Media Releases

Media Release: Elections Survey: Candidates Agree Urgent Action Needed on Climate Change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Elections Survey: Candidates Agree Urgent Action Needed on Climate Change

OTTAWA (September 27, 2014): – Just days after incumbent mayor Jim Watson said in an environmental all candidates debate that the city has “a moral and ecological responsibility” to address climate change, local environmental organization Ecology Ottawa releases its report on the views of candidates for city council on the issue.

Ecology Ottawa takes to the campaign Trail - Ottawa Citizen

Original article here

Download PDF here

For search engines here’s the text (since it’s not OCRed in the PDF):

Velta Tomsons delivers her doorstep stump speech like a pro.

After introducing herself to the Blackburn Hamlet resident, Tomsons explains that she’s looking for signatures for a petition asking the city to update its forestry management policy, which dates back to 2003.

Climate and the Civic Race - Ottawa Citizen

Original article here

Download PDF here

For search engines here's the text (since it's not OCRed in the PDF):

Climate change is an urgent issue for the municipal government and the city should go beyond its plan to address air quality and climate change, according to the majority of council candidates who responded to a survey by Ecology Ottawa.

Election survey shows whopping majority of candidates see city role on climate change

In our second report on where candidates stand, the agreement is overwhelming.

91% of those polled agree there is a role for the City of Ottawa in tackling climate change.

More than eight in ten will push for the full implementation of the city's new climate change management plan and an equally high percentage would work to see the city exceed the greenhouse gas reduction targets the plan has set. Several of those who didn't agree to push for full implementation said it was because they weren't familiar with the plan, not necessarily because they objected to the plan.

Complete Streets wins overwhelming approval - updated

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 - Sixty-five candidates have now submitted their answers to Ecology Ottawa's Complete Street campaign questions. See the updated report here.

NDP MP moves motion to support urban forests

September 24, 2014

OTTAWA – Today, on National Tree Day, NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) introduced a Private Members’ Motion calling on the government to establish an Urban Forestry Strategy.

“Urban forests impact 85% of Canadians, yet we lag behind other G7 countries in the value we place on them,” said Mathyssen. “In the United States, management of urban forests falls under a responsibility equivalent to that of a Canadian deputy minister. Here in Canada, we lead the world in destruction of our forests. It’s a shame, and we can do better.”

Kitchissippi Tree Planting Initiative

Locals Standing up for Trees

Some exciting events are happening in Kitchissippi Ward! There is an organized group of people who are passionate about trees and are actively improving their urban canopy. Have you heard of the Champlain Oaks? This is their story and how they have inspired people to stand up for them.

The Champlain Oaks are old-growth remnants of an oak forest that once lined the Ottawa River from Chaudiere Falls to Deschenes Rapids. The oldest of them are confirmed to be more than 160 years! The neighborhood of Champlain Park – near the Champlain Bridge in the West End of Ottawa – has managed to preserve more than two dozen of these centuries-old trees.

ClimateFast’s Conversations on Climate Change

From our friends at ClimateFast

Conversations on Climate Change and What We Are All Doing to Make A Difference

Sept 28-Oct 2nd — Events every day — on-going fast and vigil on Parliament Hill Sept 29-Oct 2, 9-5

Drop by and visit if you are in the neighbourhood

We are highlighting, in both our films and speaker events, different group’s creative and successful strategies that are making a difference.

Capital Ward All-Candidate Event on the Environment

RSVP here

October 15, 2014 at 7pm - 9:30pm

Join us as we meet and learn about our candidates in Capital ward hoping to represent us at City Council. Listen to them explain their platforms, debate issues and answer your questions on the environment. It looks to be a very informative evening!

add it to your calendar

Rideau-Rockcliffe (ward 13) All Candidates Meeting on Climate Change

Please RSVP here

Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 7pm to 9pm

Join us as Ward 13 Candidates will discuss the importance of acting on climate change and what the city of Ottawa can do about it.

TOBI NUSSBAUM
CALM HOLMSTROM
JEVONNE NICHOLAS
SHEILA PERRY
PENNY THOMPSON
PETER CLARK

will tell us if elected what they will do to meet the challenges of climate change and the environment in Ottawa

Electric Vehicles and Ottawa’s Climate Change Management Plan

To coincide with Friday's Electric Vehicle Showcase taking place on Sparks Street, Ecology Ottawa is releasing its report Electric Vehicles and Ottawa’s Climate Change Management Plan.

The report goes beyond the City's Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan commitments to increase the City's own electric vehicle fleet and encourage a city wide network of charging stations. The report details and quantifies some of the benefits of expanded electric vehicle use in Ottawa such as cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The report also recommends additional specific actions the City can undertake, including specific partners with whom they can engage and specific considerations that will make a network of charging stations most successful.

Rideau-Vanier candidates pledge to make transportation safer and more accessible

A packed house assembled at the Guiges Centre on Murray Street on a September 15th warmly applauded commitments by Rideau-Vanier candidates to push for lower speed limits on King Edward Street, where traffic accidents have claimed ten lives over the last decade. Candidates Marc Aubin and Catherine Fortin LeFaivre both judged it unacceptable to simply wait for a proposed tunnel to remove transport trucks from the area.