Ecology Ottawa delegated at City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee today to support Councillor King's motion calling for a review of the City's Salt Management practices. Our Executive Director William van Geest drew heavily from water sampling conducted by our partners Ottawa Riverkeeper over 5 years to show that such a review is necessary. Read our delegation below.
Ask the City for a salt management review!
Councillor King is bringing a motion to City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee to call for a long overdue review of the City's salting practices and the environmental effects of these practices. Salt is toxic to aquatic life, soil, and vegetation, and it persists year-round in our waterways. Find out more and take action!
Ottawa's response to tariff threats: POP's recommendations
The recent threat of tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States has many concerned. Tariffs would have significant negative effects across our economy and communities. Elected officials at all levels of government must strengthen resilience within their jurisdiction. But such efforts must also embed justice, equity, and climate change preparedness.
Ecological concerns with Stittsville quarry expansion proposal
One of our EcoYouth Council members, Maggie Hanna, submitted a letter to the City concerning a quarry expansion proposed in the Stittsville area. As Maggie outlines, there are a number of serious environmental concerns associated with this proposal. We hope that these concerns are resolved before any further action is taken on this proposal.
Fossil fuel misinformation in City facilities? Not here, thanks.
You may have seen our recent content about misinformation in advertising. We’re glad you noticed! So here’s the deal: the information we led with was completely false. No, the earth isn’t flat, and 2+2 doesn't equal 5. Thing is, the City’s advertising policy currently allows you to say these things.
OC Transpo is Oversalting!
We’ve been getting lots of messages this winter about OC Transpo applying salt excessively in its facilities. So a couple weeks ago, we asked the community to send us photo evidence. And the responses confirmed what we’d heard.
Ecological Planks for the 2025 Ontario Election
The upcoming Ontario election on February 27, 2025 offers an opportunity—an opportunity for concrete ecological action in Ottawa and our province more generally. We’ve prepared ten ecological demands for this election. We encourage candidates to adopt these planks wholesale into their platforms. We also encourage voters to ask candidates about these planks, and will be distributing aids for this in coming days.
Join our Board of Directors!
Ecology Ottawa is soliciting applications to join our volunteer Board of Directors. We are seeking people with a strong interest in environmental issues and in advancing equity, and particularly those who can provide skills or expertise that will help support our organization in financial matters, including budgeting, reporting, and fundraising.
Help promote ecology in the Ontario election!
On January 29, 2025, Ontario Premier Doug Ford called an election for February 27. While the election’s timing is opportunism on Ford’s part, like all elections this presents an opportunity—the opportunity to elect leaders with the foresight and courage to confront the ecological crises before us and to better steward taxpayer’s money. Help us develop ecological planks.
Mid-term Governance Review: Ottawa organizations urge greater public engagement
Ottawa organizations today sent a letter to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and members of City Council on the Mid-term Governance Review. While the Review claims to seek transparency and valorize public input, it offers no formal opportunity for public input and is being rushed through Council. Please read our letter.
Ask Council to approve a land purchase for environmental conservation!
City of Ottawa staff have identified an excellent opportunity to advance ecology in Ottawa: the purchase of a 223-acre forested parcel near Fitzroy Harbour. The hitch? It may not make it through City Council. Read on for details—and what you can do.