Speeches

Mayor’s State of the City Address 2013

January 23, 2013
“A Year of Action” [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] I want to welcome you to the first Council meeting of our third year together. The State of the City is a chance for us to reflect on where we have been and where we are going. And on this front – we have much to be proud of – and much to look forward to. I want to thank you all for your tir
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Accessibility Day

November 29, 2012
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.I am very pleased to be here this morning to welcome you to this special event and officially proclaim today AccessAbility Day here in the City of Ottawa.I want to recognize my Council colleagues and senior staff who are with us today:·      Councillor Quadri;·      Councillor El-Chantiry;·      Councillor Chernushenko;·      Councillor Deans; and,
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Mayor’s Remarks: Federation of Citizens Associations of Ottawa 25th Anniversary AGM

June 5, 2012
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It’s my pleasure to be here today at the Federation of Citizens Associations of Ottawa annual general meeting to talk directly with individuals who are actively taking an interest in civic affairs. I would like to thank Graeme Roderick, President of the FCA, for having me. And I want to take a moment to offer you all a very special congratulations on this your 25th Anniversary AGM.Twenty-five years of collective service to our community is an achievement that you should all be very proud to attain.
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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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Mayor's Remarks to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

April 24, 2012
Check Against DeliveryGood morning Mr. Chair and Committee members.On behalf of the City of Ottawa and my Council colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you this morning.It is a great pleasure for me to address you and provide you with the City of Ottawa’s objectives for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation in 2017.This promises to be one of the biggest and most significant milestones in our country’s history.
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Mayor’s Address on Tourism and Canada's 150th Anniversary

January 27, 2012
Let me begin by thanking The Kiwanis Club of Ottawa for your kind invitation, and to again thank you for the good work you do in our community. For almost 100 years, your club has had a stellar reputation of giving back to our community in so many ways. Today I want to talk to you about an issue that is both timely and important for our city, and really for our country.
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Mayor Watson's State of the City Address 2012

January 25, 2012
I am privileged today to deliver my first State of the City address after a year of accomplishment together and to share some thoughts on the year ahead. Since being elected we have set a new tone around this council table....and – most importantly – in the community. We are committed to action – to getting things done...to delivering tangible, achievable results for our communities.
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