Ottawa landfill volumes are down thanks to garbage limits, councillors hear
City councillors welcomed the news that Ottawa’s garbage limits are reducing the amount of waste going to the city’s landfills but some raised concerns about rising reports of illegal dumping.
Many Ottawa Valley residents unhappy about glyphosate spraying
A recent aerial-spraying campaign using the herbicide glyphosate prompted the emergence of a citizen-based action to oppose such spraying campaigns in the Ottawa Valley and Ontario.
‘We let this happen’: Ottawa seniors fight for climate action
Ottawa seniors are turning up the heat on climate action by demanding change for the future.
Crossing the line? Proposed protest bylaws threaten advocacy, climate activists say
Proposed bubble bylaws including in the City of Ottawa threaten the right to free speech, activists say.
Giving a dam for 50 years: Canada’s relationship with its national animal
The beaver has been an official symbol of Canada for 50 years, but we don't treat them with the respect that deserve, experts say.
Sarah Dobbin makes waves with marathon swim in support of Ottawa Riverkeeper
Sarah Dobbin had never swum more than 25 kilometres when she tackled a 50-kilometre swim from Parliament Hill to Wendover to fundraise for Ottawa Riverkeeper.
Battery project highlights clash between city’s energy goals and local concerns
A massive energy storage facility to be located in rural west-end Ottawa was recently approved by city council, but remains a contentious project among locals in the area. The planned $650-million Battery Energy Storage System is to be built along a power transmission line off of Marchurst Road between the villages Dunrobin and Carp, northwest of Kanata. It’s the second...
Advocates call for sustainable climate solutions in wake of federal election
As some vote as still being counted in the federal election, environmental advocates are highlighting a gap between public concern about climate change and the need for action, emphasizing the need for more effective communication and stronger proposals from all federal parties to bridge this divide. A recent Angus Reid Institute poll indicated that nearly 70 per cent of Canadians...
Green groups alarmed as city explores ‘waste-to-energy’ incineration project
This spring, as the City of Ottawa reviews its options for the future management of municipal waste, officials will explore a controversial proposal to build a waste-to-energy incinerator. Local environmental groups are concerned about the emissions and toxins that could be produced by an incinerator and argue the facility would incentivize overconsumption instead of encouraging greater waste reduction and higher...
New plan scraps proposal to turn ‘People’s Park’ in Old Ottawa East into four-lane highway
The City of Ottawa is no longer considering building a freeway that would have run through an expansive greenspace along Lees Avenue next to Springhurst Park, often referred to as the “People’s Park.” The open space in the Old Ottawa East neighbourhood across from the Lees LRT station has been slated for development as a highway corridor since 1966. This...
City gives $30,000 boost to accessibility makeover at conservation area to let those with disabilities enjoy nature
The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation has received a $30,000 grant from the City of Ottawa to begin an expansion of its Nature for All project creating better access to the Baxter Conservation Area for people living with disabilities . The project’s first phase saw construction of a boardwalk across a marsh to allow people using wheelchairs or walkers — as...
Repair Café showcases circular economy’s role in fighting U.S. trade war
Advocacy groups are urging residents and Ottawa city hall to focus on strengthening the local circular economy — including the voluntary repair and recycling service provided by the Ottawa Tool Library — as part of the community response to the on-going U.S. trade war with Canada. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on many Canadian exports, including vehicles, steel and aluminum,...