Ottawa Council's Finance and Corporate Services Committee considered the City's 2025 Budget Directions this morning. Ecology Ottawa called 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 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!
Ottawa’s Climate Plan Audit: How are we Doing?
Ottawa’s Auditor General just released her audit of the City’s Climate Change Master Plan. While we’re glad to have this accountability, the news is as you might expect: we’re in some trouble. We strongly encourage you to read the audit itself—it’s only 23 pages—but here’s a summary.
Ecology Ottawa Voices Support for Living Snow Fence Program
Our Program Coordinator, William van Geest, addressed City Council's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on June 6 to express our support for a motion proposing Living Snow Fences along rural corridors. Read our delegation below!