Dec
17

Portable Radio Point of View #2 - Should the city pay for a new swan shelter? [3:28]

Filed Under (Point of View) by Mr. Toft and Mrs. Smith on 17-12-2007

Today we learned about Ottawa’s royal swans and an issue surrounding them. Queen Elizabeth II gave the swans to Ottawa as a present in 1967. It turns out that the swans’ winter shelter needs to be replaced and it would cost $430 000.

Take a listen to our Portable Radio Point of View. We are divided on this one!

CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning (91.5FM) aired this segment on Tuesday, December 18, 2007. You hear CBC host Hallie Cotnam introducing us.

Download

Here are our sources:

Here’s an excerpt from the Ottawa Citizen:

Budget leaves swans out in the cold
Councillors say no to funding construction of new winter home

Patrick Dare, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, December 14, 2007

Ottawa’s famous Royal Swans could soon find themselves without a winter home because the City of Ottawa doesn’t want to build one.

At a Dec. 12 budget meeting, council decided not to pay for a new swan home, which would cost $430,000. Councillors said the city can’t afford to be building things for swans. Council’s budget for the coming year brought in increases in bus fares, recreation user fees and a 4.9-per-cent increase in taxes.

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As part of our research we watched a video of the swans from spring 2007. This let us see what their shelter looks like and learn a little bit about the royal swans.

http://www.achannel.ca/ottawa/news_44504.aspx

We also visted the Ottawa Humane Society website and found out more information and their opinion on the swan shelter that is being used now.

http://www.ottawahumane.ca/swan.html

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4 Comments Already, Leave Yours Too

Karla Hilton on 17 December, 2007 at 9:13 pm #
    

Nathan,

Thanks for letting us know about this podcast. I think we are going to air it tomorrow morning, at 7:45 am.

I find it really refreshing to hear these kids voices on these issues — you are doing a great job with this project.

If you ever want a tour of the building, or even a guest speaker from CBC to come down to your class, let me know. We would more than happy to help some budding radio reporters!!

Thanks again, and all the best over the holidays.

Karla Hilton

Producer
Ottawa Morning
CBC Radio, Ottawa


Barre Campbell on 17 December, 2007 at 10:11 pm #
    

Hello Mr. Toft,

Thanks very much for sending us the opinions of your students. That’s a great broadcast.

I will follow up by forwarding the message tomorrow to various people at city hall.

Regards,

Barre Campbell
Media Relations Officer
City of Ottawa


Mrs. Cutler on 18 December, 2007 at 9:51 am #
    

Your opinions are so interesting: As always, you sound SO professional. It always brings a smile to my face when I listen to your musical intros. I am also very impressed that you researched, formed an opinion, wrote and recorded your podcast and met a CBC broadcast deadline. This is the REAL world! Way to go. I have some questions for you:

If the swans are moved to Montreal, who pays the cost then?

If they have not seen the swans while in Ottawa, is there a greater chance of seeing them in Montreal?

Is there another way to make a new home for the swans besides the City taking on the cost?

Great job!
Mrs. Cutler

Principal
A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board


Jayne Baak on 26 December, 2007 at 12:25 pm #
    

Great broadcast! Congratulations. I listened to you on CBC radio.

At this rate, I think CBC should give you a regular spot. Your broadcasts are current, informative and thought provoking.

Keep up the good work.

Proud parent,

Jayne


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