Hundreds of Ottawans Sign Green Budget Petition in First Few Days Call on City Council to make the environment a priority during the budget debate
For immediate release:
January 24, 2007 (Ottawa) – Ottawa residents have been flocking to sign Ecology Ottawa's Green Budget Petition. In the past few days, more than 300 people from across the city have signed the petition calling on City Council to make the environment a priority during the upcoming budget debate.
“The Green Budget Petition has clearly struck a nerve with the people of Ottawa,” said Graham Saul, a volunteer with Ecology Ottawa. “People want action on the environment from all levels of government and City Hall is no exception,” said Saul.
In 2006, City Council refused to finance more than $1 million in funding for the City of Ottawa's Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan. In response, the City's Environmental Advisory Committee passed a motion censuring City Council (see below).
This year, Councilors seem ready to do more. On January 15, 2007, Ottawa's City Council approved a motion which resolved “to include the appropriate resources in the 2007 budget to implement the Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan.” But concerns remain that City Council will once again refuse to support funding for air quality and climate change during the budget is debated next month.
“We want the City of Ottawa to be the green capital of Canada, and a green city needs a green budget,” said Saul. “Investing in the environment is about saving money and doing the right thing at the same time. That's what the Green Budget Petition is all about,” Saul continued.
Ecology Ottawa launched the Green Budget Petition on January 17. Ecology Ottawa is an Ottawa-based not-for-profit organization.
