Media Releases

Rideau-Rockcliffe 2019 By-Election

Ottawa residents in Rideau-Rockcliffe (Ward 13) are heading to the poll again on April for a by-election. Continuing our work in the municipal election in 2018, Ecology Ottawa is working to raise awareness of local environmental issues among both voters and candidates in the lead up to the by-election.

All-Candidates' Survey

Ecology Ottawa has sent out an All-Candidates' Survey to all 17 candidates running in this by-election. The survey includes 15 yes/no questions covering issues of local climate action (Renewable City), building safe and healthy streets (Active City), Ottawa's greenspace and watersheds (Living City), and waste management, as well as a qualitative response about their environmental vision for Ottawa.

My First Protest is One for the Climate

I recently attended my first protest… ever.

Being the incredibly green (if you’ll excuse the pun) climate advocate that I am, I owe most of my ideas about protests to television and film. So, walking over to Parliament Hill last Friday for the Global Student Climate Strike, I felt, if I’m being honest, a bit nervous.

“What will it be like? Do I belong here? Is my sign witty enough? What do I do with my hands?”

Soirée film et réseautage sur le climat

Venez visionner le film un Paradis en Péril et discuter de changement climatique! Notre événement est suivi par le FestiSlam d'Ottawa.

Au programme pour la soirée:

18h-18h45: Projection vidéo de un Paradis en Péril. Accompagné d'une levée de fonds chocolat chaud et pâtisserie pour le FestiSlam d'Ottawa. Voilà une occasion parfaite pour discuter d'actualités sur le changement climatique avec les francophones de votre communauté. Cette avant-partie est gratuite.

It's time for OC Transpo to go electric

Ecology Ottawa is partnering with Healthy Transportation Coalition and the Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa to launch a campaign to rapidly move Ottawa's bus fleet to electric.

Worldwide and across Canada, cities are stepping up in the fight against climate change by integrating electric buses into their fleet. Within a few short years, Ottawa's fleet could be fully electric. This not only helps in the fight against climate change, but can also save the city money while making the OC Transpo fleet cleaner, quieter and more reliable. It means cleaner air and better service for the residents of our city.

$4.66B LRT Stage 2 Expansion Moves Forward With Many Positive Amendments to 2019 Budget

Ottawa City Council met on March 6th for a 7-hour council meeting, where council voted on over $9 billion in spending on LRT Stage 2 and the 2019 budget. Our volunteer from the Council Watch team attended the meeting and here are some major discussions and votes.

A large topic of discussion on the agenda was the approval of the LRT Stage 2 expansion at a cost of $4.66 billion dollars. While it seems like a simple answer to move in the direction of achieving a more sustainable and equitable city by approving the expansion of the light rail, a lot of concerns were raised by councilors in the discussion.

Forum Francophone à la Cabane à Sucre

Assistez à notre deuxième édition de notre forum francophone!

Apprenez à rassemblez les francophones dans vos communautés et célébrez le temps des sucres tout à la fois.

Vous souciez vous de votre parc? Ou avez vous des idées d'evenements pour vos communautés franco-ontarienne et vos parcs? Cherchez vous à rencontrer des gens pour lancer vos idéés?

Le forum est une occasion parfaite pour créer des résaux, trouver du soutien et de renforcir vos capacités d'organisateur(rice) - tout en dégustant des bonnes crèpes au sirop dérable!

Marche Guidée à la Tourbière Mer Bleue

Marche guidée en Foret en Francais!

Cette activitée est gratuite et ouverte à tous. Les enfants et famille sont bienvenues! Nous allons explorer la tourbière Mer-Bleue pour encourager les communautés francophones à apprécier une journée en plein-air tout dans le cadre du mois de la francophonie.

Collations et brevages inclus - apportez vos contenants

Generation Climate: Youth Climate Ambassadors Kick-Off Event!

Ecology Ottawa’s Youth Climate Ambassadors program kicks off on March 27th at 7:00pm with "Generation Climate" at the Shaw Centre! Join us for a full evening of connection, mobilization, snacks, and inspiring individuals speaking to their experiences combating climate change in Ottawa as young people.

We hope that folks of all ages will leave the event feeling empowered to take action, and take on climate change in our city.

Draft budget 2019 - What does it mean for Ottawa's environment?

On Wednesday, February 6 Mayor Jim Watson presented a draft city budget for 2019.

This budget has implications for all three of Ecology Ottawa's program areas:

Living City, our program to protect and enhance Ottawa's trees, water and green space;
Renewable City, our program on climate change and energy policy; and
Active City, our program on sustainable transportation.

For Immediate Release: Watson asleep at the wheel while other cities rush to show climate leadership

Budget is business-as-usual at a crisis moment that demands anything but

February 6, 2019

(Ottawa) – Today, Jim Watson presented the draft 2019 City of Ottawa budget. The most notable aspect of this budget is what it did not say. In Jim Watson’s remarks, there was no mention of the climate crisis, or even climate change more generally. This comes at a time when the United Nations warns us we have 11 years left to avoid global climate catastrophe, and when cities like Halifax and Vancouver are declaring climate emergencies and modifying budgets and policies accordingly.

Climate change a key point of discussion at today's city council

On January 30th, City Council met for the first time in 2019. Climate change was a key issue of discussion in two debates, setting the tone for the potential of ambitious climate action.

In what is normally a rubber-stamp procedure to approve citizen’s appointments to the various advisory boards, there was disagreement about one particular nominee for the Transit Commissioner. The City Hall Hiring Panel picked through 92 applicants for the Transit Commission for the upcoming four years, leading them to four successful citizen transit commissioners to be appointed at the January 30^th council. Councillor Shawn Menard showed particular concern about one of the transit commissioners, Michael Olsen. Olsen has been said to be an anti-abortion supporter as well as a potential climate change denier. This is problematic to his position as a transit commissioner as one of the main concerns surrounding transportation is its effect on the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

MATINÉE D'ENTAILLAGE À L'ÉRABLIÈRE DU MUSÉOPARC VANIER

Venez apprendre à récolter de l'eau d'érable!

C'est bientôt le temps des sucres! Le MuséoParc Vanier cherche des bénévoles pour aider a entailler ses érables. Un petit-déjeuner traditionnel de crêpes et une soupe chaude seront offerts à tous les participants.

Cette activité est gratuite et encourage la participation de tout âges.

Rendez-vous au MuséoParc Vanier (320 Avenue de Peres-Blancs)