Media Releases

[VIDEO] Now is the Time - Three Weeks in April & May

Mid April to the beginning of May 2015 is when city councillors at the City of Ottawa will be discussing and deciding on what priorities the city should focus on for the next four years.

By the time this document, the Term of Council Priorities, gets to city council for a vote or to committees for public comment, the decisions will have already been made.

Upcoming event: Tree Ottawa Earth Day Workshop

On Wednesday, April 22nd don't miss the Tree Ottawa Workshop on Sparks Street!

The evening will feature a discussion of the importance of trees in the city of Ottawa and special guests, including Ed Lawrence, who will share their experience and knowledge.

Their advice will help us to protect, plant and promote our trees in our community.

We can't wait to see you there! Click here for more information and to RSVP!

Tree Ottawa Earth Day Workshop!

Everyone loves trees! This Earth Day, Wednesday April 22nd, Ecology Ottawa and RBC are hosting a special event to share the work of Tree Ottawa and discuss the importance of trees to our city.

We are very excited to have Ed Lawrence joining us to share his vast knowledge and many years of experience. Throughout his career Ed was head gardener to six Canadian Governors General and Prime Ministers, and can be heard weekly on CBC Radio's Ontario Today.

[Audio] Energy East pipeline puts northern environment at risk: report (CBC News)

A provincial report says the Energy East oil pipeline comes with significant environmental risk and small economic reward for northern Ontario.

The report comes out of a year-long review of the project by the Ontario Energy Board.

Part of that review were a series of public hearings held across the north last year.

The report estimates that 2,206 workers will be needed to convert the pipeline that crosses the north from natural gas to oil.

Poll shows nearly one in every two Canadians reject Energy East Proposal

(Québec). Nearly one in two Canadians reject Energy-East pipeline according to a survey to be released today by Climate Action Network. The Oracle Research survey of 3040 Canadians conducted for Climate Action Network of Canada confirms that Quebecers oppose the proposed TransCanada pipeline. It also shows that women are much more sensitive to environmental protection than men.

Wastewater treatment: Ottawa’s efforts hailed by environmentalists

Environmental groups were delighted to hear the announcement of new resources that would reduce the wastewater spills into the Ottawa River.

Representatives of all three levels of government have formalised today the allotment of new financing to the Gloucester wastewater treatment plant.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Harper government could release just over 62 million dollars for the project.

Ecology Ottawa Welcomes Delay to Energy East Pipeline after Quebec Tanker Terminal Abandoned

Groups in Ottawa and across the country welcomed the announcement by TransCanada that they would abandon plans to build a tanker terminal in Cacouna, Quebec after massive opposition. The news comes after polls found that the pipeline, and in particular the tanker terminal, was heavily opposed by Quebec residents.

“Today’s news acknowledges how widespread and serious the concerns and opposition to Energy East really are. All along the pipeline route, we’ve seen communities taking a stand to protect their local waterways from the risk of a spill this pipeline presents. This is a victory as TransCanada is effectively kicked out of Cacouna, and forced to put their project on hold for another year,” noted Ben Powless, Energy East Campaigner with Ecology Ottawa.

Seven upcoming events you won’t want to miss! April is going to be huge.

Whether it’s celebrating Earth Day, getting answers from politicians on climate change, marching in Quebec City, promoting cycling and trees in Ottawa, or pushing for environmental leadership in this year’s federal election, April is going to be a huge, huge, huge month. Here are seven upcoming events that will let you take advantage of the thaw and spring into action.

Job Posting: Election Organizer

Ecology Ottawa is looking for an Election Organizer to join a dynamic team. The Election Organizer will organize in a local riding within the context of the upcoming federal election. The goal is to promote environmental leadership at the federal level while strengthening Ecology Ottawa’s volunteer and supporter network. This position involves immersion in the tools and techniques of grassroots organizing, canvassing, volunteer management, data management and communications.

Join a discussion with our representatives about climate change (Ottawa-Vanier)

Thurs. April 9 at 7pm 400 McArthur Avenue (map) RSVP here

The Climate Change Challenge

We ask - What is each level of our government going to do about the challenge and what will your role be as our representative?

Join the Discussion with:

MAURIL BELANGER, MP, Ottawa-Vanier
MADELEINE MEILLEUR, MPP, Ottawa-Vanier
TOBI NUSSBAUM, COUNCILLOR, Rideau-Rockcliffe

REMINDER: Tree Ottawa Team Meeting

Tonight at 6 PM will be the second meeting of the Tree Team, and so much has happened since the first one!

Last time we went over (briefly) Tree Ottawa's annual report and discussed the initiative's successes as well as challenges. The group had some great idea's for how we could organize and dovetail off of existing events (such as the Great Glebe Green Garage Sale). We also got to discuss what each attendee was doing/interested in doing for Tree Ottawa and manage all of our expectations concerning time and time management.

Our Trees—Our Heritage: To Protect or Destroy?

This Thursday evening in Almonte the Mississppi Valley Field Naturalists will be hosting a lecture entitled "Our Trees—Our Heritage: To Protect or Destroy?". The talk will be given by Justin Peters, Director of Programs and Senior Naturalist for Quest Tours, and will cover various aspects of the value trees provide, as well as the many threats they face. For more details on the lecture and directions please click here to read more on the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists website.