June 2009


First hybrid buses rolling on city streets
Pricey diesel-electric vehicles provide cleaner, smoother ride

Ottawa Citizen, June 30, 2009
Patrick Dare

After many years of planning and waiting for cleaner transit vehicles, the City of Ottawa is finally getting hybrid buses rolling in its OC Transpo fleet.

Three hybrid buses are operating in the city and 94 more are set to arrive this summer and fall. An additional 80 hybrids are to arrive next year.

The hybrids look much like any other 40-foot bus in the OC Transpo fleet. They have seating for 39 riders and are propelled by a diesel-electric motor system that uses a lithium-ion battery. The only noticeable difference is the smoother acceleration, thanks to the more powerful system.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Technology/First+hybrid+buses+rolling+city+streets/1745990/story.html

Ont. slacking over sewage oversight, says report

CTV Ottawa, June 28, 2009
Canadian Press

Billions of litres of untreated sewage are gushing into Ontario's waterways due to aging infrastructure and poor provincial oversight, says a report by environmental group Ecojustice.

The report, "Flushing out the Truth," compiles the amount of sewage dumped into lakes and rivers by various Ontario municipalities in 2006 and 2007.

According to Ministry of the Environment figures analyzed by the group, approximately 18 billion litres of untreated sewage veered away from treatment plants and ended up in water bodies across the province in 2006, while 15 billion litres were dumped in 2007.

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090628/sewers_ontario_090628/20090628/?hub=OttawaHome

Editorial: Making tracks

Ottawa Citizen, June 26, 2009, page A14

Liberal transport critic Joe Volpe has a pretty good argument when he talks of building a high-speed train line between Quebec City and Windsor, Ont., with a stop in Ottawa.

"Imagine that the people of Quebec are prepared to engage in ... spending money that's taken out of the province of Quebec to build a line that's going to make it easier for them to connect with southern Ontario," Volpe said recently.

Volpe maintains, correctly, that a high-speed train line would be the biggest national infrastructure project between Ontario and Quebec since the St. Lawrence Seaway was constructed a half-century ago. He sees the plan as a nation-building endeavour.

That's all fine, but there are cheaper ways to build a nation. My argument would be necessity. Flying between Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto is about to get very expensive. Economist and author Jeff Rubin is predicting $225 a barrel oil in 2012. We saw what $147 a barrel oil did to driving habits and the economy last summer. Oil at $225 will begin to change the way we live markedly.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Making+tracks/1734903/story.html

Clean water fight on in Masson-Angers
Residents of Chemin du Fer-à-Cheval demand intervention by Quebec environment ministe

Ottawa Citizen, June 26, 2009
Dave Rogers

Residents of the Masson-Angers sector of Gatineau who live beside the Ottawa River have asked Quebec Environment Minister Line Beauchamp to force the city to provide them with clean drinking water.

People living on Chemin du Fer-à-Cheval wonder why, in one of Canada's largest urban areas, they must use untreated water that causes skin rashes and digestive upsets.

They buy bottled drinking water, but pump water directly from the river for showers, washing fruit and vegetables and brushing teeth. Some people suffer from gastrointestinal problems, and others have developed rashes they suspect are related to bathing in the water.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Clean+water+fight+Masson+Angers/1733364/story.html

City lawyer asks court to clarify planning law
Unclear who controls development: councils or OMB

Ottawa Citizen, June 26, 2009, page C6
Patrick Dare

A lawyer acting for the City of Ottawa argued Thursday that the courts must decide who makes development decisions in Ontario: elected city councils or the Ontario Municipal Board.

At stake is a massive development that could double the population of Manotick, one the board approved over Ottawa city council's objections.

Lawyer Paul Webber told Superior Court Justice Robert Maranger that the Ontario government's recent changes to planning law required that the municipal board -- which hears appeals of city decisions -- "shall have regard for" any decision of an elected council. But he said that "magic phrase" hasn't been defined in law and cities like Ottawa need a judicial ruling as to what it means.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/City+lawyer+asks+court+clarify+planning/1734928/story.html

Committee OKs wind farm motion
Council expected to defeat push for provincial moratorium

Ottawa Citizen, June 26, 2009, page C4
Jake Rupert

A councillor's push to have the provincial government halt any new wind farms for 18 months until potential health problems caused by the renewable energy projects can be studied is expected to die next month at city council.

Rideau-Goulbourn Councillor Glenn Brooks is pushing for the moratorium because Prowind Canada is working on getting a wind farm approved in his ward, near North Gower. Some area residents aren't happy with it, including those who claim turbines make people sick.

Brooks says he thinks the application and approval process for wind farms should continue, but none should be built until the study is done.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Committee+wind+farm+motion/1734921/story.html

Opponents end fight against solar farm
Agreement on East Hawkesbury project reached before OMB adjudicator

Ottawa Citizen, June 26, 2009
Lee Greenberg

TORONTO - A large solar-energy project in Eastern Ontario will go ahead after the township of East Hawkesbury has ended its fight to block construction.

"I'm ecstatic," said Greg Pruner, president of Solaris Energy Partners, the firm behind the Stardale solar project. "We've put a lot of effort into this. We've spent over two years working with the province."

Last August, the municipality slapped the Stardale project with a one-year freeze to give the municipality time to study the dangers of what it called "stray voltage." Sustainable-energy advocates such as David Chernushenko, who is making a feature-length documentary on the subject, were bewildered. "I've never even heard of that," said Chernushenko, the Ottawa-based former deputy leader of the federal Green party who has travelled the world studying renewable projects.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Opponents+fight+against+solar+farm/1737683/story.html

Eco-groups challenge stimulus projects
Up to 12,000 to go ahead without environmental assessments

Ottawa Citizen, June 26, 2009
Juliet O'Neill, Canwest News Service

The potential number of stimulus projects the federal government is exempting from environmental assessment has skyrocketed from 2,000 to as many as 12,000, according to environmental groups who are challenging the government's policy in the courts.

Ecojustice and Sierra Club Canada amended their lawsuit in the Federal Court this week to include new figures they obtained from updated regulations published by the government in May.

The government says it is simply cutting needless red tape on projects that don't pose a risk to the environment, but the environmentalists are worried the government is permanently retreating from environmental oversight.

They are especially concerned there may be little or no environmental oversight on highway expansions, bridges, municipal dumps and water sewage plants.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Technology/groups+challenge+stimulus+projects/1734843/story.html

Cyclists want Ottawa to be more like Montreal
Call for separated bike lanes downtown

CBC News, June 25, 2009

Bike commuters are complaining that Ottawa doesn't have the infrastructure to support them because the city has failed to invest in its own official cycling plan.

But the call to revise the cycling infrastructure isn't only coming from cyclists who use the streets and pathways daily.

A group of casual cyclists has joined the cause, urging Ottawa to take some inspiration from other cities if it wants to get its residents pedalling.

Diane Cox, who recently retired, said she uses her bike to run most of her errands, but finds the cycling system difficult to navigate.

"What we need is more separation from traffic obviously - from motorized traffic so that bicyclists feel more secure coming out to cross town," she said.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/06/24/ottawa-cyclists-paths-montreal.html

Committee Approves Building Fee Hikes

CFRA, June 23, 2009
Josh Pringle with Stephanie Kinsella

It could soon cost more to build in parts of the City of Ottawa.

Councillors on the Planning and Environment Committee have approved a change in development charges, which will see the fees increase in all parts of the city.

Rural areas will see the biggest hike, with the rates for some projects set to increase by 50 per cent.

Committee Chair Peter Hume defends the new fees, saying the city was being short-changed.

If Council approves the changes, the new fees would be implemented over four years.

http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=66099

Transit officials say Ottawa needs a tunnel

Ottawa Sun, June 22, 2009
Derek Puddicombe

A tunnel under Ottawa's downtown could be just what the city needs.

Officials with some of the largest transit operators in North America were in Ottawa last week and told city transit and planning officials that a tunnel is just the answer to take buses out of the downtown core and relieve congestion.

David Morgan, assistant general manager of light-rail operations for New Jersey Transit, has been following Ottawa's LRT debate.

He said the only way the city can eliminate traffic pressure in the downtown is for transit to go under it.

If the city doesn't go that route, OC Transpo won't be able to maintain schedules and could start losing riders, he said.

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/06/21/9881621.html

City's pedestrian plan boosts sidewalk spending
Committee OK's allotment of $3.5M per year

Ottawa Citizen, June 18, 2009, page C5
Patrick Dare

The City of Ottawa talks a good game about being a place where the pedestrian is king, but its performance barely registers on the budget books.

Councillors have been told that the city's budget for new sidewalks has all but disappeared, totalling $180,000 this year. That will build two new sidewalks in the city when the list of needed sidewalks contains 300 projects worth $50 million. Sidewalks in new neighbourhoods are not included in the list because they are covered by development charges and built along with new streets.

"The trend has been to decrease the budget for pedestrian facilities," said Gill Wilson, co-ordinator of pedestrian facilities. The budget for sidewalks was about $750,000 in 2005.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/City+pedestrian+plan+boosts+sidewalk+spending/1707275/story.html

Montfort faces $6M cleanup bill after oil spill
Thousands of litres of heating fuel contaminated hospital groundwater

Ottawa Citizen, June 18, 2009
Pauline Tam

The Montfort Hospital is facing a $6-million cleanup bill and decades of dealing with contaminated groundwater after thousands of litres of heating oil spilled from a broken pipe on hospital property.

Since the spill was discovered in January, the hospital, in response to concerns from nearby residents, has been testing the groundwater to ensure the contamination has not spread to neighbouring properties, provincial authorities say.

To date, no oil has been detected in nearby residential groundwater, said Kate Jordan, a Ministry of Environment spokeswoman.

The hospital has also put in place a $6-million plan to clean up the spill site and filter thousands of litres of polluted groundwater on its property -- a costly and painstaking process that could continue over the next 15 years, said Marc Joyal, the hospital's executive vice-president.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Technology/Montfort+faces+cleanup+bill+after+spill/1707260/story.html

Toronto: T.O. takes going green plan through the roof
Bylaw on green roofs one of the more stringent in North America

Metro News, June 18, 2009
Jon Tattrie

Putting a garden on your roof is a great way to make better use of city space, protect the environment and save money in the long term.

While Canada lags behind world-leading cities like Chicago for developing green roofs, Toronto recently vaulted into first place with laws requiring a portion of green roofs on a range of new buildings from Jan. 31 next year.

Green roofs use "growing media," a blend of light-weight aggregates and organic matters, to support layers of life in the sky. There is a high-quality water-proofing system, a root-repellant layer that protects the water-proofing and a drainage layer to avoid pooling water.

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/live/article/247720--t-o-takes-going-green-plan-through-the-roof

City Eyes New Pedestrian Bridges

CFRA, June 17, 2009
Josh Pringle

The City of Ottawa is looking at building two new pedestrian bridges.

The Transportation Committee directed staff to look at bridges connecting Donald Street to Somerset St. East over the Rideau River and Clegg and Fifth Avenue over the Rideau Canal.

Councillor Jacques Legendre says the bridges are vital to offering safe connections for cyclists and pedestrians.

Staff will study the bridge proposals as part of Ottawa's Pedestrian Plan.

http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=65976

Take a walk, Ottawa
Report outlines plans to increase pedestrian traffic around city

Ottawa Sun, June 17, 2009
Derek Puddicombe

City staff want to create a walkable Ottawa, but a couple councillors don't think the plan is on the right track.

The city's first Pedestrian Plan aims to make it easier for residents to walk around their neighbourhoods. The goal is to increase the number of "walking trips" residents take by 33% over the next 20 years.

The study says increasing the network of sidewalks and paths will relieve pressure on city roads and help preserve the environment.

The city lists Kanata, Stittsville, Bayshore, Merivale, Hunt Club and the rural villages of Metcalfe, Greely and Manotick as high priority sites where new sidewalks need to be built or current networks expanded.

South Nepean, Ottawa West and other rural villages are considered medium priority.

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/06/17/9827236.html

City's pedestrian plan boosts sidewalk spending
Committee OK's allotment of $3.5M per year

Ottawa Citizen, June 17, 2009
Patrick Dare

The City of Ottawa talks a good game about being a place where the pedestrian is king, but its performance barely registers on the budget books.

Councillors have been told that the city's budget for new sidewalks has all but disappeared, totalling $180,000 this year. That will build two new sidewalks in the city when the list of needed sidewalks contains 300 projects worth $50 million. Sidewalks in new neighbourhoods are not included in the list because they are covered by development charges and built along with new streets.

"The trend has been to decrease the budget for pedestrian facilities," said Gill Wilson, co-ordinator of pedestrian facilities. The budget for sidewalks was about $750,000 in 2005.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/City+pedestrian+plan+boosts+sidewalk+spending/1706600/story.html

Halifax: Health authority launches pedal-powered pilot project

Metro News, June 17, 2009
Colin Chisholm

Capital Health staff, physicians and volunteers can now hop on a bike when travelling between the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General sites at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

Chris Power, president and CEO of the Capital District Health Authority, said the new initiative is to promote a healthier life style, and get people to stop driving or grabbing a bus between the two locations.

"We've been talking about this for a long time," she said. "This is a fun way to do it, there are baskets on the bikes so we can take our briefcases and purses to get us going, so we're really pumped about it."

This is considered a pilot project for what Capital Health representatives say should become a larger part of an everyday healthy life for their staff.

http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/246857--health-authority-launches-pedal-powered-pilot-project

City to look at LRT along Carling Ave.

Ottawa Sun, June 17, 2009
Derek Puddicombe

A city committee has directed staff to include Carling Ave. as a possible route for Ottawa's proposed light rail line.

The city's original plan was to only look at running LRT down the Ottawa River Parkway, which is owned by the NCC. But some transit committee members expressed concern that the NCC may not give the city permission to operate the line along the parkway and that there has been heavy public opposition to running the line along the corridor.

Last November Councillors Clive Doucet and Christine Leadman proposed using the Carling Ave. corridor as part of the first phase of the LRT plan, but the route was not included in the plan city council endorsed on Nov. 28. A city report released earlier that month said a Carling Ave. line would double employment along the roadway.

The study should be completed by 2012.

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/06/17/9831331.html

Ottawa River nears heritage designation

Ottawa Citizen, June 17, 2009
Randy Boswell

t flows literally a stone's throw from Parliament Hill, and the river that's been described as the "original Trans-Canada Highway" is now poised to join a national list of designated heritage waterways.

The Canadian Heritage Rivers Board, currently gathered for a conference in the national capital, quietly endorsed the Ottawa River's addition last month to a select group of 40 historically important and specially protected watercourses across the country.

Finalizing the designation -- once suspected to have become bogged down in partisan politics between a Liberal MP who championed the cause and the federal Conservatives -- now requires only the signatures of Ontario's Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield and federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ottawa+River+nears+heritage+designation/1703446/story.html

Baird best to back off Lansdowne Live: critics
Minister gives wrong message by ignoring issues of process, weekend rally told

Ottawa Citizen, June 14, 2009
David Gonczol

Opponents of the Lansdowne Live project say there could be political and legal fallout if Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird promises federal money to the project. News that Baird sat down with some Ottawa city councillors and a Lansdowne Live representative last week hung over a rally of about 500 people who want to see the redevelopment project tendered.

David Chernushenko, a former deputy party leader of the national Green party and a community activist in Ottawa, addressed the rally beside the Aberdeen Pavilion Sunday afternoon and later said the effort to secure federal funds for Lansdowne Live was a dangerous move for the minister.

"I wouldn't want to be a higher level politician in any way endorsing this process. I think they are playing with political fire. Do you really want to lose an election?" said Chernushenko.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Baird+best+back+Lansdowne+Live+critics/1695978/story.html

Councillor Brooks no longer a 'Yes' man
Rideau-Goulbourn politician gets tough on expansion

Ottawa Citizen, June 13, 2009, page C1
Jake Rupert

Throughout his 32-year municipal political career, developers could usually count on Glenn Brooks' vote when seeking approval for projects, but those days are over, says the Rideau-Goulbourn councillor.

Indeed, on Wednesday at city council, several members of the development community had already marked Brooks down as a "Yes" on their scorecards for a large expansion of the suburban boundary, which would have opened a lot of new rural land for subdivisions.

But Brooks voted to freeze the current boundary, beyond which major development can't occur, and then, when the freeze didn't quite pass, voted for a limited expansion of 222 hectares. The developers were seeking 10 times that. They were angry with council and Brooks in particular, but he has a message for the developers: expect more votes like this from him if the way the city has been growing isn't fundamentally changed.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Councillor+Brooks+longer/1691950/story.html

A city stagnating

Ottawa Citizen, June 12, 2009
Janice Kennedy

Inspiring, isn't it? The Ottawa Public Library has a vision and a plan for the fabulous new central building it needs, an initiative for which it is about to formally ask the city for money. According to Councillor Jan Harder, library board chairwoman, the new building "will define the Ottawa we will become."

Uh-oh.

That Ottawa we're going to become: would that be the Ottawa of "Lansdowne Park redevelopment," "public transit plans," "new home for the Ex" and other metaphors for municipal inertia?

I suppose it's possible that our great-great-grandchildren might live to see the day when a new central library building opens its doors downtown. But I wouldn't bet on it.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/city%20stagnating/1690182/story.html

Pedestrian Plan Rolled Out

CFRA, June 12, 2009
Josh Pringle

City Staff are walking out Ottawa's Pedestrian Plan.

A report for the Transportation Committee recommends Councillors direct staff to request $3.5 million per year in the Capital Budget for the support, planning and implementation of sidewalks and pathways.

The Pedestrian Plan introduces a number of pedestrian-supportive guidelines and best practices aimed at improving the pedestrian experience in Ottawa.

There is also a recommendation to improve the winter maintenance standards and criteria for clearing snow off the walkways.

The city has only set aside $1.3 million over the next two years for the Sidewalk/Pathway Links Program.

The number of walking trips is estimated to increase by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2031.

http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=65844

Ontario pays $17.9M bus fare

Metro News, June 12, 2009
Tim Wieclawski

The provincial government has paid its fare to ride OC Transpo's new hybrid buses.

Ottawa is getting $17.9 million from the province's Ontario Bus Replacement Program, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Jim Watson announced Thursday.

That should help pay for around 68 new Orion VII hybrid buses, with the city and the federal governments also contributing one third each to the total.

Last year, the city received $10 million from the bus replacement program.

Bay Ward Coun. Alex Cullen, chair of the city's transit committee, said the money has already been calculated into the city budget, and that it will help to pay for 202 hybrid buses that should start rolling into Ottawa in early 2010.

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/244227--ontario-pays-17-9m-bus-fare

Texas city offers model for cutting home energy use
Financial incentives available to reach environmental goals

Toronto Star, June 12, 2009
San Grewal

For residents looking for inspiration to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, one North American city provides a helpful model.

Austin, Tex., pays good money through the city's incentive programs to help residents willing to take the step toward energy efficiency.

"Austin's always been a progressive community, and we own our municipal electric utility (Austin Energy), so there's a real incentive to look at energy efficiency," says Richard Morgan, manager of Green Buildings for Austin Energy. "Financially it works for us, and the attitude of Austin in general is very environmentally conscious."

He explains that financial incentives for residents help them reach environmental goals they couldn't otherwise afford.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/649707

Ottawa ajoutera 68 autobus hybrides

Le Droit, le 11 juin 2009
Dominique La Haye

La Ville d'Ottawa sera bientôt en mesure d'offrir un service de transport en commun plus vert avec l'achat de 68 nouveaux autobus hybrides.

La province de l'Ontario a remis, hier, à la municipalité la somme de 18 millions $ qui l'aidera à financer l'achat de ces véhicules, dont une trentaine d'entre eux sillonnera les routes à l'automne.

Actuellement, OC Transpo ne compte que deux autobus hybrides en circulation depuis l'an dernier qui sont alimentés au diesel et à l'électricité, pouvant ainsi réduire la consommation de carburant de la Ville et réduire ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/actualites/ottawa-est-ontarien/200906/11/01-874940-ottawa-ajoutera-68-autobus-hybrides.php

New wind farm rules won't hurt North Gower project
Regulations to keep turbines a least half kilometre from buildings already met

Ottawa Citizen, June 11, 2009, page C6
Lee Greenberg

New rules forcing wind farms to keep their giant turbines at least half a kilometre from the nearest building will not affect a proposed local wind project, according to the firm behind it.

Luke Geleynse, vice-president with Kemptville-based Prowind Canada Inc. says a wind farm planned for the North Gower area had always intended to put its 8-10 turbines (which stand 120 metres tall) at least 550 metres from the nearest house.

On Tuesday, the McGuinty government suggested that distance will be the new minimum buffer between turbines and homes. Louder and larger windfarms could face setbacks of up to 1.5 kilometres.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Technology/wind+farm+rules+hurt+North+Gower+project/1683818/story.html

Developers furious as Ottawa council limits urban expansion

Ottawa Citizen, June 10, 2009
Jake Rupert

Several members of the development community left City Hall angry and threatening legal action Wednesday after council rejected their bids to have the municipality's suburban boundary expanded to lands they want to build subdivisions on.

City staff had recommended an 842-hectare expansion to the suburbs, a 2.4-per-cent increase in the size of the city, and the developers were pushing for more than 2,000 hectares to be approved for suburban expansion.

However, by a vote of 12 to 11, city council approved only 222 hectares connecting Kanata and Stittsville for new construction.

This motion was put forward by Councillor Peter Hume, and it came after an attempt by Somerset Councillor Diane Holmes to freeze the suburban boundary failed by a vote of 10 to 13.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Business/Developers+furious+city+council+limits+urban+expansion+close+vote/1682621/story.html

GREEN BUILDING: Making old buildings new again
LEED for existing buildings set to launch across Canada

Ottawa Business Journal, June 10, 2009
Jim Donnelly

Proponents of a new LEED Canada offshoot program for existing office buildings say it could extend the life of several older buildings badly in need of exterior and operational overhauls.

That's the consensus amongst many in the local commercial office space industry, says Robin Hutchinson, a LEED-accredited professional and president of Arborus Consulting, an Ottawa-based engineering consulting firm.

He says LEED Canada for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance could give landlords of older buildings "an opportunity to stay in the game, because their buildings won't become obsolete."

Piggybacking on the growing popularity of the LEED for new construction program, in place in Canada since 2004, LEED EB:O&M is scheduled to be launched by the Canada Green Building Council this summer. Though the actual launch date has been delayed until "later in the summer," the organization says it will present details of the new program at its annual national summit June 11 and 12.

http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/294685839056048.php

Ontario proposes tough new wind turbine rules

CBC News, June 10, 2009

The Ontario government is proposing new regulations that would keep wind turbines at least 550 metres away from any house.

The province wants that minimum distance, or "setback," to be mandatory for wind developers who install one to five turbines emitting the lowest allowable noise level.

Greater distances would be required for larger groups of turbines.

The setbacks are twice as big as what industry officials were expecting. For 15 turbines, for instance, the distance from the nearest house could be 1.5 km, depending on the noise level.

The proposed regulations were posted Tuesday on the government's Environmental Registry website, listing public notices about environmental matters.

The news is discouraging for industry officials who say the proposed rules could mean the end of any new wind farms in southern Ontario.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/06/10/ontario-wind-turbines.html

A bicycle built for sharing
All eyes are on a pilot project designed to promote green travel downtown

Ottawa Citizen, June 9, 2009, page C5
Cassandra Drudi

I'm cycling east on Rue Laurier in Gatineau, coming up to the light at Rue Elisabeth-Bruyère when a young woman crossing the street spots me on my silver bike.

"How does it ride?" she asks, after taking her headphones out.

I've been on this step-through commuter for about two minutes, having just picked it up at a bike-share station by the Museum of Civilization. I've only just figured out that the gears change with a grip-shifter on the right handlebar.

An authoritative answer on my part right now seems a bit premature.

"Not bad," I say. "It's pretty good."

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/todays-paper/bicycle+built+sharing/1676303/story.html

How to rent a bike

Ottawa Citizen, June 9, 2009, page C5

1. Go to one of the four bicycle-share stations, located at Laurier and Victoria streets in Gatineau (near the Museum of Civilization), Promenade du Portage and Laval Street in Gatineau, Elgin and and Lawrence Freiman Lane (right by the NAC), and York and Sussex in the ByWard Market area.

2. Approach the pay station, credit card at the ready.

3. Follow the prompts that take you through 47 screens worth of terms and conditions. Touch the checkmark icon to say you agree.

4. Swipe your credit card.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/todays-paper/rent+bike/1676304/story.html

Doucet wants urban boundary referendum

Ottawa Sun, June 9, 2009
Derek Puddicombe

Capital Coun. Clive Doucet wants the urban boundary maintained until a referendum can be held on the issue in time for the 2010 election.

Doucet said there is already sufficient land for urban growth based on projections for the next 15 years.

City council is set to debate an 840-hectare expansion of the urban boundary on Wednesday.

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/06/09/9741756.html

Committee: All Clear for Tree Cutting Bylaw

CFRA, June 9, 2009
Stephanie Kinsella

The city's planning and environment committee approved an urban tree conservation bylaw. It would require city approval for the cutting of trees located on privately owned lands larger than one hectare. It would require persons obtain a $50 permit to cut a tree that is 70 centimetres or bigger located on lands smaller than one hectare.

Committee chair Peter Hume says he had hoped the committee would include smaller size trees in the bylaw, since the regulations would only protect 5% of trees on privately owned property.

Hume says the city isn't showing leadership, since it's the last major municipality in Ontario to adopt a tree bylaw and often times, decisions at city hall are "too cautious."

Council as a whole will vote on the issue on June 24th.

http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=65764

Minister expected to reveal Gatineau Park plan
Federal government to provide 'flexible protection': insider

Ottawa Citizen, June 9, 2009, page C1
Dave Rogers

The federal government is expected today to announce legislation to provide some protection for Gatineau Park without rigidly defining its boundaries, according to a university professor who reviewed the role of the National Capital Commission for the government.

Lawrence Cannon, the minister responsible for the Outaouais and the NCC, is expected to make an "important announcement about the National Capital Commission and the National Capital Act" in Old Chelsea.

Catherine Loubier, a spokeswoman for Cannon, who is also Foreign Affairs minister, said in May the government would bring forward a bill on the park and the role of the commission before the end of June.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Travel/Minister+expected+reveal+Gatineau+Park+plan/1676288/story.html

Le BIXI arrive à Ottawa-Gatineau

Le Droit, le 8 juin 2009
Patrice Gaudreault

La région d'Ottawa-Gatineau se lance dans l'aventure du BIXI, ce vélo en libre-service qui fait déjà fureur dans les rues de Montréal.

Cinquante vélos d'aluminium, répartis dans quatre stations de part et d'autre de la rivière des Outaouais, sont mis à l'essai depuis hier dans le cadre d'une étude de faisabilité qui s'étendra jusqu'à la fin septembre. Les engins sont disponibles sept jours par semaine, de 7 h à 22 h.

Financé à parts égales par la Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN), la Ville d'Ottawa et la Ville de Gatineau, le projet-pilote de 180 000 $ doit permettre d'évaluer l'intérêt du public et le comportement des usagers du BIXI, en prévision d'une probable implantation permanente en 2010.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/actualites/gatineau-outaouais/200906/08/01-873772-le-bixi-arrive-a-ottawa-gatineau.php

A question of sprawl: Live in the past or plan for the future?
Too many stimulus projects are about pushing money into today's economy, without enough attention to building tomorrow's

Globe and Mail, June 8, 2009
Jeffrey Simpson

A decision will be made in the chambers of Ottawa City Council that speaks to whether tomorrow's city will look like yesterday's. Cities across Canada make decisions like this all the time. Too many have made the wrong one, as Ottawa might do tomorrow.

At issue is urban sprawl, or the spreading suburbia of single-family housing.

Cities of yesterday planned for and encouraged sprawl.

Developers liked sprawl, because they made more money on single-family dwellings. Families liked sprawl, because it provided space for kids.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/a-question-of-sprawl-live-in-the-past-or-plan-for-the-future/article1173943/

NCC crafts ambitious green program

Metro News, June 4, 2009
Tim Wieclawski

The national capital could become the most eco-friendly region in the world, and the National Capital Commission is planning to lead the way with an "ambitious" new environmental strategy.

"I strongly believe that the capital region in ready to take on the challenge of becoming a leader of best environmental practices," NCC CEO Marie Lemay Thursday. "We will lead by example in the hopes that we can inspire our partners, stakeholders and the public in making our capital greener."

Steve Blight, the NCC's director of environmental management and protection, said 2009 will be used as to set a baseline to set measurable targets.

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/240324--ncc-crafts-ambitious-green-program

Water-conservation policies get credit for drop in demand
New measures include rebate program for low-volume toilet

Ottawa Citizen, June 4, 2009, page C6
Jake Rupert and Patrick Dare

The city's water-conservation policies have helped cut the demand on city water plants by 13 per cent in four years, the city's water department says.

In 2005, Ottawa produced 124.5 billion litres of water with a peak demand of 509 million litres a day. By 2008, this fell to 108.5 billion litres total with a peak of 383 million litres a day, say city water consumption and conservation reports.

"Demand is at 1982 levels in total, and that's not adjusted for growth," said the city's general manager of environmental programs Dixon Weir. "We're seeing some good gains."

The reports warn the drop in water consumption may be tied to wetter weather in recent years, but that even if this is factored out, serious progress is being made.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/todays-paper/Water+conservation+policies+credit+drop+demand/1660718/story.html

Sewage spills have to stop: Councillor
Maria McRae wants 'national disaster' fixed; 325M litres of sewage have spilled in 3 month

Ottawa Sun, June 4, 2009
Derek Puddicombe

Heavy rainfall in the capital over the past week has flushed another 117 million litres of sewage into the Ottawa River.

Between May 27 and Monday, the city's wastewater network diverted the untreated sewage into the waterway because city sewers couldn't handle the combined volume of rain and wastewater.

About 325 million litres of sewage have spilled into the river since the end of February.

Some city councillors are fed up with the constant overflows

River Coun. Maria McRae said senior city staffers should be taking every measure they can to stop the flow of sewage into the historic waterway.

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/06/04/9670676-sun.html

Tree bylaw targets clear cutting
Permits, $50 fee to be required under proposal made to council

Ottawa Citizen, June 3, 2009, page B1
Patrick Dare

A proposed bylaw would require Ottawa residents to get a permit and pay a $50 fee at city hall to cut down a large tree.

The new law, to be discussed by city councillors next week, would also require owners of large pieces of land planned for development to prepare tree-conservation reports before permits are granted for tree-cutting.

Clear cutting trees in Ottawa has become an issue in recent years as developers have sought to eliminate trees as an obstacle to construction. The Citizen recently reported on clear cutting at Cardinal Creek, east of Orléans, where Tamarack Homes wants to build a subdivision containing 4,500 houses.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Tree+bylaw+targets+clear+cutting/1656921/story.html

Editorial: Trillium delirium

Ottawa Citizen, June 3, 2009, page A16

Ask an Ontario resident the name of the province's official flower, and a good number will answer correctly: the trillium. Ask whether it is legal to pick or transplant trilliums and a good number will likely answer incorrectly.

Many Ontario residents have long believed that the white spring-blooming flowers are protected by law. But that turns out to be a bit of an urban myth. Some trilliums, known in Latin as the Trillium grandiflorum, are protected, but only those growing on property owned by conservation areas or in provincial parks.

Otherwise, there is no law stopping admirers from picking or digging them up to transplant into their own gardens. And people do. Yet the urban myth persists.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Trillium+delirium/1656911/story.html

Group calls for city to halt talks with Lansdowne Live backers
Friends of Lansdowne Park seek restart of competitive bid process

Ottawa Citizen, June 3, 2009, page B6
Joanne Chianello

It was standing room only in the Assembly Hall in the Civic Centre on Tuesday night as more than 300 residents came out in support of a bid to halt the Lansdowne Live proposal.

A group calling itself Friends of Lansdowne Park wants the city to step back from its negotiations with a group of Ottawa-based developers and return to a competitive, accountable process.

"It is a bad proposal," panelist Ian Lee said to thunderous applause.

Lee, of the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, added: "If the deal is so good, why has it not been put to a competitive bid?"

The group is expected to follow Tuesday night's meeting with a rally scheduled for June 14.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Entertainment/Group+calls+city+halt+talks+with+Lansdowne+Live+backers/1656937/story.html

Derailment spills fuel into Ottawa River

Ottawa Citizen, June 3, 2009
Brendan Kennedy

A train derailment just east of Mattawa, Ont., has caused a 4,500-gallon fuel spill in the Ottawa River.

An eastbound Ottawa Valley Railway train derailed shortly after 3:30 a.m. Wednesday when it encountered a washed-out section of the track, said Michelle King, a spokeswoman for the railway.

Two locomotives and six cars derailed, and the train's only two crew members suffered minor injuries. One of the locomotives spilled its diesel fuel into the Ottawa River, King said.

The Transport Safety Board of Canada confirmed Wednesday that the fuel spill amounted to approximately 3,000 gallons.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Derailment+spills+fuel+into+Ottawa+River/1659021/story.html

Editorial: Cities made for cyclists
For residents of Copenhagen, Denmark, up to 60 per cent of trips -- errands and commutes -- are made by bicycle. In most Canadian cities, residents use a bicycle for only about one or two per cent of trips

Ottawa Citizen, June 2, 2009, page A10

The difference? There is a culture of cycling in Copenhagen that makes riding a bike "like brushing your teeth," as one municipal official there has put it. That culture exists thanks to the infrastructure and planning that makes cycling in Copenhagen accessible, convenient and safe.

A cycling summit organized by Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar at St. Giles Church in the Glebe last weekend was supposed to begin the process of taking Ottawa in that direction. The summit reflected a trend across Canada, a willingness to view cycling as more than just recreation. Many urban planners say the time has come for governments to take cycling seriously as an alternative to cars. The City of Toronto took a major step in that direction recently when it proposed the removal of a whole traffic lane on downtown Jarvis Street in order to accommodate bikes.

"Transportation is not about moving cars, it never has been and never should be. Transportation is about moving people," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. Miller is correct, of course. And yet civic leaders have been inexcusably slow in implementing this approach in their transportation planning.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Sports/Cities+made+cyclists/1653185/story.html

City championing the Green Bin

Metro News, June 2, 2009
Tim Wieclawski

Residents can already recycle tin, plastic and paper, and this week, the city took the first step in rolling out its organics recycling program.

"This is the logical next step in diversion," said Rod Muir, a waste diversion and climate change campaigner with the Sierra Club of Canada.

"This is win-win, all with the flick of the wrist. You're holding a banana peel in your hand; all we're asking you to do is find the kitchen bin and drop it in. This is the easy part."

To help kick off Environment Week, the city launched its Green Bin Champions pilot project yesterday to give city councillors and other stakeholders first-hand experience with the program before it goes citywide in January.

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/238576--city-championing-the-green-bin

Une centaine d'Ottaviens testeront les nouveaux bacs verts

Le Droit, le 1 juin 2009
Catherine Lamontagne

Moins d'un an avant le lancement officiel du projet pilote du Bac Vert, près de 95 employés et citoyens de la Ville d'Ottawa auront l'opportunité d'expérimenter le nouveau programme de collecte de déchets organiques dès la semaine prochaine.

À l'instar des bacs noirs et bleus déjà utilisés pour séparer les déchets des matières recyclables, les bacs verts permettront de séparer les déchets organiques lors de la collecte hebdomadaire. Une fois recueillis, les déchets organiques seront envoyés à un centre de compostage, où ils seront transformés en compost utilisable destiné aux agriculteurs de la région.

Des programmes de distribution de bacs à déchets organiques sont déjà en vigueur dans la majorité des grandes villes canadiennes et celui de la Ville d'Ottawa arrive « beaucoup trop tard », selon certains conseillers municipaux.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/actualites/ottawa-est-ontarien/200906/01/01-861985-une-centaine-dottaviens-testeront-les-nouveaux-bacs-verts.php

City Kicks Off Kitchen Scrap Recycling Program

CFRA, June 1, 2009
Josh Pringle

Green bins will now dot the curbs with the blue and black boxes.

The City of Ottawa has launched the Green Bin Champions Pilot Project, which will see City Councillors and other stakeholders test the new organics recycling program.

The project will result in feedback for City Staff prior to the city-wide implementation of the Green Bin program in January.

The kitchen scrap and organics recycling program will accept egg shells, yard waste and food soiled paper towels or boxes.

http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=65576

Federal program to spend $4.2 million on eco-friendly construction

Ottawa Citizen, June 1, 2009

The federal government is making $4.2 million available to about six developers to create eco-friendly neighbourhoods.

Development firms will be asked this summer to submit proposals for communities that improve upon existing levels of energy efficiency of both individual buildings and the neighbourhoods as a whole, accessibility to public transportation and affordability.

About six proposals will share in the $4.2 million to actually build those neighbourhoods. The funds aren't meant to pay for bricks and mortar - instead, the money will go to other areas of planning such as research and development, design expertise and technical support for the sustainable-community proposals.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Technology/Federal+program+spend+million+friendly+construction/1651766/story.html

Halifax: Dozens come out for cycling street party

Metro Halifax, June 1, 2009
Kristen Lipscombe

They came with and without training wheels, on tricycles and mountain bikes, and even on rollerblades and skateboards.

Cyclists of all ages and skill levels, and other self-propelled people on wheels, rode over to the Halifax Common Sunday afternoon to celebrate sustainable and active transportation.

The open street party was part of HRM Bike Week, which kicked off last Friday and runs through Sunday. The city shut down motorized traffic surrounding the north side of the park for a couple of hours, letting bikes take over the streets and forcing cars to take a hike.

http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/237987--dozens-come-out-for-cycling-street-party