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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2011
Public Works cuts just the beginning: PSAC CONTRIBUTED
The 687 layoffs announced at Public Works and Government Services Canada are just the beginning of budgetary belt tightening, warns the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “I’m appalled at the way that they are doing this,” said PSAC president John Gordon. “More than 80 per cent of them are going to be here in the national capi-
tal region. And it’s all geared in my view toward privatization and contracting out of public-sector work.” Gordon said the layoffs are the result of a strategic review performed at the department last year. He said the federal government’s budgetary pledge to perform another review to reduce government spending
Lansdowne court fight begins
by $4 billion a year by 2014 will result in “a massive overhaul of employment in the public service.” Gordon said the government can’t reach its goal of reducing the public service by 80,000 positions through attrition. “I think it’s largely in Ottawa that the impact would be felt,” said BMO deputy chief economist Doug
Porter. Barry Nabatian, director at Ottawa market research firm Shore Tanner and Associates, said the most recent announcement is not as great a concern to Ottawa’s economy as what cuts may lie ahead. “The cause for concern is how much and how fast,” Nabatian said.
John Gordon
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Case about accountability, obligation of municipal governments to protect the best interests of citizens: Lawyer JESSICA SMITH
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The Friends of Lansdowne’s fight against a plan to redevelop Lansdowne Park began in earnest in court yesterday. The large courtroom was nearly full of spectators — many of whom laughed when the lawyer for the Friends, Steven Shrybman, referred to the Lansdowne Partnership “Scam” instead of “Plan.” “I haven’t had that Freudian slip before and I won’t repeat it,” he added. Lawyers for the City of Ottawa were mostly silent as Shrybman outlined his case against the city’s agreement with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) to redevelop
the park. Shrybman told court the city acted illegally in its procurement process and in its failure to act in good faith. He also alleged the deal’s benefits constitute “bonuses” for OSEG. He took the court back to 2007, when the council of the day approved a plan to hold a design competition but never concluded the competition. Shrybman argued OSEG “jumped the queue” by offering its proposal directly to the city and that the city broke its own procurement rules by beginning talks with OSEG, halting the plans for a design competition and eventually coming to an agreement with the group. The case continues today at 10 a.m.
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Gen. Walter Natynczyk, chief of the defence staff, national defence and the Canadian Forces, congratulates the first session of the spring 2011 graduates of Algonquin College yesterday at the Ottawa Convention Centre. JOE LOFARO/METRO
General salutes Algonquin grads More than 500 Algonquin College graduates marked a new chapter in their lives yesterday as they received their diplomas at the spring 2011 convocation at the Ottawa Convention Centre. Gen. Walter Natynczyk received an honorary degree from the college before telling graduates to pace themselves as they begin their careers. He also said his receiving the degree signalled a strong partnership between the college and the Canadian Forces.
JOE LOFARO/METRO
spokesperson Marc Messier. The worker fell just before 11:00 a.m. while he was renovating the Book Market building on Dalhousie Street. Wall debris fell on him after the plunge. “He’s lucky more of the
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Man hospitalized after construction site fall A construction worker was hospitalized yesterday morning after a wall he was renovating collapsed on him, throwing him to a scaffolding platform a storey below. “He’s quite lucky that he only fell the one storey,” said Ottawa Fire Services
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building didn’t come down on top of him,” said Messier. The man, believed to be in his late 40s, managed to walk back up to the third level, at which point his coworkers called 911. The man was carried out of the building in a rescue basket
and transported to hospital. He may have suffered pelvic injuries as well as cuts and bruises, but paramedics said he is in stable condition in hospital. The Ministry of Labour is investigating the incident for any further risk. JOE LOFARO
The construction site.
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