Plamondon: Hydro One’s rising costs
Ottawa Citizen

By Bob Plamondon, Ottawa Citizen, May 23, 2014

Hydro rates in Ontario are going up – by some reports as much as 42 per cent over the coming five years. But oddly enough, hydro rates have been rising while electricity demand has fallen. It’s no mystery as to why. The annual reports provided by Hydro One over the past five years spell it out in black and white. While we are consuming less, costs at Hydro One have risen dramatically, far outstripping inflation and the growth in our population. via Plamondon: Hydro One’s rising costs | Ottawa Citizen.

Big improvement for Presto load times
Ottawa & Region
News
Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, May 21, 2014

OC Transpo and Metrolinx have made headway in getting money on Presto cards activated more quickly.

Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Diane Deans, chairwoman of the transit commission, said Wednesday the window has been reduced to an average wait time of four hours.

City not pursuing water base charges, time-of-use rates despite revenue rollerco

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, May 21, 2014

Unstable water revenues haven’t pushed the city to pursue base charges or time-of-use rates on bills. But the head of council’s environment committee says the city will need to give deep thought to how it can build a sustainable budget when the prime funding resource is volatile. via City not pursuing water base charges, time-of-use rates despite revenue rollerco.

Leach: Canada’s new energy era
Ottawa Citizen

By Andrew Leach, Ottawa Citizen, May 21, 2014

Canada has a long history of competitiveness in manufacturing – economic growth underpinned by a mix of cheap electricity and a productive labour force. Today, this narrative is being turned upside down as a new story of Canadian growth emerges. In the decades to come, it will be our manufacturing and processing skills which determine the value of our energy resources and our role in global energy markets. We are entering a new era of manufacturing energy and the key question we must ask is not whether we should have more manufacturing and less resource production, but whether we can add real value to our resource base with low-cost manufacturing and processing. If not, we will strand significant resource wealth. The era of manufacturing energy in Canada will likely be defined initially by the success (or lack thereof) of two hydrocarbon industries: oil sands and liquefied natural gas. Both of these industries differ substantially from the traditional resource industry – much of the capital deployed in each case looks more like manufacturing than drilling for oil. via Leach: Canada’s new energy era | Ottawa Citizen.

OpEd: Ottawa needs a climate-change plan
Ottawa Citizen

By Curtis Lavoie, Ottawa Citizen, May 20, 2014

The City of Ottawa should approve its new climate change management plan and get on with implementing it. Our health depends on it. Climate change has already enabled ticks carrying Lyme disease to expand north into our region and the number of confirmed Lyme disease cases in Canada is increasing by hundreds every year. Similarly, mosquitos that spread West Nile virus survive better as our climate warms. Across Ontario, confirmed cases of West Nile virus have increased from single instances just four or five years ago to hundreds of cases per year. via OpEd: Ottawa needs a climate-change plan | Ottawa Citizen.

Do more playgrounds mean more active kids? Survey says no
Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, May 20, 2014

A new report card released by Active Healthy Kids Canada, says Canadian youth fare far worse than those in other countries when it comes to breaking a sweat, despite having ample opportunities and equipment to help them get active. According to the survey, only seven per cent of Canadian children and youth aged five to 11 are meeting the exercise benchmark of 60 minutes of “moderate-to-vigorous” physical activity every day. That lands us near the bottom of the not-so-sweaty barrel when compared to 13 other countries. via Do more playgrounds mean more active kids? Survey says no | Metro.

Yasir Naqvi promises new land use rules for developers
Metro

By Joe Lofaro, Ottawa Metro News, May 20, 2014

Ontario residents should have more of a say on all intensification projects in their communities before developers even think about talking to municipalities, Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi said Tuesday. The Liberal cabinet minister promised new land use rules that will make it mandatory for developers to consult with community groups and municipalities will have to have a citizen consultation process when developing their official plans. via Yasir Naqvi promises new land use rules for developers | Metro.

23 Queensway bridges eyed for repairs, replacement
Ottawa & Region
News
Ot

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, May 20, 2014

Twenty-three bridges near downtown Ottawa are being studied by the province for either repair work or complete replacement, potentially bringing more headaches to Queensway commuters down the road. All Queensway bridges between Holland Ave. to O’Connor St. -- 12 separate sites in total -- are receiving close examination in an environmental assessment. via 23 Queensway bridges eyed for repairs, replacement | Ottawa & Region | News | Ot.
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