public spaces

Heat wave: Montreal distributing water bottles, extending splash pad access

Heat wave: Montreal distributing water bottles, extending splash pad access

The city is also handing out bottled water to a dozen community groups to be distributed in public spaces and will supply those who work with the unhoused with enough bottles to last for three days.

Insufficient watering killed 60 % of trees in Montreal borough initiative

Insufficient watering killed 60 % of trees in Montreal borough initiative

About 60 per cent of young trees planted as part of a green initiative in Montréal-Nord died because the borough didn't properly water them, according to the city's auditor general. The trees were part of the city's Un enfant, un arbre (One child, one tree) initiative, which began in 2013. Citizens can apply to have a tree planted in their neighbourhood to celebrate the birth or adoption of a child. The report, released Tuesday, said "a lack of sufficient watering" meant that 60 per cent of those trees, planted in public spaces in Montréal-Nord, died, representing "a loss of both investment and benefits to the ecosystem."

Ban bottled water in city spaces, urges group

Ban bottled water in city spaces, urges group

A group of water experts, students and former councillors is urging the City of Ottawa to ban bottled water in all its arenas and facilities. The Ottawa Water Study Action Group(OWSAG)gathered at City Hall on Monday to both celebrate the quality of local drinking water and ask the city to get out of the plastic water bottle business. "Ottawa tap water is terrific, it is much better than bottle water," said former city councillor Diane Holmes at the meeting.