Larry O’Brien

As Mayor of the City of Ottawa, I have the privilege of witnessing first hand the work of citizens who are fiercely committed to making our city a better place in which to live.

As a token of recognition for the immense contributions that these individuals have made, I have started to award Agent of Change Coins to deserving members of our community.

Most recently, on February 1st, City of Ottawa Police Chief Vern White was presented with an Agent of Change Coin for his work in establishing the Ottawa Police Service’s Guns & Gangs Unit, which has played a significant role in reducing crime on our city streets.

On January 20th, Agent of Change medallions were presented to the following members of the Mayor’s Taskforces on

(1) Transit & Transportation:

• Hon. David Collenette, Chair
• Mr. Roger Beauchesne
• Ms. Susan Brownrigg-Smith
• Mr. Terry Findlay
• Mr. Harry Gow
• Mr. Hanif Patni
• Mr. Hume Rogers

(2) E-Government:

• Mr. Rob Collins, Chair
• Dr. Gerald Grant
• Ms. Kelly Kubrick
• Mr. Andrew Moffat
• Mr. Ben Robitaille
• Mr. Ed Shepherdson
• Mr. Robert Thompson
• Mr. Michael Turner

and (3) Governance:

• Dr. David Zussman, Chair
• Mr. Rob Collins
• Mr. Graham Fox
• Ms. Katherine Graham
• Mr. Gerald Grant
• Mr. Bob Plamondon
• Mr. Pierre Richard
• Mr. Nick Tilgner
• Mr. Richard Van Loon
• Ms. Debbie Weinstein

Today, City Council approved the Recommended Plan for the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel (DOTT) Planning and Environmental Assessment Study, by a vote of 19-4.

Approval of the Recommended Plan represents the next major step toward the transformation of public transit in Ottawa by constructing a light rail transit (LRT) link between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair Road, with trains passing below downtown through twin 3.2-kilometre tunnels.

This decision is another milestone on the way to a cleaner, more efficient transit system that’s going to benefit the economy, the environment and the people of Ottawa for decades to come.

We’re talking about a vision for a better Ottawa, and I’m proud to work with a Council that sees the importance of realizing that vision.

http://www.moving-ottawa.ca/