Newspaper articles

Beetle spells end for city's ash trees
Winter months best time to cut down infected specimens

For the ash trees on Rainbow Cres. in the city’s east end, a black spray-painted “X” on the trunk means it is one of 37 that will be nothing more than a stump by week’s end.

Ash borer infestation forces city to cut trees

City crews were out cutting down ash trees Thursday in an effort to remove trees that have been infected by the emerald ash borer.

Plus coûteux, plus complexe en Ontario

Contrairement au Québec qui offre des places en garderie à 7 $ par jour peu importe le revenu, l'Ontario a un système beaucoup plus coûteux et complexe pour les parents.

Orléans aura son rond-point... c'est confirmé
Après Gatineau, ce sera maintenant au tour du secteur Orléans à Ottawa d'être pavé d'un carrefour giratoire

Le conseil municipal d'Ottawa a donné le feu vert, hier, au projet de 2,5 millions $ financé par les trois ordres de gouvernement et qui verra le jour à l'angle des boulevards Saint-Joseph et Jeanne d'Arc.

La «cathédrale» du transport en commun

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City council report card

The third year of this city council has (finally) come to a close, and it’s time to hand out the annual Sun Ottawa City Hall report cards to this 24-member council.

Transit, garbage dominate city budget consultation

Proposed green bin fees, transit fare hikes and OC Transpo route reductions were the hot button issues at last night’s east-end city budget consultation.

Library cuts less than asked for
Council asked for $1M cut, got $700,000 reduction

Asked to trim $1 million from its 2010 budget, the board of the Ottawa Public Library instead approved cuts worth $700,000 and voted to extend library hours.

La BPO ampute son budget de 700 000 $
Les services pour les jeunes francophones seront tout de même accrus

A la demande des élus municipaux, la Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa (BPO) a réussi à réduire son budget 2010 de 700 000 $, hier, ce qui ne l'empêchera pas d'augmenter les heures d'ouverture de certaines succursales et d'accroître ses services pour les jeunes francophones de l'ouest de la Ville.

Green bin program 'just another tax,' critics charge

The proposed method of paying for the city’s new green bin program has left residents feeling that the decision was rushed, unfair, and just another tax hike from the city

Une mesure controversée fait son chemin à Ottawa

Malgré l'opposition, l'idée de ne plus taxer les commerces et les industries pour le service de recyclage et de compostage de la Ville d'Ottawa et d'imposer plutôt des frais d'utilisation uniquement aux propriétaires fonciers pour les collectes des déchets a passé le premier test au sein des élus municipaux.

Committee OKs green-bin charge

Having homeowners pay for Ottawa’s new green-bin program is a painful but necessary step toward improving the city’s environmental record, councillors said Tuesday.

Federal government takes time to pay bills, councillors learn

OTTAWA — The federal government takes its time to pay the City of Ottawa’s bills for big events like U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit, but it does pay eventually, city councillors were told Thursday.

Underground overtime

City sewer maintenance workers pulling long hours because department can’t fill jobs

Risks and rewards

As Ottawa residents prepare to weigh in on the Lansdowne Live proposal at a series of open houses starting Monday, Patrick Dare takes an in-depth look at who pays for what, and who gets what, in the public-private partnership deal.

Une célébration sous la trille et le lys

Partout à l'échelle de la province, les francophones de l'Ontario ont célébré hier l'anniversaire de leur drapeau. Hissé pour la première fois à l'Université de Sudbury le 25 septembre 1975, le drapeau vert et blanc a depuis été de toutes les batailles de l'Ontario français.

Discussions houleuses à la table du conseil municipal d'Ottawa

L'entente à l'amiable conclue avec le consortium Siemens-Ciment St-Laurent a suscité des discussions houleuses autour de la table du conseil municipal, hier, faisant ressortir les vieilles querelles entourant l'annulation en 2006 de l'ancien projet de train léger.

Bellemare enjoyed his two months at the top

It seems Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Michel Bellemare had his taste of the mayor’s chair - and he liked it.

Bellemare Community BBQ blessed by great weather

Residents from Beacon Hill, Rothwell Heights, Cyrville and Pineview turned out in droves on June 28 to take part in Michel Bellemare’s 5th Annual Community BBQ and Family Fun Day in the parking lot of the Gloucester Centre Mall.

Ottawa est mûre pour un renouveau

Avec plus d’un million de personnes dans la région métropolitaine de la capitale nationale, Ottawa continue de grandir en tant que pôle économique et politique. La ville mérite cependant que nous nous préoccupions davantage de ses besoins si nous voulons qu’elle remplisse vraiment son double rôle de capitale internationale et de milieu de vie pour ses citoyens.

East-end receives millions for recreation infrastructure projects

The east end received some good news last Friday morning, part of a city-wide announcement to improve Ottawa’s recreational infrastructure services.

Veteran politician to don a new hat

OTTAWA — With the rejection last week of Mayor Larry O’Brien’s defence team’s argument to have the case against him dismissed, Osgoode Councillor Doug Thompson will take a seat at the helm of city government on Friday.

Rail project shows Ottawa is on the right track

When Montreal made a pitch a couple of years ago to become the new headquarters for the United Nations, moving it from New York City, Ottawa saw what civic ambition really looks like.

$27M injection to aid 30 sports centres

OTTAWA — Thirty Ottawa recreational facilities will start construction projects after federal and provincial politicians announced more than $27 million in funding Friday.

Latest violence concerns elected officials

Rare show of unity on library site

Seems the only thing wrong with the plans for a new central library is its proposed location is being applauded in large part because of its proximity to the future downtown tunnel.

Peace protest forces mayor to clear chamber
Activists angered by city's position on lifting ban on arms show

Acting-Mayor Michel Bellemare stopped city council's meeting Wednesday night and cleared the council chamber after citizens protesting the city's position on arms shows became unruly.

Doors open at Shenkman Arts Centre

It was dancing, drumming and a whole lot of enthusiasm that welcomed the opening of the Shenkman Arts Centre last night, as residents, arts partners and elected officials gathered to celebrate the east end’s newest arts facility.

On 'yer bike, with pilot bike share trial

EMC News - My fellow Ottawans, let's roll.

Whether you want to cycle away some stress during your lunch break, or really need to get from the ByWard Market to a meeting in Gatineau, and don't want to have to find, and then pay for, parking on the Quebec side, the National Capital Commission (NCC) may have an easy option for you.

Ottawa ajoutera 68 autobus hybrides

La Ville d'Ottawa sera bientôt en mesure d'offrir un service de transport en commun plus vert avec l'achat de 68 nouveaux autobus hybrides.

City dedicates park in honour of Clarence Maheral

Council passes amended Official Plan
East-end lands not included in boundary extension

City council has rubber-stamped an amended version of Ottawa's 2003 Official Plan, approving changes including a minimal west-end urban boundary expansion yesterday evening.

Une nouvelle bibliothèque d'ici 2014

Les Ottaviens avides de lecture pourront franchir les portes de la nouvelle Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa (BPO) en 2014.

Councillors laud proposed library site

OTTAWA-Councillors lined up to express their enthusiasm for a new central library on Wednesday as Councillor Jan Harder began the delicate task of winning political support at three government levels for what could be a very costly city project.

Un terrain pour la future bibliothèque

Le BIXI arrive à Ottawa-Gatineau

La région d'Ottawa-Gatineau se lance dans l'aventure du BIXI, ce vélo en libre-service qui fait déjà fureur dans les rues de Montréal.

Rent your wheels in bike share trial

This summer, residents on both sides of the river will be able to take advantage of fast, healthy, eco-friendly transit — without owning their own bikes.

Millions poured into infrastructure initiatives

All three levels of government announced a major spending boost for local infrastructure today, with $375 million slated for initiatives including east-end projects.

Ottawa gets $376-million boost for infrastructure

OTTAWA — Local politicians from all three levels of government mostly put partisanship aside Friday to announce $376 million for city infrastructure projects, two thirds of which comes from provincial and federal economic stimulus packages.

Millions announced for Ottawa jobs, infrastructure

Many parts of the capital will be under construction for the next few years after the federal and provincial governments committed millions of dollars for infrastructure projects across the city.

Canada’s smartest cities

How dumb do you think Canadians are? They answer may come as an unpleasant surprise.

City launches signage enforcement program

The city officially launched the enforcement phase of its Rural Directional Signage Program today, in a bid to cut down on bylaw-violating signs along rural routes.

A feather in his cap

Unanimous votes hard to come by at council and Bellemare's already got one

Council votes for no more strikes or lockouts at OC Transpo

OTTAWA — The days of crippling transit strikes or lockouts in the city are likely over after council voted to include no strike/no lockout provisions in the transit union’s collective agreement.

City launches new development initiative

City has officially launched its Ottawa Builds 2009 capital projects program, a new construction initiative that will extend into the east end.

Bellemare defends transit tunnel depth

Ottawa's acting mayor rebuffed criticism of the city's downtown light-rail tunnel plans on Friday, arguing that boring deep below the surface will ultimately save taxpayers money.

City seeks feedback on recreation services

With the development of a recreation master plan on the horizon, the city is currently on the hunt for feedback from local residents about Ottawa's recreational services.

Des fonds supplémentaires pour l’avenir de la région

L’initiative Choisir notre avenir a obtenu une subvention de 350 000$ du Fonds municipal vert administré par la Fédération canadienne des municipalités (FCM), vendredi dernier.

Acting Mayor wins warm applause for first day on the job.

Agreeable council passes routine items, discusses red lights, plans for new drug store

Council ratifies labour deal with largest union

Agreement for 7.75% over three years, CUPE Local 503 to vote on settlement

'Be a tourist in your own city', Acting Mayor urges

He’s a fifth-generation Ottawan, but Michel Bellemare is still discovering new things about the city he loves most.

Le maire cède sa place pour subir son procès

Le maire d'Ottawa, Larry O'Brien, a siégé pour la dernière fois au conseil municipal hier, alors qu'il subira le mois prochain son procès pour fraude envers le gouvernement et trafic d'influence.

‘I’m going to do the job’

OTTAWA — When Larry O’Brien, facing charges of attempted bribery and purported influence peddling, goes on trial May 4, the duties and responsibilities of the municipality’s top office will fall to Beacon Hill-Cyrville Councillor Michel Bellemare, and he just might be the perfect man for this odd job.

The man who migh be (temporarily) mayor

OTTAWA — When Mayor Larry O’Brien goes on trial for alleged election bribery on May 4, the duties and responsibilities of the municipality’s top office will fall to someone who just might be the perfect man for this odd job – Beacon Hill-Cyrville Councillor Michel Bellemare.

Quiet councillor set to take control

There's no doubt there's politics in Michel Bellemare's blood.

The east-end city councillor is the son of Eugene Bellemare, a longtime member of Parliament.

Michel once took an unsuccessful stab at securing the federal Liberal nomination for the same area.

What’s at stake for taxpayers in stadium debate

OTTAWA • Ottawa’s stadium debate is a little bit about sports and a lot about money and development.

The business groups behind the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Park and those pushing a soccer stadium in Kanata have each talked sports: the revival of the once mighty CFL football in Ottawa by the Lansdowne Live group; and the excitement in Eugene Melnyk’s Ottawa Senators group over building a stadium for a soccer, a sport that is popular among Ottawa’s youth.

Double-decker buses ride into Orléans

Some east-end commuters are about to get an even better view of their community as they head to work, school, or on errands.

Bellemare on board new double-decker bus

OTTAWA - Today Ottawa City Councillor Michel Bellemare joined Mayor Larry O’Brien and other Members of Council on board one of OC Transpo’s new double-decker buses. The run started off at Blair transit station in Bellemare's ward and ended downtown at Mackenzie King station.

Huit postes bilingues supprimés

En procédant à la réorganisation de son administration, hier, le directeur de la ville d’Ottawa a licencié huit employés bilingues qui étaient en mesure de desservir la communauté francophone en vertu de la politique municipale de bilinguisme.

Smaller city hall to focus on client, mayor says

OTTAWA-A smaller bureaucracy at city hall, with 44 more people laid off on Wednesday, will deliver better service for Ottawans, the mayor and city manager say.

Sounds like a palace coup
While mayor's on trial, councillors plan 'to get a lot more done'

As the countdown continues toward Mayor Larry O'Brien's court case -- slated for the end of April -- some city councillors are working behind the scenes to ensure business at the city moves ahead in his absence.

Bellemare dans la chaise du maire d'Ottawa pendant le procès

C'est un francophone qui occupera le fauteuil du maire d'Ottawa, Larry O'Brien, durant son absence en raison de son procès devant débuter le 27 avril prochain.

Study expanded for interprovincial link
NCC study to examine Kettle Island, Lower Duck corridors

After months of political campaigning by east-end residents, community groups and elected officials, area councillors are expressing disappointment with the National Capital Commission's decision to examine three corridors – Kettle Island and two at Lower Duck Island – in the interprovincial crossing study's next phase.

City revises bus rider incentives
Measures done to end confusion after rancorous debate

Ottawa Council held a rancorous debate over incentives to lure riders back onto the transit system Wednesday, initially failing to endorse an advertised series of measures, then approving a revised package at the end of a 12-hour meeting.

East end responds to proposed budget cuts

Area residents were out in full force last night to offer their thoughts on the city's newly-tabled draft budget, with many expressing frustration over the cuts and rising costs proposed by staff.

City on its own in paying for costly ‘natural disaster’

Emerald ash calamity projected to inflict budget pressures for 10 years
The emerald ash borer is going to be an extraordinarily expensive problem for the city and its homeowners, but the federal and provincial governments aren’t offering any financial help.

Richard Bercuson . Bridging the chasm

When I grow up, I want to rule Ottawa. Not just Ottawa, but also parts of the region around Gatineau. It might be further helpful to have the power to overrule anyone about anything if a debate takes longer than, oh, 10 years.

Councillors on the right track

This week Ottawa’s four east-end city councillors (Michel Bellemare, Rainer Bloess, Rob Jellett and Bob Monette) gathered at the Blair Transitway station during the morning rush hour to hold a brief media conference making the case for stage one of the one of the city’s $4-billion, 25-year transit plan to include light rail (LRT) to Blair Station.

Councillors push for light-rail connection Will only support options linking Blair Station, they say

As city staff tabled numerous options to push ahead Ottawa's newest transit plan this week, east-end councillors argued that bringing light rail east to Blair Station should be a primary focus of the project.

Les conseillers de l’Est se mobilisent pour que le train léger se rende au Transitway de Blair

Les Conseillers de l’est d’Ottawa étaient rassemblés au Transitway de Blair, mardi matin, afin de faire une annonce concernant le train léger.

Les conseillers Michel Bellemare, Bob Monette, Rainer Bloess et Rob Jellett ont annoncé leur intention de faire une priorié de relier le centre-ville à l’est d’Ottawa par le biais du train léger.

Board OKs $25M to buy land for library Council must approve plan before purchase can occur

The Ottawa Public Library board has approved spending up to $25 million on downtown land for a new main library branch.

For years, it's been the dream of library supporters in Ottawa to have a large new main library branch to replace the uninspiring building at Metcalfe Street and Laurier Avenue; critics have argued that Ottawa might need a better central library, but any plans need to be constrained by the city's difficult financial position...

Go east or don't bother: Coun.

Bring light rail transit east first or no deal.

Four east-end councillors say they won't vote for any form of light rail unless the first phase of the $4-billion, 25-year project brings it to at least Blair Rd.

Councillors Rainer Bloess, Michel Bellemare, Rob Jellett and Bob Monette delivered their position on Ottawa's transit future from the Blair Rd. Transitway station yesterday morning, just two days before the city kicks off public consultations on Ottawa's Transportation Master Plan...

Des élus veulent ouvrir la voie à l'est

Les conseillers municipaux de l'est d'Ottawa militent pour que leur secteur soit le premier à être desservi par le futur plan de train léger sur rails électriques.
Les conseillers des quartiers Orléans, Bob Monette, Cumberland, Rob Jellett, Innes, Rainer Bloess, et Beacon Hill-Cyrville, Michel Bellemare, craignent que le conseil municipal ne privilégie, dans la première phase du projet de 4 milliards $, les autres secteurs au détriment de l'est d'Ottawa...

Kettle Island chosen as site for new bridge

OTTAWA-Kettle Island has been picked as the route for a new bridge linking Quebec and Ontario. Whether it has a chance of being built is the $500-million question.

Le pont du passé

OTTAWA-Kettle Island has been picked as the route for a new bridge linking Quebec and Ontario. Whether it has a chance of being built is the $500-million question.

Kettle Island preferred site for future bridge

The consulting firm hired to study possible sites for a future interprovincial crossing have settled on Kettle Island as the best possible option...

City aims to beef up food inspections

The Ottawa Sun – August 29, 2008
By Laura Czekaj

The city will be looking at boosting its food inspection program by hiring seven new inspectors based on the city's auditor general's report on food safety.

Ottawa manque d'inspecteurs alimentaires

L’éclosion récente de la bactérie Listeria remet en avant-plan la pénurie d’inspecteurs sur la salubrité des aliments dans les restaurants et les épiceries de la ville d’Ottawa et la nécessité pour la municipalité d’en recruter de nouveaux.

City to add restaurant inspectors, post reports

Ottawa city council moved to beef up its food inspection system yesterday by hiring more public health inspectors and raising their salaries.
And restaurant inspectors will soon be uploading their reports directly to the city's website so residents can get the latest inspection results, Ottawa's medical chief said yesterday.

City supports driving ban

On Thursday, Aug. 21, after monitoring the situation for the past year, city officials confirmed that prohibiting driving schools from operating in the vicinity of the east-end Ministry of Transportation test centre is both justified and effective.

Student drivers not welcome in Beacon Hill

A year-long ban to reduce driving school traffic in Beacon Hill will continue indefinitely, says Coun. Michel Bellemare.

After receiving numerous complaints about the large volume of driving instruction traffic on residential streets near the provincial test centre on Canotek Rd., Bellemare pushed for council to reduce traffic cluttering area roads.

Rothwell residents fight housing development

The City of Ottawa’s plan to curb urban sprawl through increasing population density is drawing the ire of east-end residents.

The Rothwell Heights Property Owners Association (RHPOA), representing the affluent east-end neighbourhood, are only the latest in a succession of groups who are fighting new housing developments in their communities.

City OKs organic waste program, stumbles over diapers

OTTAWA - Organic waste collection is slated to start next year in Ottawa, but already, several details are causing a stink.

On Wednesday, city council approved an October 2009 start for the long awaited curbside organics collection, with weekly pick-ups in the warm months and bi-weekly pick-ups in the winter.

Dispute highlights challenge of infilling

Everyone from the Ontario government to academics and environmentalists is telling city planners and councils that municipalities must build more housing and businesses on less land. The City of Ottawa has made intensification central in its planning guides.

Bellemare sets the record straight

Social housing and group homes exist successfully throughout the city, including Beacon Hill-Cyrville. Homeless shelters, however, serve a transient population requiring a critical mass of specialized public health and social services within easy walking distance. There is a high incidence of drug and alcohol addictions and mental illness among many homeless individuals.

Council approves $4B transit project, but financing, hard decisions on route choices still to come.

The long-term city-wide plan would see light rail serving all parts of the city and is estimated to cost $8 billion if every part were completely constructed today. The first phase is estimated to cost $4 billion, based on 2007 estimates, and the city will have to secure at least $1.33 billion each from the Ontario and federal governments to get it going.

Council passes amendments for future Petrie Island beach report

East end officials not satisfied with what they describe as inconclusive reports from the city of Ottawa outlining possible sources of E. coli bacteria at Petrie Island got some good news late last week.

City councillor Michel Bellemare (Ward 11-Beacon Hill-Cyrville) brought forth three amendments to council last week, which were unanimously passed, to the city’s 2007 beach report that saw Petrie Island close six times over the course of the summer.

Bellemare declares victory with transit proposal

Last Week, the City of Ottawa released it’s long term public transit plan, and one east end councillor is thrilled with the proposal.

Council still has to vote, but the proposal calls for a downtown subway and light rail running east and west on the current Transitway to the Greenbelt and then running southbound past the airport.

Les Conseillers veulent en savoir davantage sur la pollution à l’Ile Petrie

Les conseillers municipaux d’Ottawa veulent en savoir davantage sur l’origine de la pollution qui a causé la fermeture de la plage de l’Ile Petrie à six reprises, l’an dernier. Même si la situation est pire à la plage Westboro, fermée 22 jours l’an dernier, le conseiller Michel Bellemare demande au service de la Santé publique et à celui des Travaux Publics une étude approfondie des sources de pollution de la rivière des Outaouais à cet endroit.

Richard Bercuson . Bridging the chasm

When I grow up, I want to rule Ottawa. Not just Ottawa, but also parts of the region around Gatineau. It might be further helpful to have the power to overrule anyone about anything if a debate takes longer than, oh, 10 years...

Enfin une approche « cathédrale » pour le transport en commun!

Il a fallu plusieurs générations afin de construire les grandes cathédrales du monde. Les premiers bâtisseurs savaient qu’ils ne verraient jamais l’œuvre finie, et pourtant cela ne les a pas empêchés de se mettre à la tâche. Pourquoi? Peut-être avaient-ils une meilleure conception du temps que nous. Peut-être saisissaient-ils mieux l’importance de laisser un héritage précieux aux générations futures.

Ottawa enfin aiguillée dans la bonne direction

Il semble bien que les archéologues qui creuseront le sol dans 2000 ou 3000 ans, près de l’endroit où la rivière Rideau se jette dans la rivière des Outaouais, y trouveront les vestiges d’une société civilisée et intelligente qui entre 2011 et 2030, s’était dotée d’un système de transport en commun efficace et moderne.

BUILDING TRANSIT IS LIKE BUILDING A CATHEDRAL

The world's great cathedrals took generations to build. Although their original builders knew it was impossible to finish the work in their lifetimes, they drew up plans and started construction anyway. Why? Perhaps they had a better perspective of time, and a more clear understanding of the importance of handing down something wonderful to future generations.

Pas question de payer pour les Gatinois

Contrairement à Gatineau, où elles n’avaient pas suscité beaucoup d’intérêt, les consultations publiques sur la construction d’un nouveau lien interprovincial ont attiré plusieurs centaines de personnes – dont plusieurs opposées au projet – hier à Gloucester et mardi à Kanata.

« Les gens d’Ottawa n’ont pas besoin d’un pont, a clamé Donald Kennedy, un résidant d’Orléans. Pourquoi on paierait pour régler le problème des gens de Gatineau ? Vont-ils payer pour régler nos problèmes de circulation dans l’est d’Ottawa ? »

Bellemare supports different bridge option

Ward 11 Beacon Hill-Cyrville city councillor Michel Bellemare wants the National Capital Commission to take a look at another option for a bridge crossing that would link Ottawa and Gatineau.

Currently, the NCC is looking at a total of 10 proposed sites for an interprovincial bridge, with six of those sites in the east end of Ottawa and four in the west of the city.

Councillor wants to replace ferry

With newly-released numbers estimating Kettle Island to be the most highly-used corridor for a proposed crossing between Quebec and Ontario, one east-end councillor is throwing his support behind another alternative.

Council decides against climbing aboard Bellemare's 'smurf bus', Electric idea sent to committee for study

Michel Bellemare has visions of a little electric bus

quietly scooting around Ottawa with charmed tourists

on board. But his hopes for the "smurf bus," as

Mayor Larry O'Brien dubbed it, were dashed for the

coming year yesterday when council decided to study

the idea instead.

Summertime fun in Beacon Hill-Cyrville

For the fourth year in a row, I wanted to start the summer with a little party -- and more than 5,000 people showed up!

Beacon Hill-Cyrville's community barbecue was on Saturday, June 23rd, at the Gloucester Shopping Centre. The weather was perfect. Families enjoyed free hotdogs, lemonade, pony rides, a petting zoo, a 15-metre slide, go-karts, a bounce castle, and paddle boats in a huge inflatable pool.

Over 5,000 attend Beacon Hill, Cyrville Community BBQ

For four hours on Saturday, the rear parking lot behind the Gloucester Centre shopping mall was turned into a community gathering place for the residents of Beacon Hill, Cyrville as local city councillor Michel Bellemare held his fourth annual community BBQ.

Document en français : le chef du cabinet du maire refuse de s’engager

Le chef de cabinet du maire d’Ottawa Larry O’Brien, Walter Robinson, refuse de s’engager à traduire en français tous les documents importants d’intérêt public qui pourraient émaner de son bureau au cours des prochaines années.

Le rapport sur le train continue de provoquer des réactions

Une journée après sa publication, le rapport du groupe de travail du maire sur les transports a continué de provoquer des réactions positives et négatives dans les couloirs de l’hôtel de ville d’Ottawa.

Beacon Hill child-care centre pushes city to help fund building

The Beacon Learning Centre says it was told the city would likely pay 80 per cent of the cost -- if it raised the other 20 per cent. It has done its part, Roger Collier reports.

Les enfants avant les apprentis conducteurs

Pour des raisons de sécurité, la Ville d’Ottawa souhaite interdire à des écoles de conduite d’exercer leurs étudiants dans un quartier résidentiel de l’est de la municipalité déjà fort chargé en circulation.

Le problème se situe dans un quadrilatère délimité par les axes routiers Blair, Rockcliffe, Shefford et chemin Montréal, dans le quartier du Conseiller Michel Bellemare.

Hydro Station to be built in Pineview area

Residents of Gloucester’s Pineview community can breathe a collective sigh of relief this week after Hydro Ottawa decided against building a high-voltage transmission station in their neighbourhood.

Officials with the utility had been considering building the transmission station at Queensway Park on James Naismith Drive. The park is home to one of the community’s baseball diamonds.

East end councillors give bus fare increase mixed reviews

Public transit users could be taking another hit in the pocketbook this summer after the city’s transit Committee voted to include a 7.5 per cent fare increase in the 2007 draft budget.

That means the price of a monthly bus pass would jump form $71.25 to $76.50 and a student pass would increase from $58.25 to $62.50. An express pass would cost $95 up from $87.

Water treatment innovations saving taxpayers cash

Officials from the city’s wastewater treatment plant say the facility is saving taxpayers more than $1.5 million annually. With further investment in the plant, those saving are expected to increase.

“This is a billion dollar facility and I think it’s one of the best run facility in the entire country,” said Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Michel Bellemare.

City to ask NCC not to sell land in case it’s needed for light-rail

Committee refuses to recommend lot’s purchase

The City of Ottawa’s economic affairs committee delayed a city staff request yesterday to purchase land for a possible east-west light-rail line.

Feds should spread the job wealth

The federal Government is about to tell hundreds of employees at RCMP headquarters to go west.

For many RCMP families in eastern Ottawa, that either means having to move closer to where one or both parents work, or putting up with the daily challenges of commuting from Orléans to south Nepean.

Il y a une meilleure façon de réaliser un système de train léger pour Ottawa

On dit que la construction du couloir nord-sud du train léger stimulerait l’économie locale. Bien sûr. N’importe quel projet qui frise un milliard de dollars produirait le même résultat. La véritable question est de savoir si tel projet représente la bonne façon de dépenser un milliard de dollars sur le transport en commun à Ottawa.

Déménager la GRC dans l’ouest d’Ottawa : un exemple de mauvais aménagement urbain

Le gouvernement fédéral s'apprête à dire à des centaines d'employés travaillant au quartier-général de la Gendarmerie Royale du Canada qu'ils devront déménager dans l'ouest de la ville.

Bellemare et Monette dans la course

Deux conseillers municipaux francophones d’Ottawa, Michel Bellemare et Bob Monette ont confirmé qu’ils allaient tenter de se faire réélire par les électeurs de leur quartier en vue des élections municipales de novembre prochain.

Gloucester Centre, businesses to host community BBQ

Kids should get ready for some fun on Sunday June 25. From noon to 3 p.m., kids and their parents will be treated to a community BBQ and assorted activities. This is the largest event of its kind in the City according to organizers.

10-digit dialing mandatory by October

Following a decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), 10-digit dialing is arriving in Ottawa and Gatineau this year.

Des panneaux de signalisation à en perdre son français

Ridicule et inacceptable, voici comment le conseiller municipal de Beacon Hill-Cyrville, Michel Bellemare décrit les nouveaux panneaux de signalisation installés à la mi-février sur le chemin Blair et le croissant Rebecca.

Cyrville condo city gets high praise

Place des Gouverneurs is being hailed as “the best example of smart growth in the City.” Many hope it will evolve into the kind of community where people can live as well as work, thus cutting down on commuting time and the use of private vehicles, reports Patrick Dare

Apoligize to community

Your editorial regarding Minto’s development plans for a former school in Cardinal Heights failed to bring a more balanced perspective to the Citzen’s coverage of this story.

Instead, your editorial attacked an entire neighbourhood and cast aspersions on the motives of area residents for wanting to help shape development plans for a former elementary school.

Turning trash into energy

A local company is pitching an emerging technology to City Council to help reduce pressure on Ottawa’s landfill. The process, called plasma gasification, requires heating garbage until it breaks down into energy. City staff are recommending a free year-long pilot project to test the viability of the garbage conversion technology. If plasma gasification really works, it could help solve worldwide problems of rapidly-filling landfills and energy shortages.

Over 3,000 turn out for Bellemare community BBQ

More than 3,000 people gobbled up over 2,500 free hot dogs on Saturday and nearly twice as many small cartons of lemonade as Beacon Hill, Cyrville Coun. Michel Bellemare hosted his second annual community barbecue in the parking lot of the Gloucester Shopping Centre.

A-t-on vraiment besoin d'autres conseillers?

Le Conseil municipal d'Ottawa est sur le point de s'accroître avec l'ajout possible de deux quartiers municipaux aux prochaines élections. Mais on n’a pas vraiment besoin de plus de conseillers.

Les experts-conseils engagés pour examiner la configuration actuelle des quartiers et recommander des changements à cet égard en sont arrivés à une solution coûteuse qui crée plus de problèmes qu'elle n'en résout: Espérons que les élus feront le bon choix et adopteront un plan plus adéquat.

No need to 'super size' Council

The ranks of city council are about to increase with the possible addition of two new wards next term. But there isn’t really a need to “super size” city council.

Consultants hired to review current ward boundaries and recommend changes have come up with a costly scheme that creates more problems than it solves. Hopefully, city council will do the right thing and adopt a better plan.

Calling 3-1-1

For many, knowing where to start to get government services is the biggest challenge. Here in Ottawa, though, it’s about to become easier to reach the city for help.

For years, the former regional government had a 24-hour hotline for all its services. Since amalgamation, the city followed suit with the popular 580-2400 number for its call centre which receives over 900,000 calls every year. Still, a more simple number to remember would make contacting city hall even easier for everyone.

Councillor steps in to fill leadership void

There are two key problems at Ottawa City Hall. One is spending, the other leadership. The first won't be solved until the second is.

Citizens, and councillors, naturally look to the mayor to provide leadership. Mayor Bob Chiarelli rather spectacularly failed to do so during this year's budget. He settled on a tax increase target his political instincts should have told him was too high, stuck with it, and then had the rug pulled out from under him at the last minute. Worse, one of the people pulling the rug was potential mayoral rival Councillor Diane Deans.

At least some were listening to the public

Interesting group, Ottawa City council. After four days of adding to its budget, and rejecting pretty much every type of cut or restraint proposed, Councillors sprang to life at the last possible moment yesterday to deliver a tax increase moderately lower than we had came to expect.

Icy streets and sidewalks unacceptable

Last week, in response to the obvious need, the City's Transportation Committee recommended spending up to $2.5 million more each year for salting and plowing. City Council must still approve this recommendation.

Ottawa turns 150!

Our newly amalgamated city may be four years old but Ottawa is about to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

On Jan. 1, 1855, Bytown became Ottawa. At noon on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, a chorus of bells will ring out across the city to proclaim 2005 as Ottawa’s 150th anniversary year. Led by City Hall’s carillon, churches will ring their bells in a citywide song of celebration. This should definitely become a New Year's Day tradition.

City Council approves partial funding for concert hall

Contrary to some claims, City Council's recent decision to invest in a proposed concert hall downtown will not affect the City's operating budget nor cause property taxes to rise.

The City is selling its parking lot at 150 Elgin and will receive $6.6 million in return...

City finally brings back summer yard waste collection

City Council recently reinstated summer yard waste pick-up. Originally scheduled to resume in October, yard waste will now be picked up starting the week of September 7th every two weeks, either with your blue or black box, depending on where you live. See this web page for further details: <http://ottawa.ca/gc/calendar_en.shtml> .

City Council approves senior management overhaul

Last week, council approved major changes to city hall's bureaucracy when the new city manager -- Kent Kirkpatrick -- laid out his plan to revamp the ranks of senior management. Gone are the five general manager positions created by the transition board and former city manager Bruce Thom. Many saw this organizational structure as cumbersome and adding an unnecessary layer of administration with overlapping responsibilities.

Ottawa's light-rail fantasy

Once we've figured out how to reduce this year's budget shortfall and balance the municipal budget, then we can talk about getting the city into some serious debt. After all, a total budget shortfall in the $100-million range is one thing, but the city's billion-dollar plan to expand light rail is really our best chance of getting Ottawa elected to the MasterCard Hall of Fame.