NEWS ARCHIVES

March 14, 2011

Council adopts 2011 Budget

On Tuesday, March 8th, Council adopted Budget 2011 with a 2.45% tax increase, which was just below the original 2.5% that was proposed.

Budget 2011’s 2.45% increase for urban home owners and commercial properties represents an increase of $75 this year for City services. Rural area homeowners will see a 2.4% increase. Compared to the last few years, the average urban tax increase is considerably less this year. For example, the tax increase for urban home owners was $135 in 2008; $166 in 2009; and $125 in 2010.
The Ottawa Public Library Board and the Ottawa Police Services Board have also adopted budgets in line with 2.5%.

Budget 2011 public consultations throughout February and early March were extensive and included: public delegations at Standing Committee meetings, five multi-ward consultations attended by the Mayor, area Councillors and senior management, and the Mayor’s Spending Control Town Hall Meeting.

Budget 2011 includes:

  •  Freezing of recreation fees for activities for the first time since amalgamation.
  •  22 front line paramedics with two new, fully equipped ambulances and two new technicians to keep the ambulances on the streets.
  •  45 new firefighters to staff two new fire stations.
  •  $10 million investment in Housing and Poverty Reduction initiatives that is in addition to a $4 million capital investment for housing initiatives.
  •  $161 million towards projects and programs to improve and streamline the bus system.
  •  Provisions to expand the free transit period for seniors from Wednesdays only to include Mondays and Fridays after 12 noon starting next month.
  •  74 new bus drivers to improve service and reduce overtime.
  •  $500,000 funding envelope for priority environmental initiatives.
  •  $2.8 million per year for new cycling initiatives across the city.
  •  $28 million to address the flooding and sewage back-up problems in the west end.
  •  $2 million allocated for economic development initiatives.
  •  Capital spending plan that focuses on transit investments, the renewal of roads and sewers and new parks and recreation facilities.
  •  Advances key initiatives including: the Ottawa River Action Plan, Light Rail and Lansdowne redevelopment.

I would like to thank all residents of Ottawa who took part in the whole process regarding the Budget and expressed concerns. Without you, we as a Council could not have come up with important task of going forth with this proposal.

For more information on the budget, please visit the City of Ottawa’s website at www.ottawa.ca

New Youth Centre open house

On Friday, March 25th at the Pretty Street Community Centre, Youth Connexion is hosting an open house for Stittsville’s new youth Centre, the Connexion Lounge.

The open house takes place between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm.

As our community continues to grow, so does the need for more services such as those for our youth. Youth Connexion has been a tremendous program in the past hosting numerous programs and events for our youth throughout the course of the year and I am excited about this latest news regarding Connexion Lounge.

The purpose of the open house is to give residents in the community more information on this tremendous new initiative that supports our growing youth population. I am encouraging you to attend this open house and find out what the Connexion Lounge is all about.

For more information about this project, please contact Kyla Helping, the director of Youth Connexion at 613-580-2424 ext. 33230 or by e-mail at youthconnexion@ottawa.ca.

The Johnny Leroux Stittsville Community Centre

I would like to take this opportunity and thank everyone who attended the Commemorative Naming Ceremony on Friday, March 11th where the Stittsville Arena was officially named the Johnny Leroux Stittsville Community Centre.

I would like to thank His Worship, Mayor Jim Watson and all those who had so many wonderful things to say about Johnny Leroux. He has done so much for the Stittsville community and this country. He has touched so many lives whether it is in sports, community events or his contributions to the Stittsville branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The name Johnny Leroux is now synonymous in Stittsville with this tremendous form of recognition. It is a token of appreciation from an entire city to someone who has always put others first. You are a true community leader, Mr. Leroux I would like to say thank you and congratulations.

Recognize those that shape our community

My office is still accepting nominations for the Stittsville Appreciation Awards, recognizing the remarkable contributions individuals and businesses have made in our community.

Categories include the Roger Griffiths Memorial Citizen of the Year, Senior of the Year (age 65 and older), Youth of the Year (19 and younger), and Business of the Year.

Nomination forms can be obtained from my ward office, or on my website, located at www.shadqadri.com. Nominations must be received March 31st, 2011. Winners will be announced at the Appreciation Awards evening, which will be held on April 19 at 7 pm at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex.

Please include a detailed, written submission outlining why you are nominating a particular individual or business.

Extending sympathies in Japanese tragedy

I would like to take this opportunity and offer my deepest sympathies to the people of Japan and their relatives, especially those living in Ottawa, in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last Friday.

If you are able to assist during this tragic time, please do so. Canadians are encouraged to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow, at your local branch office or by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111.

Always listening and acting on your concerns

As your Councillor, I always welcome your keen input and ideas on how we can improve Stittsville.

Please contact our office anytime by phone at 613-580-2476 or by e-mail at Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca.

My ward office is located in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, located at 1500 Shea Road. The hours of operation for the winter are Mondays 9-2pm, Wednesdays 3-8pm, Fridays 9-5pm, and Saturdays 9-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit.

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