Ottawa Mayoral Candidate Jim Watson Wants to Follow Cornwall’s Lead
Cornwall ON – Ottawa Mayoral candidate Jim Watson unveiled the first part of his economic plan for the City of Ottawa on Monday, and he referenced modeling a new approach to economic development on Cornwall’s ability to work with all three levels of government and the private sector.
In a recent interview with CTV Ottawa, Mr. Watson had the following comments:
“I saw just a few weeks ago on CTV a great story about Team Cornwall,” said Mr. Watson. “Little old Cornwall is pulling together all three levels of government, working together with the private sector to attract business. We have to bring the same “Team Ottawa” approach to creating jobs and expanding job opportunities here in Ottawa.”
According to Team Cornwall Chair Gilles Latour, Mr. Watson is not the first to want to emulate the success of Team Cornwall’s business ambassadorial approach.
“We have been approached by a number of communities over the last several years, all looking to duplicate our model”, Mr. Latour says. “It takes a special blend of hometown pride with a commitment to excellence to engage the business community and get everybody working for the betterment of the entire City.”
Mayor Bob Kilger pointed out that Cornwall’s recent economic success has turned heads, not only in Ottawa, but in Toronto, Montreal and beyond.
“2009 was a record year in terms of building activity in Cornwall, with major commercial investments leading to the creation of over 500 new full-time jobs”, said Mayor Kilger. “The local economy has not slowed down in 2010 and Mr. Watson is correct to credit our growth to Cornwall’s collaborative approach to engaging all levels of government with the private sector. With everybody pulling in the same direction, great things can be accomplished.”
“Perhaps the only quibble I have with Jim’s comments is that while Cornwall may be one of Ontario’s oldest cities, I don’t think we can be characterized as “little” anymore,” Mayor Kilger quipped. “Our business community is making big strides and turning heads, and I’ll have to invite Jim down to see our success first-hand.”
About the City of Cornwall
Cornwall is a city of 47,000 people, situated along the St. Lawrence River and Highway 401. One of Canada’s oldest settlements (established 1784), Cornwall today is a progressive, family oriented centre, sustained by a growing, multi-faceted economy that features affordable housing and a diversity of commercial businesses and industries. Several major commercial, residential and institutional projects are currently under construction in the City. Details about these new developments can be found at www.ChooseCornwall.ca.
About Team Cornwall
Team Cornwall is a group of business people who have banded together to promote Cornwall to their business contacts around the world. Working closely with Cornwall Economic Development, the Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations, Team Cornwall members help spread the word about the considerable advantages of living and doing business in our hometown.
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I don’t know about all three levels of government. I think that whatever successes Cornwall has had is in spite of our Federal MP’s non-action.
We should send our own Superman Guy Lauzon to Ottawa to help out Jim Watson to work with all levels of Government. Guy Lauzon has done so much for so few that he is now qualified to be able to do anything with nothing…..at least thats what we see in the newspapers all the time.
Why do that? Do you want to utterly destroy any work that Jim Watson is to do?