There could be 500 fewer municipal workers in Ottawa in the near future, Mayor Larry O'Brien confirms, but he won't promise that none of those jobs will be eliminated through cuts.

'I think there needs to be a wholesome debate about what services have already run their course ...'— Mayor Larry O'Brien

"A reduction in hiring … will probably make up a large percentage of those 500 people," O'Brien said Monday when questioned by reporters at a charity golf tournament in Manotick.

They were asking about a report from the city manager that will be presented at the city's long-range financial planning meeting on Tuesday, outlining how the city could balance its budget under tax increases of zero, three or six per cent.

The possible job losses are under the zero per cent increase.

When O'Brien, who has promised a zero option over the next three years, was asked specifically whether there would be job cuts, he responded, "Well, certainly the concept of what sort of efficiencies the city manager can expect to achieve will be put on the table tomorrow."

When asked if that meant there definitely will be job cuts, O'Brien said, "Well, I'm not going to get into the kitchen [of] the city manager."

He added that he remains committed to the zero per cent tax freeze scenario, and he expects that with the job reductions and other savings, the city will be able to find $100 million in "efficiencies."

He added that he thinks the number of jobs to be eliminated is "what city staff think they can get without interfering with services."

However, he said, "I think there needs to be a wholesome debate about what services have already run their course in the City of Ottawa."

City departments could merge: councillor

Coun. Maria McRae said she believes that a reduction in hiring could eliminate hundreds of positions, but she is concerned about unforeseen consequences.

"Are we cutting staff in 2007 that two years from now we're going to have to hire again because there was an impact in service that no one foresaw?"

However, she said she anticipates that reducing the city's work force will result in significant savings, especially since the city is considering merging some departments.

"I'm going to presume that by bringing some departments together we might be getting rid of some higher end positions," she said.

The final decision on whether to cut staff would be made by city council.