Lansdowne is a city-wide and regional tourist attraction. The revitalization of Lansdowne will be one of the largest projects considered during this term of Ottawa City Council, and will involve significant additional borrowing at a time when the City is under financial pressure. Transparency and a process that builds public confidence in the decision-making process are essential, and proposals must be in the public interest.
Ecology Ottawa Delegation Opposes Tewin Clear-Cutting
Ecology Ottawa gave a delegation at the meeting of City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee in opposition to the recent destruction of over 70 hectares of forested lands at the city's southeast edge.
Ask Environment Committee to discuss the Tewin clear-cut
Two weeks ago, we learned that 70 hectares of forested land had been stripped bare in the southeast end of Ottawa. While the City initially issued a stop-work order, they ultimately lifted it, allowing this clear-cutting to continue—as it does today. Approximately 25,000 trees have already been destroyed; how many more will be destroyed if the City doesn’t act?
We need you to take action.
Transit Commission approves funding for electric transit buses
The circumstances behind the Transit Commission’s emergency meeting on January 27 gave cause for some suspicion. The meeting was called for the commission to approve the funding being directed to Ottawa’s planned Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) acquisition, which includes a $350M grant from Infrastructure Canada and a $75M drawdown from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, before the city council draft budget meeting on February 1.
Speak Up Against the Clear-Cutting of Tewin Lands
Ottawa residents can speak up against the appalling clear-cutting of Tewin Lands by signing our form letter calling on Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to hold those responsible accountable for this senseless destruction.
Thin ice, brought to you by Enbridge
This has been one of the warmest winters on record in the National Capital Region – for the first time ever, the Rideau Canal Skateway won’t open, and ice sculptures melted in the streets during Ottawa’s beloved Winterlude festival. Winter sports keep us healthy and happy, but fossil-fuelled climate change is melting the snow and ice they depend on. That's why fossil fuel company Enbridge Gas’ sponsorship of the Winterlude festival is wrong.
Peoples Official Plan on Ottawa's 2023 City Budget
Members of the Peoples Official Plan coalition held a press conference addressing the shortfalls of Ottawa City Council's 2023 Budget. Speakers included Alice Irene Whittaker, Executive Director, Ecology Ottawa, Angela Keller-Herzog, Executive Director, Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES), Laura Neidhart, Chair, Just Food, Laura Shantz, Board Member, Ottawa Transit Riders, Paul Johanis, Chair, Greenspace Alliance of of Canada’s Capital and Roland Dorsay, Director-at-Large, Federation of Citizens’ Associations Ottawa (FCA).
Ecology Ottawa Delegates on the 2023 Transportation Budget
Ecology Ottawa was at City Council’s Transportation Committee again on February 23 as the committee considered transportation items for the City’s 2023 budget. We’ve provided our delegation below. You can also watch the recording.
Watch now: webinar on turning our yellow buses green
We recently hosted a fantastic webinar on electric school buses and what we can do to make it a reality in Ontario. We are profoundly grateful for the support of everyone who joined our discussion, and for those unable to join live, here is the recording and the slides. Our speakers, Dr Laura Minet from the Clean Air Lab at the University of Victoria discussing transportation related emissions and Dr Eugenie Waters from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Ontario Regional Committee, discussing the negative health impacts of diesel emissions were riveting. It could not be clearer that the evidence for moving away from diesel exhaust is strong and now is the time for us to take action.
Reflecting on a decade: Ten things I love about you, Ottawa
By Velta Tomsons
(Le français suit.)
Dear friends, community members and supporters,
My name is Velta, and I have been involved with Ecology Ottawa in one form or another for almost ten years. There is a significant chance we know each other! Whether we met at one of our Eco Galas, or if it was knocking on your door, asking for your signature, giving you a tree, or at any of the hundreds of local community events that I have attended in my time - I hope you know how much your contributions have meant to not just Ecology Ottawa, but to me personally.