News

Planning Summit: Mayor Jim Watson’s Remarks

April 26, 2012
Today is the first step in the right direction. Here in this room we have a diverse group of people: community and business leaders, developers, government stakeholders and everyday residents who want to be part of the solution. And I say ‘solution’ because we need to be frank: Planning in Ottawa needs to be fixed - on many levels. We need to look over the horizon and determine our long-term vision for this capital.
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City to distribute 200,000 free PRESTO smart cards

April 20, 2012
Ottawa – OC Transpo riders will soon experience the convenience of using smart card technology with the official launch of the PRESTO card this summer. OC Transpo has successfully negotiated an agreement to distribute the first 200,000 smart cards for free to its customers starting June 10, 2012.
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City of Ottawa earns national recognition as top green employer

April 20, 2012
Ottawa – A national competition has recognized the City of Ottawa as being among Canada’s Greenest Employers based on an evaluation of its workplace environmental programs, according to a special feature published in today’s Globe and Mail.“The City strives to be a sustainable workplace and this Council has made environmental stewardship an important priority," said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. “This distinction recognizes our commitment to preserving the environment in which we live and confirms the City as a leader in making its workplace environmentally-friendly.”
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It’s spring cleaning time with Cleaning the Capital 2012

April 17, 2012
Ottawa – More than 53,000 volunteers have already signed up as part of the Spring Cleaning the Capital early bird registration to remove litter and graffiti from local parks and public spaces, bringing the annual cleanup campaign closer to breaking the record of 66,332 volunteers set in 2010.Mayor Jim Watson, Councillor Marianne Wilkinson, Chair of the Transportation Committee, City councillors and Tim Hortons are working together to promote the official annual campaign that launched today at the Queenswood Heights Centennial Park and Community Centre.
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Taxi By-law changes to improve service

April 11, 2012
City Council approved today changes to its Taxi By-law to improve accessible taxicab service.Under the new regulations, the Accessible Taxi Service Area is being expanded to provide accessible service everywhere in the city, including to all rural areas. Council also directed staff to release the final 12 accessible taxi licence plates from the original allotment of 185 accessible plates.
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City Council unanimously approves new collective agreement, ATU votes 85 per cent in favour

April 11, 2012
Ottawa – City Council and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 have ratified a four-year collective agreement.City Council unanimously in favour of the contract while ATU Local 279 members voted 85.3 per cent in favour of the deal that includes a 2 per cent economic increase for the first three years of the collective agreement with a 2.25 per cent increase in the last year of the contract. The contract expires on March 31, 2016.
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Staff recognized for commitment to ensuring a City for everyone

April 11, 2012
Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson and City Manager Kent Kirkpatrick presented Equity and Diversity Awards to the 2011 winners at today’s City Council meeting.The fifth edition of this annual award recognized individual City employees and teams who demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering a positive and respectful work environment and to providing services that respects the diversity of the residents of the City of Ottawa.
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