News Headlines / February 23, 2007

'Terrific MP' wins NDP nomination in Ottawa Centre   “I’m delighted to represent Ottawa Centre; it truly is the best riding in the country,” Dewar told the nearly 70 people that came out to the party’s nomination meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion on Kent Street in preparation for the next federal election.   School rankings unreliable, unfair: parents, educators   Centretown elementary schools are well below average in Eastern Ontario, a result parents say is based on an unreliable test.   Shelter hands out new health kits to the homeless   Centre 507, a drop-in centre at Bank and Argyle streets, is launching a year-long initiative to bring vital health information to the city’s homeless.   Few festivities mark Chinese New Year in city   Around the world, people are celebrating the beginning of the lunar calendar – the Chinese year of the pig – which began on Feb. 18.   Rotting garbage to become useable power   Powertrail Inc., a local green energy company, opened a facility that will convert greenhouse gases into power at the city-owned dump in the west end this month.   Energy program helps low-income households save   Free fridges and insulation upgrades have helped 88 low-income households save energy and more than 200 homes in and around Ottawa will benefit next, says Dana Silk, general manager of the non-profit EnviroCentre, which runs energy efficient programs.   Provincial bill threatens long-term care funding   A provincial bill has the City of Ottawa worried about the future funding of long-term care homes in the city.   Freeze leaves advisory committees out in cold   Ottawa’s advisory committees are currently frozen from replacing members whose terms would otherwise have expired.   School board bus-sharing plan forges ahead   Plans for a transportation partnership between Ottawa’s school boards are driving ahead with the submission of a proposed operating agreement to the Ministry of Education.   Briefly . . .   Concert hall funding deadline extended . . . Provincial NDP sets date for nomination meeting