Draft 2010 budget estimates show hope for greener city

9 November 2009

The draft 2010 budget estimates released late last month by the City of Ottawa show some reason to hope that city spending will move in a positive, greener direction next year.

After years of underinvestment in sustainable transportation modes like walking and cycling, city staff and committees are proposing substantial investments in infrastructure, education, and promotion for cycling and pedestrian travel. The draft estimates also include resources for effective implementation of the tree protection by-law passed this spring and the long-awaited green bin program.

"The draft estimates released to date suggest that this year's budget has the potential to be a considerable improvement over previous years," said Lori Waller, Ecology Ottawa's policy coordinator. "Of course, it remains to be seen whether councillors will retain these proposed investments in cycling, waste diversion, and other key environmental areas in the final budget."

The draft estimates still need to be approved by council's standing committees and new budget comittee before being considered by council as a whole in January, when the 2010 budget will be finalized.

Ecology Ottawa's submissions to the city's committees on transportation and planning & the environment can be found below.

EO_submission_on_transportation_budget.pdf

EO_submission_-_planning_and_enviro_budget.pdf