Ecology Ottawa asked all candidates in the 2014 municipal election a series of questions on important environmental issues.
Complete Streets:
Many Ottawa streets are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians and too many neighbourhoods lack affordable and convenient public transportation options. Badly designed streets discourage active and healthy lifestyles and limit transportation choices. In 2013, City Council adopted a Complete Streets policy that will put more emphasis on designing streets for all ages, abilities and users (pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, as well as cars).
|
Candidate
*indicates incumbent |
If elected, will you commit to prioritizing pedestrian, cycling and affordable public transit infrastructure over automobile infrastructure in meeting the future growth in travel demand in the urban area? | If elected, will you work to ensure that all new roads and road renewal projects integrate Complete Streets principles? | The City's new transportation master plan increases funding for cycling infrastructure but delays many investments for over 15 years. If elected, will you work to increase the overall level of investment and accelerate the pace of implementation? |
| Adam Bowick | |||
| Daher Muse Calin | |||
| Jean Cloutier | |||
| Clinton Cowan | YES - One of the central goals of my campaign is for a stronger focus on bringing improved transportation options into Alta Vista and throughout the city. To ensure safer and short commutes no matter how one choose to travel. | YES - There are many roads in Alta Vista that are in desperate need of repair and it would be a great time to apply these principles. | YES - Absolutely, waiting over a decade to provide enhancement to our cycling network is unacceptable. Delays will only keep riders at risk and further discourage cycling as a genuine option. Many improvement require minimal investment and can be done concurrently with already planned roadwork. |
| Jeff Dubois | YES - More attention must be paid to the delivery of public transit as a viable and reliable alternative to the automobile. Pedestrian traffic is often overlooked making many routes inaccessible or dangerous. Approaches to cycling accommodation must be more inclusive. | YES - These principles must be mindful of local neighbourhood needs and economically prudent. | NO - Cyclists have long asserted that they wish to be treated like "real vehicles". I'd be interested to know if Ottawa cyclists would be willing to embrace a vehicle registration system to offset the additional costs in expediting the infrastructure. |
| Hussein Mahmoud | YES - As an advocate of living a healthy lifestyle, it is important that we have initiatives like this to promote exercise and activities to all residents. Along with complete streets, we need to have forums and town halls that discuss bike safety to ensure our residents can have safe commutes whether it be to work or for pleasure. | YES - It is essential that we plan pedestrian and cycling lanes on all new roads. This is a cost effective way to mitigate traffic and promote healthy living. | YES |
| Perry Marleau | |||
| John Redins | |||
| Brandon Scharfe |
About 75 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions come from activities that occur in cities, and municipalities have direct or indirect control over about half of these emissions. In 2014 the City of Ottawa adopted a new Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan.
|
Candidate
*indicates incumbent |
Do you agree that human-induced climate change is an urgent issue and all levels of government have a role to play in helping to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions? | If elected, will you push for the full implementation of the City of Ottawa’s Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan, including items identified in the plan for the 2015 budget? | The Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan establishes the modest goal of reducing Ottawa’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent per capita by 2024, but leaves open a lot of space for new initiatives to emerge in the coming years. If elected, will you push for actions aimed at surpassing the current goal? |
| Adam Bowick | |||
| Daher Muse Calin | |||
| Jean Cloutier | |||
| Clinton Cowan | YES | YES | YES |
| Jeff Dubois | YES - Transportation initiatives may well be the most effective means of accomplishing this at the micro-level. | YES | NO |
| Hussein Mahmoud | YES - As mentioned before, the decisions we make have a direct impact on the future generations. We need to efficient in making proper decisions to ensure our city and environment is a healthy and clean place to live, work and raise our children in. | YES | YES |
| Perry Marleau | |||
| John Redins | |||
| Brandon Scharfe |
Every time it rains, a cocktail of contaminants (including bacteria, chemicals, fuels and heavy metals) washes off our streets and runs straight into our rivers and streams via the underground storm-sewer system. Ecology Ottawa wants the City of Ottawa to follow-through on its commitment to develop a Water Environment Strategy that improves stormwater management, invests in green infrastructure, reduces flooding, protects our streams, and makes it safer to swim and fish in our rivers.
|
Candidate
*indicates incumbent |
The City of Ottawa is developing a Water Environment Strategy that will provide a framework for action to promote clean drinking water, reduce the toxins going into our rivers, and protect communities and streams from flooding associated with severe weather. If elected, will you support the development of a strong strategy and prioritize the investments necessary to realize the strategy’s goals? | The April 2014 Ontario Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) instructs planning authorities to promote green infrastructure measures (such as parklands, stormwater systems, wetlands, street trees, urban forests, natural channels, permeable surfaces, and green roofs) in order to reduce costs, protect ecosystems and adapt to extreme weather events. If elected, will you prioritize green infrastructure in addressing the City of Ottawa’s water management needs? | The production of clean water for public consumption has been falling over the past decade in Ottawa (ie., we are using less water). Between 2004 and 2013, the amount of clean water produced and used inside Ottawa fell from over 125,000 million litres to about 100,000 million litres (not including private wells). If elected will you commit to continuing this trend by prioritizing water conservation measures that reduce usage by 3 percent per year? |
| Adam Bowick | |||
| Daher Muse Calin | |||
| Jean Cloutier | |||
| Clinton Cowan | YES | YES | YES |
| Jeff Dubois | YES | YES | NO |
| Hussein Mahmoud | YES - I am committed to fighting for a clean and healthy environment for all residents of Ottawa. Many residents, including myself drink our cities water. It is essential that this source is clean and the city does its part to ensure it is drinkable and safe. | YES - Green infrastructure and promoting a healthy eco system is essential. The decisions that we make now will not only effect us today, rather it will impact the lives of many in the future. I want a city that is clean and sustainable for not only my children and grand children but for the generations to come. | YES - I am definitely committed to prioritizing water conservation measures in the city. One thing that I would like to bring up is I am also against hiking user fees on water and sewage bills. The city has increased these fees due to the lack of revenue generated since we have conserved an abundance of water. We need to continue to conserve water, however, we cannot punish residents by increasing user fees. Rather we should encourage them. |
| Perry Marleau | |||
| John Redins | |||
| Brandon Scharfe |
|
Candidate
*indicates incumbent |
The Emerald Ash Borer infestation is killing millions of trees across Ottawa, including about 25 percent of the trees in the urban area. In response, organizations and individuals, including the City of Ottawa, are coming together to set the collective goal of planting a million trees in our nation’s capital as part of our contribution to Canada's 150 birthday celebration in 2017. If elected, will you support and prioritize investments towards this goal? | The City of Ottawa has announced its intention to develop a new Forest Management Strategy. If elected, will you support the development of a strong strategy and the investments necessary to realize the strategy’s goals? |
| Adam Bowick | ||
| Daher Muse Calin | ||
| Jean Cloutier | ||
| Clinton Cowan | YES - Already I have personally planted several trees with in our community and look forward to additional tree planting events. If elected I would proudly be a tree ambassador for our city. | YES |
| Jeff Dubois | YES - I believe this is best accomplished by encouraging and nurturing the efforts of not-for-profit initiatives. One resident suggested an "in loving memory of" program through which trees could be planted and dedicated to a loved one. | YES |
| Hussein Mahmoud | YES - This is an important topic in Alta Vista and the city of Ottawa. I think we need to continue to focus on planting trees, not for photo opportunities, rather for the sustainment of our environment. I am dedicated to ensuring we continue to plan the trees and have long term action plan to ensure these trees are taken proper care. Too often are trees planted and not receiving the proper care needed. | YES - We need to follow up with the city to ensure this strategy is implemented. Our forests and green spaces across the city are important hubs for our children and the eco system. |
| Perry Marleau | ||
| John Redins | ||
| Brandon Scharfe |
Proposed Oil Pipeline Threatens Ottawa Water and Communities
TransCanada wants to move more than a million barrels a day of tar sands oil through the City of Ottawa and across the World Heritage Rideau River on its way to export terminals in eastern Canada. The proposed “Energy East” pipeline puts communities and waterways in danger all along the pipeline route.
|
Candidate
*indicates incumbent |
Do you think the City of Ottawa should conduct a thorough and independent assessment of the risks and costs that the proposed Energy East pipeline poses to the health of Ottawa's communities and water? | Would you oppose the Energy East Pipeline if it was demonstrated that it threatened the health of Ottawa's water, climate and communities? | Should the City of Ottawa intervene in the National Energy Board review of the proposed Energy East pipeline in order to ensure that the interests of the people of Ottawa are well represented? |
| Adam Bowick | |||
| Daher Muse Calin | |||
| Jean Cloutier | |||
| Clinton Cowan | YES | YES | YES |
| Jeff Dubois | NO | YES | NO |
| Hussein Mahmoud | YES - I believe an independent assessment is key for such a large embarkment. Too many times have mistakes been made (e.g. Orgaworld contract) when contracts and environmental assessments have not been thoroughly analyzed. As an avid fishermen and nature lover, we cannot risk polluting and endangering such an important waterway or any waterway for that matter. | YES - I would definitely oppose anything that causes a threat to our community. Money should not dictate decisions. I am running to ensure that our residents can live in a clean, healthy and safe Ottawa. | YES |
| Perry Marleau | |||
| John Redins | |||
| Brandon Scharfe |
Latest posts
Ottawa Eco Awards 2024 - Recipients Announced!
The 2024 Ottawa Eco Awards celebrate outstanding individuals in the Ottawa community who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to environmental stewardship, sustainability leadership, and climate action. We have been thrilled with the nominations that we have received from Ottawans for our second Ottawa Eco Awards, and we are heartened to learn about the local eco champions who inspire you.
Ecology Ottawa delegates to the Environment and Climate Change Committee on the Rain Ready Ottawa program.
Ecology Ottawa was at the City Council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee on April 16, 2024, to talk about the Rain Ready Program. We’ve provided our delegations below and you can also watch the recording.
Members of ECCC invited to webinar on incineration
On April 8, we invited members of City Council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) to attend a webinar on incineration. This webinar is timely: Council is considering incineration as an option for dealing with Ottawa’s waste, since staff has warned Council that the Trail Road Landfill—which currently receives the majority of Ottawans’ garbage—will fill up soon.