The City of Ottawa has created a new position to help market the capital as a major events destination, hoping to enhance Ottawa's international profile and reputation. However, the job posting has some councillors and taxpayers wondering why the city can't find one of its own employees for the job.
The four-month contract position is worth up to $50,000. The idea: to create a strategy that will make Ottawa a prime destination for holding major concerts, conferences and events like the Junos.
The city hopes the strategy will generate a strong economic spin-off, while improving Ottawa's reputation to the rest of the world and attracting more visitors to the capital.
"I think we could save the $50,000 -- have better communication with the players we already have, between our internal staff people who know this inside out, and external members of the community who are trying to help," said Coun. Rick Chiarelli.
Yet others say the city doesn't have the resources necessary for such a task.
"We need someone to bring all parties together and don't currently have resources to do it," said Coun. Rainer Bloess.
Fundraising needed
The president of the Ottawa Senators hockey club has been a key player in attracting major events and acts to the city over the years. He says having a strategy to market Ottawa as the place to be is just a starting point.
"We need to hire someone to fundraise and go after these acts," Cyril Leeder told CTV Ottawa on Tuesday.
Still, others are questioning if this is the best way to spend taxpayer money, especially with budgets already tight and property taxes high.
"Any business looks at its own resource. The city always looks to throw money outside," said Ade Olumide, spokesperson for the Ottawa Taxpayers Advocacy Group.
The job posting is open to applicants until May 12.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
