Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

LRT riders had to walk along tracks during breakdowns — including in the tunnel Social Sharing

By Joanne Chianello, CBC News Ottawa, February 27, 2020

Six train failures in back-to-back rush hours have caused commuting havoc in Ottawa, forcing Confederation Line passengers to be evacuated from their trains — and in one case, requiring them to walk along the tracks in the downtown tunnel.

The extent of the chaos was confirmed Thursday morning at an OC Transpo news conference. 

• Stalled LRT trains plague rush hour commute

OC Transpo boss John Manconi told reporters that customers don't "want to hear the excuses, the rationale, the technical nuts and bolts, they want one thing — service."

Zero-waste grocery shopping: Tricky but not impossible

By CBC What on Earth, February 25, 2020 Around eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans annually, ending up in the bellies of wildlife and along shorelines, according to Plastic Oceans International. And despite recycling programs, a lot of what you chuck in the blue bin can still end up in landfills.

But zero-waste living is a growing movement. Thousands of social media influencers are sharing their trashless journeys. Plastic-free shops are popping up and the phrase BYOC — bring your own container — is becoming normalized.

So last week, I tried a new diet. The only rule? Don't buy anything that comes in disposable packaging. That meant no containers, bags, wrappers or jugs.

Stalled LRT trains plague rush hour commute

By CBC News Ottawa, February 26, 2020

A loose power component on the Confederation Line caused delays during the Wednesday afternoon commute, forcing LRT passengers to wait outside in bad winter weather for replacement buses.

At around 4:40 p.m., OC Transpo said part of the overhead power system east of St. Laurent station had come loose, forcing trains to be halted between St. Laurent and Blair stations.

One train was evacuated and passengers were told to board replacement buses, transportation services general manager John Manconi said.

Westover: Life lessons from Ottawa's failing transit system

By Suzanne Westover, Ottawa Citizen, February 19, 2020

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for building a transit system that is teaching me the virtue of patience. Since the debut of light rail, I have perfected the deep-breathing exercises that help me cope with anxiety induced by unreliable trains and constant overcrowding.

Thank you for building a transit system that is sharpening my focus. With fewer hours at the office, and less time at home, I’m getting things done more efficiently. For example, I’m tapping out this expression of appreciation from my iPhone as I wait for: a) a train that isn’t too full; b) a “special” bus that actually stops; and c) the Uber I finally ordered.

Thank you for creating a transit system that is honing my resourcefulness – a trait I’ve developed from being stuck in the downtown core with no viable public transport. I have variously walked to Tunney’s Pasture (thank you for helping me get my steps in), paid to ride-share (thanks for the team-building exercise) and called for the blessed comfort of a taxi (thanks for alerting me that my next job should come with a driver).

Three issues caused delays on Confederation Line Thursday: OC Transpo

By Josh Pringle, CTV News Ottawa, February 21, 2020

OTTAWA -- The chair of Ottawa’s Transit Commission says “my patience is gone” after a series of issues kept some riders on a Confederation Line train for an hour on Thursday afternoon.

Coun. Allan Hubley urged Rideau Transit Group/Rideau Transit Maintenance to address the issues as OC Transpo confirmed three separate issues with the trains during the afternoon peak period.

“I don’t have any patience left for this at all,” Hubley told CTV News Ottawa Friday morning.

WITH VIDEO: Perth council presses pause on cancelling anti-idling bylaw

By Desmond Devoy, InsideOttawaValley, February 19, 2020 Perth’s anti-idling bylaw is not perfect, but it is staying on the books – for now. That was the decision of Perth town council on Tuesday, Feb. 18; they voted to defer a final decision on repealing an anti-idling bylaw after it had gotten preliminary approval for a repeal earlier this month.

“I’d like to see some methodology to make some changes to it (the bylaw) so it is more comprehensive,” said Coun. Judy Brown, noting that there was nothing in the bylaw, as it currently stands, to account for when it is too hot, or cold, and a car needs to be cooled down, or warmed up.

Mayor mask a no go at city hall,

By CBC News Ottawa, February 18, 2020

An Ottawa woman who wore a large papier mâché likeness of Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson to city hall to protest the ongoing LRT problems claims she was asked by security guards to take it off. Velvet LeClair donned the mask and a cardboard train bearing the slogan "Fix the LRT" to Watson's Family Day skating party on Monday.

'Jazz hands,' small signs still permitted at council Protest signs, outside food banned as city boosts council security LeClair began with a skate on the Sens Rink of Dreams, where she said her costume was well-received. "A lot of people were laughing and taking pictures," she said. LeClair said the trouble began when she entered city hall and approached the real mayor.

She said she introduced herself as Jim Watson and told him to fix the LRT. A photo of the encounter shows Watson smiling as he appears to lift her mask. LeClair claims security staff later approached her to say her mask was a face covering and the cardboard train was considered a "sign," and therefore not allowed inside city hall. "We thought that was just in [council] chambers," LeClair said. "[The security guard] said no, it's all City of Ottawa property." Marnie Wellar, who helped make the costume and accompanied LeClair to city hall, corroborated her friend's story to CBC.

A year of change for Renfrew Waste Management

By Jonathan Mulvihill, InsideOttawaValley, February 18, 2020 A lot of changes took place in the Town of Renfrew last year, especially in the Waste Management department. Environmental engineering officer Tyler Armstrong gave an annual report to town council during its Feb. 11 meeting.

“Over the past year, the Waste Management committee has successfully transferred full-time operations of the landfill site to town operatives, navigated through a recycling service disruption and are currently taking the necessary steps to secure a new long-term service agreement for recycling collection,” he said. “In 2020, the committee will continue to focus its efforts towards recycling and landfill as a sign of commitment to the town’s environmentally conscious Waste Management Plan.”

Climate change concerns prompt more youths to go vegan

By the Canadian Press, InsideOttawaValley, February 18, 2020 Mia Kelly, 17, decided to become vegetarian after marching in last fall's climate strike in Ottawa. "After that, climate change was really on my mind a lot," she said. "And then I realized that switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet was the biggest thing I could do as an individual."

Her friend Nelson Oser-Small, 17, has also adopted vegetarianism.

"Honestly it's like a trend now to become vegan or vegetarian," he said. "A lot of my friends are taking a bigger interest in climate change and they know that eating less meat will help."

Carleton sees diversity in climate research

By Lahari Nanda, The Charlatan, February 13, 2020

From food science to forestry, Carleton’s environmental science research projects are as diverse as they are plentiful, with over 20 projects currently taking place in labs across campus. The Charlatan sat down with three researchers to discuss what their work will bring to the fight against climate change.

Feasible eats

Carleton geography and environmental studies professor Patricia Ballamingie’s research is looking to lower carbon emissions and enhance sustainability of food productions, as well as the current levels of citizen engagement in food policy and governance.

Sustainable food production and distribution are essential to adapting to the adverse effects of the climate crisis, said Ballamingie. Her research found government policy—both foreign and local—will need to change in order to serve this function within and between countries.

U of O study shows link between declining bee population, climate change

By Pascale Malenfant, The Fulcrum, February 14, 2020

A new study conducted by a student at the University of Ottawa has found a direct link between climate change and declining bumblebee populations — as well as strategies to combat the consequences of both.

The paper, led by U of O PhD candidate Peter Soroye, concluded that extreme weather events associated with climate change have been taking their toll on bumblebees in Europe and North America for over a generation, with the likelihood of a population surviving in a given place declining by an average of over 30 per cent.

“On one hand, climate change increases average temperatures — summers get warmer, winters get warmer,” said Soroye. “But on the other hand, climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme events, so things like heat waves and droughts.”

Uncertainty for spring, but officials taking note of high water levels in Great Lakes

By Louise Sproule, The Review, February 17, 2020

Lake Ontario is again near record highs for this time of year and the risk of high levels this spring remains elevated. While considerable uncertainty in projections for spring still exists, the International Lake Ontario–St. Lawrence River Board is providing advanced notice so communities can begin planning for a foreseeable Lake Ontario peak of 75.5 m (247.7 feet) or higher in 2020. Please work with your local municipal officials to determine best preparedness and response measures.

The Board continues to deviate from Plan 2014 and maximize outflows as it removes as much water from Lake Ontario as conditions allow to reduce the risk of high water throughout the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system this spring.

All of the other Great Lakes are above record high water levels for this time of year. Despite record outflows in recent weeks, Lake Ontario’s level is only slightly below seasonal record-highs, behind only the levels recorded in mid February during the previous high water years of 1952 and 1973, and at similar levels to those seen at this time in 1978 and 1993. Given the high levels across the Great Lakes basin currently, high waters are a distinct possibility again on Lake Ontario, in the 1000 Islands and along the lower St. Lawrence River in Quebec this spring.