Three candidates are running for councillor in Ward 5 – West Carleton-March. Incumbent Clarke Kelly is seeking a second term as councillor in the rural ward after winning the 2022 municipal election with 27 per cent of the vote. The other candidates in the election are psychotherapist Christine Harrison and Dylan Nose. West Carleton-March The ward in Ottawa’s west end stretches from the Ottawa River at its northern and eastern boundaries and the city’s northwest boundary, and Carp, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Constance Bay and Kinburn. Meet the candidates CTV News Ottawa invited all registered candidates to answer a questionnaire and submit a video introducing themselves to voters. Christine Harrison Age: 47 Political experience: First-time candidate, but not new to governance or leadership. I bring years of board and community leadership experience, including board member on the ByWard Family Health Team more than four years with Carp Health Access and serving as Board Chair. I have also held senior leadership roles in non-profit and community health organizations, with responsibility for teams, multi-million-dollar budgets, strategic planning, program development and organizational accountability. My experience includes governance, financial oversight, policy, collaborative decision-making and years of community advocacy—skills I believe translate directly to effective municipal leadership. Professional experience: Healthcare executive, Registered Psychotherapist and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in healthcare, community health and organizational leadership. Founder of multidisciplinary healthcare clinics serving Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley. My leadership experience includes managing multidisciplinary teams, multi-million-dollar budgets, operations, strategic growth and community partnerships. I hold an MBA in Public Health and a professional doctorate focused on mental health leadership and organizational wellness. How long have you lived in Ottawa? Move to Ottawa when I was 12 from NB. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: The Carp Hills/Carp Barrens What was the last book you read? The Correspondent Novel by Virginia Evans What is the top song in your playlist? Anything Country! How often do you use OC Transpo? Only during Bluesfest. We do not have bus service in West Carleton-March. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I support affordability, sustainable funding and ensuring rural residents receive meaningful value from Ottawa’s transit system. Would you support increasing the police budget? I support evidence-based resourcing and ensuring rural communities receive adequate police presence and response capacity. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Infrastructure investment is essential, particularly in a rural ward where roads, drainage, ditches, culverts and other infrastructure require specialized and ongoing care and maintenance. West Carleton-March has unique infrastructure needs that cannot always be addressed through an urban lens. I would support responsible, transparent investment that ensures rural infrastructure receives its fair share of funding, while carefully considering affordability for taxpayers and ensuring existing city dollars are being used effectively. Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: West Carleton-March needs infrastructure that keeps up with the growth and changing needs of our communities. Development must be accompanied by appropriate investment in roads, intersections, drainage, recreation, emergency services and other infrastructure—not addressed years after the need becomes apparent. Our roads need the attention they deserve. Rural roads face different conditions and demands, and residents need safer intersections, better maintenance, responsible speed management and long-term planning based on actual traffic patterns and future growth. Safer communities are also a priority. That includes road safety, appropriate police and emergency response, safe spaces for children and youth, and strong community preparedness for severe weather and emergencies. At the same time, we must protect what makes our rural communities distinctive. That means supporting agriculture, local businesses, community associations and the services residents rely on, while ensuring rural needs are considered from the beginning of city decision-making—not as an afterthought. Finally, affordability matters. Property taxes, housing, transportation, food and everyday costs are placing increasing pressure on households. City Council must demonstrate fiscal responsibility, carefully evaluate spending and ensure residents are receiving value for their tax dollars. West Carleton-March deserves a strong rural voice and its fair share of attention, investment and services from the City of Ottawa. Clarke Kelly Age: 39 Political experience: I have been involved in politics since I was in my mid twenties. I began volunteering for various candidates back in 2012. I also worked for 4 years on Parliament Hill as a Legislative Assistant and have a degree from Carleton University in Political Science. I love politics and democracy. Professional experience: I spent years working in the addictions treatment industry, helping with business plans, fundraising, staffing, and government relations. In 2018, I began working for the House of Commons and worked there as a Legislative Assistant until I put my name on the ballot in June 2022. I’ve also worked as a professional cook, a drywaller, and volunteered for years at MacKay Manor, a men’s recovery home in Renfrew County. As a board member, I wrote the proposal that secured $350,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. How long have you lived in Ottawa? I have lived in West Carleton-March my entire life. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Chats Falls on the Ottawa River. It’s in Ward 5, it’s beautiful, and it’s historically significant. What was the last book you read? “The Unconscious Civilization” by John Ralston Saul. What is the top song in your playlist? Crosswind by Chris Stapleton, Early Morning Rain by Gordon Lightfoot is a close second. How often do you use OC Transpo? Never Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Increase Would you support increasing the police budget? Yes Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? No Describe in 250 words or less what the biggest issues are in your ward in this election: Ensuring City Staff have a full understanding of the realities of rural life that residents face daily, and that policies reflect the will of residents. - That we protect the rural nature and character of our rural wards, and that the City of Ottawa is transparent and accountable. - Ensuring infrastructure is maintained properly and keeps up with growth will also be a continued focus of mine. - I will also be focused on making sure that the City is delivering core services properly before taking on other things. Dylan Nose No email contact available
