You may have heard of the "climate fresk." But what is it, how did it start, and what happens at one? Our Council Watcher Lesley Isaro recently attended a climate fresk in Westboro to find out.
I want to share some exciting news with you. After serving as Program Coordinator at Ecology Ottawa for two years, I stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director in July; today, I’m honoured to write to you as permanent Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa.
Today, Ecology Ottawa and Walkable Ottawa released a report with comprehensive recommendations on the City of Ottawa’s draft Zoning By-law to foster connected living, as well as a video featuring Ottawans across the city sharing their neighbourhood story.
At a meeting of City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee on Wednesday, November 13, Ecology Ottawa called for further funding of climate action in Ottawa, improvements to the City's budget consultation process, and more trees—many more trees
Earlier this week, we joined forces with passionate advocates to stand against Doug Ford's anti-bike lane legislation. Ecology Ottawa's Interim Executive Director, William van Geest, addressed the crowd at a rally against bike lane removal legislation. Please read our remarks below.
The Ontario government recently proposed legislation that would enable the Province to weigh in on transportation projects involving bike lanes where car facilities are removed. This legislation is problematic from many important standpoints—not least of all because it won’t benefit anyone, not even drivers. Learn why it’s so misguided and what you can do about it.
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.
In November of 2023, staff recommended that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) vote to extend Section 11 of the Site Alteration Bylaw from 2 kilometres outside the urban area to the entire rural area. Among other regulations, Section 11 prevents people from clearcutting trees without the approval of the city. Despite the recommendations of staff, on October 3, 2024, ARAC proposed that this area (initially the entire rural area around Ottawa) be restricted to just 1 kilometre outside of the urban area of Ottawa. Instead of a step forward as recommended last year, this is a step backwards. This amendment puts the natural environment at unnecessary risk, and Ecology Ottawa calls on the City to vote against the amendment to this bylaw which will be brought to council on Wednesday, October 16.
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.