World Junior Championship 2009 - welcoming the world to Ottawa
The world of junior hockey and future superstars of the NHL are in Ottawa for the next few weeks.
The World Junior Championship is a tradition of the holiday season for many of us. This important event went through months of preparation by the organizing committee, volunteers, Hockey Canada and City staff.
Ottawa has been blessed in the last few years to host world class sporting events. It is a testament to our ability to come together and be a good host city. Ottawa also hosted the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007 and it was the most attended single-sport event in Canada’s history.
The World Junior Championship 2009 will have a similar impact, especially if Team Canada wins the gold!
On behalf of the 895,000 residents of Ottawa, City Council and local businesses I want to welcome the world to the Nation’s Capital.
I encourage all of our guests to visit Parliament Hill, our museums, the Rideau Canal - a World Heritage site, our popular Byward Market, Bank Street, Sparks Street and all of our venues.
For all the scores, game information and statistics on the World Junior Championship 2009 please click here.
Picketing at World Juniors
City lawyers returned to Superior Court on Wednesday in order to resume arguing the City’s application for an injunction to restrict the picketing activities of striking ATU 279 members.
This move came after Union President André Cornellier’s public call on Tuesday for all 2,300 bargaining unit members to picket Lansdowne Park at noon on December 26th to coincide with the start of the World Juniors.
Following submissions by lawyers for the City and for the ATU, Ontario Superior Justice Charles Hackland suggested that the parties enter into discussions to reach a resolution that would ensure no disruption to people and/or vehicles accessing the event, while still permitting the ATU to convey its message to the public.
As a result, the City proposed a resolution that permits a limited number of picketers (a maximum of 10 per entrance) to conduct an information picket on the Lansdowne Park grounds, but this resolution also prohibits any interference with traffic entering or leaving the property. This proposal was ultimately accepted by the union and was confirmed in an order of the court.
I believe this resolution strikes an appropriate balance between the union’s lawful right to conduct an information picket, while also respecting the rights of fans, organizers and participants to not be impeded or blockaded while attending the games.
It is important to note that the court’s order in this case will apply for the duration of the tournament.
The City acted quickly to find a resolution. The result was good news for Ottawa as a host city and for all of our visitors, participants and fans.
Nothing brings our city together like Canada’s game.
December 26th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
All well and good to look all polished-up for the tourists. But are you forgetting that there are people that live in Ottawa, work in Ottawa, go to school in Ottawa, need to pick up essential items in Ottawa, and depend on public transportation? Are you aware that there are people trying to live their lives, but are being thrown off by the transit strike? Not only are they having a difficult time trying to find alternate ways to get to where they need to go, but they are being interrupted by picketers. How come there is no law to protect citizens? Tourism is important and I would certainly not want to drive the tourists of Ottawa away. But Ottawa is more than a show for tourists. It’s a city.
It’s time to dump this togetherness sentiment shtick and get some work done. Negotiate with the union, reach a compromise. People might balk at the word, but sometimes compromising actually works. It might not result in either side getting exactly what it wants, but sometimes people can settle for slightly less. Hockey might be a game, but trying to live your life and get around is not.
May I suggest, upon the return of the buses, that you try riding them for two weeks. Try riding them everywhere. Then maybe you can understand the frustrations that the citizens who lack cars have. You never know how important buses are until you take them and see where they bring you.
Meanwhile, I’ll be waiting for good news for the citizens of Ottawa who want to get to work.
December 27th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I find it very odd that the City is putting more effort in getting an injunction than resolving the transit dispute. It proves to show how much you don’t care about transit. I as a transit rider am getting fed up with the lack of leadership in resolving the dispute. I want my buses back, so I can get to work and school.
I guess you want the strike to continue, so you can balance the City’s budget.
SHAME ON YOU LARRY!!!!
December 28th, 2008 at 6:26 am
“Nothing brings our city together like Canada’s game.”
Actually, a transit strike in December-January comes pretty darn close.
To all hockey visitors : Welcome to Ottawa for the tournament - hope you brought your car.
December 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
How dare they picket at an area that has nothing to do with their job. People picket outside of the place of work they are striking from, not outside a place of common interest. It is public property and should be left alone.
December 28th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Now since everyone around the negotiation table has lost face and has shown to the residents of Ottawa what you’re all made of, or lack thereof, perhaps now is the best time to let an arbitrator decide how to settle this mess.
All of you should be ashamed of yourselves for the unprofessional conduct that led to this strike and continues to this day.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
The Honorable Mayor lives a 2 minute commute to City Hall, driven by a chauffeur, and upon his arrival he has a heated parking spot reserved for his city owned car.
The only thing the Mayor gets for this troublesome strike is an extra $3 Million a week for his budget.
I’m SURE he can relate to the seniors, single moms and dads, and the regular working stiff out there trying to balance their dwindling budgets.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
“The City acted quickly to find a resolution.” I’m glad that the city moved quickly to ensure the hockey fans would not be inconvenienced.
Unfortunately, the citizens and businesses in Ottawa have not seen any quick action as we enter the third week of this strike.
Mayor Larry, how have you allowed things to come to the point of the strike. Is there nothing you can do to end the strike? We the public are suffering.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Octranspo Rider - They are picketing at the Civic Center b/c it is City property. That is the only reason they are allowed to picket. You will not see them at ScotiaBank Place because it is private property.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Disgusting. That’s what I call the actions of the ATU. When you strike, you strike outside the business where you work. Maybe you even Strike outside City Hall. But to strike outside the World Junior Championship by Landsdown Park? Absolutely disgraceful! So, aside from telling the citizens of Ottawa to get stuffed for Christmas, you are now telling the world that they are unwelcome in Ottawa. I mean, you ARE striking outside Landsdown right? If I was off to a World’s tournament as a player, and I saw a bunch of people picketing outside the event I would certainly feel unwelcome. So, according to the ATU and anyone striking outside Landsdown Park, Ottawa should get stuffed, and visitors should stay out of Ottawa. How completely classless.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:30 am
To Kittenkong - sometimes it is necessary to take a stand on principle - no matter how inconvenienced we might be, and I am certainly inconvenienced by this transit strike, however, it is of utmost importance for this City and our futures that we do not give in to the GREED of this Union. Stay the course Larry - you are doing a very very fine job and I would like to personally congratulate you for your efforts.
If I had my way - all Unionized OC Transpo employees who are currently on strike - they would all be locked out! The best solution to this is to get rid of these greedy people - and quite simply - replace them - preferably by privatizing the whole thing!
December 30th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I doubt that we will be hosting any future world class sporting events. News articles boast that Bank Street bars are doing a booming business thanks to the World Juniors yet I can not find a bar, business, organization or our local city government who are offering shuttle bus services to and from the games.
I am planning on going to both games on December 31 at the Scotiabank Place. I would love to find a shuttle to get me there and back so I can have a few $8.50 beers at the game, but the only shuttle I could find is Broadway’s for the Canadian games only. I will drive to the games, fight traffic, wait in line to park, pay $11 parking, be responsible and not drink, wait in line to leave and fight traffic to get back home.
I have been to a couple games and I am worried that many people who would normally drink a few or more, who would be going home via a shuttle are hopping in their cars instead. I believe the city has a responsibility to provide transportation to world class sporting events.
Was the availability of bus service part of the bid to win this tournament?
Has Ottawa failed to deliver on a promised that was given to help win the tournament?
Are you concerned about our ability to win future events due to the City not being able to offer any solutions other than Car pool and leave early?
Are you afraid of upsetting the union by providing transportation to a world class sporting event?
December 30th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
If what I heard is true.. ie: city will take the “scheduling issue” by itself to arbitration..then the union should be able to agree with the rest of the contract.. They did say that the money is not important.. come on union, either ….. or get off the pot..
December 31st, 2008 at 10:57 am
The bus drivers in this city are a bunch of greedy bums. Fire them all. Its an unskilled job that should be paying minimum wage.
January 6th, 2009 at 8:10 am
The bus driver’s wanted there weekend off well they go it. I hope the people of ottawa are helping each other in time of need. For those trying to get a ride, write on a piece of cardboard were your going this will be easier for driver to help you. Because we cannot stop at everybody and ask were your going. this will be much easy good luck. Oc driver your low.
Now that the holiday is over, the pressure is on you OC driver. PS drivers that are their for 5 years or less the pressure is on you if they make a cut in drivers your gone, this is were signority comes in. So think about it and vote yes on the last offer, keep your job because your union is more for signority, than you the last one in THINK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Good Luck.