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Should Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson use some of the federal light rapid transit funds to improve sewage infrastructure? For Ottawa citizens it’s hard to decide. While most of us strongly support a sewage-free river, we also understand the environmental, economic and practical necessity of building an LRT. But before choosing sides, here is Ottawa Riverkeeper’s take on the debate . . .
It’s no surprise that escalating environmental concerns are prompting a growing need for sustainable solutions. There is a strong public voice of support for urgent action, strengthened environmental regulations and sustainable decision making. So why is our federal government carrying out a methodical and relentless plan to deregulate and defund Canada’s environmental programs? It’s a ...
Ottawa Riverkeeper is sad to learn that Algonquin Elder William Commanda, known by the honourary title of “grandfather,” passed away in his home on Wednesday. He was 97. Grandfather Commanda was a leader, teacher and dear friend. He was a man of inspiration who worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between cultures. He believed that respect, justice and harmony could be achieved between ...
Do you know where your tap water comes from? How much of it there is? How often it is tested or how easily it could become contaminated? To many people, these questions are of little consequence – provided, of course, that when they turn on their taps, the water keeps flowing and when they drink their water, they don’t get sick. In light of the recent ban on all outdoor water use ...
Ottawa Riverkeeper, Friends of the Gatineau River and Citizens for the Protection of the Gatineau River have written a joint position paper on the proposed septage treatment facility in La Pêche, QC, to inform the public of our take on the issue, and to put forth recommendations to the decision-makers involved in this project that will help to ensure that the waters of the Gatineau River remain swimmable, drinkable and fishable for future generations.
All around the Ottawa River Watershed there are plans in the making. Plans to build dams, plans to take more water, plans to dump more sewage into the river, plans to build on floodplains, plans to develop houses and industries where forests, wetlands and agricultural lands have been silently providing our communities with natural capital. We have rules and regulations with consequences for ...
Road salts pose a significant threat to our environment and put the health of our groundwater and surface water resources at risk. The sodium and chloride ions which form salt, as well as the toxic contaminants commonly added to road salt to prevent clumping and to make it more effective at melting ice, can infiltrate into our groundwater, accumulate in soils and can wash into our surface ...
Clearcutting of the Beaver Pond Forest has begun. KNL Developments, a partnership between Urbandale and Richcraft, has started clearing a 29-hectare section of Kanata’s South March Highlands — which includes two square kilometres of Beaver Pond Forest — to make way for a 3,200-house subdivision. The development was approved 7 years ago by Ottawa City Council, but has met stiff ...
Population growth in Ontario is raising important issues that go well beyond the loud debate about intensification vs. sprawl. As our cities grow, so too does the amount of waste we produce. Simple math says that, if we continue to manage our waste to the same standards we do today, we will continue to see an absolute growth in the amount of effluents – including nitrogen and phosphorous – loaded into our local waterways.
Community leaders gather to discuss the health and future of the Ottawa River and agree, greater cooperation is needed to protect this great resource. Recap: Ottawa River Summit 2010 The Ottawa River flows through many diverse communities (including Canada’s capital) and connects everyone who lives within its boundaries. This remarkable and vast watershed is more than twice the ...