Proposed Order of Ottawa will recognize professional achievements of Ottawa residents

Ottawa – Creation of a new Order of Ottawa award will be considered by the Finance and Economic Development Committee on June 5 and by City Council on June 13. Mayor Jim Watson proposed the new honour in his State of the City address in January.

“The Order of Ottawa will recognize the professional achievements and outstanding service of up to 15 of Ottawa’s most deserving individuals each year,” said Mayor Watson. “This award will be our opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary work and commitment of distinguished Ottawa residents who help to make our city a better place in which to live.”

The honour will be awarded on an annual basis and will complement a range of other awards that the City currently bestows upon residents. It is intended to recognize those who have made significant contributions through their professional accomplishments to life in the city, in any of the following areas: arts and culture, business, community service, education, public service, labour, communications and media, science, sports and entertainment and other fields of endeavour that benefit Ottawa.

The selection panel will consist of the Mayor or a Deputy Mayor, the City Clerk and Solicitor, the Chief of Police, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Public Library, the Chief of Protocol and the City Archivist.

Members of the public will be able to nominate exceptional residents online at ottawa.ca and pick up a pamphlet outlining the award at a local public library branch, community centre or any Client Service Centre. The nomination process will begin following approval of the report presented to Council and the deadline for submitting nominations will be later this fall.