Ottawa City Council's Environment and Climate Change and Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committees met today to discuss staff recommendations for amendments to the City's Idling Control By-law. Ecology Ottawa made a delegation, supporting the recommendations and adding a few of our own to better reduce our GHG emissions and Ottawans' health—especially that of our most vulnerable.
Stop Harmful Idling Emissions!
As part of their review of the Idling By-law, Ottawa City staff have issued new recommendations for the By-law. These recommendations come to a joint meeting of the Environment and Climate Change and the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committees this Thursday. Here’s what you need to know!
Ecology Ottawa delegates on Budget 2025 Directions: Where are the Strategic Priorities?
Ottawa Council's Finance and Corporate Services Committee considered the Directions for the City's 2025 budget this morning. Ecology Ottawa was there, calling out the Directions' failure to respond to the crises—climate, biodiversity, housing affordability, addictions—facing Ottawans, as well as their failure to incorporate any of the City's Strategic Priorities. You can watch our delegation or read it below.
Waste management and equity: the dangers of incineration
As Council conducts a feasibility study on incineration, learn more about the environmental inequity of waste management and its impacts on marginalized communities.
Ecology Ottawa welcomes Interim Executive Director, William van Geest
I write as Ecology Ottawa’s new Interim Executive Director. As Interim Executive Director, I look forward to leading our small but mighty organization in its impactful organizing, programming and community-building work.
First Draft of Ottawa’s New Zoning By-Law: Exciting changes ahead!
The first draft of the new Zoning By-Law was released last month and is open to public consultation. Given the importance of this document to the City’s shape and functioning, we will highlight the exciting ecological benefits this draft could bring.
Ecology Ottawa Voices Support for Tree-Planting Strategy
We delegated to City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee at their June 18 meeting on the City's Tree-Planting Strategy. In short: it's great, but doesn't go far enough. Read our delegation here!
Ottawa Community Members Call for Decoupling of Tewin from Infrastructure Plan
Ecology Ottawa joined several community groups in calling for a decoupling of the Tewin development from the City's Infrastructure Master Plan considerations. Read the press release here.
Ecology Ottawa calls for Community Partnership Grant Program for Waste Reduction and Diversion
We delegated at Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee at their June 18 meeting to propose a grant program to reduce and divert Ottawa’s waste through community partnerships. Read our delegation here!
Ecology Ottawa calls for Holistic Ecology in Wildlife Strategy
Our Program Coordinator William van Geest delegated to the Special Joint Meeting of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commitee (ARAC) and Environment and Climate Change Committee at their June 17 meeting to express our concern over Wildlife Strategy’s human-centric approach. Read our delegation below!
Let’s Not Forget About Our Wetlands
Do you remember when Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, was passed in Ontario in 2022? City Council recently examined the bill’s implications in regard to wetlands.
Ecology Ottawa Delegates on the CCMP Audit
Our Program Coordinator William van Geest delegated to Council's Audit Committee at their June 10 meeting to express our support of the Climate Change Master Plan audit and address some of its shortcomings. Read our delegation below!