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The City of Ottawa talks big about being a green city and saving the environment but little progress has been made in the last decade, says Councillor Clive Doucet.
Doucet was reacting Tuesday to a report at city council’s planning and environment committee titled “Refresh the City’s Environmental Strategy.” That document uses inspiring phrases to describe the city’s environmental vision. Goals are “a green city,” “development in harmony with the environment,” “a focus on walking, cycling and transit” and “clean air, water and earth.”
But Doucet says the strategy was created in 2003 and “nothing significant” has been done for the environment since then.
“We’re refreshing what?” said Doucet, adding he couldn’t take the report seriously.
He said the city vowed 10 years ago to be a transit-first community but has built big new roads and allowed rampant big-box development instead. He said the city hasn’t kept up with other cities in terms of green-roof development or improved safety for cyclists.
Alta Vista Councillor Peter Hume, chairman of the committee, urged Doucet to become involved to push the environmental file along by getting on the committee that is leading the review. Hume said Doucet should convince his fellow councillors to pay for things like grade-separated bike lanes which would greatly improve the safety of cyclists. Doucet somewhat reluctantly agreed.
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