It was only his second day on the job, but Ottawa’s new city manager already had his eyes on next year’s budget.
Steve Kanellakos said he wants to tackle the city’s financial challenges, citing the massive $42-million deficit last year.
“I need to make sure going into the next two years of council that we’re on solid financial footing,” he said, after his first finance and economic development committee on Tuesday.
(Sponsored)
How Carleton is using simulation and visualization to improve training, design and human performance
From healthcare to aviation to architecture, simulation and visualization tools have become an essential part of training, analysis and decision-making in sectors that rely on precision. At Carleton University, researchers
New dean of uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering brings a history of entrepreneurship and innovation
Caroline Cao has been impressed by many aspects of uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering since being appointed dean in August. But it was after the faculty’s recent Design Day – a
Mr. Kanellakos has returned home after a short stint as the city manager in Vaughan, Ont. Before that, he worked under Ottawa’s former top bureaucrat, Kent Kirkpatrick, for 15 years.
For the past month, he has been coming in on weekends to meet with staff, and learn more about hot-button files like the second phase of light rail and LeBreton Flats.
He also wants to better communicate with staff. Over several days in June, he’s planning on bringing together all 1,500 city supervisors and 500 managers to brief them on how he has noticed the city is run. But he wants to hear from them, too.
“They’re looking for visible leadership,” he said.
Late last year, Mr. Kirkpatrick announced he would not extend his contract due to health reasons.
This article originally appeared on metronews.ca on May 3.
