Voters in Riverside South-Findlay Creek have two candidates to choose from for councillor for the 2026-2030 term. Incumbent Coun. Steve Desroches is seeking a second consecutive term as councillor in the ward. Desroches, who served two terms as a councillor between 2008 and 2014, won the 2022 municipal election in Riverside South-Findlay Creek with 67.8 per cent of the vote. The other candidate on the ballot is Muyiwa Ojo, a finance professional. Riverside South-Findlay Creek The ward of Riverside South-Findlay Creek includes Riverside South, Findlay Creek and Leitrim. Meet the candidates CTV News Ottawa invited all registered candidates to answer a questionnaire and submit a video introducing themselves to voters. Steve Desroches Age: 57 Political experience: Served three terms on Ottawa City Council which included four years as Deputy Mayor. Professional experience: Federal public servant with several federal departments including Canada Border Service Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Privy Council Office and Elections Canada How long have you lived in Ottawa? Since 1988 as a university student and I have lived in the ward since 2002 Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Vimy Memorial Bridge What was the last book you read? Shawinigan Fox by Robert Plamondon What is the top song in your playlist? Ahead by a Century by the Tragically Hip How often do you use OC Transpo? Periodically depending on meeting schedule Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Main focus is on reliability and service to growth areas Would you support increasing the police budget? Yes Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? I will support a city budget that invests in road and infrastructure that mindful of affordability. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: My priority is to build complete, connected communities where families can live, work, and thrive. I want to keep City Hall focused on the practical issues that matter most to residents and continue delivering results for Riverside South and Findlay Creek. I will continue investing in parks, recreation facilities, libraries, and community spaces that bring people together and support families. Expanding access to recreation and delivering the Southeast Ottawa Recreation Complex are important steps toward ensuring our growing communities have the facilities they need. Public safety remains a key priority. I will continue supporting appropriate police resources and working to strengthen community safety and emergency response. I am committed to improving housing affordability by increasing housing options, reducing barriers to construction, and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth. At the same time, I want to attract businesses, employers, and services that create good local jobs and allow residents to work closer to home. Transportation and infrastructure are essential to our community’s future. I will keep pushing for safer roads, improved traffic flow, better cycling and pedestrian connections, and stronger transit links, including improved access to LRT and future rapid transit. I also believe growth must be environmentally responsible. I will continue supporting tree planting, enhancing green spaces and wetlands, expanding our electric bus fleet, and improving access to our natural areas. Muyiwa Ojo Age: 40 Political experience: I have served on the board of a political party and previously served on the board of the Findlay Creek Community Association. These experiences have given me firsthand experience with governance, community engagement, advocacy and working with people with different perspectives and priorities. Professional experience: My professional background is in finance, where I have developed experience in financial analysis, risk assessment, decision-making and working with complex financial information. I also hold an eMBA from Ivey Business School, which strengthened my skills in strategic thinking, leadership, problem-solving and organizational decision-making. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 5 Years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Limebank Station What was the last book you read? Four Seasons of Marriage. Gary Chapman What is the top song in your playlist? Goodness of God by Cece Winans How often do you use OC Transpo? Occasionally Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would not make increasing transit fares the first solution to improving OC Transpo. Residents need reliable, frequent and accessible transit, and affordability matters. I would first focus on improving service efficiency, increasing ridership, reducing unnecessary costs, and ensuring that transit funding is being used effectively. If additional revenue were ultimately required, I would want Council to carefully consider the impact on riders, particularly low- and moderate-income residents, before supporting any fare increase. Would you support increasing the police budget? I would consider an infrastructure levy if it is clearly targeted, transparent and directly tied to addressing critical infrastructure needs. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: Ward 22 is one of Ottawa’s fastest-growing communities, and the biggest issue facing Riverside South and Findlay Creek is ensuring that infrastructure and services keep pace with growth. Residents are concerned about traffic congestion, reliable public transit, road safety and the capacity of our transportation network. Major growth and construction are increasing pressure on key corridors, and residents want smarter traffic management, better coordination of construction and development, and transit that provides a reliable alternative to driving. Infrastructure and essential services are also major concerns. As more families move into the community, we need roads, sidewalks, parks, recreation facilities, community spaces and other essential services to keep pace with development. Community safety is another priority. Residents want safer streets and intersections, action on speeding and property crime, better lighting, and neighbourhoods where people feel safe and connected. Finally, we need to invest in our youth and families. Young people should have meaningful opportunities to develop skills, explore creativity and innovation, participate in leadership, and help shape the future of their community. The central question in this election is simple: How do we manage growth responsibly while maintaining the quality of life that makes Ward 22 a great place to live?
