News Releases
Ecology Ottawa praises the NCC’s greenbelt expansion plan, denounces developers opposed to the idea
Jan. 26, 2012 (Ottawa) — Ecology Ottawa praised the National Capital Commission (NCC) today for its plan to further expand Ottawa’s greenbelt and denounced members of the development community who are already working to undermine this responsible move.
“The NCC’s intention to add a 10 per cent expansion beyond the existing Greenbelt over 50 years is exactly that type of visionary idea that Ottawa needs more of,” said Graham Saul, chair of Ecology Ottawa.
The local environmental organization denounced those in the development community that are speaking out against the plan.
“These businesses and associations seem to be acting like the opposite of good corporate citizens,” said Trevor Haché, the group’s policy coordinator. “Greedy agendas driven by vested interests should be outright rejected by the National Capital Commission, Ottawa city council, and Ottawa’s citizens.”
“Developers already cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars appealing the previous council’s decision to limit the expansion of the urban boundary,” added Saul. “And now they are suggesting that we should pave over our parks and farms instead of focusing on building a world class city that we can all be proud of.”
Ecology Ottawa believes that the NCC’s plan will further allow the city to become both environmentally and financially sustainable. Indeed, sprawl’s destructive effects are well known. It promotes pollution and excess energy consumption from car traffic, and increases run-off of polluted water from miles of asphalt. It is also expensive, creating far-flung infrastructure that is costly to service and maintain.
“The success of the city’s light rail plan depends on greater density inside the Greenbelt—not more sprawl,” Saul said. “Compact and walkable neighbourhoods, a concentration of residential development around public transportation corridors, and the preservation of green spaces and rural areas are critical to ensuring our nation’s capital realizes its full potential.”
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For more information, please contact:
Graham Saul, chair, Ecology Ottawa
613-558-3368 (cell); 613-860-5353 (work)
Trevor Haché, policy coordinator, Ecology Ottawa
613-860-5353 (work)
Ecology Ottawa congratulates Mayor Watson and city councillors for one of the greenest budgets in years
Community group hopes to make further progress with city hall in 2012
November 30, 2011 (Ottawa, ON) – Mayor Jim Watson and Ottawa’s city councillors were congratulated today by Ecology Ottawa for passing a fairly good budget, from an environmental perspective.
“This is the greenest budget in years, but unfortunately it lacks a clear vision on the greatest challenge facing the world today: climate change,” said Trevor Haché, policy coordinator of Ecology Ottawa.
However, the local environmental organization was impressed by the investments made in cycling (70 kilometres of paved shoulders, an additional $12.1 million of funding for cycling infrastructure over three years) and pedestrian infrastructure, and the commitment to establish a “Green Express Lane,” for those builders who strive to be more energy efficient and who set the bar high on water conservation, incorporate reused materials, minimize waste from construction and demolition, and work to reduce strain on our roadways by being close to transit.
As Mayor Jim Watson said in his budget speech:
“We will examine and pre-approve the new Better Build techniques we want to give priority to and we will support them. Builders and homeowners who include these Better Build techniques such as solar hot water heaters, photovoltaic systems, storm and gray water re-use systems will not face barriers, they will instead get express lane service.”
Ecology Ottawa has been calling for such an express lane since at least March 2009 and we look forward to working with staff and elected representatives at city hall to ensure that bar is set high with regard to which projects will qualify for this expedited service.[1]
“We are also glad to see money ($1.4 million) dedicated toward the Environmentally Sensitive Land Fund created last year,” said Haché.
There were, however, numerous things in the budget that Ecology Ottawa was opposed to, including:
- another 2.5% fare increase to OC Transpo, we already have some of the most expensive fares in the country, if not the most expensive
- a decision to increase the cost of the U-Pass to $180 per semester, which could lead to the program being voted down in students’ referendums in 2012
- despite some $5 million in targeted investments to reduce congestion and over-crowding, the $22 million cut earlier this year in annual funding from OC Transpo’s operating budget was not restored
- millions of dollars committed to widening roads
- millions of dollars committed to building new roads
“Ultimately, the city needs to move in the direction of having the services used by personal vehicular users paid for by those drivers,” said Haché. “Parking is currently the only user fee of this sort. Why are there not fees for the use of roads, when fees exist for almost every other service the city provides? In the case of transit, users are expected to cover 50% of the cost of service directly through fares. Something along the lines of road tolls, a municipal gas tax, a vehicle tax, and increases in parking rates are clearly needed if the city is to balance its budgets in a way that is equitable and consistent across service areas.”
Ecology Ottawa sent a letter to the Mayor’s Online Pre-budget Public Consultation and made a presentation on the draft budget to the Environment Committee, asking for city council’s support for three programs (Municipal Financing of Energy Retrofits, Community Owned Solar Power Systems on City Facilities, and a Low Income Energy Efficiency Assistance Strategy), none of which had funding dedicated toward them in Budget 2012.[2]
We hope to work with city staff, the mayor and city councillors to find funding in the existing envelopes to make progress on these issues in 2012. And, if no progress can be made with the existing funding, we will be back when the 2013 Budget is being discussed to ask for them again.
“Overall, this budget is a good first step in charting a new course of action for the city of Ottawa, environmentally speaking,” Haché said. “We hope the nation’s capital will soon become a nationwide leader in taking action on climate change, by doing more to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, and building a world-class, affordable public transportation system. We also want to see progress on waste diversion, as Ottawa can do a better job at reducing, reusing and recycling, and should be involved in pushing for individual producer responsibility, i.e., make individual producers fully responsible for meeting waste diversion requirements for both residential and IC&I waste.”[3]
With the city’s Environmental Strategy, Choosing Our Future, and Phase 2 of Ottawa’s Waste Plan all scheduled to be released in 2012, Ecology Ottawa looks forward to working with the mayor, all city councillors and staff to build on the environmental successes of this year’s budget.
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For more information, please contact:
Trevor Haché
Policy Coordinator
Ecology Ottawa
(613) 860-5353
[1] Ecology Ottawa. “Building Ottawa’s Energy Revolution: How the City of Ottawa Can Encourage Greener Building Practices.” March 2009. Available on-line: www.ecologyottawa.ca/webyep-system/program/download.php?FILENAME=88-17-at-PDF_File_Upload_2.pdf&ORG_FILENAME=Building_Ottawa%27s_Energy_Revolution-march-2009.pdf
[2] Ecology Ottawa. “Ecology Ottawa 2012 Budget Recommendations on Greening Ottawa’s Homes and Buildings.” Letter to Mayor Jim Watson’s Online Pre-budget Public Consultation. October 5, 2011. Available on-line: http://bit.ly/r32yTQ
[3] Association of Municipalities of Ontario. “Waste Diversion should be among the Province’s Top Environmental Priorities States Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner‘s Annual Report.” AMO Breaking News. Website text. 29 November 2011. www.amo.on.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=163932
How green is Ottawa City Hall under Mayor Jim Watson?
Ecology Ottawa grades mayor and city councillors for 2011
November 23, 2011 (Ottawa, ON) – Ecology Ottawa today released the 2011 edition of its environmental report card of Ottawa City Council. This fifth annual report card is the first for Mayor Jim Watson and many first-time councillors.
The majority of councillors received grades in the B & C range. Only Councillor Doug Thompson earned a lower grade, coming home with a D. Councillors Chernushenko, Fleury, Holmes and Hume each netted an A. Mayor Jim Watson earned a respectable B, which represents a dramatic change from his predecessor, Mayor Larry O’Brien, who consistently scored at the back of the class. The closer grouping of grades in this year’s report card is reflective of a less divided, more unified council and the tighter governing style of Mayor Watson. Council members’ grades are based on how they voted on key environmental decisions made at City Hall during the past year.
“Under Mayor Watson and the new Council, Ottawa has enjoyed some positive environmental decisions related to cycling and renewable energy,” said Alison Harman, co-chair of the 2011 Council Watch report team. “However, Ecology Ottawa is concerned that cuts to OC Transpo’s budget and service levels, together with spending on new roads, is failing to make Ottawa a leader in combating climate change. Ottawa is being left in the dust by other Canadian cities like Vancouver.”
To read the full report card, please click here. The grades of each councillor and the mayor are as follows:
| Jim Watson | Mayor | B |
| Stephen Blais | Cumberland | C+ |
| Rainer Bloess | Innes | C+ |
| David Chernushenko | Capital | A+ |
| Rick Chiarelli | College | B |
| Peter Clark | Rideau-Rockcliffe | C+ |
| Mathieu Fleury | Rideau-Vanier | A- |
| Diane Deans | Gloucester-Southgate | C+ |
| Steve Desroches | Gloucester-South Nepean | B |
| Keith Egli | Knoxdale-Merivale | C+ |
| Eli El-Chantiry | West Carleton-March | B |
| Jan Harder | Barrhaven | C- |
| Katherine Hobbs | Kitchissippi | B |
| Diane Holmes | Somerset | A+ |
| Allan Hubley | Kanata South | C- |
| Peter Hume | Alta Vista | A- |
| Maria McRae | River | B |
| Scott Moffatt | Rideau-Goulbourn | B |
| Bob Monette | Orleans | C- |
| Shad Qadri | Stittsville | B |
| Mark Taylor | Bay | B |
| Tim Tierney | Beacon Hill-Cyrville | C+ |
| Doug Thompson | Osgoode | D |
| Marianne Wilkinson | Kanata North | B |
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For more information, please contact:
Trevor Hache
policy coordinator, Ecology Ottawa
Work: 613-860-5353; Cell: 613-866-9912
E-mail: trevor.hache@ecologyottawa.ca
Ecology Ottawa turns trash into treasure with the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale
4th annual event to raise funds for local environmental group and The Ottawa Food Bank
May 25, 2011, Ottawa—The national capital’s leading local environmental group, Ecology Ottawa, is planning their most exciting event of the year, the 4th Annual Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale, on May 28. As thousands of bargain-hunters descend on the Glebe, the grassroots organization’s dedicated volunteers and staff will be hosting what is expected to be the largest single sale of the event at 99 Glebe Avenue.
After collecting donations from more than 75 supporters across the city, the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale will have mountains of treasures waiting to find new, loving homes. The event offers residents the perfect opportunity to do some spring cleaning, divert potential waste from the landfill, and turn their trash into cash. Ninety per cent of the proceeds from the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale will go to support Ecology Ottawa, with 10% directed to The Ottawa Food Bank. Since its inception in 2008, the event has raised over $12,000 for these great organizations.
The lively event will also feature a bake sale, vegetarian BBQ, massage therapists, henna artist, music performed by local artists and DJs, Hula Hoop lessons, and face painting for kids—lots of fun for the whole family!
- WHAT: Ecology Ottawa’s 4th Annual Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale
- WHEN: Saturday, May 28, 2011, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- WHERE: 99 Glebe Avenue (between Bank and O’Connor)
- INTERVIEW OPS: Josh Snider, event Founder and Co-Chair; Sabrina Bowman, event Co-Chair; Hilary Hove, event Co-Chair; Jessie Rust-Smith, Ecology Ottawa Communications Coordinator; volunteers; and performers.
- PHOTO OPS: Garage sale, live musical performances, DJs, kids face painting, massages, henna tattooing, volunteers, BBQ, bake sale, and the coolest and most beautiful canopy tent in the city (made from reclaimed umbrellas!).
The Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale is proud to present an impressive musical line-up of Ottawa-area talent, including:
- 9 a.m.:DJHobovs. DJSweetCheeks
- 10 a.m.:ThePelts
- 11 a.m.: Angèle Desjardins
- 12 p.m.: Shores & Acres
- 1 p.m.:CelesteCôté
- 2 p.m.:Timekode‘sDJEricRoberts, with a specialhip-hopperformance at 2:15 p.m. byJakuKonbit‘sGreenStarEnterpriseyouthgroupmembers
In addition to the main event at 99 Glebe Avenue, the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale will also have a presence at 680 Bank Street (at Clemow), courtesy of major sponsor Kundstadt Sports. Expect a second veggie BBQ and bake sale, information about Ecology Ottawa, and some fun surprises!
Folks across the city can still support this fun and important event by donating unwanted items for the sale, volunteering, baking something yummy for the bake sale, and spreading the word to family, friends, and colleagues. And, of course, everyone is encouraged stop by the event to find a bargain, grab a coffee, have lunch, enjoy the performances, and learn more about Ecology Ottawa. For more information, please contact garagesale@ecologyottawa.ca or visit www.ecologyottawa.ca/garage-sale.
The organizers would like to acknowledge the generous sponsors and supporters of the event: A Channel’s A Morning Show, Arbour Environmental Shoppe, Bread and Sons Bakery, Bridgehead, City Repair Ottawa, Comfort Station Toilet Rentals, CouchAssassin.com, Jaku Konbit’s GreenStar Enterprise youth program, K6 Media, Katimavik, Kettleman’s Bagel Co., Kunstadt Sports, Life of Pie, Loblaws, Martin Sound & Lighting, Real Canadian Superstore, Roy Sims Display, Sage Massage Therapy, Shoppers Drug Mart, The Scone Witch, and more to be announced soon.
“Everyone is invited to join us at the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale,” says event Founder and Co-Chair Josh Snider. “Come out to find a bargain, enjoy some tasty treats, dance to some great local music, and support the environment in Ottawa.”
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For media inquiries and event information, please contact:
Josh Snider
Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale Founder & Co-Chair
Ecology Ottawa Steering Committee Member
613-321-3392
MEDIA ADVISORY – For Immediate release
Collaborate with Ecology Ottawa to Create Energy Efficiency
May 24th, 2011 (Ottawa) – Ontario’s micro feed-in tariff program provides an unprecedented opportunity for everyone to become generators of clean electricity. Ecology Ottawa and the Tucker House Renewal Centre are hosting a workshop tonight for those who are interested in installing solar panels, either individually or with others in the community. This workshop provides an opportunity to learn about how you can install solar panels under the microFIT program.
When: Tuesday May 24th, at 7 p.m.
Where: Ron Kolbus Centre, 102 Greenview Ave, come learn
Building Community Power with Ecology Ottawa in Nepean
“Building Community Power” is a program to foster leadership on clean energy in Ottawa’s communities. The program is hosting meetings and workshops across Ottawa over the course of two years, currently in Ottawa’s west end. Church groups, schools, community associations, and businesses are learning about how they can play a role in the clean energy future. Many are teaching others about the importance of clean energy and putting up solar systems to lead the way.
With Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act, there exists an unprecedented opportunity right now to shift energy systems to clean ones. Everyone has a role to play and the Building Community Power project is helping communities become clean power havens!
Media are invited to attend the community meetings and workshops. Details are included below:
- May 27, 7-9pm, Trinity Church, 1099 Maitland Ave
- June 7, 7-9pm, First United/ All Saints Anglican Church, 347 Richmond Rd.
- June 8, 7-9pm, Beaverbrook Community Center, 2 Beaverbrook Road
For more information, contact janice.ashworth@ecologyottawa.ca
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Editor’s Note:
Click here for more information about Ecology Ottawa’s clean energy projects.
For more information about Building Community Power, please contact:
Janice Ashworth – Community Organizer
Ecology Ottawa
E-mail: janice.Ashworth@EcologyOttawa.ca
Work: 613.860.5353
Local Group Launches Unprecedented Ad Campaign to Protect Ottawa-Area Clean Energy Jobs
Ecology Ottawa wants Ontario’s political leaders to come clean about their long-term energy strategy
May 16, 2011 (Ottawa) - Ecology Ottawa launched an unprecedented advertising campaign today to draw attention to the clean energy jobs that are being created in Ottawa and to call on Ontario’s leaders to come clean about their long-term energy plans for the province. Over the next week, roughly 100 radio ads will run on two Ottawa-area radio stations, and the campaign will be extended to other stations and local newspapers in the weeks and months to come. This is the first time that a local environmental organization has launched a radio and print advertising campaign to highlight the value of jobs associated with the growing clean energy sector in Ottawa.
“Ontario’s clean energy policy is putting people to work across the City of Ottawa,” said Graham Saul, Chair of Ecology Ottawa. “The province is on track to phase out dirty coal, meet more of our energy needs with renewable energy, and create tens of thousands of clean energy jobs in the growing solar, wind, small-hydro and biogas industries. We are running the ads because we want to do our part to keep the province moving in the right direction.”
The 30 second radio ads, which will start running today on Lake 88.1 and 1310 News, express concern that Ottawa area jobs will be “taken away because some politicians may not like solar power.” The ads ask: “Do they like dirty coal?”
“Politicians should come clean about their long-term energy strategy and avoid ill-conceived announcements that will kill renewable energy initiatives in the Ottawa-area and put thousands of people across the province out of work,” said Graham Saul. “Ontario needs clean energy jobs, not more dirty coal.”
The ads are being launched by Ecology Ottawa in cooperation with other organizations involved in the website comeclean.ca, and Ecology Ottawa is also holding events across the city to help people save money through energy efficiency and invest in clean energy opportunities. This week’s events include a workshop on May 17 at 7pm at the Ron Kolbus Centre where participants will learn 25 low cost ways to save 25% on their energy budget, and a community meeting on May 17 at 7pm at the First United/All Saints Anglican Church in Westboro, where community members are invited to learn about opportunities to generate solar power. For more information on Ecology Ottawa’s work to promote clean energy in communities across the city, see: http://www.ecologyottawa.ca/community-energy/
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For more information: Graham Saul, cell: 613-558-3368, email: graham.saul@ecologyottawa.ca
# # #
To hear our clean energy radio ad, airing starting on May 16, click the link below:
clean_energy_jobs_radio_spot
MEDIA ADVISORY – For immediate release
Clean Energy Petition Show of Support at City Hall
March 8, 2011 (Ottawa) – Ecology Ottawa is mobilizing citizens citywide to attend the Special City Council meeting related to Budget 2011happening in Andrew S. Haydon Hall today in a show of support for the organization’s Clean Energy Petition.
As of today, 1,750 Ottawa citizens (representing every Ward in the city) had signed the Clean Energy Petition, which says:
“We, the undersigned, fully support clean energy in Ottawa. We recognize that investing in clean and efficient energy systems is about saving money and doing the right thing at the same time. With this in mind, we call on Council to invest in the health and prosperity of our city and to make clean energy a funding priority during the upcoming budget debate.
We call on our Mayor and all City Councillors to use Budget 2011 to show financial and political support for renewable energy production— such as solar panels on municipally-owned buildings—energy efficiency improvements to social housing, a program to leverage community investment in renewable energy, as well as incentives to ensure more green buildings are built in Ottawa.”
Ecology Ottawa supporters will don green hard hats to signify our desire for the city to commit to clean energy and the creation of green-collared jobs.
Media are invited to attend the event and photo opportunity at City Hall. Details are found below:
What: Clean Energy Petition Show of Support
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W. (Lisgar Street entrance)
When: 12:15-12:45 p.m.
As well, please find the event agenda below:
12:15 p.m. — Individuals assemble at Lisgar St. entrance to City Hall (at Cartier St.)
12:25 p.m. — Brief remarks from Ecology Ottawa
12:30-12:45 p.m. — Individuals wearing green hard hats silently walk into Council Chambers and respectfully watch the proceedings for 15 minutes*
* Though we will be silent, and will in no way interrupt the proceedings of the City Council meeting, dozens of people walking into the Council Chambers and sitting together (while wearing the green hard hats) is an action that will surely get the attention of City Council.
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Editor’s note:
Click here for more information on Ecology Ottawa’s budget priorities. Media can view the text of Ecology Ottawa’s Clean Energy Budget petition here.
For more information about the event please contact:
Janice Ashworth
Community Organizer
Ecology Ottawa
(613) 860-5353
janice.ashworth@ecologyottawa.ca