Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

City hall cautiously eyes new federal rules for infrastructure funds

By MIchael Woods, Ottawa Citizen, February 13, 2014

OTTAWA — Mayor Jim Watson greeted details of the federal government’s $14-billion infrastructure fund unveiled on Thursday with optimism, but said he’s concerned a new screening requirement could delay a much-needed project to reduce untreated sewage being dumped into the Ottawa River.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled details of the new Building Canada Fund on Thursday. Initially announced in the 2013 budget, the plan is slated to be launched on April 1 to replace an expiring infrastructure fund launched in 2007.

Ice and snow bring more water to Great Lakes

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, February 14, 2014

OTTAWA — A cold, snowy winter in Western Ontario and nearby U.S. states is raising water levels in the Great Lakes, which have been dangerously low for years.

Lake levels are expected to rise another 30 cm by spring, or even more if spring is rainy, which could bring the lowest lakes back to their long-term average levels.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Environmental group wants feds to pay for Ottawa River clean-up :: News - Article

By Alison Sandor, CFRA News, February 11, 2014

Ecology Ottawa says today's federal budget is the perfect time for the government to help the capital clean up the Ottawa River.

A new report by the non-profit argues the federal government is out of excuses when it comes to the $65-million needed to help the City of Ottawa end its practice of dumping untreated sewage into the river.

Ottawa River sewage money keeps city on edge of its seat - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, February 12, 2014

Ottawa’s mayor still counts on $65 million from the federal government to prevent sewage from flowing into the Ottawa River, which was not explicitly part of Tuesday's federal budget. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says he’s confident the federal government will come through with the money for the second phase of the action plan to clean up the river, which runs between Ontario and Quebec in the Ottawa area and the valley. via Ottawa River sewage money keeps city on edge of its seat - Ottawa - CBC News.

Energy East pipeline, other projects in $28M federal review

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Tony Spears, Ottawa Sun, February 12, 2014

The federal government has earmarked $28 million over the next two years to review controversial energy projects, including the proposed Energy East pipeline that would run crude oil beneath a rural section of Ottawa. The proposed pipeline would snake 4,500 km from the western oil sands to refineries in Eastern Canada. Part of the route brings the pipeline past Pakenham and into the west end of Ottawa, passing Stittsville and then across under the Rideau River in the south end of the city before moving on past Winchester. via Energy East pipeline, other projects in $28M federal review | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.

New Parks Canada funding will ‘significantly benefit’ Rideau Canal communities, agency says

By Don Butler, Ottawa Citizen, February 12, 2014

OTTAWA — New money for Parks Canada in the 2014 federal budget will “significantly benefit” communities along the Rideau Canal corridor, the agency said Wednesday.

The budget proposes to provide $391.5 million over five years to Parks Canada to improve the condition of highways, bridges and dams in national parks and along historic canals.

Vanier Beautification group wins clean up award

By Michelle Nash, Ottawa Community News, February 6, 2014

If you have heard of the Vanier Beautification group, chances are you have heard they are awesome garbage pickers.

And if you didn't already know that, now they have another award to prove it.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Watson still hopeful for sewage-plan money from Feds :: News - Article

By Stephanie Kinsella, CFRA News, February 11, 2014

Mayor Jim Watson insists he is not defeated by the lack of specific dollars in the federal budget to build storage tanks to keep sewage out of the Ottawa River.

Watson is counting on the city getting selected to benefit from a certain pot of cash. He says he didn't expect a $65 million cheque to be delivered on budget day.

However, there is $14 billion for infrastructure projects, and Watson says the city will have its application in on March 31st, the very first day.

"The criteria indicates that sewer work and water works projects are eligible for the Building Canada fund," said Watson in a news conference.

Budget money for parks and bridges, but cities have to wait - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, February 11, 2014

The federal budget has money for national parks and a few ongoing transportation projects, but municipalities eager to tap into a $14-billion federal fund for infrastructure projects over the next decade will have to wait a little longer for details on the application process. via Budget money for parks and bridges, but cities have to wait - Ottawa - CBC News.

Watson's cheque not in the mail

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, February 11, 2014

Mayor Jim Watson is willing to wait a bit longer for money to build a sewage tunnel downtown.The feds didn't deliver a cheque Tuesday.

But Watson wasn't concerned there was no word in the federal budget about cleaning up the Ottawa River.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Precautionary boil water advisory lifted in Gatineau :: News - Article

By Alison Sandor, CFRA News, February 10, 2014

The City of Gatineau has lifted a precautionary boil water advisory for some 12,000 people living in the Limbour and Touraine areas.

The City says analyses of the samples collected indicate that the water is potable and meets quality standards.

City hopes for fed cash for sewer project in Tuesday's budget

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, February 10, 2014

The City of Ottawa can't afford to waste more time waiting for money to build a tunnel that would intercept sewage bound for the Ottawa River. That's why officials will be closely watching Tuesday's federal budget to see if any funds will be earmarked for the project, which is considered one of Mayor Jim Watson's top priorities. via City hopes for fed cash for sewer project in Tuesday's budget | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.