Natural gas prices to drop Oct. 1
Ottawa Citizen

By Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen, September 26, 2014

Enbridge Gas Distribution delivered some welcome news to consumers late Thursday, announcing a reduction in the amount it charges for natural gas effective Oct. 1. The company received approval to drop the rate it charges per cubic metre to 14.6 cents, saving the average consumer about $65 a year, according to Enbridge. The company attributes the drop to lower acquisition costs for natural gas and lower usage of the fuel. via Natural gas prices to drop Oct. 1 | Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa Votes: Where candidates stand on climate change, and what they might do
Ottawa Citizen

By Carys Mills, Ottawa Citizen, September 27, 2014

Climate change is an urgent issue for the municipal government and the city should go beyond its plan to address air quality and climate change, according to the majority of council candidates who responded to a survey by Ecology Ottawa. Responses from 66 candidates, more than half of those running, are to be released in a report on Saturday. Nine out of 10 respondents said the city has a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and 82 per cent want to go further than the city’s new Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan. via Ottawa Votes: Where candidates stand on climate change, and what they might do | Ottawa Citizen.

Chianello: Ecology Ottawa takes to the campaign trail
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, September 27, 2014

Velta Tomsons delivers her doorstep stump speech like a pro. After introducing herself to the Blackburn Hamlet resident, Tomsons explains that she’s looking for signatures for a petition asking the city to update its forestry management policy, which dates back to 2003.“ The city is doing a great job replanting the ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer,” Tomsons says enthusiastically, “but we want the city to come up with a more long-term strategy.” via Chianello: Ecology Ottawa takes to the campaign trail | Ottawa Citizen.

NCC approves Tunney's Pasture master plan

By Steph Willems, Ottawa Community News, September 25, 2014

A long-term redevelopment plan for Tunney's Pasture was given the green light on Sept. 16, paving the way for a very different future to take shape at the federal office complex.

By approving the plan, the National Capital Commission has set in motion a 25-year process of segmented construction, where each parcel of the 49-hectare site will be approved and developed separately, often with a private partner.

City of Ottawa working to make a safer ride
Ottawa & Region
News
Ottawa Su

By Doug Hempstead, Ottawa Sun, September 24, 2014

The city is taking the Transportation Safety Board's safety letters seriously and has already initiated five changes to current practices.However, as OC Transpo boss John Manconi points out, all that's been asked of the city at this point is to review. On the matter of the video screens, Manconi said the city has already been in contact with ergonomic experts and he himself spoke to the manufacturer of the buses Wednesday to discuss the engineering and safety requirements of the bus and what would be involved with making it so the screens turned off when the bus was moving forward. via City of Ottawa working to make a safer ride | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Su.

Bikes, LRT get mayor wannabes geared up
Ottawa & Region
News
Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, September 24, 2014

A green-heavy mayoral debate Wednesday night shifted into high gear when incumbent Jim Watson and challenger Mike Maguire clashed over the Laurier Ave. segregated bike lanes and LRT. The special bike lanes aren't working and they have to go, according to Maguire, who's baffled by the city's decision to install them in 2011. He said it was "crazy" to put the infrastructure on a major downtown road and take space away from vehicles. via Bikes, LRT get mayor wannabes geared up | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.

Watson, Maguire spar at Ecology Ottawa mayoral debate
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, September 24, 2014

Mike Maguire didn’t mince words in his opening remarks at Wednesday’s environmental-issue debate.

“You might not like all the answers, but the dialogue is priceless,” Maguire said.

He was right about that.

Maguire’s firm — but polite — rejection of plans to put solar panels on city buildings and of the second-phase of the light rail plan, and his suggestion to rip up the “crazy” segregated bike lane on Laurier Avenue and moving it to a less-busy street such as Gloucester Avenue, was not particularly well-received by the audience of 150 at the debate organized by Ecology Ottawa.

Transit, hydro zap life into mayoral debate
Ottawa & Region
News
Ottawa Su

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, September 23, 2014

The first bona fide mayoral debate Tuesday night only attracted three of the eight registered candidates, but the major players were there sparring over transit, jobs and tourism. Mike Maguire's criticisms of Hydro Ottawa, and his plan to lower rates, got incumbent Jim Watson fired up. via Transit, hydro zap life into mayoral debate | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Su.

Ottawa Votes: Poll says taxes, transit and jobs top priorities
Ottawa Citizen

By Carys Mills, Ottawa Citizen, September 22, 2014

Property taxes are the No. 1 issue for Ottawa voters heading into next month’s municipal election, according to a Forum Research poll released Sunday. Of 1,096 Ottawa voters polled last Thursday, 22 per cent said property tax was the issue that would most influence their vote, 17 per cent chose transit and 16 per cent picked jobs and growth. Lesser priorities were ethics in government, eliminating waste and waste collection. via Ottawa Votes: Poll says taxes, transit and jobs top priorities | Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa votes: Where and when to see council candidates debate
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, September 22, 2014

Watching council candidates debate could help you decide who should get your vote on Oct. 27. Below is a list of candidate debates and events, where you can see candidates in person, which the Citizen will update until the municipal election. Rogers TV debates are listed here. via Ottawa votes: Where and when to see council candidates debate | Ottawa Citizen.
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