TermofCouncilPrioritiesWhatitMeanstoOurCitysEnvironmentalProtection

ContextandContent
ThisdocumentisananalysisoftheCityofOttawas20152018TermofCouncilPrioritiesasrelatesto
environmentalcommitmentsthatthecityhasmadeinthepast.Inparticulartheprioritiesdocumentis
comparedwiththe2014AirQualityandClimateChangePlan.Asthisanalysismakesclear,manyofthe
cityspromisedactionsrelatedtorenewableenergy,energyefficiency,cycling,walkability,public
transit,watersheds,trees,natureconservation,waste,emergencypreparedness,etc.allrelateto
climatechange.Thisiswhytheclimateplancutsacrosssomanyenvironmentalfiles,andwhythe
climateplanisalensthroughwhichawiderangeofenvironmentalissuescanbeadvanced.Assuch,for
thosewhocareabouttheenvironmentingeneral,thefullimplementationoftheclimateplanclearly
representsthebestsinglewaytoensurethattheenvironmentisapriorityinourcity.
Thestructureofthisanalysisis:

SummaryEcologyOttawashighlevelassessmentoftheprioritiesdocument
Background
Prioritiesdocumentstructureabriefdescription
Prioritiesdocumentinitiativeseachproposedaction
o Priorcommitmentsincluded
Theprioritiesdocumentidentifies
o Priorcommitmentsmissing
variousmetricstobeusedas
o Performancemeasures
performancemeasures.Thesewill
o Budgetallocations
beevaluatedandreportedtwice
duringthetermofcouncilin
somethingcalledabalanced
scorecard.

Summary

ThisreportlaysoutEcologyOttawasinitialassessmentofthe
proposedTermofCouncilPriorities,adocumentoutliningwhat
themayorandcouncilareplanningtoprioritizeinthecomingyears.TheTermofCouncilPrioritieswill
guidecityactiononissueslikehealthywatershedsandcleanwater,trees,cycling,pedestriansand
publictransit,andrenewableenergyandactiononclimatechange.
ThereleaseofthecitysTermofCouncilPrioritieshasoverarchingpromisebuttherearestrongreasons
toavoidcomplacencysincetoomanypreviouscommitmentsaremissing.
Unquestionablythecityneedstodomore.
Therearelargegapsinthecitysapproach.Forexample,althoughtheprioritiesdocumentisdefinitely
orientedtoactiononclimatechangeanditincludesspecificperformanceobjectivesdefinedin
advancetobeusedtomeasuresuccessmeasurementofwhethergreenhousegasemissionsare
actuallygoingupordownisnotoneofthoseperformance
ForbrevitytheCityofOttawas2015
metrics.
2018TermofCouncilPriorities
Therealsoremaindozensofcommitmentsmadeinthepast
documentwillhereinbecalledthe
whichdonotappeartobescheduledforimplementation.
prioritiesdocumentandthe2014
AirQualityandClimateChangePlan
Itisalsotruethatthecitysclimateapproachistakingplace
willbecalledtheclimateplan.
inachanginglandscapethatsuggestsevenmoreeffortis

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needed.ForexampleinMaytheOntariogovernmentannouncedgreenhousegasreductiontargets
considerablymoreambitiousthanthecitys.Fortheprovincetomeetthesegoals,majorcitieslike
Ottawawillhavetoreduceemissionsaccordingly.
Thegoodnews:

Theimplementationofthe2014AirQualityandClimateChangeManagementPlanisexplicitly
identifiedasastrategicinitiative,thoughmanyoftheactionsfromtheclimateplandonot
appear.
Undertransportation,publictransitisstronglyrepresentedandinitiativesalsoincludecycling
andwalkability,althoughimplementationofaCompleteStreetspolicyisnotincluded.
WaterwayswillbeprotectedthroughtheOttawaRiverActionPlan,theWaterEnvironment
Strategy,andastormwatermanagementplan.
Renewableenergyandenergyefficiencyaretouchedon,thoughnotdeeply.
Wastediversionistouchedon,thoughnotdeeply.
IncreasedforestcoverisincludedbutnotaForestManagementStrategy

Background
InMay2014thecityadoptedthe2014AirQualityandClimateChangeManagementPlan.
Implementationmainlydependedonfundingstartingwiththe2015budget.Themainbudgetadopted
inMarchdeferredthesefundingdecisionstotheadoptionofthecitys2015/2018TermofCouncil
Priorities.
PrioritiesDocumentStructure
TheprioritiesdocumentsetsoutsevenStrategicPriorities

EconomicProsperity
TransportationandMobility
SustainableEnvironmentalServices
HealthyandCaringCommunities
ServiceExcellence
Governance,PlanningandDecisionMaking
FinancialSustainability

Withinthesesevenbroadcategoriesthereare21StrategicObjectivesand
subordinatetothem,63StrategicInitiatives.ItistheStrategicInitiativeswhich
aretheconcreteactions,tacticalprogramsandservices,thatwilladvance
Councilsobjectivesandstrategicpriorities.

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PrioritiesDocumentInitiatives
Thefollowingtopicsareseenasrelatingtocityactiononclimatechange,insomecasesstronglyrelated.
Inmanycasessomeofthe63StrategicInitiativesoftheprioritiesdocumentrespondtoaclimate
relatedtopic.HoweverwealsoincludetopicsthatdonothavecorrespondingStrategicInitiativesinthe
prioritiesdocument.Eachtopicistreatedinmoredetailinthesectionsthatfollow.

AirQualityandClimateChangeManagementPlan(ES120,page83ofappendixA)
Energy
o RenewableEnergyStrategy(ES122,page84ofappendixA)
o EnergyManagementandInvestmentStrategy(ES225,page86ofappendixA)
Transportation
o CompletionoftheOTrainsConfederationLineLightRailTransitProjects(TM14,page
19ofappendixA)
o LightRailTransitStage2Readiness(TM15,page20ofappendixA)
o TransportationMasterPlanPhase1CyclingProjects(TM17,page117ofappendixA)
o TransportationMasterPlanPhase1PedestrianProjects(TM18,page117ofappendix
A)
o CommunityPathwaysandConnectionsProgram(TM39,page118ofappendixA)
o RideauStreetStreetscaping(TM310,page67ofappendixA)
o QueenStreetStreetscaping(TM311,page119ofappendixA)
o CyclingSafetyImprovementProgram(TM413,page120ofappendixA)
o WinterImprovementsforCyclists(TM414,page121ofappendixA)
o Traffic,PedestrianandRoadSafetyEnhancements(TM415,page121ofappendixA)
o MakingtheOTrainsConfederationLineanintegratedpartoftheOCTransposystem
(TM516,page95ofappendixA)
o BayviewYardsEnvironmentalandGeotechnicalDevelopmentAssessment(ES123,page
23ofappendixA)
o ImprovedPublicEngagementinPlanningMatters(GP154,page73ofappendixA)
o ByWardandParkdaleMarket/SparksStreetMallRenewal(EP23,page17ofappendix
A)
ForestManagementStrategy
o Maintaina2:1ratio(orgreater)betweentreesplantedandtreesremovedannually
(ES1C,page22ofappendixA)
o IncreaseForestCover(ES119,page61ofappendixA)
GreenspaceProtectionandLandAcquisition
WaterEnvironmentStrategyPhase2(ES118,page81ofappendixA)
WasteDiversion
EmergencyManagement
EnergyEastPipeline

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SustainabilityasaPriority

SustainabilityLens

Apotentiallyimportantcontinuationfromthe2011
2014prioritiesdocumentisthatthecitywillapplya
sustainabilitylenstodecisionmaking.

Inthepastboththecitysaccessibility
lensandequityandinclusionlenswere
fullydescribedandimplementation
processesdefined.Notsoforsustainability.

Thegoodnewsisthataswasthecasefouryears
agothisquoteappearsatthehighestlevelinthe
prioritiesdocument,asoneoftheseventoplevel
priorities:Governance,PlanningandDecisionMaking.
Howeverwhatsustainabilitylensmightmeanhas
neverbeenelaboratedunlikeothercitylenses.
Thecitymustactonthesegoodwordswithan
implementationplan,educationandtraining.

Asustainabilitylensisequatedtoatriple
bottomlineofsocial,environmental,and
financialaccountabilityinthecitys2012
PlanforSustainabilityandResilience,part
ofFramingourFuture,whichthepriorities
documentsayslongtermsustainability
goalsaredirectlyalignedwith.

IntensificationasaPriority
Oneofthestrategicobjectivesfromtheprevious
prioritiesdocumentof20112014phraseditwell:
compactneighbourhoodswhereresidentscanlive,
work,shopandplaycloseby,completedailyactivities
easily,accessviabletransit,andsupportlocal
businessesmaybeoneofthemostimportantthings
thecitycando.Theresultnotonlyfightsclimate
changebutsavesthecityservicescosts.

Thebalancedscorecardwhichreportson
successofthe20112014priorities
documentsays:
Thetargetofincreasingthepercentageof
newurbandwellingunitsprovidedthrough
intensificationtoanaverageof38percent
peryearwasexceededin2014,witha
resultof54percent.

Yetintensificationisnotincludedinthe20152018
prioritiesdocument.
TOPICAirQualityandClimateChangeManagementPlan(ES120,page83ofappendixA)
Theclimateplanexistsnotonlyasa2014documentbutasoneofthe63StrategicInitiativesofthe
prioritiesdocument.ItisbecauseitsaStrategicInitiativethattheclimateplancanbefundedfor
implementation.
TheprioritiesdocumentdescribesthisStrategicInitiativeasfollows:
TheAirQualityandClimateChangeManagementPlan(AQCCMP)setsoutaGreenHouseGas
(GHG)emissionreductiontarget,goalsandobjectives,andencompassesavarietyofprojects
andinitiativestobeimplementedbytheCityoverthenextfiveyearstoachievemoreefficient
andrenewablemunicipaloperations,aswellasworkingwithcommunitypartnerstoreduceair
pollutionandmakeOttawamoreresilient.Anumberofthestrategicinitiativesinthe20152018
CityStrategicPlan,representinginvestmentsofcloseto$1.8B,willcontributetotheprogressof
theAQCCMP,including:theEnergyManagementandInvestmentStrategy(20152019),the
IncreaseForestCoverinitiative;CompletionoftheOTrainsConfederationLineLightRailTransit
Projects;WaterEnvironmentStrategyPhase2;theStormwaterManagementRetrofitMaster
Plan;TransportationMasterPlanCyclingandPedestrianprojects;CommunityPathwaysand

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ConnectionsProgram;andCyclingsafetyandwinterimprovementsprograms.Otheractions
fallingwithintheAQCCMPstrategicinitiativeincludetheGreenMunicipalFleetPlan,Electric
VehicleChargingStationsPilot,GreenBuildingPolicy,EmergencyEnergyPlan,Subwatershed
Planning,andSourceWaterProtectionPlans,amongothers.
PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthePrioritiesDocument
ThroughoutthisdocumentwecomparespecificcommitmentsthattheCityhasmadeinthepast
(primarilyintheclimateplan)withthecommitmentsthattheyaremakingintheprioritiesdocument.
HowevertheclimateplanasaStrategicInitiativeisuniqueinthatitisanoverarchingfundingpriority
forthewholeclimateplan;itdoesntlisttheclimateplanelementsindividually.Wedoreviewthe
specificlistingofpromisesincludedoromittedthough.Thesecanbeseeninthevarioustopicareas
(water,energy,transportation,etc.)thatfollowthisone.
PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthePrioritiesDocument
TheclimateplanpromisedoptionsforfurtheractionwillbetabledearlyinthenexttermofCounciland
undergopublicreview.Thiscommitmentdoesnotappeartohavebeensatisfiedtodateandisnot
specificallymentionedineitherthe2015budgetortheprioritiesdocument.Itisparticularlyimportant
becausethespecificactionsthatarealreadylistedlargelyimpactemissionsrelatedtocityoperations,
whilethemajorityofemissions(95%)comefromthecommunityasawhole.Itisoptionsforfurther
actionasrelatestocommunityemissionsthatarelargelyundefined.
TheclimateplanpromisedtoexplorethedevelopmentofalocalGHGInventoryprocessthatassesses
waystopotentiallytailorthemethodologytobetterreflectlocalOttawacommunityconditionsandto
dosowithinexisting2014budgetresources.Anyprogressonthishasnotbeenreported.Ifitisnot
beingdone,thelackofanimprovedGHGInventorywillmakeitharderforOttawatoevaluatesuccess.
PerformanceMeasures
TheCityappearstobesayingthatitwillmeasureprogressontheimplementationoftheclimateplanin
threeways:

20A:Decreasethemunicipalfleetstotallitresoffuelconsumedper100kilometresforthe
municipalfleet,by3%bytheendof2015;4%bytheendof2016,5%bytheendof2017and6%
bytheendof2018.(page83ofAppendixA)
20B:Decreaseinkilowatthourspersquaremeter(ekWh/m2)purchasedatCityfacilitiesby
2.67%(from2014values)bytheendofQ42018.(page83ofAppendixA)
ES1B:NonetincreaseincorporatepercapitaGreenhouseGas(GHG)emissionsbetween2012
and2016.(page22ofAppendixA)

Combined,thesethreeperformancemeasuresmakeuptheentirecriteriaforevaluationastowhether
thisinitiativeissucceedingatthetworeportingpointsexpectedduringthistermofcouncil.Alonethey
appeartobeextraordinarilyweakmetricsforacitywideinitiativethataimstoreduceGHGemissions
acrossbothcityoperationsandthegeneralpublic.OnemightexpectameasureofoverallGHG
emissionssuchasthecitysGHGInventorytobecitedalongwithaninterimreductiontargetatleast
consistentwiththecity2024target(rememberingtoothattherecentprovincialtargetismore
stringent).Theperformancemeasureslistedareexclusivelyaimedatcityoperationsalthoughthe

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climateplanitselfadvocatesevaluatingcorporateandcommunityemissionstogether.Moreover,
performancemeasureES1BnonetincreaseincorporatepercapitaGHGemissionsactuallyallowsfor
anincreaseinabsoluteGHGemissions.
BudgetAllocations
TheAirQualityandClimateChangeManagementPlaninitiative(ES120)isallocated(page87of
appendixA):

$250,000peryearin2015/16/17/18inoperatingfunding,and
$500,000peryearin2016/17/18incapitalfunding

TOPICEnergy
TherearetwopriorityinitiativesthatrelatetoEnergy

RenewableEnergyStrategy(ES122,page84of
appendixA)
EnergyManagementandInvestmentStrategy(ES2
25,page86ofappendixA)

Whencomparedwiththecommitmentsinthe2014climate
plan,thereappearstobemoremissingfromthepriorities
documentthanthereisincludedinit.
TheRenewableEnergyStrategy(ES22)isparticularly
promising,however,becauseitrepresentsoneofthefew
initiativesthatcouldbeapplicabletothegreatercommunity
beyondstrictlycityoperations.Itmaybetheseedof
Ottawas100%renewablesgoalagoalalreadyadoptedby
VancouverandcampaignedonbyCouncillorChernushenko.
Butthereisveryfartogoinmovingthisinitiativebeyond
whatmightbeaslittleasabaselineanalysis.
PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthePriorities
Document

ChangestreetlightingfromsodiumtometalHalide
toLEDlighting(asstrategicinitiativeES225Energy
ManagementandInvestmentStrategy)This
initiativeislongoverdue;citieslikeEdmonton,
TorontoandNorthBayarewelladvancedintheir
deployment.

ES122RenewableEnergyStrategy
description:Completeabaseline
analysisofenergysupplyanddemand
withintheCityofOttawaandassess
options,incollaborationwith
communitypartners,forallsuch
partnerstoadvanceenergy
conservation,energyefficiencyand
renewableenergygenerationwithin
theirrespectiveareasof
control/influence.
ES225EnergyManagementand
InvestmentStrategydescription:The
20152019EnergyManagementand
InvestmentStrategywillbuildonthe
momentumandsuccessesofthe
20102014SmartEnergyProgram.
Thegoaloftheprogramistomanage
theCity'sincreasinggrowthand
demandforenergythroughthe
implementationofvariousenergy
conservationmeasuresincludingthe
installationofLEDstreetlighting.

PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthePrioritiesDocument

EstablishaWorkingGrouptoexamineopportunitiesandconstraintstobuildinguseconversions
inthedowntown(inadvanceofanticipatedreductionsinfederalgovernmenttenancy)and

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establishdesignrequirements.(The2014climateplancommittedtheCitytodothiswith
existingresourcesfromthe2014budget!)
EstablishaTaskForcetoinvestigateopportunitiesfordistrictheatinginthedowntown.
UndertakeanEnergyMappinganalysis(similartoGuelph)toinformprogramoptionsmoving
forward.(Onceagain,the2014climateplansaidthattheCityalreadyhadtheresourcesit
neededin2014tomovethisforward.)
ContinuedassessmentoftheLocalImprovementCharge(LIC)whichincluded
o Iffeasible,participateinMinistryofEnergystakeholdermeetingsonproposedonbill
financingforenergyretrofits
o FurtherexploretheUSresultsofparticipationincommercialpropertyLICprograms
o ExplorestartupgrantopportunitiesasobtainedbyTorontoandHalifax
o ContinuetomonitorrelatedactivitiesinotherOntariomunicipalities
o ContinuetomonitorTorontosEnergyRetrofitPilotProgram(after12monthsof
activities,March2015)andtheHalifaxProgram
o PrepareareportwithrecommendationsrelatedtotheuseofLICfinancinginOttawa
AddcogenerationcapacityasneededattheRobertO.PickardEnvironmentalCentre
DevelopCitypolicyonEVstations
DevelopCitypolicyonsolarPVatCitybuildings
Implementgreen/coolingmeasurestoreducetheheatislandeffect
RetrofitOttawacommunityhousingunits.ThiswashailedasamajorinitiativewhentheCity
adoptedthe2014climateplanandwasexpectedtoreceivesubstantialsupport.Nowitappears
thatthereisnomoneyavailabletomakethishappenbeyondexistingOCHresources.Hopefully
thiscanchange.
WorkwiththeOntarioPowerAuthority(OPA),ElectricalSafetyAuthority,EnergyOttawaand/or
otherstoensureFITinstallationsatCityfacilitiescanbeusedasabackupenergysupply.

PerformanceMeasures

FortheRenewableEnergyStrategy22A:Complete100%oftheprojectbyQ42017
FortheEnergyManagementandInvestmentStrategyES225
o 25A:IncreasethenumberofstreetlightsconvertedtoenergyefficientLEDtechnology
by15,000peryear.
o 25B:Reducemaintenancecostsperconvertedstreetlightfixturesby50%.

Giventheimportanceofenergyissuestotacklingclimateactionitmightbereasonabletoexpectmore
comprehensiveperformancemetricsacrossarangeofinitiatives.
BudgetAllocations

FortheRenewableEnergyStrategy$100,000peryearin2015/16/17/18inoperatingfunding.
Thisisobviouslyavery,verysmallamountofmoneytogobeyondabaselineanalysisevenifit
canbeusedtoleverageotherfunding.
FortheEnergyManagementandInvestmentStrategy
o $1,000,000peryearin2015/16/17/18incapitalfunding
o $490,000peryearin2015/16/17/18inoperatingfunding

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TOPICTransportation
TransportationreceivesalotofattentionintheTermofCouncilPrioritiesdocumentduetoalargefocus
onlightrailaswellaslinkinglightrailtocyclingandwalkinginfrastructure.ForbrevitynotallStrategic
Initiativedescriptionsareincluded,thoughtheirreferencesindicatewherethosedescriptionscanbe
foundintheprioritiesdocument.
EcologyOttawamustalsopointoutthattheprioritiesdocumentindicatescontinuedextensive
investmentinroadsbutthattheongoingexpansionofmotorvehicleroutesmovesOttawainthewrong
directionintermsofgettingofffossilfuels,pavingsquarekilometersoflandsurface,reducingthe
healtheffectsofairpollution,etc.
PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthePrioritiesDocument
Thefollowingtransportationrelatedactionsfromtheclimateplanareincludedwithinthepriorities
document:

ImplementtheTransportationMasterPlan,includingtheCyclingandPedestrianPlans(covered
bymultiplestrategicinitiativesasfollows)
o CompletionoftheOTrainsConfederationLineLightRailTransitProjects(TM14,page
19ofappendixA)
o LightRailTransitStage2Readiness(TM15,page20ofappendixA)
o TransportationMasterPlanPhase1CyclingProjects(TM17,page117ofappendixA)
o TransportationMasterPlanPhase1PedestrianProjects(TM18,page117ofappendix
A)
o MakingtheOTrainsConfederationLineanintegratedpartoftheOCTransposystem
(TM516,page95ofappendixA)
AdoptandimplementastrategytodesignandbuildCompleteStreets(notealsoPrior
CommitmentsMissingbelow)
o CyclingSafetyImprovementProgram(TM413,page120ofappendixA)
o WinterImprovementsforCyclists(TM414,page121ofappendixA)
o Traffic,PedestrianandRoadSafetyEnhancements(TM415,page121ofappendixA).
Thisappearstobeanewandpromisingaddition.
o ByWardandParkdaleMarket/SparksStreetMallRenewal(EP23,page17ofappendix
A)
o AndpossiblyImprovedPublicEngagementinPlanningMatters(GP154,page73of
appendixA)
Supporttransitorienteddevelopmentinitiatives
o CommunityPathwaysandConnectionsProgram(TM39,page118ofappendixA)This
alsoappearstobeanewandpromisingaddition.
o RideauStreetStreetscaping(TM310,page67ofappendixA)
o QueenStreetStreetscaping(TM311,page119ofappendixA)
o BayviewYardsEnvironmentalandGeotechnicalDevelopmentAssessment(ES123,page
23ofappendixA)

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PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthePrioritiesDocument
ThereisnomentionintheprioritiesdocumentoftheadoptionorimplementationofaCompleteStreets
policy.EcologyOttawaurgesthisinclusion.TheexpressionCompleteStreetsisnotevenusedinthe
prioritiesdocument.
Thefollowingactionsfromtheclimateplanarenotincludedwithintheprioritiesdocument:

ImplementVehicleTelematicsforMunicipalFleet(hadbeenrecommendedforinclusionin2015
budget)
InvestigateopportunitiestouseCitycommunitycentreparkinglots,outsidetheGreenbelt,in
proximitytotransitservices,toserveasPark&Ride
ordesignatedcarpoolinglocations
Thefollowinginitiativesfromthe
climateplanareabsentbutof
ProcurebusesandotherTransitvehiclesthatmeet
secondaryimportance:
thelatestemissionsstandardsavailableatthetime
ofmanufacture
ProvideOCTransposervices
IncorporateSmartDrivertechniquesintoalldriving
forOttawafestivalssuchas
instructionforalldrivertrainingatTransitServices
CanadaDay,Bluesfest,Race
MonitortheIdlingBylawandinternalrelated
Weekend,FolkFest,
procedures
Winterludeandotherspecial
UpdateandimplementtheGreenMunicipalFleet
events
Plan,includingthepurchaseofhybridandelectric
Usegritinsteadofsandas
vehicles,asappropriate
anabrasiveontheroads,
UsetheEcoDrivingtrainingpolicy/practice
thusreducingparticulatein
Pilotthecreationofbikeandrideamenitiesat
theairandincatchbasins
designatedcommunityfacilities(e.g.currentlybeing
andrivers
pilotedatBobMacQuarrieComplex)
Useregenerativeair
Replacevehiclesattheiroptimallifecycledatesso
sweepersandproactive
thattheoldervehiclesarereplacedwithnewer
springtimesweeping
vehicleswhicharemorefuelefficientandmeet
programtoreduce
currentemissionstandards.
particulatematterintheair

andoutoftherivers
PerformanceMeasuresandBudgetAllocations
UseSmartAboutSalt
programandmonitoringof
TransportationrelatedStrategicInitiativesperformance
prewettingtoreducesalt
measuresaretoonumeroustolistinthisdocument.Related
use
budgetallocationsareordersofmagnitudeaboveothers
Implementcurrentroad
notedinthisanalysisduetothefactthattheyrelatetolarge
operationalpracticesthat
constructionprojects.
haveadaptedtoclimate
change,suchaslocationof

snowdisposalfacilitiesand
theinstallationofrealtime

WeatherInformation
Systems.
Encourageflexibleworking
schedules/locationsforcity
employees,wherefeasible.

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TOPICForestManagementStrategy
TheprioritiesdocumentmakesmentionofEcologyOttawaasapartnerinplantingonemilliontreesby
2017andEcologyOttawaextendsitsappreciationforthat.
PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthePrioritiesDocument
Thefollowingforestmanagementrelatedactionsfromtheclimateplanareincludedwithinthepriorities
document:

Adoptandimplementastrategythatidentifieswaystoincreasetreecoverandmaintainthe
healthofthecitysassets(coveredininitiativesasfollows)
o Maintaina2:1ratio(orgreater)betweentreesplantedandtreesremovedannually(not
aninitiativebutaStrategicObjectivePerformanceMeasure,ES1C,page22of
appendixA)
IncreaseForestCoverinitiative
o IncreaseForestCover(ES119,page61of
description:Initiativesforprotecting
appendixA)
andincreasingforestcoverinclude
o Ottawa2017Celebrations(EP11,page15
treeplantingintheurban,suburban
ofAppendixA)includesplanting
andruralareas,andrehabilitationof
CanadianNativeMapletreesinspecial
parksandgreenspacesbypartnering
locationsand/orsesquicentennialgrovesin
withEcologyOttawainordertohave
eachofthecitys23wards
1milliontreesplanted.Aswell,the
ImplementtheEmeraldAshBorerstrategy(covered
EmeraldAshBorer(EAB)Woodlot
bystrategicinitiativeES119notedabove)
ManagementStrategyfocusesonthe
Forestcoverisalsosaidtobefundedthroughthe
rehabilitationof993parksand187
2015budget.Thatfundingenvelopeisnot
municipalnaturefeaturesinthe
consideredinthisanalysis.
managementofawoodboring
PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthePriorities
beetle,theEmeraldAshBorer.
Document
Thefollowingforestmanagementrelatedactionfromtheclimateplanarenotincludedwithinthe
prioritiesdocument

CompletetheForestManagementStrategythatidentifieswaystoincreasetreecoverand
maintainthehealthofthisCityasset.

PerformanceMeasures

Notedabove,itselfaperformancemeasure:Maintaina2:1ratio(orgreater)betweentrees
plantedandtreesremovedannually
19A:AchievetheCitystreeplantingtargetof125,000treesperyear.

BudgetAllocations

ForIncreaseForestCover$5,605,000peryearfor2015/16/17/18inoperatingfunds

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TOPICGreenspaceProtectionandLandAcquisition:
PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthePrioritiesDocument
Nogreenspaceorlandrelatedactionsfromtheclimateplanareincludedwithinthepriorities
document.
PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthePriorities
Document
ThefollowingactionsfromtheAirQualityandClimate
ChangeManagementPlanarenotincludedwithintheTerm
ofCouncilPriorities:

Identifyandprioritizelandforprotection,
acquisition,andnaturalization,takingclimate
changeintoconsideration.(identifiedforinclusion
inthe2015budget)
CreateanewlandtrustforOttawa
IncreasetheCitysLandAcquisitionFundReserve
ASensitiveenvironmentallandstewardship
frameworkbroughtforwardforconsiderationin
the20152019TermofCouncilpriorities
Baseplanningdecisionsforruralandurban
communitiesonwatershedandsubwatershedplans
thatdocumentexistingconditions,assessthe
impactsoflanduse,andrecommendwaytoprotect
andenhancethenaturalsystem
Implementrestorationmeasuresinconsultation
withconservationauthorities,landownersand
others

AlsolistedunderLandUseand
Agricultureinitiativesintheclimate
planbutnotmentionedinthe
prioritiesdocumentare:

ImplementtheOfficialPlan
(e.g.intensification
measures)
Promotegreenbuildings
throughthedevelopment
reviewprocess
Investinexistingroads,
water,wastewater,transit
facilitiesandother
infrastructuresothatitcan
supportredevelopment
ImplementtheEABStrategy
Supportthecommunity
gardenprogram

PerformanceMeasuresandBudgetAllocations
None

TOPICHealthyWatersheds
Overall,protectingwaterisaddressedthoroughthe
strategicinitiativeWaterEnvironmentStrategyPhase2
(ES118,page81ofappendixA).
Weareconcerned,however,thatthatgreeninfrastructure
andlowimpactdevelopmentarenotmentionedinthe
prioritiesdocument.Noristhepromotionoflotlevel
stormwatermanagementsolutions.

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11

Initiativedescription:Developthe
WaterEnvironmentStrategy(WES)
Phase2and,pendingCouncil
approval,beginimplementation.
WES2willincludelongtermgoals,an
actionplan,andinteragency
coordinatingframework,buildingon
theCouncilapprovedPhase1and
inputfromthe2014Water
Roundtable.

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PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthePrioritiesDocument
Thefollowingactionsfromtheclimateplanareincludedintheprioritiesdocument:

ImplementtheOttawaRiverActionPlan(asstrategicinitiativeES117CombinedSewage
StorageTunnel,page81ofAppendixA)
ImplementthePinecrestWestboroStormwaterRetrofitPlan(withinstrategicinitiativeES121
StormwaterManagementRetrofitMasterPlan,page84ofAppendixA)
ImplementtheSourceWaterProtectionPlan(asaboveES121)
CompleteandimplementtheEasternSubwatershedsStormwaterRetrofitPlan(asaboveES1
21)

PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthePrioritiesDocument
Thefollowingactionsfromtheclimateplanarenotincludedintheprioritiesdocument:

Promoteandimplementlowimpactdevelopmentpractices(e.g.permeablepavement,grass
swales,etc.)
ImplementtheWetWeatherInfrastructureManagementPlan
ImplementtheInfrastructureManagementPlan

PerformanceMeasures
Performancemeasuresrelatedtowaterare:

ES1A:MaintainthenumberofWaterQualityIndexgoodtoexcellentratingsannuallyat75%of
monitoredlocationsonOttawasmajorrivers.(Ottawa,RideauandMississippi).
18A:CompletethefirstannualwaterqualitydatareportbyQ42016.
18B:MakeBaselineWaterQualitymonitoringdataavailablethroughtheCitysOpenData
initiativeby2015.
21A:Complete100%oftheEasternSubwatershedsSWMRetrofitStudybytheendof2015.
21B:Complete85%ofCitywideSWMRetrofitMasterPlanbyendof2018.

BudgetAllocations

$1,000,000peryearin2015/16/17/18incapitalfundingforWaterEnvironmentStrategyPhase
2(ES118,page62ofappendixA)
$2,465,000over4years(weightedto2017/18)incapitalfundingforStormwaterManagement
(SWM)RetrofitMasterPlan(ES121,page62ofappendixA)

TermofCouncilPrioritiesAnalysis

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DRAFTV5EcologyOttawa

TOPICWasteDiversion
Wastemanagementgetsminimalattentionintheprioritiesdocument.
PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthe
PrioritiesDocument

Expandrecyclablecollectionandservices
acrossCityfacilitiesandinkeypublic
locations
o WasteDiversioninParks,Buildings
andGroundsServicesOperations
(ES224,Page85ofAppendixA)

InitiativeES224description:Since2009,the
Parks,BuildingsandGroundsServicesbranch
haveimplementedmanysuccessfulwaste
managementprogramswithintheir
operations.Withestablisheddiversion
programsinplace,thefocuswillnowbeon
enhancingdiversionandparticipationrates.

PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthe
PrioritiesDocument

CompleteandimplementtheWastePlan,lookingforwaystoincreasediversion

PerformanceMeasures
24A:IncreasediversionratesinsmallscalecurbsideCityfacilitiesto:40%byQ42015;45%byQ4
2016;50%byQ42017and55%byQ42018.
BudgetAllocations

EmergencyRelated:AppendixBoftheclimate
planwasareportonprogressonthe
predecessor2005climateplan.Thefollowing
notesareextracts:

$24,000ineachof2015/16/17/18foroperating
funds
TOPICEmergencyManagement

EmergencyManagementisnotconsideredinthe
prioritiesdocument.
Inhis2012annualreporttheAuditorGeneralfor
theCityofOttawapointedoutthatthecitydoes
nothaveasystematicandcomprehensiveclimate
changeadaptationplan,i.e.,onewhichwillhelpus
dealwiththeinevitablechangesthatarecoming
withclimatechange.

PriorCommitmentsthatareIncludedinthe
PrioritiesDocument
None
PriorCommitmentsthatareMissingfromthe
PrioritiesDocument

ImplementHazardIdentificationand
MitigationProgramandPlan.

TermofCouncilPrioritiesAnalysis

13

Withrespecttoaclimatechange
adaptationstrategy:Adaptation
measuresrelatedtostormwater
managementhavebeencarriedout
eachyear.Variousmeasureswere
consideredduringupdateofthe
InfrastructureMasterPlanand
integratedintothe2014AQCCMP.
Reduceheatislandeffect:Ottawa
PublicHealthisworkingwithHealth
Canadatoassesstheheatislands/cool
sinksinOttawawithrespectto
populationswhoareespecially
vulnerabletoheat.
Climatechangeemergencyresponse
programs:workedwiththeOfficeof
EmergencyManagementonOttawas
LongTermRiskPrevention.

DRAFTV5EcologyOttawa

ContinuetoreviewandrefinetheHazardIdentificationandRiskAssessmentfortheEmergency
ManagementProgram;identifyingnatural,humancausedandtechnologicalhazardstotheCity
ofOttawabaseduponprovincialguidelinesandindustrybestpractices
ContinuetoidentifycorporateresourcesthroughanEmergencyEnergyPlan,toaddress
emergencyenergyrelatedissues

PerformanceMeasuresandBudgetAllocations
None

TOPICEnergyEastPipeline
AlthoughtheclimateplandidnotaddressTransCanadasEnergyEastpipelineproposal,theCityof
Ottawarepresentsaprominentvoiceinthisdiscussionwhichclearlyrelatestoclimatechangeand
protectionofwatersheds.ForthesereasonsEcologyOttawawouldhavewantedtoseeEnergyEast
includedinsomeforminthediscussionsofTermofCouncilPriorities.

Conclusion
AsdescribedinthisanalysisEcologyOttawahasnumerouspointswherewedliketoseemoreaction
andeffortbutinsummaryhereareourfourmostimportantrecommendationstotheCityofOttawa:

MayorWatsonshouldthrowhisweightbehindhiswordsandthroughambitiousactiononthe
climatechangeplan,achievelastingandimportantgainsacrosstheentireenvironmental
portfolio.
WerecommendthatgreeninfrastructurebeexplicitlyincludedintheTermofCouncil
Priorities.
WerecommendthatanewForestManagementStrategybeexplicitlyincludedintheTermof
CouncilPriorities.
WerecommendthatanewCompleteStreetspolicybeexplicitlyincludedintheTermofCouncil
Priorities.

Thisanalysisisreleasedasadraftfordiscussion.

TermofCouncilPrioritiesAnalysis

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DRAFTV5EcologyOttawa