OTTAWA - Residents will rally outside City Hall tomorrow, Thursday, March 4th, to send a clear message to Ottawa City Council that Ottawa is a great place to live because municipal services keep our city safe, healthy and livable. Residents concerned about cuts to health, arts, recreation, social services, child care and other programs will gather Thursday March 4th, at 12:00 noon, on the Festival Plaza. Residents want councillors to know they are willing to pay the bill to keep Ottawa a great place to live.
A Meeting of the Health Recreation and Social Services Committee will be going on inside at the time. The Council Committee will be hearing public input before making its recommendations to Council on the 2004 draft budget. The budget outlines funding cuts across all programs and services of between 5% and 100%. HRSS will hold two days of hearings and then discuss and make recommendations on the budget March 12, 2004.
Speakers from faith, business, health, seniors groups and the community will talk about what the proposed cuts mean for quality of life in our city. “There are many like myself who value the kind of city we have. I’m taking part in the Ottawa Cares Rally because I want councillors to know that I value our quality of life and Im willing to pay the bill to protect programs and services for all residents,” said Heather Farrow from the First United Church.
SPEAKERS:
- Rabbi Steven Garten, Temple Isreal
- Rick Prashaw, St. Joseph’s Parish
- Caroll Burrows, Council on Aging
- Mary Garrett, West Legal Service
- Al Loney, Coalition for Public Health
- Chris Henderson, Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation
- Phil Jenkins, Arts
MODERATOR:
- Alex Munter, Visiting Professor at the University of Ottawa
- WHAT:
Rally Ottawa Cares - WHEN:
Thursday, March 4th, 2004 at 12:00 noon - WHERE:
Festival Plaza, City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue, Ottawa
-30-
For more information contact Catherine McKenny 293-3454