Four candidates are on the ballot to be the new councillor in Kitchisippi. Incumbent Coun. Jeff Leiper is not seeking re-election as councillor in the ward just west of downtown Ottawa after serving three terms as councillor. Leiper is running for mayor. The candidates include former journalist Joanne Chianello, Xavier Commerford, former Hintonburg Community Association president Brian Innes and businessman Subhir Uppal. Kitchissippi Kitchissippi includes the neighbourhoods of Westboro, Hintonburg, Mechanicsville and Hampton Park. Meet the candidates CTV News Ottawa invited all registered candidates to answer a questionnaire and submit a video introducing themselves to voters. Joanne Chianello Age: 57 Political experience: I am not a member of any political party. I vote for candidates and policies that I believe are closest to what we need for the times we’re living in. I engaged in political activities for the first time in 2025. In February, I volunteered for NDP MPP Catherine McKenney’s successful campaign for Ottawa Centre. A few months later, I worked in the Liberal “war room” to elect Prime Minister Mark Carney. On the last few days of the 2025 federal campaign, I also worked to elect Bruce Fanjoy, the Liberal MP for the riding of Carleton. Professional experience: I was a journalist for 30 years and covered Ottawa City Hall for more than a decade. My reporting on the LRT led directly to the public inquiry. I helped reveal the years-long harassment of young women by a veteran city councillor, which contributed to new provincial legislation allowing an elected official to be removed from office for egregious behaviour. I’ve spent hundreds of hours at City Hall — in meetings, digging into reports, asking tough questions and interacting with elected officials and staff. Since leaving journalism in 2023, I’ve done consulting work with a firm with significant municipal expertise How long have you lived in Ottawa? 35 years, including four while attending Carleton University Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: I have a soft spot for Donna’s Express, which is the current home of Moe’s Famous Newport Restaurant What was the last book you read? Trash! A Garbageman’s Story by Montreal’s Simon Paré-Poupart What is the top song in your playlist? Angela Hewitt’s Bach Keyboard Concerto No. 3 (in D Major!) How often do you use OC Transpo? Several times a week currently, most weekdays when working downtown Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I support making transit more affordable across all fare levels, especially while we work to make the transit system better. It will take years to make transit more reliable, but we can make it more affordable quickly. I also want to build on Council’s recent good work to provide free transit to youth during evenings and weekends. I will advocate for working with the province to make transit free year-round for everyone under 18. This would help teens get to school, work and other activities, help families save money, and build lifelong transit riders. Would you support increasing the police budget? I support police doing police work – and having enough officers to respond to urgent calls. While council doesn’t direct police operations, I’m for more community police officers and neighbourhood response teams. But public safety isn’t just about enforcement. We need to invest in social services to help people in crisis and prevent them from reaching a crisis point. I’ll advocate for stronger accountability overall and tougher consequences for those who abuse their authority. I’m a realist. Negotiated salary increases account for the bulk of budget increases. The 2027 salary increase is 3.5%. So yes, I support a reasonable increase. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Considering the massive infrastructure gap in our city, I would like to explore the possibility of an infrastructure levy. We have to make sure our roads and water infrastructure are in a state of good repair and keep up with the growth we’re experiencing and expect in the future. An infrastructure levy would, of course, be part of the property tax bill, but it would provide a more transparent way for residents to see how and where their tax dollars are being spent. And I’m in favour of a more transparent budget. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: I’ve talked to thousands of people in Kitchissippi, and while they love our community, they are frustrated by transit, the effects of intensification and the social challenges we’re seeing on our streets. Transit comes up over and over again. People can’t rely on it to get to work, get their kids where they need to go, or get to appointments. When transit isn’t reliable, it becomes harder for people to choose it over a car. Affordability matters too. Most people I talk to understand that Kitchissippi needs to welcome new neighbours. But they also want us to get intensification right. Intensification isn’t free! We need to manage the impacts of growth, including traffic and street safety, and make sure our roads, water infrastructure and other services can keep up. We need services to match our growing population, including affordable housing, recreation facilities and great public spaces. The social challenges we’re seeing on our streets also need a much better response. We need to invest more in prevention, as well as housing, mental health, addiction and other supports that can help people before they reach a crisis. When people do reach a crisis, they need the right services and supports. At the same time, people should be able to walk down their street, use public spaces, or take their kids to the park and feel safe. Supporting people who are struggling and making our neighbourhoods safer are not competing goals. We need to do a better job of both. Xavier Commerford No email address available Brian Innes Age: 45 Political experience: This is my first time as a candidate. I have volunteered for municipal, provincial and federal candidates across Canada. I have served on committees at City Hall as a citizen and worked on Parliament Hill. I have worked to achieve solutions with many governments in capitals around the world including Washington, Brussels, Tokyo and Beijing. Professional experience: My experience working alongside municipal, provincial, national and international governments has taught me how to bring people to the table, keep them focused and push for results residents can actually see. As a leader of non-profit associations, I’ve helped small, medium and multinational businesses come together under a common purpose and get results. And as a board chair and board member, I’ve led diverse people to a common goal while ensuring accountability. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 18 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Parkdale Park What was the last book you read? Apse the Gate, by Shawn Anthony What is the top song in your playlist? Alouette, by Mary Trachsel and Anne Innes - a big car favourite at the moment! How often do you use OC Transpo? I use transit daily to get to work, unless the weather is good and I’m able to cycle. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would work to decrease transit fares to reestablish ridership and confidence in the transit system. The most important thing about our transit system is to make it reliable. Would you support increasing the police budget? I support increasing the budget for policing, especially to bolster the district policing model so that officers can have a reasonable area to cover. Increases in police resources should also come with resources for other programs like the Alternative Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR) program that support people with mental health and other needs. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes, I support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure, but implementation must come with a detailed needs assessment and accountability. We’re seeing the impact of severe weather on people’s property and the impact of rough roads on our vehicles. Accountability so that residents’ tax dollars are spent wisely is very important. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: We love living in Kitchissippi but growth is putting real pressure on our daily lives. Roads are more congested. Transit is unreliable. Parks and recreation are not keeping up. We’re asked to accept more density without seeing the services and infrastructure that should come with it. Now is a critical time to have a voice for us to keep what we love about Kitchissippi – for people who live here now and for people who join our community. Our voice about how a new mega tower or infill impacts our lives is critical at City Hall. This is why we need our councillor to: -Protect the character of our neighbourhoods – to keep mega towers off residential streets and main streets More people and more density are already straining city services and infrastructure. With major developments underway in Westboro and coming soon to Tunney’s Pasture and LeBreton Flats, tens of thousands more people will soon be relying on our existing roads, transit, recreation and green spaces. This is not sustainable. Our voice about what is needed in Kitchissippi is essential at City Hall to deliver what residents need: -Recreation for our population – to build a new recreation centre and keep our urban rinks; and -Transportation that keeps us moving – to have reliable transit and smarter solutions for our major roads. I am running because we deserve a councillor who will make development work for people that live here and make sure services and infrastructure keep up. Subhir Uppal Age: 40 Political experience: I am running for City Council not as a career politician, but as an engaged resident and taxpayer. Prior to registering for this campaign, my political experience was that of an active voter. I bring a fresh, independent perspective unbound by municipal political circles or insider interests and a focus grounded entirely in fiscal accountability, practical problem-solving, and strong community representation for Kitchissippi. Professional experience: I am a small business owner and community builder, recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024. I also serve as an ethics instructor with the nationally recognized Real Estate Institute of Canada, as a director with the Ottawa Real Estate Board & Ottawa Safety Council, and was vice chair with the Real Estate Council of Ontario, reflecting my commitment to integrity in both business and public service. How long have you lived in Ottawa? I am a lifelong Ottawa resident, proud to have called this city home for my entire life. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Dovercourt Recreation Centre, where my wife and I made memories watching our son, Brahm, grow up. What was the last book you read? Value(s) by Mark Carney. Some people unwind with thrillers. I apparently unwind with economic policy. What is the top song in your playlist? Morni by Diljit Dosanjh. Don’t blame me when it gets stuck in your head. How often do you use OC Transpo? I grew up relying on OC Transpo, and my priority is making it reliable again. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? My priority for OC Transpo is restoring reliable service and ensuring every tax dollar is spent responsibly. I support a thorough review of operational spending and moving toward distance-based fares: a modern, equitable system widely used across North America and Europe ensuring riders pay their fair share for the distance they travel. Reliable service, financial accountability and fair fares are key to building a transit system Ottawa can trust. Would you support increasing the police budget? Public safety budgets should respond to real-time data and local needs, not arbitrary or rigid targets. I welcome increased police presence where crime and safety data warrant it, while using the right resources for the right situations. Expanding Ottawa’s Alternative Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR) program would allow specialized mental health and social service professionals to respond to non-violent crises, freeing police officers to focus on enforcement and crime prevention. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? I cannot support an infrastructure levy without clear costs, a detailed plan and a fair return for Kitchissippi residents. Let’s call it what it is: a tax increase. Residents deserve transparency about how much they’ll pay and where that money will go. Historical patterns on City Council have consistently prioritized suburban infrastructure at the expense of established urban neighbourhoods. Any increase should be based on actual infrastructure needs, not an arbitrary percentage. And without guarantees that Kitchissippi will receive its fair share for local roads, sewers and aging infrastructure, asking residents to pay more is not responsible. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: Kitchissippi is one of Ottawa’s most vibrant urban wards and ranks second across the entire city for property tax revenue sent to City Hall. Despite being one of Ottawa’s largest financial contributors, our community is consistently shortchanged when it comes to municipal investment. Three core priorities must be addressed: Our Fair Share for Infrastructure: Suburban expansion routinely takes priority while our established urban neighbourhood is left with deteriorating roads, aging sewer systems, and crumbling sidewalks. Kitchissippi deserves its fair share of tax dollars reinvested locally to repair our core infrastructure. A Long-Overdue Recreation & Wellness Centre: With rapid density growth across the ward, public amenities must keep pace. Residents of all ages need a modern, accessible recreation facility—a long-overdue space for family fitness, youth athletics, and senior programming. Reliable, Equitable Public Transit: Transit service must be dependable. Restoring OC Transpo’s schedule reliability is essential and pairing it with fiscal accountability and modern distance-based fares will ensure a transit system that is fair, efficient, and cost-effective. Kitchissippi taxpayers contribute far too much to settle for second-class services. It is time for City Hall to deliver transparent budgeting that reflects the true contribution of our ward.
