Vision

Dear Friends,

It was with great pride and excitement that I formally handed in my registration papers with the goal of becoming the next Mayor of City of Ottawa on October 25th.

For the past several months, I have been approached by a wide range of people - some of whom I know and others, complete strangers, who have urged me to run for Mayor. Members of the public have become frustrated about the direction and performance of City Hall. The past few years have not been the City's finest and I believe the residents and taxpayers of this city deserve better.

I have become more and more concerned with the lack of progress on major issues facing our city. Never ending and divisive debates, lawsuits, and tax increases well beyond the rate of inflation do not instill confidence with the 900,000 residents of this great city.

There is much work to be done. We must commit ourselves to a greener, more sustainable way of living; support our cultural community; empower citizens to take greater responsibility; strengthen our neighbourhoods; create an environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurs; and simplify the work of City Hall. We must do all of this, and more, but with the full understanding that we must also live within our means.

Over the course of the campaign, I will outline a thoughtful and affordable plan to help restore the city's sense of purpose and stature. It will be a collection of ideas and plans generated not by one person, or one party, but by a community.

This election will be about leadership. More specifically, it will be about a different style of leadership – one that strives to bring people of different backgrounds and points-of-view together for the greater good of our community.

Equally it will be about using the Mayor’s Office, in collaboration with City Council, to spark innovation, support entrepreneurship and build a city government that serves as a catalyst for change. These are the values and directions that helped transform a small lumbering town into the diverse, modern city it is today.

Leadership and ideas matter. We cannot afford to have another four years like the past four, and I believe my talents can best be used leading the City of Ottawa. I look forward to spending time listening to your ideas, hopes and dreams. Together we can work to grow Ottawa’s reputation as one of the best places to live, work and visit.

I look forward to earning your support on Election Day – October 25, 2010.