January 2011

3rd Annual Meeting of the Alliance to End Homelessness: Address by Mayor Jim Watson 

January 21, 2011

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY *** It’s a pleasure to be here with you this morning I see a lot of familiar faces and good friends, many of whom I have had the chance to work with over the years. Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today about one of the challenges our City faces that is closest to my heart. I’ve been involved in tackling the complex and difficult problem of homelessness throughout…
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Budget 2011 Speech

January 19, 2011

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY *** Fellow Council members, today we begin the 2011 budget. Establishing our fiscal framework is the single most important task we will do this year. This budget sets the foundation for budgets to come. Having spoken to each of you about your priorities, your desire for more collaboration and civility, I am confident this Budget delivers and sets a new tone. I appreciate the trust you all placed in me before Christmas in…
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City tables draft 2011 Budget under 2.5%

January 19, 2011

Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson and Kent Kirkpatrick, City Manager, today presented a draft budget that proposes a tax increase of 2.45%, slightly below the 2.5% maximum total tax increase directed by the newly elected Council on December 15, 2010. Draft Budget 2011 recommends a tax increase of 2.45% for urban home owners and commercial properties and 2.4% in rural areas. The average urban home will see an increase of only $75 this year for City…
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Speech to the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Primary tabs

January 11, 2011

Let me begin by congratulating the new chair of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Mr. David Donaldson and thanking Tim Redpath, your outgoing chair. This is my first major speech since being sworn in on December 1st. Over the past six weeks, this Council has already shown it can come together in a spirit of cooperation to effect the change that Ottawa voted for. There is a real sense of collaboration already apparent. A new…
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Speech to the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce