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Local Environmental Groups to Host Eco-Themed Mayoral Debate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2010
Ottawa, ON - In recognition of the need to put environmental issues at the forefront of this fall’s municipal elections, a group of local environmental organizations have pooled their resources into organizing a “green” mayoral debate.
Issues of environmental stewardship and sustainability are proving to be some of the most important and costly decisions made by city councils. Expansion of public transit, safe cycling, sewer and water treatment upgrades and local food issues are gaining widespread attention and increased public calls for support. Contentious issues such as the Terry Fox Drive extension and the development of West end forests surrounding the Beaver Pond have also raised eyebrows among a public concerned with sustainable local development and wildlife conservation.
“This is an opportunity for candidates to express their vision and thoughts on how to make Ottawa a more sustainable city. Environmental sustainably is a key issue and voters deserve to know where the candidates stand,” says Ben Liadsky, Communications Officer for Ecology Ottawa.
“Given the breadth of issues ahead, it’s clear that demonstrated environmental stewardship will be an important factor in the upcoming mayoral election. We hope that prospective candidates will take strong leadership and action positions to help this city overcome sustainability challenges,” says Natasha Wilson, Executive Director at Ottawa Riverkeeper.
The debate, to be held September 26 at 7pm at St. Paul’s University Auditorium, is not intended to be a science quiz. Rather, it is an opportunity for mayoral candidates to demonstrate how they will work to ensure Ottawa’s place as a model and sustainable city.
The consortium organizing the debate includes a number of important and recognizable environmental organizations including Ecology Ottawa, Ottawa Sustainability Fund, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Just Food, Greenspace Alliance, Citizens for Safe Cycling, Sustainable Living Ottawa East (SLOE), Sustainable Living Ottawa West (SLOW),Transition Ottawa, Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre, Canadian Biodiversity Institute, Envirocentre, Tucker House, Lowertown Community Association, King Edward Avenue Task Force, and Public Transit in Ottawa (PTIO).
Ben Liadsky Communications Officer Ecology Ottawa 613-860-5353
Natasha Wilson Executive Director Ottawa Riverkeeper 613-321-1120
No more talk, talk, talk Re: Ottawa needs a 'road diet,' Doucet says, July 9
Published July 15, 2010 in the Ottawa Citizen
Ecology Ottawa released a report calling on candidates to commit to a moratorium on new roads. The report, written by University of Ottawa professor, Mat Paterson, identified our current policy of spending billions of dollars on widening existing and building new roads as being deeply flawed with critical financial and environmental impacts.
Unfortunately, the response from some candidates failed to acknowledge the most basic of principles that by continuing to build and design our city with an eye to single occupancy vehicles above all else is an error in judgment. In other words, business as usual is no longer good enough.
What we at Ecology Ottawa are looking for from candidates is leadership. We are looking for candidates who realize that we have problems of urban sprawl, air pollution, and diminishing green space and that there are real things that can be done to make improvements.
A sustainable Ottawa is a goal we should all strive for -- not just in talk, but in action.
Ben Liadsky, Ottawa Communications officer Ecology Ottawa
New Report Calls on
Election Candidates to Support Roads Moratorium
July 8, 2010 (Ottawa, ON) - A new report from Ecology Ottawa calls for a halt to the steady growth of the city’s road network. The report is part of Ecology Ottawa’s policy platform for the 2010 municipal elections.
According to the author, Matthew Paterson, the ongoing policy of focusing on road building is having a costly effect on our city – both financially and environmentally. Between 2008 and 2017, the city will spend $1.5 billion on road construction and widening.
Meanwhile, the construction of roads involves large quantities of oil, which increases water run-off and can lead to toxic chemicals entering into our water. In addition, 33% of Ottawa’s greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to transportation, which is also the fastest growing source of emissions.
“The financial and environmental costs are clear. Instead of pouring hundreds of millions dollars into new roads we should be focusing on providing real public transportation options for the people of Ottawa” said Graham Saul, Chair of Ecology Ottawa.
In addition, as the report details, congestion problems will not be solved by the construction of more roads. In fact, the reverse is often true. Road-construction sets in train the patterns of development and locks citizens and the City into restricted choices – by building out into the suburbs, the increased distances to work limit cycling to only the hardy and fit, while walking becomes impossible.
“The old adage that ‘if you build it, they will come’ is appropriate here,” said Mat Paterson, author of the report.
About Ecology Ottawa: Ecology Ottawa is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization working to make Ottawa the green capital of Canada. We believe that Ottawa residents are concerned about issues such as pollution, waste, and global warming, and that they want their city to show environmental leadership. We are working with people across the city to ensure that these concerns are heard at city hall. Find out more and sign up for our e-mail updates at www.ecologyottawa.ca.
For media inquiries contact: Graham Saul Ben Liadsky Chair Communications Officer 613-558-3368 613-860-5353 graham@ecologyottawa.ca communications@ecologyottawa.ca
