light rail. “Both the Government of Canada and the City of Ottawa have committed to taking the next 100 days to continue to work constructively along with the NCC toward a solution on this transit issue,” the pair said in a statement released Thursday. via Watson, Baird agree to work on light rail | Ottawa Citizen.

After another fatality, Ottawa cyclists look for built-in safety with video

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, November 27, 2014

Kevin O’Donnell cycled to work Thursday, then heard the news: Another cyclist had died. Ottawa police say a man in his 40s was killed when he collided with a garbage truck on Clyde Avenue near Merivale Road around 8:05 a.m. An off-duty paramedic and a police officer performed CPR, but neither they nor paramedics and firefighters were able to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. via After another fatality, Ottawa cyclists look for built-in safety with video | Ottawa Citizen.

Councillor cooking up plan for community sugar bush

By Erin McCraken, Ottawa Community News, November 27, 2014

A stand of sugar maple trees in Monahan Landing south of Bridlewood could be the area’s gateway to fresh, free syrup.

Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley is planning to provide the community with all the supplies and knowledge they need to run their own sugar bush.