2008 City of Ottawa Annual ReportEntitled Taking Action in Demanding Times, the 2008 Annual Report provides highlights of key initiatives that the City undertook during a year in which a global recession created additional challenges for the city, residents and businesses. The 2008 Annual Report summarizes significant accomplishments within City Council’s priority areas, including: service excellence, financial stewardship, transit and transportation, environment and creating a supportive and sustainable city. While the economic downturn created many pressures, demographic indicators for the city show that Ottawa weathered the recession relatively well compared to other cities across the country. Low interest rates, a steady local employment rate, and population growth continue to strengthen Ottawa’s economy. Further supported by the City of Ottawa’s strategic management plans, programs were delivered without having to reduce services to residents. Highlights of the 2008 Annual Report include: the development of a Service Excellence Guide and realignment of the management structure to create efficiencies and improve service delivery; the introduction of the Efficiency Savings Program to achieve targets as set out by Council in 2007; the approval of the Rapid Transit Network including a Light Rail Transit (LRT) component; the establishment of the Ottawa River Fund in partnership with our provincial and federal partners to improve the quality of the river over the next five years; and the approval of a framework for a Parks and Recreation Master Plan that will shape the direction of recreation services in the city over the next 10 to 20 years. The 2008 Annual Report is available in both printed and CD formats at Client Service Centres and public libraries across the city. It is available here in an accessible PDF format. Alternate formats will also be available upon request by calling 3-1-1. |
CON046104