May 2026

May arrived with warmer days, greener spaces, and renewed energy across Ottawa. As communities gathered outdoors, the month brought important conversations around transportation, climate action, peace, housing, and community wellbeing. In this edition, we highlight local environmental initiatives, peace and justice advocacy, community events, and a look back at a story from a past issue.

Feature Story: Renewing the Push for Bike Share in Ottawa

Momentum is building around the call for a public bike share system in Ottawa. In May, community organizations including Ecology Ottawa and Bike Ottawa brought a delegation to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC), advocating for a bike share network that would make cycling more accessible, affordable, and connected across the city.

Supporters argue that bike share could help fill important gaps in Ottawa’s transportation system, offering residents a reliable and sustainable option for short trips and connections to transit. The initiative also aligns with broader climate goals by encouraging active transportation and reducing reliance on cars.

Read more:
https://www.ecologyottawa.ca/bike-share-delegation-pwic

Peace & Environment News Around Ottawa – May 2026

Climate Action Through Green Jobs

A new initiative led by EnviroCentre continues to support newcomers and underrepresented groups in learning home retrofit skills while helping reduce emissions from residential buildings. The program connects climate action with workforce development, creating opportunities for meaningful employment while supporting Ottawa’s environmental goals.

Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/30/ottawa-immigrants-retrofit-homes-climate-crisis

Species at Risk Decision Brings Environmental Win

A recent Federal Court of Appeal decision directed Environment and Climate Change Canada to reconsider a permit connected to the proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility at Chalk River Laboratories. Environmental groups and Indigenous advocates have welcomed the ruling as an important step for species-at-risk protections and watershed stewardship.

Read more:
https://ottawariverkeeper.ca/federal-court-of-appeal-upholds-the-species-at-risk-act/

Peace Vigil Planned Around CANSEC

Peace organizations and faith-based groups gathered in Ottawa to draw attention to the impacts of the global arms trade and advocate for nonviolence and human rights. The peaceful vigil highlighted the connections between militarization, global conflict, and community safety.

Read more:
https://pbicanada.org/2026/04/28/pbi-canada-supports-quaker-peaceful-faithful-vigil-at-the-cansec-arms-show-in-ottawa-may-27/

Fun Community Feature

Ottawa on Two Wheels 

As cycling season returns, community members across Ottawa are once again exploring the city’s extensive network of bike paths, riverfront routes, and neighbourhood trails. From the Rideau Canal to the Ottawa River pathways, residents continue to share favourite routes, cycling tips, and stories about experiencing the city from a different perspective.

Whether you’re a daily commuter or an occasional rider, spring is a great reminder of how active transportation can connect us with our communities, local green spaces, and one another.

Ottawa in Bloom: Celebrating the Canadian Tulip Festival!

Each May, Ottawa bursts into colour as the Canadian Tulip Festival returns to the capital. This year’s festival ran from May 8–18, welcoming residents and visitors to enjoy more than one million tulips blooming across the city. The largest displays can be found at Commissioners Park and along the Rideau Canal, transforming familiar landscapes into vibrant spring destinations. The festival remains one of Ottawa’s most beloved traditions and is considered the largest tulip festival in the world. (The Canadian Tulip Festival)

Beyond the flowers themselves, the festival celebrates a unique piece of Canadian history. The tulips originated as a gift from the Netherlands in gratitude for Canada’s role in the liberation of the Dutch people during the Second World War and for providing refuge to the Dutch royal family in Ottawa. Today, the festival continues to symbolize friendship, peace, remembrance, and renewal—values that feel especially fitting each spring. (613 Today)

From the Archives

Looking Back: Ontario’s Busy Legislative Spring

May 2025 was a consequential month in Ontario politics. The provincial government released a budget framed as a response to economic uncertainty and trade tensions with the United States, projecting significant deficits over the coming years before a return to a modest surplus. Critics argued that the budget prioritized business interests while falling short on support for everyday Ontarians and environmental protection.

The month also saw the introduction of several major pieces of legislation. Bill 2 proposed removing interprovincial trade barriers to encourage economic growth, while Bill 5 sought to accelerate mining development and establish “special economic zones.” Environmental organizations and First Nations raised concerns that Bill 5 weakened protections for endangered species and failed to adequately respect Indigenous rights and consultation processes. Meanwhile, Bill 17 drew criticism for rolling back municipal green building standards designed to advance climate goals. Looking back, these debates continue to resonate as communities across Ontario grapple with balancing economic development, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous rights.

May 2025 also included the Peace and Environment Resource Centre’s Annual General Meeting, held on May 23 at Rideau Park United Church, bringing members together to reflect on the organization’s work and priorities for the year ahead.

Community Corner

Have an event, project, story, or volunteer opportunity you would like featured in a future edition of PEN? We would love to hear from you. Community initiatives, environmental projects, peace-building efforts, and local stories help make this newsletter a space for connection, learning, and inspiration.

Thank you for reading and for being part of a growing community committed to peace, environmental stewardship, and collective care.

PERC appreciates all of our readers for giving us this chance to connect with members of our community, and we love being able to provide you with a forum to discuss pressing environmental and social justice issues.

But we also rely on your support to make this happen. If you are interested in helping our organization continue to use storytelling and networking to help individuals, non-profits, and community groups work locally for a greener and more peaceful world, please consider making a donation to the Peace and Environment Resource Centre.