Five candidates are running to represent Somerset ward in the 2026 municipal election. Incumbent Ariel Troster is seeking a second term at Ottawa City Hall after winning the 2022 election with 61.28 per cent. The other candidates on the ballot are student Dillon Anderson, former Centretown Community Association president Robert Dekker, Nicholas Gollé and Michael Tay, who works with youth, families, newcomers and people experiencing homelessness. Somerset Somerset ward in downtown Ottawa includes Parliament Hill and the neighbourhoods of Centretown, Chinatown and Little Italy. Meet the candidates CTV News Ottawa invited all registered candidates to answer a questionnaire and submit a video introducing themselves to voters. Dillon Anderson Age: 23 Political experience: 2022 council candidate Callander, Ontario. 2025 federal by election candidate Battle River Crowfoot Professional experience: I was an accounting intern at Baker Tilly. I have my bachelor’s degree in business administration and the concentration in accounting. How long have you lived in Ottawa? Six months, but I see this as an advantage as I come with no perceived biases or notions just willing to listen to people. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Diner on Elgin. I think it’s great because it serves quality food and it’s a community hub. What was the last book you read? I’m bad at not finishing books, but I like reading local news every single day at keeping up with the world that way. What is the top song in your playlist? Hope it’s Hot Out by Kyle Clark How often do you use OC Transpo? At least every second day. I use the O-Train a lot to get to the baseball stadium Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Yes, I think it’s important to decrease transit affairs to make it more affordable and more attractive way to get around our city Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence in your ward? The police budget is always a tough issue. I think it’s on a case-by-case basis. I would have to examine each police budget in order to determine if it’s a good thing for the ward. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes, I do but I think it’s important to address calls coming into 3-1-1 first. So, that means we need to work with our current budgets and make sure we’re maximizing the money put towards these services already before we consider increasing things to make it more expensive if we are not getting a better service. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: Somerset Ward is at the vibrant heart of Canada’s capital, but our community faces distinct challenges that require practical, common-sense solutions. Accessibility Barriers: Daily life for seniors, parents with strollers, and residents with disabilities is often hindered by cracked sidewalks, poor snow clearing, and inaccessible entrances along major commercial corridors like Bank and Elgin streets. Transit & Infrastructure Reliability: Residents rely on public transit and Para Transpo to connect to work and community spaces, yet ongoing service disruptions and unreliability have eroded public trust. We need to stabilize our current systems before rushing into costly expansions. Housing and Homelessness: Visible homelessness and housing affordability are complex crises. We must address root causes through transitional and supportive housing, mental health resources, and addiction services while keeping our public spaces safe and accessible. Supporting Local Businesses: Our local restaurants, shops, and entrepreneurs drive our local economy. We must invest in clean, attractive, and welcoming public spaces that encourage residents and visitors to support small businesses. Fiscal Responsibility: Taxpayers expect rigorous oversight and accountability. Major projects and municipal spending must be evaluated carefully to ensure public funds deliver genuine, long-term value without unnecessary financial burdens. Robert Dekker Age: 65 Political experience: I currently work on Parliament Hill as a Director of Policy for the MP from Barrie South-Innisfil, a position I have held since 2016. I have run as a candidate provincially in 2011 and 2014 in Ottawa Centre. In 2015 I worked at Queens Park in the Ontario PC Caucus Office. Professional experience: I worked for Bell Canada for 20 years. I am proud of my community work with Centretown Community Association, serving as President from 2024-2026 and Vice President before that. In my tenure the Association has worked collaboratively with the City on local issues. How long have you lived in Ottawa? I have lived in Somerset Ward since 2007 and in Greater Ottawa since 1990. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: The Rideau Canal, Ottawa River and William Commanda Bridge and bike pathways What was the last book you read? “Spider Bones” by Kathy Reich, currently reading “Breaking Point” by Darrell Bricker & John Ibbitson What is the top song in your playlist? “Rein Me In” by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean How often do you use OC Transpo? I use the LRT regularly on inclement weather days, travelling from uOttawa to Parliament Station. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I support the plan of OC Transpo General Manager (GM) Leary. I would base any action on the report from GM Leary expected in 2027 and how his plan is operating to determine next steps. Changes to fares must be realistic and reflect the affordability of the service. The effectiveness and efficiency of OC Transpo will drive an increase of riders to the trains and buses. Would you support increasing the police budget? Yes, I would support increasing the police budget to increase police presence and make Somerset Ward safer. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Without a clearly outlined path for the improvement to roads, sewers and sidewalks residents should not accept the levy and neither would I. The infrastructure improvement deficit is large and grows as climate change and as 100-year weather incidents occur more often our infrastructure suffers. These costs need to be examined on a line-by-line review of the budget with each city department analyzing its own infrastructure deficit and how to meet it. We cannot ask taxpayers to fund this work on their own, co-operation from the federal and provincial governments must be part of the solution. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: Somerset Ward has the highest crime rate in the city; residents see it and feel it and are extremely troubled by it. The number one priority is to reduce crime and make our streets, parks and public areas safe for all residents. In general, residents like living in Somerset Ward, but homelessness, open use of drugs, thefts, stabbings and attacks have left a mark on residents, and some may consider leaving the ward, even if it means that they leave friends and a welcoming downtown community. Part of making the downtown safe is to revitalize the downtown core, bring businesses back, clean our streets and sidewalks, and ensure garbage receptacles are not overflowing. Housing for the homeless must be part of the solution in making our streets safe. Supportive housing will help those who wish help to live healthy and transition to their own new lifestyle off the streets. Nicholas Gollé Age: 33 Political experience: None Professional experience: Eight years working Information Technology in the public service. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 33 Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: The Ottawa River Pathway/Kiweki Point What was the last book you read? Children of Time What is the top song in your playlist? Aruarian Dance How often do you use OC Transpo? Daily when it is winter or bad weather. Otherwise, weekly. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Decrease Would you support increasing the police budget? Yes Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes. These are core public infrastructure Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: The biggest issue in Somerset Ward is livability: whether people can feel safe, build a life, run a business, get around, and enjoy their neighbourhood. Public safety and the condition of our public spaces are immediate concerns. Residents, workers, visitors, business owners, and people experiencing crisis all need safe, clean, accessible streets. Addressing immediate harm must happen alongside the housing, treatment, and support that can reduce recurring crises. Downtown economic vitality is closely connected. Somerset should be a place where businesses can open and grow, and where people choose to live, work, shop, and spend time. Safe and welcoming public spaces, dependable City services, and an active community help make that possible. Housing and growth are also fundamental to liveability. I support more people being able to make their homes here. That growth needs to be supported by reliable transit, usable sidewalks, parks, infrastructure, and community services, while allowing the neighbourhood’s cultural life to continue evolving. These issues affect one another. More housing, thriving businesses, safe public spaces, and dependable services together create the conditions for Somerset to succeed. Our public institutions need to understand those connections, respond to people’s experiences, and keep improving how they meet the ward’s needs. Michael Tay Age: 35 Political experience: This is my first time running for elected office. My background is grassroots and community based. I currently serving as Co-Chair of the Ottawa Police Service Community Equity Council and have been involved in a number of community committees and steering groups. I am running because I want to bring that community experience and practical problem-solving approach to City Hall. Professional experience: I have nearly 20 years of experience in social services, including housing and homelessness, mental health, newcomer settlement and youth services. I currently manage a transitional housing program and I am a Part-time professor at Algonquin College’s Social Service Worker program. Earlier in my career, I also worked as a paralegal and legal assistant. How long have you lived in Ottawa? Approximately 30 years. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Brewer Park. From years of pickup soccer to the many cultural events they host there. What was the last book you read? I’m currently reading Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. What is the top song in your playlist? “Island in the Sun” by Harry Belafonte. How often do you use OC Transpo? I take OC Transpo to Atlético Ottawa games as part of my season tickets. Bike mostly in Centretown. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would not support increasing fares while the service remains unreliable. Riders are already paying a significant amount for a system that is not consistently meeting their needs. Before asking people to pay more, the city needs to improve reliability, service and confidence in OC Transpo. Would you support increasing the police budget? I would support an increase only where there is a demonstrated need, clear outcomes, transparency and accountability for how the money will be used. Residents need effective policing and timely responses, but every additional investment should have a clear purpose, and we should be able to measure whether it is actually improving public safety. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes, if the funding is dedicated to necessary infrastructure work, there is clear transparency about where the money is going, and the impact on affordability is reasonable. We need to maintain and improve our roads, sewers and other aging infrastructure rather than continually delaying work until problems become more expensive to fix. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: The biggest issue in Somerset Ward is the impact of homelessness, substance use and the ongoing mental health and addictions crisis. Nothing else comes close. This is first and foremost a human crisis. People are living, using drugs and sometimes dying in public spaces because they are not getting the housing, treatment and support they need. But we also have to be honest about the impact on the surrounding community. Residents should feel safe walking through their neighbourhood. Children should be able to use parks and sidewalks comfortably. Small businesses should be able to keep their doors open, and people should not become accustomed to seeing dozens of people openly using drugs outside their homes or community spaces. Compassion and accountability have to exist together. I strongly support community health centres, harm reduction, outreach, mental health services and supportive housing. I have spent much of my career working in these systems. But supporting those services cannot mean accepting disorder, crime or unsafe conditions as an inevitable part of living downtown. The city needs a much more coordinated response involving housing, outreach, treatment, community organizations, police and bylaw, with clear responsibility when neighbourhood concerns are raised. Somerset Ward deserves the same expectation of safe, clean and welcoming neighbourhoods as every other part of Ottawa. Ariel Troster Age: 47 Political experience: I was elected as the city councillor for Somerset ward in 2022. Prior to that I was involved in community activism, refugee sponsorship, and sat on the boards of several 2SLGBTQ+ organizations including the Ten Oaks Project and Egale Canada. While on Council this term, I led the fight for a renoviction bylaw, for the establishment of ANCHOR in Centretown, the development of the Street Seats pop-up patio program, and a doubling of the city budget for affordable and supportive housing. Professional experience: Prior to being elected as the councillor for Somerset ward in 2022, I worked as a communications and policy professional at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Council of Canadians. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 22 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: The Chinatown Arch on Somerset West What was the last book you read? Chasing Summer by Frankie Scott What is the top song in your playlist? Lost Boys by Phoebe Bridgers How often do you use OC Transpo? Occasionally, as I often walk or bike to City Hall Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Yes, I have consistently voted against an increase to fares Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence in your ward? Not without a clear audit of police spending and equivalent funding increases to social services, supportive housing and crime prevention Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? If needed, yes Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: The number one issue I hear about is the impact of chronic homelessness and addiction on downtown neighbourhoods. Without an adequate supply of supportive housing and appropriate healthcare, the city will continue to spend enormous resources on outreach workers, paramedics and police to resolve the conflicts and public safety concerns that inevitably come up when people are not properly cared for. I intend to push for a focused strategy to get the people in the worst shape off of the streets. I am also committed to advocating for better tools to deal with abandoned commercial properties, a city housing acquisition fund and rent bank, more downtown tree planting, and more frequent downtown bus and train service.
