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The City of Ottawa has temporarily placed more than 4,000 part-time employees on an unpaid leave of absence due to a lack of work amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This negotiated agreement ensures that staff are not laid off,” said the city in a memo on Monday. Some 4,000 employees from the city’s Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department and approximately 280 employees from the Ottawa Public Library are now on declared emergency leave, under the province’s Employment Standards Act.

“These are not permanent reductions and those impact will retain their status as City of Ottawa employees. But by taking this step, the city is allowing part-time employees to apply for federal supports,” the memo said.

The pandemic is costing the city $1 million a day, said Mayor Jim Watson.

City of Ottawa facility, program and service closures currently in place will be extended until June 30, the city announced Monday.

That includes all city parks and amenities, libraries, administrative buildings, and licensed child-care centres, as well as “large public gatherings.”

“The city will continue to provide essential services during this unprecedented time,” said city manager Steve Kanellakos.

The city is also deferring its 2020 student summer job program until May.

Kanellakos warned the city will have a “significant deficit” by year’s end, although it has enough in its reserves to maintain cash flow through to the end of 2020. There will, however, be a gap in what the city has budgeted and what it’s collecting and spending, added Kanellakos.