City Solicitor, City Clerk David White Retires
The parade of senior city personnel leaving the municipality continues;
This is a release from the City of Ottawa:
M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E
To / Destinataire Mayor and Members of Council File/N° de fichier:
From / Expéditeur Wendy Stephanson
City Manager
Subject / Objet David White Retirement Date: January 29, 2024
The purpose of this memo is to inform Members of Council that David White, City Solicitor and Interim City Clerk, will be retiring from the City of Ottawa effective April 13, 2024.
David has dedicated 30 years of municipal public service and his entire legal career to the City of Ottawa, having started as an articling student at the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa Carleton in 1993. He later joined the Legal Department as a labour and employment lawyer and supported the amalgamation of police services in 1995. In that capacity, David became involved in a range of initiatives, including the Provincial Offences Act transfer, legal issues arising out of the 2001 municipal amalgamation, and he also led the Provincial Legal Working Group for the introduction of Red Light Cameras in Ontario.
David became manager of Litigation and Labour Law in 2008, later assuming responsibility for the Labour Relations Group in the wake of the 2008-2009 OC Transpo strike. In 2016, David took on the full Legal portfolio as Deputy City Solicitor and later became City Solicitor in 2019.
David has long championed the City’s Ethics Framework, starting with the introduction of the new Employee Code of Conduct followed by the creation of a dedicated Ethics Specialist for the organization. Most recently, his work has included the update to the Code of Conduct and the City’s Shared Values which are foundational elements of the City’s Ethics Framework. He is also the co-author of Ontario’s Municipal Conflict of Interest Act: A Handbook (2nd ed.) and the Conduct Handbook for Municipal Employees & Officials.
David will be missed by his team for his exceptional leadership, in-depth knowledge of municipal law and unwavering support of his people. He will be particularly missed for his witty sense of humour and compelling speeches and presentations. Around the senior leadership table, David has been a constant source of invaluable knowledge, sound advice and wise counsel. He will be greatly missed by colleagues and friends across the organization.
Please join me in thanking David for his commitment and lasting contributions to the City of Ottawa and wishing him all the best for his next chapter.
1
The City Solicitor position will be advertised with key organizations and on platforms including the Ontario Bar Association, Municipal Information Network, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Municipalities Ontario and LinkedIn, effective tomorrow, January 30.
As announced in December, an executive search for a new City Clerk was launched on December 11 and closed earlier this month. David will continue to serve as City Solicitor and Interim City Clerk while the recruitment process for both senior leadership roles takes place, and the Mayor and Members of Council will be advised on the outcome once complete.
The senior leadership team (SLT) has invested significantly over the past several years in building a robust succession plan and talent management strategy to ensure the long-term success of the organization. Succession planning continues to be a key strategic priority for SLT to ensure potential successors are equipped with the leadership skills and capabilities required to compete for new career opportunities as they arise, stabilize the workforce and prepare for the future in the face of ongoing retirements at the leadership levels.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. Sincerely,
Wendy Stephanson
City Manager
cc: Senior Leadership Team
Extended Senior Leadership Team
Nathalie Gougeon, Auditor General
Sonia Bebbington, Ottawa Public Library
Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa Public Health
Chief Eric Stubbs, Ottawa Police Services
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Did the Bulldog shaking the tree and the possibility of a suggested investigation prompt White’s decision to retire? Was the kitchen getting too hot? This type of exit has worked well for Watson and crew.
Been There:
I don’t know but the timing is interesting.
cheers and thx
kgray
I’ve created a new first sentence for a certain document:
The purpose of this memo is to inform Members of Council that out of an abundance of caution, David White, City Solicitor and Interim City Clerk, will be retiring from the City of Ottawa effective April 13, 2024.
MM,
That is a perfect amendment! Adds a little truthiness to the memo. Good work!