Media Releases

On climate policy, Ontario will leave Doug Ford behind

Below is a blog post from Avery Dawes, one of the members of Ecology Ottawa's summer team.

On July 3, Premier Doug Ford officially ended Ontario’s cap-and-trade program and removed his government from the national debate on climate and emissions reduction policy. According to Ford, the program would cost Ontarians too much money while doing “nothing for the environment.” Like Jason Kenney in Alberta and Premier Scott Moe in Saskatchewan, Ford is a longtime vocal opponent of provincial and federal efforts to fight climate change and protect the environment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Cap-and-trade withdrawal threatens to derail municipal climate progress across Ontario

July 10, 2018

(Hamilton, Oakville, Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor) - The Urban Climate Alliance - a coalition of five city-level Ontario environmental organizations - has researched the potential impact of provincial withdrawal from cap-and-trade and found that cities are facing a massive funding gap. Hundreds of millions of dollars of cap-and-trade revenues have already been directed to projects in Hamilton, Oakville, Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor that will help fight climate change, with even more money anticipated for planned projects. In Ottawa alone, over $50 million was allocated to or anticipated for local projects. The province’s withdrawal from the cap-and-trade program, with no clear alternative funding stream identified, threatens to derail municipal climate progress across Ontario.

Green Infrastructure Workshops

The future of cities is green.

Around the world, cities are designing and building green infrastructure - living and built systems designed to slow down, soak up and filter rain water where it lands - into their urban fabric. Green infrastructure is seen as a great way to keep waterways clean, fight flooding and adapt to climate impacts while greening the urban environment. Cities are experimenting with green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales and the widespread adoption of tools like rain barrels and permeable pavement.

What You Should Know About Nuclear Waste in Ottawa-Gatineau Q&A

Are you unsure about what is going to happen to the nuclear facilities near Ottawa? Are you concerned about proper steps being taken to deal with the nuclear waste for reactors in the area? Then check out our Q&A about what you should know about the concerning nuclear waste disposal proposals on the Ottawa River.

Why should residents of Ottawa-Gatineau be concerned about radioactive waste?

Municipal Election 2018: Candidates' responses

AS part of our Municipal Election campaign, Ecology Ottawa is polling all candidates running for City Council and Mayor for their stand on key environmental issues in Ottawa. Find out how your candidates respond to our survey by clicking on your ward below. Click here to learn more about our all-candidates' survey and the rational for each questions.

Outreach Canvasser With Ecology Ottawa

Outreach Canvasser with Ecology Ottawa Organization: Ecology Ottawa http://ecologyottawa.ca/ Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Are you politically motivated and interested in policy change?

Are you passionate about environmental issues and comfortable communicating with others?

Ecology Ottawa is seeking self-motivated environmentalists and politically activated individuals to join our door-to-door canvass team!

Ottawa municipal elections - All-candidates' survey

2018 is a big year for Ottawa. In October, we will elect a new city council. That means we have the opportunity to elect a city council and Mayor who prioritize a green, healthy and liveable Ottawa for the next four years.

This municipal election, Ecology Ottawa will continue to raise awareness of local environmental priorities among both voters and candidates, inform Ottawa residents of their candidates' environmental stands, promote environmental leadership and get out the vote for a greener council.

The Rideau River is under threat

Ottawa is blessed by a living network of creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Unlike many cities, we have done a good job safeguarding river shorelines in many area of the city. The Ottawa River is bounded by a green wall of trees and grasslands, and the Rideau River is almost exclusively buttressed by trees, greenspace, beaches and residential properties.

Seizing the Moment for Safe and Healthy Streets: A State of the City Report

The City of Ottawa is standing at a watershed moment: decisions we make in the next five years will shape the way we move around the city for years to come. Titled “Seizing the moment for Safe and Healthy Streets,” Ecology Ottawa’s state of the city report highlights progress on active transportation in the city and key opportunities for improving pedestrian, cycling and transit infrastructure.

Les Amis des Parcs – Venez célébrer la culture francophone dans les parcs d’Ottawa

Les communautés francophones sont très présentes en Ontario. Après le Québec, il s’agit de la 2nde province comptant le nombre le plus élevé de résidents pratiquant le français à la maison. En effet, les francophones représentent environ 4% de la population totale de l’Ontario. Pourtant, la représentation médiatique francophone est loin d’être proportionnelle à ce chiffre et l’accès à l’information en français est complexe. La situation est similaire à Ottawa qui se veut pourtant capitale bilingue du Canada. Face à cette réalité, un constat : quand une communauté est peu représentée et peu entendue, il est facile de croire qu’elle n’existe pas !

Want a free sapling? Join us at our upcoming events!

Ecology Ottawa is part of the 1 Million Tree initiative in Ottawa, through which we will be giving away trees to help the Capital recover from the Emerald Ash Borer infestation. By doing this, Ecology Ottawa is part of the largest tree giveaway in Ottawa’s history!

As part of Ecology Ottawa’s 1 Million Tree initiative, we will be giving away a lot of trees in the weeks to come. If you want yours, come and have a chat with us at these events!

Join us for our Active Transportation Summit!

Pedestrians, cyclists and transit users unite! Join us at the gathering of Ottawa's movement for safer, more liveable streets. On Wednesday, May 16, Ecology Ottawa is pleased to host a summit on active transportation at the Christ Church Cathedral Great Hall (414 Sparks St.) from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Do you walk, cycle or take the bus in Ottawa? Do you want to know more about what the city can do to better accommodate all modes of travel?Ottawa is at a watershed moment for progress on walking, cycling and transit. The City of Ottawa’s new policy on “complete streets” for all users, the advent of a transformative Light Rail Transit project, and substantial infrastructure investments from the provincial and federal governments make this a key moment to assess an outlines for implementing a safe, healthy and environmentally responsible streetscape at scale.