Mayor would cut 1,000 city jobs

Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien Thursday outlined a plan to cut1,000 jobs at city hall.

O'Brien said it can be done through attrition, without having to lay people off and pay severance.

The jobs could be cut at the rate of 250 a year over a four-year period, he said.

None of his recommended cuts would affect emergency services.

The mayor said, for instance, the planning and growth management team has 439 staff, but could do the job with 400.

During O'Brien's term as mayor, the number of full-time positions at the city has increased by 1,600 jobs.

He also called for a wage freeze to control the $1.26 billion the city pays to its more than 14,000 staff. He warned that property taxes will continue to rise unless the city controls spending on wages, benefits and pensions.