Larry O’Brien

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to women’s accomplishments here in Ottawa and around the world. It is also a day where we pay special attention to the challenges facing women in our society, and to consider what can and should be done to make gains in these areas.

The City of Ottawa assists various organizations throughout the city that work tirelessly for women’s causes. Amongst other activities, the City of Ottawa actively promotes girls’ and women’s sports programs, supports the Somali Women’s health line, and participates in the City for All Women Initiative. Today, I would like to congratulate the Ottawa Council of Women, as well as all other organizations throughout our city that tackle issues that relate to women and their families in our community and across Canada.

I encourage all residents of the City of Ottawa - women and men, boys and girls - to promote International Women’s Day and International Women’s Week. I sincerely hope that in the next year we will not only continue to see progress on women’s issues here in Ottawa, but also advancements in every part of the world.

The City of Ottawa will see a number of benefits from Budget 2010 as the federal government maintains its core investments in our city while at the same time working to reduce the federal deficit.

I am pleased that the federal government is following through on its commitment to funding year two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, including $7.7 billion to modernize infrastructure and improve housing across Canada, which Ottawa’s residents will directly benefit from.

Budget 2010’s reduction of the tax burden on businesses will help our local companies both grow and create more creative class jobs - the jobs of the future. In addition, the federal government has taken important steps to exempt Canada from Buy American provisions in the U.S. economic stimulus package. This will give Ottawa businesses equal access to federal, state and local procurement.

Lastly, Budget 2010’s focus on innovation and the knowledge economy is very much in line with the City of Ottawa’s vision for its future. Ottawa has been somewhat cushioned from the ravages of the global economic downturn, in part because of our strong public sector employment base. But we are entering a new economic cycle, one where the knowledge economy will be what creates jobs and prosperity, and where being able to compete globally will be the key to success.

The City of Ottawa is proud to be a supporting city of Earth Hour and will be asking all residents to participate in the campaign scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 27th from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Earth Hour is a global campaign, initiated by the World Wildlife Fund in Sydney, Australia in 2007. The campaign encourages individuals and businesses to take the symbolic action of turning off all non-essential electricity for one hour.

This is the third year that Ottawa has participated in this global initiative that has increased awareness of the need to conserve electricity. Almost 20% of Ontario’s electricity comes from coal fired generators, so every kilowatt saved has a great positive impact on the environment.

During Earth Hour, the lights will go off at City Hall, and at most other municipal buildings. In some cases emergency and outdoor lights will remain on for security reasons.

Click Here to share your plans on how you intend to participate. The City of Ottawa is please to have the continuing support of Hydro Ottawa and our media partners the Ottawa Sun / 24 Hours and CTV.

To learn more about City of Ottawa environment programs and initiatives, visit our Enviro website.

Today, Mayor O’Brien participated in the flag raising ceremony for Scouts Canada at City Hall as Scouting troupes celebrate Baden Powell Week across Canada.  Having been a scout, the Mayor fully supports Scouts Canada and encourages youth across Ottawa and across the country to get involved.