Latest news with #pilotproject
CBC
13-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Swimming now allowed at new Dow's Lake dock
You can now swim off the NCC's dock at Dow's Lake 22 hours ago Duration 2:22 Social Sharing Grab your goggles and water wings, Ottawa: Swimming is now permitted from a recently installed dock at Dow's Lake. New buoy lines marking off the deep-water swim area were unveiled Thursday, with a separate lane coming soon for swimmers "wishing to get their laps in," the National Capital Commission (NCC) said in a news release. The accessible dock was installed on the lake early last month, along with Muskoka chairs, bike racks and native plants. At that time, the NCC said it was waiting for the results of water quality testing to see if a pilot project allowing swimming would be possible. On Thursday, they said testing carried out over the past year had shown the lake's swimming area has "consistently" met or exceeded health and safety guidelines. "We tested more than 140 different parameters for contaminants, for pesticides, for petrochemicals, for a lot of the things that people worried about. And we didn't see those there," said Jen Halsall, the NCC's real estate adviser. "The data is doing the talking. It's not Jen from the NCC saying, 'Get in there!' It's really the lake telling us what's possible." The Ottawa Riverkeeper will test the water five times a week, Halsall said, with results posted throughout the summer on the NCC's website. 4 metres deep Swimming will be unsupervised this summer, the NCC said, with no lifeguards on duty. The unsupervised area is part of the natural lakebed, meaning it should be used by experienced swimmers only, according to the NCC's website. "Our water depth starts at four metres, and it gets deeper from there," said Halsall, adding that the dock has plenty of ladders, grab bars and other safety features. According to those who jumped in Thursday, Dow's Lake should prove enticing for Ottawans seeking somewhere to cool off this summer. "The water's so fresh! And it's warm, and it's clean," said Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi, who was on hand for the unveiling.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Windsor launching front yard parking pilot in Ward 4
New two-year program lets residents apply for driveways — not park on grass. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor) Windsor is paving the way — literally — for more accessible parking in one of its busiest wards. City council has approved a two-year pilot project that will allow residents in most of Ward 4 to build front yard driveways — a shift meant to address growing frustrations over street parking shortages and safety concerns in back alleys. The program, approved by city council Monday, will not apply to homes in the Walkerville Heritage District, but most other properties in the ward will now be eligible to apply for curb cuts and paved driveways, subject to approval by city staff. It's a change years in the making for Ward 4 Councillor Mark McKenzie, who said outdated rules were putting residents at a disadvantage simply because of the way their neighbourhoods were designed. 'If you had a paved alley, you weren't allowed to have a front yard driveway,' he explained. 'Administration was recommending, look, have your driveway in the back off the alley. Well, we've had those discussions numerous times about our alleys — they aren't maintained. They're not safe. They're not well-lit. They're not even plowed in the winter.' McKenzie said he hears from residents about the issue every week and pushed for this pilot after repeated concerns about how alley-only access was no longer practical. 'This is a practical solution to give people driveways — especially in those areas where parking is already at a premium,' he said. For Bobbie Bruneau, the change can't come soon enough. 'I've lived in my home for 25 years. The parking has been absolutely ridiculous,' she told council Monday. 'It's only growing worse because our neighborhood has changed so much.' Bruneau lives on Erie Street and said she's dealt with everything from crowded curbs to property damage. 'My car has been hit a couple times just from being on the streets,' she said. 'People come there that don't live there. They park; they take up two spots. Now we have garbage out on the front of the street, so it's even harder.' She added that parking in the alley doesn't feel safe either. 'It's very dark. I only have one spot, to fit my car in the garage. And honestly, I feel very nervous… My biggest fear is that someone's going to run into my garage and attack me.' The pilot will allow residents to apply for a permit to build a front yard driveway. Each application will be reviewed by city administration to ensure there's enough space, no obstructions like trees or utility poles, and compliance with all existing regulations. 'It's not going to be a free-for-all,' McKenzie emphasized. 'No one's going to be parking on grass or blocking sidewalks or anything like that… Some people are going to be denied because there's just not going to be enough room. But at least it gives people an option.' Designer and developer Andrew Liburdi also spoke in support of the program. 'The point here is that the residents should have the right to park in front of their homes, especially when their neighbours already can,' he told council. He also pointed to the pilot's potential impact on housing. 'Unit one and two can use front yard parking to utilize a property's fullest potential, which would help the housing issue we face today and create more density within a neighborhood.' While it remains to be seen how many residents will actually apply, McKenzie said he expects the number to stay relatively low — estimating one or two dozen applicants during the two-year window. Residents will need to pay for the installation of the driveway and necessary permit. Still, he said that's enough to test what could be a meaningful policy shift. 'We can learn from mistakes and then move forward,' he said. 'But I think to just have a status quo — which isn't working right now anyway — we need to at least try things. And I'd rather try something and say, you know what, maybe it didn't work, but at least we tried it.' City administration will report back in 2027 with data on how many driveways were approved and whether the project should be expanded, tweaked — or scrapped altogether.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
New pedestrian scramble crossing intersection in Winnipeg to take effect Monday
The intersection of King Street and Bannatyne Avenue pictured on Feb. 26, 2025. (Glenn Pismenny/CTV News Winnipeg) Winnipeggers will get to test out a new scramble crossing as part of a pilot project. The city announced Monday the intersection at King Street and Bannatyne Avenue has been converted into a pedestrian scramble and will be activated Monday afternoon. A scramble allows pedestrians to cross in all directions once per light cycle. 'Having a dedicated crossing phase for pedestrians can improve safety and efficiency when installed at a suitable location. Pedestrian scrambles are most suitable at small intersections where there are lots of pedestrians, fewer vehicles, and many destinations close by,' the city said in a news release. The new scramble won't allow for diagonal crossing right now, but the city said if this project becomes permanent, it will look at the possibility of adding that option. People are asked to pay attention to the signals and listen for the audible signal as well, which will indicate when people can cross in the scramble. Cars won't be allowed to turn on a red light during the scramble. Pedestrians will still be allowed to cross outside the scramble when the lights allow for it. The results from the pilot project will be presented in 2026.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
SAQ to bring alcohol products to grocery store shelves
The SAQ is launching a new pilot project, allowing select grocery stores and convenience stores across Quebec to sell some of its products.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
No alcoholic drinks allowed in federal parks in Ottawa, as city to allow alcohol in some parks this summer
People look out from Kiweki Point (formerly Nepean Point) in Ottawa on the day of its re-opening following a major redevelopment, on Friday, May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Parkgoers will be allowed to enjoy a cold beer or cooler in select Ottawa parks this summer, but you won't be able to drink an alcoholic beverage in federal parks like Major's Hill Park and Kìwekì Point, along the Rideau Canal and on Parliament Hill. A City of Ottawa committee approved a pilot project to allow alcohol consumption in designated areas of municipal parks this summer, with the parks selected by councillors. Under the plan, alcohol will be allowed in city parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., from July 1 to Oct. 31. Alcoholic drinks will be forbidden within five metres of beaches, sports fields and playgrounds. But while the city will allow people to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in municipal parks, you won't be allowed to legally possess alcoholic drinks in federal parks across Ottawa. The National Capital Commission tells CTV News Ottawa the rules for alcohol consumption in NCC managed parks and lands are in accordance with Ontario rules. 'In Québec and in Ontario, alcohol consumption on NCC managed lands is subject to section 36 of the National Capital Commission Traffic and Property Regulations: 'No person shall have liquor in his possession on or in the property of the Commission other than in accordance with the laws of the province in which the Commission property is situated.,'' the NCC said in a statement. The NCC says bistros and patios in several parks sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on-site: Confederation Park, Remic Rapids Park, Patterson Creek Park, Hog's Back Park, as well as the taverns in Major's Hill Park and Bate Island Park. The Liquor Licence Act allows municipalities to designate public places where alcohol consumption is allowed.
