Residents in Alta Vista have five candidates to choose from for councillor in the 2026 municipal election. Incumbent Marty Carr is seeking a second term as councillor after winning the 2022 election with 47 per cent of the vote. The other four candidates are Muhyadin Omar Barkhat, Tressy El-Hawi, former public servant Derek McSweeney and federal public servant Elsa Niyongabo. Alta Vista The ward of Alta Vista includes the Ottawa Hospital General Campus and CHEO, and the neighbourhoods of Alta Vista, Ridgemount, Canterbury, Elmvale Acres, Faircrest Heights and Riverview Park. Meet the candidates CTV News Ottawa invited all registered candidates to answer a questionnaire and submit a video introducing themselves to voters. Muhyadin Barkhat Age: 31 Political experience: I am a newbie but have been watching politics closely since from my early childhood. And I always loved to work in the politics to help my people. Professional experience: I work at airport international and I have diplôma How long have you lived in Ottawa? Previously lived in Alta Vista Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: The Parliament Hill What was the last book you read? End Time by Peter Turchin What is the top song in your playlist? How often do you use OC Transpo? I use OC Transport to commute to work and when I am visiting downtown for business Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I will work to decrease the transit fares. I will even work to bring the transit fares to Zero. Would you support increasing the police budget? No. We are already spending to much money on policing when in fact this funding could be well used in other projects like helping the homeless, building more houses and funding more on social housing Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes. It will help improve city services and expand our tourism Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: I would work with the seniors who are lonely most of the times. I will create activities for the seniors and increase the personal support workers who help our seniors. Our seniors deserve better because they have worked hard and now it is time to help them. Housing is also a big issue in my ward. I will work with the federal and provincial government to expedite houses construction and to have more affordable housing for the residents in Ottawa as general. Road construction gridlock in my ward is becoming problematic; the constructions are set up year in year out with no tangible results and completion targets. I will push for accountability in these infrastructure contracts. Because I think they have monopoly in these contracts and we need to help more private sectors to take part in the infrastructure roads and sewage improvement. We will make a bylaw to enforce city construction. They will leave a lot of stuff in the roads. It is creating traffic havoc in my ward most of the time. This is where I will focus more if elected. Every family deserves a safe and affordable home, and every young person deserves a fair opportunity to work and build a future. I will listen to mothers struggling with housing costs and support programs that make housing more affordable. I will also work to create more opportunities for young people to find jobs, gain experience, and become independent. Together, we can build a stronger and more caring Ward 18. Marty Carr Age: 53 Political experience: Incumbent councillor for the last four years Professional experience: Over two decades in the federal government in a variety of management positions in program, policy and corporate roles, most recently as a Director of Communications. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 27 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: City Hall What was the last book you read? Trash, a Garbageman’s Story, Simon Paré-Poupart What is the top song in your playlist? Nothing from this decade, nor from the preceding three. How often do you use OC Transpo? Average 4 days a month Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I will continue to seek to maintain or decrease fares for low-income individuals. Once the upload of the LRT to Metrolinx is complete (which will help to resolve current financial challenges), I support a full review of fares. Would you support increasing the police budget? Yes. In the Auditor General’s Audit of Staffing of the Ottawa Police Service, it was shown that outdated frontline deployment targets did not account for city growth nor Ottawa’s challenges. In addition to frontline policing, there are insufficient resources dedicated to investigative units, leading to backlogs in resolving cases related to sexual assault and child abuse, financial crimes, and internet child exploitation, intimate partner violence amongst others. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? No. Council was able to increase infrastructure spending this term by over 40% without introducing an additional tax levy. Furthermore, upper levels of government need to prioritize their commitments to funding municipal infrastructure- 60% of Canadian infrastructure is located in cities yet municipalities receive a fraction of this amount in support. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: Alta Vista is not unique in that aging infrastructure (e.g. roads, sidewalks, sewers, parks, community centres); and traffic and transportation issues dominate resident discussions. Ensuring our tree canopy is increased, parks are protected and maintained is also a priority. Insufficient recreational facilities and offerings in the ward are a concern, with cinder block fieldhouses being the staple of community facilities and an increased requirement for programs and services for some populations, including youth and seniors being top of mind. Emerging initiatives from the Federal Government including the likely placement of the ALTO station and the new Build Canada Homes site are also of interest to residents, as is the growth in the health sector- with new facilities like the Advanced Medical Research Centre, the CHEO expansion; long term care beds at the Riverside and new housing at the Perley that require new housing types for medical students and employees of these facilities. Alta Vista residents are always keenly interested in planning files, particularly the impact of changes in zoning and developments such as 1245 Kilborn. Community safety and well-being is also a concern for many. Tressy El-Hawi Age: 46 Political experience: No Professional experience: Manager at Dermacontour Clinic, Screening Officer at Ottawa International Airport. How long have you lived in Ottawa? Over 20 years in the Alta Vista community. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Alta Vista community parks and local neighbourhood green spaces. What was the last book you read? The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. What is the top song in your playlist? A New Day Has Come – Celine Dion How often do you use OC Transpo? I use OC Transpo occasionally and support reliable, affordable public transit. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would keep transit fares affordable while improving reliability and service. Would you support increasing the police budget? Yes, I support having an appropriate police presence in our community. Residents deserve to feel safe, and I would support targeted resources that improve response times, visibility, and community policing while ensuring public funds are used responsibly Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes, I would support a reasonable and transparent infrastructure levy if the funds are dedicated to fixing roads, improving sewer infrastructure, and addressing Ottawa’s infrastructure backlog. Residents should be able to clearly see where their money is going and what improvements it is providing. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: The biggest issues in Alta Vista are affordable and reliable transit, road and infrastructure improvements, public safety, and responsible use of tax dollars. I will listen to residents, address local concerns, and work to make Alta Vista safer, more connected, and a better place to live. Derek McSweeney Political Experience: I grew up in a very political family. I have participated in many campaigns in my youth and in my adult life I worked in the federal public service during the Mulroney and Harper years. Professional experience: For over 20 years I was a driver and political assistant for Ministers in our federal government. In these roles I was able to learn how public policy and government works. I retired in 2015 and since then I have been a part-time Uber driver. I this role I have met 1000’s of people from across Ottawa and listened to their concerns and issues. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 67 Years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: ByWard Market What was the last book you read? To be honest, I haven’t really read much fiction in many years, but I am a voracious reader of current events, newspapers, and publications on what’s going on in our city, province and country. What is the top song in your playlist? I am a big fan of new country, so it is currently Choosin’ Texas by Ella Langley How often do you use OC Transpo? I am not a regular rider of OC Transpo, occasionally use their special buses to sporting events at TD Place or Canadian Tire Centre. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I believe that the user of public transit system must contribute to the costs of running it. Taxpayers already pay over $1000 in a transit levy on our tax bill. That being said we need to make sure that those people on fixed incomes or low incomes will continue to get a break on the fares. We need more buses and more drivers on our local routes as well. It doesn’t matter how inexpensive the service is.....if it’s unreliable it’s not worth anything. Would you support increasing the police budget? 100% Yes. Our police service is running a 20-million-dollar deficit and is over 200 officers short of a full complement of officers. People tell me all the time at the doors that we need more police presence in Alta Vista especially for the purposes of speed enforcement on our streets. I also believe we need to boost the amount of Community Officers that can work with our youth in the schools in Alta Vista as well. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Only as a last resort would I support an infrastructure levy. I still believe that we need to do a department by department, line by line audit of our current spending to make sure we are getting value for your tax dollars. This audit should be done by an independent outside firm to ensure an unbiased report. Then Council must decide how to deal with it. If savings can be found in the existing budgets without an infrastructure levy then that is what we should be doing. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: Basic infrastructure and services will be my priorities if I am elected. Roads, sewers, sidewalks, parks, recreation facilities, waste disposal, winter maintenance, police/fire /paramedics should all be funded and done well before we spend any money on other programs. We must let the senior levels of government look after their responsibilities and we should look after ours. We are a service delivery level of government not a policy making level. Alto is another concern of mine and many residents in Alta Vista especially in the north end of the ward. What will be the route, will properties be expropriated, how long and what will be the impacts of the construction of this project. I don’t believe this high-speed rail is needed, and we don’t need the disruption it will cause in the city of Ottawa. If the federal government has 140 billion dollars to spend let use it for affordable housing or mental illness and addiction services. If elected, I will be vocally opposing this project. Elsa Niyongabo Age: 26 Political experience: I have four years of experience working in the federal government, starting with Canadian Heritage and the Prime Minister’s Office under the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, and most recently with the Secretary of State for Children and Youth. Beyond my work in government, an important part of my political experience has been working on the ground during election campaigns, particularly in Ottawa South and in Montréal, including Papineau and Terrebonne. These experiences gave me a strong understanding of grassroots organizing, campaigning, and connecting directly with voters. Professional experience: Beyond my political experience, I have deep ties to the francophone community, where I gained my earliest professional experience. My career began with the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne et acadienne, followed by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, and later the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada. These experiences gave me a strong understanding of the realities, the priorities, and the resilience of francophone communities in Canada. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 7 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: 3 Sisters Bakeshop or/and Green Bean Cafe and Smoothie Bar (both in Alta Vista) What was the last book you read? Say More by Jen Psaki What is the top song in your playlist? Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton How often do you use OC Transpo? 20/30 days per month Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? While speaking with residents in Alta Vista, I consistently heard that reliability is a top priority when it comes to transit. My focus would be on improving service, reliability, and efficiency while keeping fares affordable for students, seniors, families, and the people who rely on OC Transpo every day. Would you support increasing the police budget? Residents in Alta Vista and in Ottawa overall want to feel safe in their neighbourhoods that means ensuring our police have the resources they need to serve our communities effectively. At the same time, any increase to the police budget should be strategic, evidence-based, and focused on delivering results. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Any new levy needs to come with a clear plan. Residents deserve infrastructure that is safe, reliable, and properly maintained. Before asking taxpayers to pay more, I would want to see a clear assessment of the city’s infrastructure needs, how the funds would be spent, and what efficiencies can be found within the existing budget. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: My top priority for Ward 18 is building stronger community services that means investing in community centres that truly meet the needs of Alta Vista’s families, seniors, and newcomers, while expanding bilingual programming so French-speaking residents have access to recreation, youth activities, and services close to home. Affordability must also guide every decision we make at the council table. Reliable transit is another key priority. Too many residents are dealing with inconsistent OC Transpo service. I’ll push for better connections and more predictable service so Alta Vista is fully integrated into Ottawa’s transit network. Finally, I want to protect and expand our green spaces and tree canopy. Development pressures and infrastructure work can put these assets at risk, but they are an important part of what makes Alta Vista a great place to live. These priorities reflect what I hear most often at the door: residents want a ward where every generation feels a sense of belonging, where people can afford to stay, where they can get where they need to go, and where the green spaces they value are protected for future generations.
