Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Effective since October 1, 2023, C3 Water Inc. ("C3 Water"), joined CIMA+, one of Canada's largest privately-owned consulting engineering firms. "This acquisition is in line with CIMA+'s growth strategy throughout Canada, with a particular focus on sustainable engineering and Ontario's needs.", said Steeve Fiset, Chief Strategy Officer, CIMA+.
The Province is investing almost $2 million in water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades that will help the Town of Antigonish and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish prepare for future growth. Our municipalities depend on modern infrastructure to be competitive and attract new residents to their communities,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr. “By making these investments, we will improve the efficiency of the water and wastewater systems, ensuring residents and businesses have the services they expect and depend on every day and laying the foundation for continued growth for years to come.”
In a news release on Monday, the city said “at least 20 years” had passed since the rate structure was last fully reviewed. According to the city, a report found that trucked water and sewer fees only cover 75 percent of the cost to the city. City Hall says the best practice would be to charge 90 to 110 percent of the cost. The 190-page report, conducted by utility rate design consultants InterGroup and billed as only an interim version, recommends phasing in new rates over three years, beginning in January 2024.
The first annual Orange Out Paddle Day will hit the water at Curry Park Launch in Kemptville later this month in the name of reconciliation. Paddlers dressed in custom Orange Out day shirts will be taking over the creek at noon on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. “It’s the little orange idea that grew,” said organizer Craig McCormick. He said the idea has snowballed since he brought it up to others, and now all proceeds for the shirts will be donated to the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, a non-profit organization that provides services to the Indigenous community in Ottawa.
Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of an international agreement to protect wetlands around the globe, and this may get you thinking what is so important about wetlands. For awhile they were looked at as wastelands, but over the past few decades, science has shown just how important these areas are. Dan Kraus, a senior conservation biologist with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, says wetlands were the first habitat to have been protected through a global agreement.
