From fresh paramedic to vaccinating a city: Anthony Di Monte retires
The career of one of Ottawa's top public servants is coming to an end on Friday.
Anthony Di Monte, the general manager of emergency and protective services at the City of Ottawa, is retiring.
"It's a little surreal, to be honest," Di Monte said of his upcoming retirement in a September interview with CTV Morning Live. "Forty-two years in public service, it's kind of become my normal way of doing things."
Di Monte was hired in 2000 to become Ottawa's first chief of paramedic services following amalgamation, combining six municipal paramedic services into one. He would go on to become the general manager of all emergency services in Ottawa, serving as acting GM in 2015 and 2016 and later accepting the full job in 2017.
His career began as a paramedic in Montreal, and he was there for 20 years. He later moved to York Region before coming to Ottawa.
"I was incident command of the University of Montreal shootings, I did the papal visit, the central station bombing, Concordia University shooting," he told CTV Morning Live, when describing some of the challenging moments during his career. "Here in Ottawa, we've had some pretty terrible tragedies. Two very significant OC Transpo involved incidents, floods, tornadoes, and those impact people's lives. Those are tough times."
Di Monte was also one of the first people on the scene when Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was murdered at the National War Memorial in 2014.
His career is coming to a close on a monumental task. Di Monte oversaw the launch of the largest mass vaccination campaign in the city's history with the effort to combat COVID-19. Since the first doses arrived in December 2020, Di Monte has worked closely with Ottawa Public Health and local hospitals, as well as his own paramedic service, to administer more than 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the city.
Speaking at City Council on Wednesday, Mayor Jim Watson applauded Di Monte's dedication to Ottawa and his lifetime of service.
"Summarizing Tony's contributions over his long and distinguished career is a challenge but he's shown himself to be a steadfast leader who has dedicated his career to our community," Watson said. "He has contributed much to this city and we have been fortunate to have such an accomplished and dedicated individual leading this demanding and essential service."
Watson presented Di Monte with photograph of Ottawa City Hall with fire truck, a paramedic vehicle, and a bylaw car parked in front as a gift.
Anthony Di Monte (second from left) accepts a gift from Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson (left) alongside community and protective services committee chair Coun. Matt Luloff (second from right) and city manager Steve Kanellakos (right) at Ottawa City Hall on Oct. 27, 2021, ahead of Di Monte's retirement on Oct. 29. (Photo Credit: Phil Renaud – City of Ottawa)
"Right after that was taken, Roger Chapman issued tickets, so it was a nice touch," he joked.
Di Monte thanked the mayor and previous councils, as well as City Manager Steve Kanellakos for their confidence in him.
"Whenever we had a major event, or a mass casualty event—from terrorism to floods to tornadoes—you never hesitated to support me and always had the community's best interests at heart," Di Monte said.
He also thanked his staff, and the city's first responders.
"It has been my honour and privilege to serve with you," he said. "Therefore, I stand relieved. You have the watch. Thank you very much."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.