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1. 400th Anniversary Celebrations of Samuel de champlain’s voyage to ottawa
festivités
du 400e anniversaire de l’expédition de Samuel de champlain à
Ottawa |
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the celebratory plan for the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s voyage to Ottawa as described in this report, and refer associated funding to the 2013 budget process.
RECOMMANDATION DU COMITÉ
Que le Conseil approuve le plan de célébration
du 400e anniversaire du voyage de Samuel de Champlain à Ottawa, tel
qu’il est décrit dans le présent rapport, et de soumettre le financement
connexe au processus budgétaire de 2013.
DOCUMENTATION
1. City Manager’s report dated 16 April 2012 (ACS2012-CMR-OCM-0007).
613-580-2424 ext. 22339, saad.bashir@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT:
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400th Anniversary Celebrations of Samuel de champlain’s voyage to ottawa |
OBJET :
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festivités du 400e anniversaire de
l’expédition de Samuel de champlain à Ottawa |
That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend that Council approve the celebratory plan for the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s voyage to Ottawa as described in this report, and refer associated funding to the 2013 budget process.
Que le
Comité des finances et du développement économique recommande au Conseil
d’approuver le plan de célébration du 400e anniversaire du voyage de
Samuel de Champlain à Ottawa, tel qu’il est décrit dans le présent rapport, et
de soumettre le financement connexe au processus budgétaire de 2013.
Samuel de Champlain, an important historical figure of Canadian history, was an explorer, geographer and experienced cartographer who helped colonize Acadia and subsequently founded Quebec City in 1608. Known as the Father of New France, Champlain ventured northwest from Montreal in May of 1613, in an effort to discover the great western sea. Throughout his voyage, he travelled along the Ottawa River and came upon what is today Ottawa and the Upper Ottawa Valley. With the aid of Algonquin guides who inhabited the area, Samuel de Champlain was the first explorer to describe and document Ottawa, including detailing the presence of the Algonquin people in the region. With the good will of the Algonquin people, Champlain’s first voyage through Ottawa took him all the way up to I’île aux Allumettes, just north of Pembroke, before returning back to Quebec. Champlain passed through the Ottawa region a second time in 1615.
The citizens of Ottawa are proud of Ottawa’s rich and collective history. A statue of Champlain, commemorating his voyage along the Ottawa River, stands at Nepean Point where he made solar observations with an astrolabe, during his second expedition. In addition, Champlain is commemorated through the names of various parks, buildings, and bridges, most notably the interprovincial Champlain Bridge that connects Ottawa to Gatineau.
The year 2013 will mark the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s first voyage to Ottawa. This upcoming anniversary provides an opportunity to Ottawa residents to celebrate and rediscover Ottawa’s history and heritage. It provides an occasion for the community to mark Champlain’s voyage and to understand its historical significance. Further, it offers the City a chance to develop tourism and special events and initiatives that not only celebrate Champlain but that have a positive impact on community building as well as on our local economy.
DISCUSSION
At the Council meeting of January 25th 2012, Motion 26/8, which was moved by Councillor Blais and seconded by Mayor Watson, was considered and approved. This motion requested that the Economic Development Branch (EDB) develop and report back to the Finance and Economic Development Committee (FEDCO) on a plan, including timelines and costs, to commemorate the anniversary of Champlain’s voyage through Ottawa. As 2013 marks the 400th anniversary of the voyage, it is intended that celebrations will begin that year and continue, in some cases, through to 2014.
This report details events that the City will implement to celebrate and educate its residents on the voyage of Samuel de Champlain in addition to initiatives that will serve to market and brand 2013 as the 400th anniversary. Equally important, this report describes how the City intends to provide support to events organized by community groups, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and educational institutions. Many local groups and organizations, such as the Orleans/Ottawa en Fete-400e Organizing Committee, will be organizing local events.
The following tables describe and break down City led events, marketing and branding initiatives as well as City support work provided to community run events. The tables also indicate the cost of each initiative in addition to the Department or Branch responsible for implementation and any partnering organization.
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City Led Events |
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Initiative |
Lead/Partner |
Cost |
Date |
Outcome |
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Young at Art In conjunction with the Young at Art program, a special competition category will be developed for art work that best illustrates Champlain’s Voyage. Open to all students 12- 19 years.
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Cultural Services/ Area Schools |
$5,000 |
April 2013 |
Juried art work will be exhibited at one of three galleries and award ceremonies will be held at each venue. A top prize will be awarded at each ceremony. |
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Literary Art Competition Develop a literary art competition for elementary students in which they will be required to depict the importance and significance of Champlain’s voyage through Ottawa. |
Cultural Services/ Area Schools and Ottawa Public Library |
$5,000 |
Fall 2013 |
Work will be juried and top three finalists will be awarded. Jurors will include Councillor representation. |
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Short Video Contest In conjunction with Digi 60 (Ottawa’s Digital Film Festival), contestants will be invited to enter a short video contest where the videos of the finalists will be shown and selected at the spring Digi 60 festival. Videos will be required to creatively illustrate aspects of Champlain’s voyage. |
EDB/Digi 60 |
$5,000 |
Spring 2013 |
The contest will be judged by participants of the festival and the top finalists will be awarded gift certificates toward camera and video equipment. |
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Explorers’ Routes Exhibit at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Install existing exhibit panels and objects to present educational information about the history of early exploration and European settlement of Ottawa.
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Cultural Services |
N/A |
Summer 2013 |
Both resident and tourist visitors to the museum will learn about the history of explorers in Ottawa, including Samuel de Champlain. |
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400th Anniversary Local Fare Work with Ottawa’s Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) to develop, in conjunction with local restaurants, menu items of typical food served during the time of Champlain. |
EDB/BIAs |
$2,500 |
Summer 2013 |
Local neighbourhood booklet detailing participating restaurants. |
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Unforeseen Initiative In the event that the community comes forward to the City with a suggested initiative not previously anticipated, it is recommended that additional money will be set-aside to accommodate associated costs. |
EDB |
$5,000 |
January 2013 |
Support for unforeseen initiative. |
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City Marketing and Branding Initiatives |
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Initiative |
Lead/Partner |
Cost |
Date |
Outcome |
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400th Anniversary Program Identifier Develop a program identifier to be used as a banner on the City’s website, letterhead and other corporate materials. |
Corporate Communications |
N/A |
January 2013 |
400th anniversary program identifier. |
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400th Anniversary Landing Page Develop a landing page off ottawa.ca which will detail the history of Samuel de Champlain and provide a single point of contact for events related to the celebrations. |
Corporate Communications |
N/A |
January 2013 |
Landing page for history and a listing of local events related to the celebrations. |
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Discover Ottawa Smart Phone App Use the previously developed application to list events related to the 400th anniversary celebrations. |
Ottawa Tourism |
N/A |
January 2013 |
Listing of local events and celebratory initiatives available on app. |
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400th Anniversary Brochure Develop a tourism brochure that highlights the 400th anniversary and its celebratory events. |
Ottawa Tourism/EDB |
$5,000 |
March 2013 |
Tourism brochure that will be distributed at local hotels, restaurants and City facilities. |
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City Support Initiatives |
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Initiative |
Lead/Partner |
Cost |
Date |
Outcome |
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Funding and Sponsorship The City will work with community groups to solicit funding and sponsorship for their celebratory events. |
EDB |
N/A |
January 2013 |
Secured event sponsorship and funding. |
There are no rural implications associated with this report
This report was developed in consultation with Ottawa Tourism and the Orleans/Ottawa en Fete-400e Organizing Committee.
Internally, the Cultural and Heritage Services Branch, Library Services, as well as the Corporate Communications Department were consulted on the contents of the report.
While this report is City Wide, in recognition of Motion 26/8 put forward by Councillor Blais at the Council meeting of January 25th 2012, Councillor Blais was consulted for comment. Councillor Blais’ comments are as follows:
Councillor Blais recognizes the importance of the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s voyage to the Ottawa area and valley, which is why he brought forward a motion to Council. He supports the broad celebratory plan outlined in this report, which also draws from extraordinary interest shown by residents who have come forward to plan, coordinate and undertake a number of activities to commemorate the anniversary. In addition, a number of partnerships have been identified to ensure City led events, marketing and branding initiatives, as well as community events are successful.
There are no legal impediments to approving the recommendation in this report.
There are no risk implications associated with this report.
The total requested funding for the celebratory initiatives are $27,500. This funding will be referred to the 2013 draft operating budget process for consideration and approval.
N/A
There are no technology implications associated with this report.
This report is in line with the following Strategic Priorties:
EP1 - Promote Ottawa globally.
HC2 - Improve parks, recreation, arts and heritage.
Upon approval of this report, the Economic Development Branch will work with identified partners to implement the above noted events and initiatives.