Last week, the City of Toronto launched its innovative new Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). This financing program is unique in Canada in that loan payments to the City can be made over a period of up to 15 years as a special (local improvement) charge indicated on the property tax bill. There are many advantages of this approach. HELP allows homeowners to avoid the large upfront cost of home energy improvements and pay for them over time. If the property is sold before the loan is repaid, the new owner will assume the balance of the loan and continue to repay it through the property tax bill. In many cases, the loan payments will be less than the energy savings obtained, giving homeowners immediate relief on their energy bills.
Last night I hosted a party for neighbours in Kitchissippi Ward so we could tell our elected officials face to face in a friendly way that we have deep concerns about the Energy East pipeline.
Our City Councillor, MPP and MP all came and all stayed for the duration; talking about pipelines, spills and climate change for almost three hours with their voters.
You’re invited to a thought-provoking evening with Olympians, snow experts and ski professionals in the run-up to the Olympics, the Canadian Ski Marathon and the Gatineau Loppet. Ecology Ottawa is hosting a free event entitled The Future of Snow and Skiing in a Warming World.
WHEN - Wednesday February 5, 2014, 7:30pm to 9:00pm WHERE - at The Canada Aviation and Space Museum - 11 Aviation Parkway [NEW LOCATION]
February 5 at The Canada Aviation and Space Museum [NOTE NEW LOCATION] - free admission
This event has taken place - see video here
More details here
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Bur Oak cross-section mounted on the Champlain Park field house.[/caption]
Dozens of people gathered at the Champlain Park Fieldhouse to celebrate the unveiling of two historical installations. Beautifully designed and mounted, these displays recognize the significance the stately Bur Oak, Samuel de Champlain, and the Cowley family have for Champlain Park residents and indeed the history of this part of the Ottawa River.
With the generous support of the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund (Ontario Ministry of the Environment), the Crabtree Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Foundation; Ecology Ottawa has created the Community Initiatives Guidebook.
The guide has been divided into 4 sections: 
- What is the Ecology Ottawa Community Network?
- General Roles and Process: Ecology Ottawa, Community Organizers, and Initiative-Specific Teams.
The National Capital chapter of the Friends of the Environment Foundation TD, have awarded Ecology Ottawa and the Alta Vista Neighbourhood Team more than $5000 to continue planting in Orlando Park.
With the City of Ottawa's forestry department help, neighbours, members of the Alta Vista Community Association and Ecology Ottawa volunteers got together to plant 100 native trees in the first phase of planting on October 19th, 2013.