Fourteen candidates are on the ballot for mayor of Ottawa in the 2026 municipal election. Mark Sutcliffe won the 2022 election with 51.4 per cent of the vote and is seeking a second term in office as mayor of Canada’s capital. The 13 challengers to Sutcliffe include homebuilder Alex Lawson, three-term Coun. Jeff Leiper, and economist Neil Saravanmuttoo. Meet the candidates CTV News Ottawa invited all registered candidates to answer a questionnaire and submit a video introducing themselves to voters. Queen Divine Priya Amber Bakshi No contact details were available by deadline. Zed Chebib Age: 71 Political experience: Professional experience: How long have you lived in Ottawa? One year in Ottawa 1976, & 16, years since 2020, Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: I used to work at the Holiday In 1976 serving seafood buffet next door to your office the market What was the last book you read? What is the top song in your playlist? How often do you use OC Transpo? I am a ticket holder since 2010 this is my only transaction Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I am working on it now to stop uploading the LRT TO THE PROVINCIAL GOV & RESTRUCTURE OC TRANSPO MANAGEMENT REPLACE THEM WITH NEW MANAGEMENT FROM SENIORS DRIVERS REDUCE STUDENT FARE BY ONE THIRD ABOUT $92 PER, REDUCE DAY TICKETS TO $9,25 PER DAY, INCREASE ONE WAY TICKET TO 2 HOURS Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? We have been hijacked by the federal government & RCMP. WE BECOME A POLICE STATE. I am working on POLICE reforms right now Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? I AM GOING TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL AUDITING FIRM & OPEN CITY FINANCIAL BOOKS TO GET RID OF ALIBABA CAVE CRIMINAL & THIEVES IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND CHARGE THEM TO FACE A REAL JUSTICE WHO OPENED A FAKES FILE UNDER MY NAME & LET THE ORIGINAL FILE DORMANT FOR 5 YEARS TO LET IT EXPIRE. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: Bernard Couchman No contact details were available by deadline. Suraj Harish Age: 77 Political experience: Very limited Professional experience: About 40 years How long have you lived in Ottawa? 54 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: ByWard Market What was the last book you read? What is the top song in your playlist? How often do you use OC Transpo? Once a month Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Decrease transit fare Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? Yes Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? In my opinion it is road network. I have noticed that all major roads have lots of potholes and cracked pavement structure near the intersections. Manholes and catch basins also have broken pavement. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? Fix the road network, including filling all potholes, fixing iron work, and filling in all cracks. Repainting pavement markings, using the best quality paint. Promote bicycle usage within the community by expanding bicycle lanes. Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? It all depends on the type of legislation. Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I have been living in Ottawa since 1972, about 54 years, and have not seen road network in such a bad shape. The city does not pay any attention to road network and are spending too much on the LRT, which is consistently broken down, not reliable, and not affordable. Alex Lawson Age: 38 Political experience: Running for mayor Professional experience: Carpenter. Small business owner. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 38 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Hog’s Back What was the last book you read? Transforming Ottawa: How Jacques Gréber’s plan forever changed the capital, for better or worse. What is the top song in your playlist? Friend like me - Aladdin How often do you use OC Transpo? 2-3 times a week Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would work to improve reliability at the current fares as outlined in my transit plan Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? Yes Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? Quality of life If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? Public safety, transit reliability, traffic Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? Yes Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I’m running for mayor because I have a hard time sitting back and seeing problems without being part of the solution. This is a quality of life election. People don’t feel safe. Taxes and fees are up and services provided by the city are down. Our transit system is unreliable. Not seeing someone I can get behind, I’ve decided to be that person. Jeff Leiper Age: 56 Political experience: Jeff has been a City Councillor (Ward 15) since the winter of 2014. Professional experience: Before entering public office, Jeff was deeply involved in his community, serving as president of the Hintonburg Community Association and organizing local initiatives that brought residents together. His background spans journalism, public policy, and leadership roles in the technology sector, shaping a practical, solutions-focused approach to public service, including his most recent role before politics as the VP of strategic communications, research and policy at the ICTC. How long have you lived in Ottawa? Jeff was born and raised in Ottawa. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: William Commanda Bridge What was the last book you read? Trash! a Garbageman’s Story by Simon Paré-Poupart What is the top song in your playlist? We’re all in this together - The Sam Roberts Band How often do you use OC Transpo? Every few days to daily Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would freeze fares for the time being and reevaluate once we get reliability metrics up. Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? Yes, I support getting police the resources they need, but this also includes resources for better by-law enforcement and expanding ANCHOR and allowing police to focus on the work they do best. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes, I would support a dedicated 1% infrastructure levy to start closing Ottawa’s infrastructure gap and maintain what we already own. What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? Housing, transit and the cost of living. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? My plan to build a City That Works includes transit you can rely on, homes people can afford, value for residents. Jeff will focus on restoring transit reliability, setting clear expectations, and making targeted investments that deliver visible improvements. Jeff Leiper will build 1,500 new units of affordable housing every year, taking pressure off the rental market so prices come down. Jeff will change how Ottawa builds its budget. Instead of deciding on a tax target first and then figuring out what services have to be cut to meet it, he will open the budget process earlier and start by assessing what resources are actually required to deliver reliable municipal services. Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? No. Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I love Ottawa. We’re made of kind people, strong communities, and vibrant neighbourhoods. But right now, Ottawa isn’t working. Transit we can’t rely on. Services that don’t show up. Infrastructure neglected. As a city councillor, I voted against return-to-office mandates. Lansdowne 2.0. And transit cuts. I’ve voted against bad budgets. But one councillor’s seat isn’t enough to get Ottawa on track. So I’m running for Mayor to make Ottawa a City That Works. Geoff Nicholas No response from candidate On Sept. 15, Kingston police charged Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas, a.k.a. Geoff Nicholas, in connection to alleged threats made against Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Premier Doug Ford. Josh Rachlis Age: 53 Political experience: Green Party of Ontario candidate in Eglinton–Lawrence (2011) and St. Paul’s (2014); served in Mike Schreiner’s Shadow Cabinet as Consumer Affairs critic. Toronto mayoral candidate (2014, 2018); federal Green candidate in Thornhill (2015, 2019). Since returning to Ottawa: OCDSB School Trustee candidate (2022); Independent MPP candidate in Ottawa Centre (2022) and Kanata–Carleton (2023). Professional experience: I’m an advertising copywriter, actor, voice actor, cartoonist, singer/songwriter, screenwriter, filmmaker, comedian, TV/radio personality and content creator. I spent 15 years as an award-winning copywriter at Leo Burnett. I’ve acted in TV and film and voiced characters in commercials, TV shows and video games. My cartoons and columns have appeared in The Ottawa Citizen and The Glebe Report. I’m a Second City Conservatory graduate and have performed at Yuk Yuk’s and Absolute Comedy. I’ve hosted shows on Rogers TV and Newstalk 1010, told stories on CBC Radio, given dating advice on SiriusXM, and created award-winning screenplays and short films. How long have you lived in Ottawa? On and off since I was 12, and continuously since 2020. Both sets of my grandparents lived in Ottawa, and my parents met at Carleton University before moving to Toronto, where my dad did his master’s and PhD. I was born in Toronto, and when I was 12, my family moved to Ottawa after my dad got a job as Superintendent of Schools at the OCDSB. I attended Greenbank Public School and Merivale High School. I later returned to Toronto to attend Glendon College at York University and Humber College, then came back to Ottawa to work as a copywriter at Souris & Petitti. I subsequently returned to Toronto, where I worked at Saatchi & Saatchi and Leo Burnett, before moving back to Ottawa in 2020. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: East Wharf Dock, where I swim in the Ottawa River with the ducks and feel like I’m at a cottage. What was the last book you read? Diary of a Wimpy Kid, because I work with kids to help them learn how to read, and they love this book. It gave me the idea to teach kids to draw their own graphic novels about their own lives. What is the top song in your playlist? My own song “Same Old Fears” is about driving home to Arlington Woods from a party in Barrhaven when I was in university. My songs are on Spotify under my creator name Spark The Genius. How often do you use OC Transpo? Every few days. I usually walk or bike. But when I’m going farther, I like to take OC Transpo. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Decrease. Sometimes I take Uber or even an e-scooter instead of OC Transpo because those alternatives cost only a few dollars more and save a lot of time. We need to make transit affordable enough to remain a logical option. Here’s an idea: Provincial Gas Tax funding is partly based on ridership. If lower fares increase ridership, that could mean more provincial funding as well as more riders paying fares — revenue we can put toward improving reliability. Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? I support having an adequate police presence where residents and businesses are experiencing genuine safety problems, but any increase should be tied to demonstrated need, measurable outcomes and accountability. Police are one part of public safety; mental-health, addiction, housing and community services also have important roles. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? I hear from residents who are frustrated with the potholes on our roads. And many people have had their lives devastated by the recent floods. So I support making roads and sewers a budget priority. But additional levies should always be a last resort. We should first explore options such as cutting wasteful spending and finding other funding sources. What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? Affordability. People are struggling with the cost of housing and everyday life. We need to make Ottawa a city where people can afford a home, get around without spending a fortune, and enjoy the fun activities and the natural beauty that our city has to offer. Ottawa is a great place to be an artist, an entrepreneur or a volunteer. But if you can’t afford to live, you can’t afford to contribute to making Ottawa a culturally vibrant and socially connected city. I want everyone to be able to pursue their passions, and that starts with making Ottawa affordable. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? 1. Housing affordability and homelessness. Make it easier to build more housing, including affordable housing, while working with other levels of government to provide effective housing, mental-health and addiction supports for people experiencing homelessness. 2. Affordable, reliable public transit. Lower fares to encourage ridership, improve OC Transpo reliability, and make transit a practical alternative to driving, Uber or e-scooters. 3. Reliable city services and infrastructure. Prioritize the basics residents depend on: fixing potholes, reducing the risk of flooding, and making neighbourhoods and the downtown safer and more welcoming. And if I may add a 4th, I also want to make Ottawa vibrant, socially connected and fun. I believe it’s a big city that feels like a small town, and I want to lean into that, making Ottawans feel that they are appreciated and cared for. Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? Only when necessary. I believe a mayor should build consensus with council first. Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I’m running for mayor because I love Ottawa and want to help Ottawans live their best lives. My Facebook group, Short-Notice Meet-Ups, has changed lives by helping people make friends when they feel lonely. I want to bring that thinking to City Hall and make Ottawans feel more connected. I’ve volunteered across Ottawa, from helping seniors use computers to helping Ironman cyclists slow down at sharp turns. So I’ve seen what Ottawa can do when we work together. I’ve spent my life communicating with people — as a copywriter, comedian, cartoonist, TV and radio host, and content creator. I want to use these skills to promote Ottawa to the world and attract tourists, residents and businesses. But I’m also listening to what’s wrong. Residents tell me transit isn’t reliable enough, housing is increasingly unaffordable, crime and homelessness are too prevalent, and people don’t feel heard. For six years, I’ve walked around Ottawa talking to everyone, whether chatting with my bus driver or interviewing my restaurant server. So, I genuinely want to hear from you. As Mayor, I’ll ask questions, listen to experts and bring residents into the conversation. I want City Hall to communicate openly about what’s working, what isn’t and how taxpayers’ money is being spent. As I often mention in my social media videos while walking along the canal, I believe that our historic buildings, canal and trees make Ottawa look like a fairy tale. Let’s fix what’s not working so living here can feel like one too. Neil Saravanamuttoo Age: 58 Political experience: First time running for public office. Professional experience: Former executive at Department of Finance Canada. Former chief economist of the G20’s Global Infrastructure Hub. How long have you lived in Ottawa? Almost my entire life. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Kiweki Point. What was the last book you read? Teardown: Rebuilding Democracy From the Ground Up by Dave Meslin. What is the top song in your playlist? As It Was by Harry Styles How often do you use OC Transpo? Infrequently, but I wish the service was good enough that I could use it more often. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? Decrease fares to a buck a ride. Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? I will be asking all city departments to demonstrate they are using existing funding to full efficiency before we talk about increasing any budgets. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? We have a large infrastructure gap that needs to be addressed, however before discussing an infrastructure levy we first need the city to clarify the scope of the work and the funds already set aside, and to conduct a comprehensive spending review to identify existing budget efficiencies. What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? A lack of transparency and accessibility in city hall that has led to poor spending and has left communities out of key decisions. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? 1. Open books, 100 days 2. 4-point transit recovery plan. 3. A new public option for housing affordability. Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? I plan to use Strong Mayor powers in a limited capacity related to senior city staffing. Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I’m running because I love this city, expect better than what we’re getting from the current leadership, and am prepared to do something about it. We need a city that is more affordable, more livable and where city hall is accountable to residents. We don’t get there by lowering our expectations, but through progressive ambition made possible by economic pragmatism: investing in what matters, making every tax dollar count and opening City Hall to public scrutiny. Together, we can make Ottawa better by giving communities a real say and standing up for those who City Hall neglects. I’m an economist, community organizer, lifelong Ottawa resident, and City Hall outsider. I’m running for mayor to make City Hall work for residents, not developers. You shouldn’t have to fight City Hall. City Hall should fight for you. Ali Shayvard Age: 40 Political experience: None Professional experience: I bring over 12 years of professional experience in public transit, with extensive knowledge of Ottawa’s transit system, frontline operations, customer service, safety, training, and the day-to-day challenges faced by both employees and residents. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, leadership, and a commitment to excellence. In previous roles, I have been recognized as a top performer, including achieving top 1% performance recognition. My professional history reflects a consistent ability to deliver results, build strong relationships, solve problems, and take pride in the work How long have you lived in Ottawa? My family moved to Canada in 1999, and since then I have built my life, career, and community connections here. Canada has been home for most of my life, and my experiences growing up and working here have shaped my commitment to public service and to giving back to the community. 27 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Mervial What was the last book you read? Palestine: A Nation Occupied What is the top song in your playlist? The Fate of Ophelia How often do you use OC Transpo? Daily Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? My transit plan is simple: reduce the adult monthly pass to $90 to make public transit more affordable and encourage more people to use it. At the same time, I want to improve reliability, reduce cancellations and delays, and build a transit system that Ottawa residents can depend on every day. Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? Yes. We need to make sure our police have the resources and support they need to keep our communities safe. I will work with all levels of government to strengthen public safety funding, while also making sure police resources are directed to the areas where they are needed most. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes. Improving Ottawa’s roads and infrastructure is one of the main priorities of my platform. As Canada’s capital, Ottawa should have safe, well-maintained roads and modern infrastructure that residents can rely on and be proud of. What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? The top issues facing Ottawa are clear: fixing transit, repairing our roads, and improving our infrastructure. For too long, we have spent more without getting the reliable results residents deserve. We need to fix these core services and build a capital city we can truly be proud of. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? 1. Fix Transit — make OC Transpo more reliable, affordable, and reduce the adult monthly pass to $90. 2. Fix Roads and Infrastructure — repair roads and modernize the infrastructure Ottawa residents depend on. 3. Improve Public Safety — support police and make sure resources are directed where they are needed most. Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? Only if necessary Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I’m running for mayor because I love Ottawa and I believe our city can do much better. As a social democrat, I believe government should work for the people, protect essential public services, and make sure everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. Around the world, people are asking more from their governments. They want leadership that listens, delivers results, and focuses on the basic services people depend on every day. Ottawa should be doing the same. For too long, residents have watched transit become less reliable, roads and infrastructure fall behind, and costs continue to rise. People are paying more and expecting better, and they are right to expect that. I am running because I do not want to stand by while these problems continue year after year. Residents deserve reliable and affordable transit, safe and well-maintained roads, strong infrastructure, responsible spending, and a city government that is accountable to the people it serves. My focus is on fixing the fundamentals first. We need to improve transit, repair our roads, strengthen infrastructure, support public safety, and make sure city services are reliable and affordable. Ottawa is Canada’s capital. We should be leading by example and building a city that residents can be proud of. Jacob Solomon No response from candidate Mark Sutcliffe Age: 58 Political experience: I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Mayor of Ottawa for the past four years. But I’m not a career politician; the 2022 election was my first time running for office. Professional experience: Prior to being elected mayor, my career included work as a journalist, entrepreneur, business coach, and community volunteer. I co-founded the Ottawa Business Journal and played a founding or leadership role in several other Ottawa small and medium-sized businesses. I spent 30 years as a broadcaster on 580 CFRA and CityNews. I also served as the executive editor and a columnist for the Ottawa Citizen. And I volunteered passionately for community organizations including the United Way, Ottawa Community Housing, OrKidstra, the Ottawa Board of Trade, and Run Ottawa. How long have you lived in Ottawa? I’ve lived in Ottawa my whole life. Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Rideau Canal What was the last book you read? Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow What is the top song in your playlist? Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen How often do you use OC Transpo? I’ve used transit my entire life. I continue to use it with my family and to listen to customers. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I will reduce the price of a transit pass from $138.50 to $95 per month. That will make OC Transpo passes the most affordable of any city in Canada. My transit plan also represents the largest investment in public transit in Ottawa’s history, using the proceeds from the $4 billion upload of LRT to improve reliability and launch new rapid bus projects and express routes. Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? Yes. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their community. I will increase the police budget, just as I have done over the last four years. I plan to hire an additional 200 police officers to address community priorities, including an expansion of community policing across our city. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? In the past four years, we’ve increased infrastructure investments by 40%. We’ve also secured major infrastructure funding from other levels of government. We must continue to close the infrastructure gap with more investment, while continuing to protect affordability with low tax increases. A special levy is one option, but we can also fund infrastructure through regular tax revenues by maintaining fiscal discipline, managing our finances wisely and responsibly. What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? Affordability. Families, seniors, and youth are all struggling with the rising cost of food, gas, and housing. We must do everything we can to protect affordability by keeping taxes and recreation fees low, reducing monthly transit passes, and supporting food security programs. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? 1. Addressing affordability by keeping tax increases as low as possible, finding savings and efficiencies at city hall, and reducing the monthly transit pass to $95. 2. Making Ottawa safer by hiring 350 more police, paramedics, and firefighters, appointing a downtown safety czar to respond to the toxic drug and mental health crisis, expanding Neighbourhood Watch programs, and ending chronic homelessness by investing in supportive housing. 3. Launching work on major transit and transportation projects to improve traffic flow, including widening major roads, bus rapid transit, Phase 3 of LRT to Kanata, Stittsville, and Barrhaven, and a ring road. Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? I’ve never used the powers. I intend to continue to collaborate with council to achieve consensus. Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I love Ottawa and care deeply about the future of our city. In 2022, there were many problems: the LRT inquiry, a paramedic shortage, low confidence in policing, rising costs, and dysfunction at city hall. I’ve worked hard to change that. I got everyone working together to keep taxes low, eliminate the paramedic shortage, restore confidence in policing, and start fixing our troubled public transit system. We increased transit investments by 30%, bought 500 more buses, and launched two new LRT lines. We nearly doubled investments into roads and sidewalks. We hired 340 more police officers and paramedics. We made historic investments into affordable and supportive housing. And we had the lowest tax increases of any major city in Canada, lower than inflation. I will complete the $4 billion LRT upload to the province, and use that money to make transit more reliable and affordable, launch new express routes, and get started on expanding LRT to Kanata, Stittsville, and Barrhaven. I will make Ottawa safer by hiring 350 more police, paramedics, and firefighters. I will launch an expanded response to the toxic drug crisis. I will end youth and chronic homelessness once and for all. I will launch an ambitious plan to build the roads, parks, and infrastructure we need for the future. I will do this while keeping tax increases low and finding more savings and efficiencies. We’re making progress. I want to keep moving Ottawa forward rather than go back to the problems we had four years ago. Amjad Syed Age: 58 Political experience: I have been actively engaged in Ottawa’s civic and community affairs through public advocacy, community initiatives, and working with local organizations and residents on issues affecting our city. Professional experience: I am an Ottawa entrepreneur and community leader with 30+ years of business experience, focused on leadership, economic development, community service, and mentoring. How long have you lived in Ottawa? 25 years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Parliament Hill What was the last book you read? I’ve been fully occupied with work commitments What is the top song in your playlist? Same as above How often do you use OC Transpo? I primarily use my own car, but I support a reliable and accessible transport Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would focus on reliable, affordable transit and responsible use of public funds Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? I support effective policing and ensuring Ottawa has the resources needed to keep our communities safe Do support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes definitely What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? Housing affordability, transit reliability and aging infrastructure If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? Fast-track affordable housing permits and zoning. Fix transit reliability and repair roads/sewers. Support small businesses and keep taxes predictable Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? Only as a last resource for any resolvable matters Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I am running for Mayor to deliver responsible governance and get Ottawa’s core services right. My priority is building a functional, affordable, and safe city by expanding housing options, fixing transit, upgrading infrastructure, and supporting local business growth through fiscal accountability. Peter Westaway Age: 63 Political experience: Elected to represent taxi drivers on Ottawa Taxi Advisory Board. Shortly after amalgamation. I have run in two previous city elections for city council and ran in the last Ontario election as an independent Professional experience: I have run a mobile bike service for decades. I was a Nepean cab driver for twenty years and then delivery truck driver, during bike off season. How long have you lived in Ottawa? Sixty years Favourite Ottawa location/landmark: Football stadium at Lansdowne Park. I hate the Lansdowne 1 and 2 plans but love my Redblacks. What is the top song in your playlist? I never had any list but Benny and the Jets by Elton John is nice How often do you use OC Transpo? Once every five years these days. Would you work to increase or decrease transit fares as part of a plan to improve OC Transpo? I would first offer one week, seven days free on a busy week well publicized. Study the resulting numbers while you ask everyone what would it take to get them to take public transit or ride bikes to work. Would you support increasing the police budget to boost officer presence? No, we don’t need more cops, we deserve better ones. Do you support an infrastructure levy to improve road and sewer infrastructure? Yes, maybe after we get a report back about what is involved. What is the biggest issue facing Ottawa in this election? The future of housing and the infrastructure that needs to be updated. And we need a bigger push for affordable housing. If elected, what are the three policy items you would focus on first? 1. Reduction of city staff and various budgets would be first on the agenda. Being a life long Nepean resident I am still waiting for those promised savings from amalgamation. 2. I would overhaul our city waste management system. It is pathetic in all stages. We send our cardboard to India. INDIA! We should be building a modern garbage incinerator at the Trail Road dump so we have can feed it yesterday’s waste. 3. We should start building a proper Greenbelt out at the city limits and beyond and push the federal government to move their huge city farms out into the countryside where they belong. Would you use Strong Mayor powers to pass legislation? Yes maybe, it may be hard to resist at a certain point. It is doubtful that I will ever be close. Describe why you are running for mayor in 250 words or less: I am continuing my quest to raise awareness of the overwhelming geographical flaw that is our Ottawa Greenbelt. It was a very short sighted vision and it is a travesty that it is allowed to continue in its current ludicrous form. All urban greenbelts have one main purpose. To provide a buffer zone between an urban center and the surrounding countryside. Therefore limiting as much as possible excessive urban sprawl. Developed much too small to contain an important growing city this “greenbelt” has therefore created the massive sprawl that it was initially designed to contain. It is outrageous that it has been allowed to remain intact as it is and I am determined to finally change that. We should build a large proper greenbelt like Toronto has. The Ontario Greenbelt is a success. Ours is an embarrassing failure.
