Ward 7 - Bay - Ecology Ottawa

Want to know how Ward 7 City Council candidates compare in terms of taking climate action? Then read on!

1. The YES/NO grid below shows whether candidates agree to commit to a specific environmental action.

2. The devil is in the details. Not all "yes" or "no" answers are equal. We HIGHLY recommend reading the long answers found beneath the grid, to get a real understanding of how committed Candidates are to a range of environmental issues.

Ward 7 - Bay
	Questions	Answers
		Theresa Kavanagh	Robert Hill	Othman Alhusain
1	Will you commit to fully funding and implementing the City of Ottawa’s Energy Evolution Plan?	Yes	Yes	Yes
2	Will you commit to no more extensions of the urban boundary, and support building more 15-minute neighborhoods throughout the City of Ottawa, not just in the urban core?	Yes	Yes	Yes
3	Will you commit to phasing out natural gas infrastructure and prioritize conservation and efficiency over new, renewed or expanded gas infrastructure?	Yes	Yes	No
4	Will you commit to investing in energy efficient housing for lower income communities, and ensuring that the costs of retrofits are not passed down to tenants?	Yes	Yes	Yes
5	Will you commit to prioritizing climate adaptation planning for the city, including measures to protect people, infrastructure and city services, and to ensure that the city's most vulnerable populations are supported during extreme climate events?	Yes	Yes	Yes
6	Will you commit to building a public transit system that is rapid, reliable, affordable and accessible for all users, with proper transit routes within rural, suburban and lower income communities?	Yes	Yes	Yes
7	Will you commit to an active transit network with interconnected and protected bike lanes and multi-use paths City-wide (not just in the downtown core)?	Yes	Yes	Yes
8	Will you support our target for a 40% tree canopy cover per neighborhood and protection of mature trees through the new Tree Protection By-Law?	Yes	Yes	Yes
9	Will you ensure that the City of Ottawa prioritizes the conservation of existing greenspace, as well as biodiversity on both city and privately owned lands by actioning the following: amending the property standards by-law, as well as increasing targets for and allocating more funds towards naturalization?	Yes	Yes	Yes
10	In addition to improving recycling, will you support ambitiously collecting organic green bin waste for composting in multi-residential buildings as well as curbside, to ensure that Ottawa can avoid replacing the Trail Road landfill site with either a new landfill or an incinerator for residual waste for the foreseeable future?	Yes	Yes	Yes
11	Will you support the introduction of a user pay system for curbside residual waste collection, where residents pay for the bags or containers that they put out for collection, according to the actual level of service that they use?	Yes	No	Yes
12	If elected, would you intentionally include, and work in partnership with, the Algonquin Anishinaabe people and other Indigenous people in the creation and implementation of environmental policies?	Yes	Yes	Yes
13	Will you commit to developing strategies that bring Ottawans at all diversity intersections together on environmental issues?	Yes	Yes	Yes
	# Yes	13	12	12
	# No	0	1	1

Q1 - Will you commit to fully funding and implementing the City of Ottawa’s Energy Evolution Plan?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. I fully support the Energy Evolution strategy. This action plan is necessary to achieve our ambitious and necessary climate change targets. I will vote for the funding necessary to make it happen.

Robert Hill

Yes. We as a city need to do our part in ensuring a bright and healthy future for the next generation, We must commit to plans such as this to move forward in an environmentally friendly manner.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q2 - Will you commit to no more extensions of the urban boundary, and support building more 15-minute neighborhoods throughout the City of Ottawa, not just in the urban core?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. I am committed to transit-oriented intensification and increasing our city's infrastructure to support active transportation in 15-minute neighbourhoods, i.e. walking and bicycling paths, and access to city services.

Robert Hill

Yes.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q3 - Will you commit to phasing out natural gas infrastructure and prioritize conservation and efficiency over new, renewed or expanded gas infrastructure?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. I support the city's plans to retrofit its buildings, electrifying its personal and commercial vehicles and creating renewable natural gas.

Robert Hill

Yes. If we can move towards more efficient and sustainable energy sources asap then we must do so now.

Othman Alhusain

Yes. First we need to have enough renewable energy, then phase out gas infrastructure.

Q4 - Will you commit to investing in energy efficient housing for lower income communities, and ensuring that the costs of retrofits are not passed down to tenants?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. I will continue to support policies to ensure that new affordable housing buildings are required to meet energy efficiency standards whenever possible, and that retrofits to the city's aging rental stock are implemented with the goal of increasing energy efficiency and reducing costs to low income renters.

Robert Hill

Yes.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q5 - Will you commit to prioritizing climate adaptation planning for the city, including measures to protect people, infrastructure and city services, and to ensure that the city's most vulnerable populations are supported during extreme climate events?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. As Ottawa experiences more extreme weather events like floods and storms, along with the accompanying stresses on infrastructure and services, we must prioritize climate adaptation plans. Prevention measures are critical to prepare for future climate emergencies, so that Ottawa residents, especially vulnerable populations like seniors and low income persons, are not impacted so drastically in future.

Robert Hill

Yes. Climate adaptation planning is incredibly important especially at a time where the world seems to be changing at a rapid pace, We MUST support all residents in these times and the only way to do that is with a proper climate adaptation plan.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q6 - Will you commit to building a public transit system that is rapid, reliable, affordable and accessible for all users, with proper transit routes within rural, suburban and lower income communities?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. I believe that a reliable, affordable public transit system is essential to Ottawa's capacity to reach its climate change goals and many of the principles enshrined in the new Official Plan. It is key to reducing GHGs, enabling citizens to decrease their reliance on personal vehicles, and equalize access to employment, recreation, education and health.

Robert Hill

Yes. Affordable and reliable transit is an incredibly important issue that must be prioritized by all candidates.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q7 - Will you commit to an active transit network with interconnected and protected bike lanes and multi-use paths City-wide (not just in the downtown core)?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. A well- connected transportation infrastructure with protected bike lanes and multi-use pathways can contribute to the health and well being of Ottawa citizens while also achieving our collective goals for climate change action and reduction of GHGs. These are critical to our future as a progressive, sustainable world-class city where people will want to live, work and raise children.

Robert Hill

Yes.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q8 - Will you support our target for a 40% tree canopy cover per neighborhood and protection of mature trees through the new Tree Protection By-Law?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. I will continue to support measures to increase healthy outdoor green spaces and the protection of a 40% Tree Canopy or greater.

Robert Hill

Yes.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q9 - Will you prioritize the conservation of existing greenspace, as well as biodiversity on both city and privately owned lands by amending the property standards by-law, as well as increasing targets for and allocating more funds towards naturalization?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. There is increasing evidence that biodiversity is at threat in our urban/suburban environment. Preventative measures are needed to address this concern. Our property standards by-law is one tool the city has to address this issue, as well as encouraging naturalization with funding and incentives to protect at-risk species.

Robert Hill

Yes.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q10 - In addition to improving recycling, will you support ambitiously collecting green bin waste in multi-residential buildings and curbside, ensuring Ottawa avoids replacing our landfill site with either a new landfill or an incinerator anytime soon?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. Expanded collection of green bin waste in multi-residential buildings and at the curb is an important initiative that will be received well by the residents of Ottawa. I am in full support.

Robert Hill

Yes.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q11 - Will you support the introduction of a user pay system for curbside residual waste collection, where residents pay for the bags or containers that they put out for collection, according to the actual level of service that they use?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. Measures to increase engagement in important environmental initiatives must be encouraged. This is a way to promote and reward positive action by individuals toward the city's climate change goals.

Robert Hill

No. Residents are already worried about rising costs associated with their homes and adding this cost would impact them even further. I'd like to look into alternative ways to discourage waste and promote the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly recycling, composting, etc.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q12 - If elected, would you intentionally include, and work in partnership with, the Algonquin Anishinaabe people and other Indigenous people in the creation and implementation of environmental policies?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. We can only achieve real progress on our Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan through genuine partnerships with Algonquin and other Indigenous people, according to the way they choose to be consulted and included in decision-making. This is not just true for our environmental goals, but in all aspects of life in Ottawa.

Robert Hill

Yes. We must work with ALL those in this great city to move forward with an environmentally friendly and responsible city and this of course includes our indigenous friends and neighbours.

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q13 - Will you commit to developing strategies that bring Ottawans at all diversity intersections together on environmental issues?

Theresa Kavanagh

Yes. Our environmental strategies must be relevant to and reflective of the experience of the full diversity of Ottawa residents. In fact, this is the only way to ensure that our plans are grounded in principles that will ensure engagement and success for all of us over time.

Robert Hill

Yes. As I stated for question 12, We must work with ALL those in this great city to move forward with an environmentally friendly and responsible city

Othman Alhusain

Yes.

Q14 - Is there anything else you would like to share regarding your ideas, goals or commitments to improving the City's performance on climate change and environmental issues?

Ward 7 - Bay

Q1 - Will you commit to fully funding and implementing the City of Ottawa’s Energy Evolution Plan?

Q2 - Will you commit to no more extensions of the urban boundary, and support building more 15-minute neighborhoods throughout the City of Ottawa, not just in the urban core?

Q3 - Will you commit to phasing out natural gas infrastructure and prioritize conservation and efficiency over new, renewed or expanded gas infrastructure?

Q4 - Will you commit to investing in energy efficient housing for lower income communities, and ensuring that the costs of retrofits are not passed down to tenants?

Q5 - Will you commit to prioritizing climate adaptation planning for the city, including measures to protect people, infrastructure and city services, and to ensure that the city's most vulnerable populations are supported during extreme climate events?

Q6 - Will you commit to building a public transit system that is rapid, reliable, affordable and accessible for all users, with proper transit routes within rural, suburban and lower income communities?

Q7 - Will you commit to an active transit network with interconnected and protected bike lanes and multi-use paths City-wide (not just in the downtown core)?

Q8 - Will you support our target for a 40% tree canopy cover per neighborhood and protection of mature trees through the new Tree Protection By-Law?

Q9 - Will you prioritize the conservation of existing greenspace, as well as biodiversity on both city and privately owned lands by amending the property standards by-law, as well as increasing targets for and allocating more funds towards naturalization?

Q10 - In addition to improving recycling, will you support ambitiously collecting green bin waste in multi-residential buildings and curbside, ensuring Ottawa avoids replacing our landfill site with either a new landfill or an incinerator anytime soon?

Q11 - Will you support the introduction of a user pay system for curbside residual waste collection, where residents pay for the bags or containers that they put out for collection, according to the actual level of service that they use?

Q12 - If elected, would you intentionally include, and work in partnership with, the Algonquin Anishinaabe people and other Indigenous people in the creation and implementation of environmental policies?

Q13 - Will you commit to developing strategies that bring Ottawans at all diversity intersections together on environmental issues?

Q14 - Is there anything else you would like to share regarding your ideas, goals or commitments to improving the City's performance on climate change and environmental issues?

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