politics

Aga Khan’s Bridges That Unite - Exploring Canada’s Global Leadership

Bridges that Unite, an interactive exhibition showcasing Canada’s ability to bridge the developed and the developing worlds, is set to open in Ottawa next week as part of a cross-Canada tour.

Presented from January 28th to February 28th at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the exhibit invites visitors to consider Canada’s role in the world through the lens of a remarkable 25-year partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in some of the world’s most isolated and impoverished regions. Thought-provoking stories, spanning several continents, are told through powerful images, evocative soundscapes and multimedia components.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, is presenting the bilingual exhibition, which provides an opportunity to share the experience of the past quarter-century and chart a way forward for Canada and the world, explained Khalil Z. Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of AKFC.

“The exhibition draws on our rich experience in the developing world to spark conversations about what Canada and Canadians can do to ensure a more peaceful, prosperous and pluralist world. We are delighted to continue this important dialogue in Ottawa and we look forward to teaming up with the Canada Science and Technology Museum and other key partners to present Bridges that Unite.”

The exhibition provides an ideal platform for in-depth exchanges on some of the most pressing questions of the 21st century and plays host to a range of on-site events including free film screenings, cultural events, and school programs. Guides are on hand to engage with visitors and animate special activities.

“While at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Bridges that Unite exhibition will highlight many of Canada’s contributions on the world stage. As one of Canada’s national cultural institutions, we are also pleased to provide a platform to generate dialogue and engagement for visitors of all ages with this revealing window on the human condition. Both Bridges that Unite and our concurrent exhibition, Hungry Planet will provide a unique opportunity to reflect on some of the great issues that challenge our planet,” said Denise Amyot, President and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation.

Bridges that Unite is presented Tuesday through Sunday, free of charge, at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, located at 1867 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa. The Museum will also be open on Monday, February 15, 2010, for Family Day.

For more information including details on the weekly calendar of events, visit www.bridgesthatunite.ca or contact Aga Khan Foundation Canada at info@bridgesthatunite.ca or 1-800-267-2532 ext. 8.

Anti-Prorogation Protest


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

While Apartment613 normally focus on city issues, from time to time the fact that Ottawa is the national capital just can’t be ignored. This weekend, as many as 3,500 people gathered on Parliament Hill to protest the closing down of parliament until March. The Ottawans were joined by at least 7,000 people in Toronto and 500 in Halifax, as well as a number of other groups around the country. The  protests were organized by the people behind the Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament facebook group, which now boasts 214,000 members.

If you’re curious about the day’s events, check out these great shots of the day by photographer extraordinaire, Meaghan Walton. Let us know what you think… should our MPs get back to work, or does the government legitimately need some down time for sober reflection?

No to Proroguing! Rally on Parliament Hill at 1pm

This democracy’s not giving you what you want?

Join the thousands on Parliament Hill this Saturday, January 23rd at 1pm

No to prorogation:
http://noprorogue.ca/ottawa/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=240574036819#/event.php?eid=244036543286&index=1

The Apartment613 Blogger Consultation on Budget 2010

Photo courtesy of solylunafamilia on Flickr

Photo courtesy of solylunafamilia on Flickr

If there is one thing that the blogging community is known for, it is speaking their minds. Leading into the City of Ottawa’s 2010 budget process, the editorial team at Apartment613 is working to compile a list of concerns, ideas and suggestions for Ottawa’s budget from local blog readers-extraordinaire.

Send us your thoughts by email to editors@apt613.ca with Ottawa Budget as subject and we’ll create a master list of recommendations from our online community.

Click to continue reading “The Apartment613 Blogger Consultation on Budget 2010″

So You Think You Can Dance Run Ottawa: The Jim Watson edition!

Photo courtesy jimwatsonmpp.ca

Photo courtesy jimwatsonmpp.ca

This was announced Tuesday, which in blog-time is pretty much the 18th century, but it’s still important: Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Jim Watson is bidding farewell to provincial politics in exchange for a shot at Ottawa’s top job.

Blog readers over 30 (what, they exist - and I’m going to be one in just under four months, so start shopping now for sympathy cards) might remember Watson’s pre-amalgamation stint as the city’s mayor, from 1997 to 2000. He resigned after one term to become president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission, and in 2003 he was elected to Queen’s Park where - until yesterday - he was the province’s municipal affairs and housing minister. (He says he won’t step down as an MPP until mid-February.)  Basically, what we’re saying is that Watson’s about as far as you can get from this guy.

Click to continue reading “So You Think You Can Dance Run Ottawa: The Jim Watson edition!”

The City of Ottawa 2010 Budget: Have your say!

Photo courtesy of transferpoint on Flickr

Photo courtesy of transferpoint on Flickr

The people of Ottawa have an important voice on the proposed 2010 municipal budget: their own. Public consultation is more important than ever in the new budget process, and it’s up to you to let your city councillors know what’s on your mind. Check out the budget breakdown below, call your city councillor, or use one of the many contact options listed at the end of this post to make your voice heard. Debate on the final budget will begin January 25, so you have to act now if you want the city council to hear your concerns. Don’t let the Ottawa 2010 budget cause discontent during your winter - speak up!

A New Process

A new body, the audit, budget and finance (ABF) standing committee, is responsible for the final look of the Ottawa 2010 draft budget. The many committees within the city government report to the ABF committee, and it can accept, reject, or modify their proposals. Mayor Larry O’Brien chairs the committee, and under his leadership it has rejected many of the increases proposed by other committees in creating the final version of the draft budget, which was tabled on December 9. Thankfully, the ABF committee threw out some of the crazier proposals, including a 10% property tax increase, but it includes many costly proposals dear to the city council, including the new Green Bin program. In all, the $2.3 billion budget includes $95 million of new budget pressures. The budget process for 2010 is simpler and more streamlined, but your voice is still necessary to determine where and how the city spends your taxes.

Click to continue reading “The City of Ottawa 2010 Budget: Have your say!”

Ecology Ottawa’s 2009 Report Card: F for Mayor

Courtesy of amboo who? on flickr

Courtesy of amboo who? on flickr

School children won’t be the only one’s trying to hide their report card this December. Last week, Ecology Ottawa released their fourth annual City Council Report Card, which tracks city councillors’ voting record on a selected list of 14 environment related motions that hit city hall during the last year. Samples include:

  • A failed proposal  to curb urban sprawl by freezing the city’s urban boundary at its current limits.
  • Several measures to reduce air pollution from the city’s transit fleet were passed, including: reporting annually on the greenhouse gas emissions of the transit fleet; completing the implementation plan for 177 diesel-electric hybrid buses, which will be used on low-speed transit routes with frequent stops; and converting the bus fleet to the more efficient fuel variety.
  • Council approved the revised Community Garden Action Plan, initially developed in 2005 . A key component of the plan is the provision of financial and logistical support for the establishment of new community garden: the small annual garden development fund of $5,000 that was established in 2005 was increased to $75,000 annually for developing new gardens or enhancing existing ones.

This year’s list of teacher’s pets include Councillors Bellemare (Beacon Hill-Cyrville), Bédard (Rideau-Vanier), Cullen (Bay), Doucet (Capital), Holmes (Somerset), Hume (Alta Vista) and Legendre (Rideau-Rockcliffe). Each of them got at least a B in three out of the four report cards. This year’s class clowns were Councillors El-Chantiry (West Carleton-March) and Chiarelli (College) as well as the mayor. Appropriately for environmental ne’er-do-wells, its been confirmed that Santa will be delivering a lump of coal to each come December 25.

City proposes cuts to tree maintenance budget

Courtesy of jhscrapmom on flickr

Courtesy of jhscrapmom on flickr

Trees are the thin green line holding our cities back from the concrete abyss. Adding a line of ash or maples instantly transforms the mean city streets to a more humane and hospitable place and adds both beauty and privacy to the urban space. However, the advantages of the urban forest go beyond aesthetics to the more practical domains of energy savings and air quality. For example, having a tree in front of your house to break the wind can result in energy savings of 10-15%. They are also giant air filters, absorbing as much as 7,000 particles per litre of air as well as sucking up carbon from cars and buildings.

Given all these economic, environmental and social benefits, the proposed $2 million cuts to the city’s $11 million forestry program is a bit of a puzzle. According to the CBC, the cuts will mean that the regular trimming of Ottawa’s 310,000 trees will happen only once every 32 years, instead of once every 5 to 7 years as is currently the stated practice (although apparently that time line is more aspiration than fact). One disturbing (and completely unsubstantiated) rumor floating around is that the city will choose to just cut down trees that may become a problem over the next few years rather than deal with the risk.

Click to continue reading “City proposes cuts to tree maintenance budget”

Weekly News Review: O’Brien pondering political future, Ottawa catches Olympic fever and lots more!

Apartment613: all the news that's fit to print

Apartment613: all the news that's fit to print.

CTV Ottawa reports that Mayor O’Brien will take the holiday break to ponder his political future. If O’Brien chooses to run again, it’s expected many candidates will run against him: Councillors Alex Cullen, Peter Hume and Diane Deans have all publicly pondered taking a run for the position. However, he’d be crazy not to run again considering how his current sideline - Calian Technologies - is doing so well at piling up city contracts… Right?

We wrote earlier in the week about the Olympic Flame making its stop through Ottawa. On Saturday evening, thousands gathered around Parliament and catch the Olympic flame celebrations. Former NHLer, Joe Juneau had the honour of accepting the flame and igniting the cauldron outside Parliament’s centre block. The night also coincided with the lighting of the Christmas lights at Parliament. A half-hour concert by Tom Cochrane capped off the event. If you want to catch a glimpse of the flame’s journey through Ottawa, check here.

Ottawa’s Public School Board appears to have some tough days ahead as it has to make over $14 million in cuts to balance its budget. The areas where funding would be cut have not been set in stone but range from reducing the numbers of Special Education Learning Centre teachers to reducing the central administrative budget. If the proposed cuts go through, as many as 88 jobs could be lost.

Good news, Preston St. is finally re-opened to traffic and as an added bonus will offer free parking, at least until the spring, when the new pay-and-display machines will be installed.

Just The Facts: What’s The Deal With The Lansdowne Vote?

The graphical representation of the vote outcome for Lansdowne Park

The graphical representation of the vote outcome for Lansdowne Park

Post by Phil Castro

Continuing my earlier post on Lansdowne, the beginning of the end came at about 5:30pm Monday November 16th when, after two days of public comment and a day of grilling the proponents and City Staff, our Ottawa City Council began ploughing through a barrage of motions that would see or unravel the redevelopment of Lansdowne.

To recap, the $250 million dollar redevelopment of Lansdowne would include a collection of shops, restaurants, theatres, parking garages, green spaces, condos, townhouses, offices and a refurbished stadium and arena that would have a CFL franchise taking to the field in 2013 on the City owned property. The City would contribute $129 million to the plan and partner with a private consortium of local businessmen called the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG).

Councillor Clive Doucet, the most vocal and opposed to the redevelopment, opened Council discussion by simply stating “Either you believe in open, transparent government, or you don’t. End of story”.  As the meeting continued late into the evening Councillor Jan Harder could be heard at one point stating that “Things are starting to get very stupid or, should I say, dumber than usual”.

I watched the whole thing and both comments summed up my feelings; let me summarize those facts for you now.

Click to continue reading “Just The Facts: What’s The Deal With The Lansdowne Vote?”