Ottawa's newly elected council had their swearing-in ceremony catered by Tim Hortons at the Shenkman Arts Centre Wednesday night, saving taxpayers $25,000.
Mayor Jim Watson says he's looking for ways to save money, especially with an upcoming budget on the agenda.
Watson moved into his office at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday morning. Prior to amalgamation, Watson served as Ottawa mayor from 1997-2000. In October, he beat out incumbent Larry O'Brien to win the mayor's chair for a second time.
However, this time he's leading a much larger amalgamated city, four times the size of Toronto.
"This is new for me. So I'm in both camps. I'm a newbie in some respects, but I have some experience being mayor before," Watson told CTV Ottawa on Wednesday.
Watson spent the morning delivering poinsettias to each member of his new council. He spent the rest of the day in meetings.
"One is on transit and the other is starting the budget process because obviously that's our big task when the new year begins," he said.
Watson says he hopes his new team of councillors can work together to make the city a better place.
"We want to turn the page and move forward with some more co-operative approaches then what we've seen in a little while. And the councillors I've met with are very excited, as am I," he said.
The mayor will be joined by 10 new city councillors around the council table.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
