Climate Resiliency Strategy

Update/create/advocate for business continuity plans for essential services during extreme weather events.

Outreach and education on more effective salt application

Raise awareness on the harmful effects of salt and ways to reduce salt use, including with commercial and multi-residential properties

Require or incentivize net zero buildings

Ideally require all new buildings to be net zero or offer incentives (e.g. tax rebate)

Develop indicators to measure adaption progress over time and tie relevant management staff’s compensation to successful implementation.

Ensure infrastructure planning follows up to date flood maps

Maximum Temp for Rental Units

There is currently a minimum allowable temperature for rental units during the winter, but no maximum. This means apartments are not required to have a.c and many buildings have policies of no window ac units. A city-wide policy change regarding this, or pressure on the provincial government to change this requirement would make the summers much easier for renters.

Parks with more shade. Splash pads turned on earlier or left on later in year depending on weather and not the date.

Be adaptable.

Mandate replacement of City trees that die or must be removed

Currently residents decide whether to replace City trees on City land adjacent to their property. Failure to maintain our City tree canopy affects all residents by decreasing shade, creating hotter sidewalks and asphalt, reduced air quality and decreased ecosystems for wildlife.

Refillable water bottle stations in outdoor public spaces and more shaded seating areas

A lot of cities in Europe have refillable water stations all over their downtown core, which can serve as a reminder to carry around a water bottle and to drink more water. These stations could also ensure proper hydration, even in our most vulnerable, and allow quicker access to water. Also, there is a lack of shaded seating, especially near our bike paths.

Lead your community through a mapping and visioning activity like the Citizen's Coolkit

The Citizen’s Coolkit, created by the University of British Columbia, is a guide that supports communities to implement climate solutions by mapping how climate change is impacting their neighbourhoods and homes and taking action to implement solutions.

Use climbing vines to provide shade if there is no room for trees

For narrow sidewalks or other areas where there is no room to plant trees, we should install frames to support native vines that can provide shade and other modest mitigating effects.

Clean out ditches in Merivale Gardens to allow water to drain away from houses. Establish a storm water management plan for Merivale Gardens

Cleats not Salt?

I can't help wonder if it would be cheeper for the city to give rebates on cleats instead of salting all icy sidewalks & roads. Also seniors & disabled are an issue here. Increased ice events are increasingly expensive and seniors & disabled are becoming shut-ins more often, despite best intentions. Current system is failing them. So maybe the government could once and for all invent a way for seniors to easily/quickly put on cleats like a slip-on. Wouldn't this free up money/resources eg. to help a smaller number of special cases disabled in wheelchairs? Also, as an environmentalist, I hate using salt. So I use sand, which quickly washes away. So I often just shovel a bit of snow on top of the ice. If it doesn't stick to the ice, I spray a bit of water first. but usually it does if sun hits it once. No salt/sand required. Often wonder why other's don't do this? PS. Salt is only as good as the person spreading it... ie. what good is a dump of a mound of the stuff ???

More community gardens

Provide resources (seed libraries for local vegetables and native plant species), open more community gardens so we can grow our own food.

Require green infrastructure and permeable surfaces when building increased intensity urban housing: Green roofs, urban forests.

Respect de la déclaration d'urgence climatique

Le Conseil municipal actuel devrait confirmer la déclaration d’une urgence climatique faite par le même Conseil municipal en 2019.

Expand Rain Ready rebates for all Ottawa residents.

The Rain Ready rebates are currently only for those living in particular zones historically prone to flooding. What we have seen though is increased flood across Ottawa during exceptional summers. Therefore everyone should have access to these rebates so they can better prepare their homes and avoid flooding issues.

Develop flood response plans for communities in flood-prone areas

Work with communities to raise awareness about flood risks and how to get prepared. Consider support for at-risk / priority population groups.

Re-evaluate Townhomes Downspouts/Regs

Townhouses often share eavestrophs & downspouts resulting in overflow issues to just one property during extreme rain. Force of water can push water uphill into basements etc. I've installed 2 downspouts where there was only one, raised & lowered grading - very difficult for just me. I'd like the city to review building codes, & bylaws to reflect this imbalance in shared water management responsibility. Beware that some leaf guards also seem to not be able to handle extreme downpours.

Improve communication

Develop a database that will allow to identify who is responsible for what. Nobody seems to know what the CCN, the municipality, environmental organizations. They should all cooperate and avoid duplication and benefit from each other competencies.