As local environmental organizations from Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto, and Windsor - we are deeply concerned about the proposed legislation from the Ontario government that would deny municipalities the ability to install new bike lanes on major streets without provincial approval. If passed, the new rules would severely limit municipalities’ ability to protect all road users, fight climate change, and ease congestion. We call on our local MPPs to speak out against this serious overreach into municipalities’ ability to make the best transportation decisions for their residents, and we call on the Province to work collaboratively with municipalities on solutions instead of undermining them.
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.
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!
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.
As Council conducts a feasibility study on incineration, learn more about the environmental inequity of waste management and its impacts on marginalized communities.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!