Business Headlines / February 9, 2007

Ottawa's cold weather brings Winterlude cash   For Ottawa businesses in the downtown core, Winterlude means more than just Beaver Tails and ice sculptures. Instead of skating, businesses see spending and instead of drinking hot chocolate, companies will be reaping hot profits.   Businesses call city parking policy unfair   City councillors are hoping to revamp, later this year, the cash-in-lieu of parking policy that has been called “inconsistent” and “prohibitive” by Centretown business improvement area executives.   New laws promote better accessibility   A growing number of people with disabilities and new laws are forcing Centretown businesses to rethink accessibility.   Viewpoint: Energy solutions aren't saving enough consumer dollars   Solar power, which is one of the few ways city-dwellers can produce their own green energy, is not cost effective if they currently rely on Ontario Hydro. Unfortunately, it’s cheaper to keep buying electricity from the province rather than installing solar panels and the equipment that goes with it.