What's the biggest municipal election issue in Ward 17 – Capital?

Quick facts about the Capital ward

Incumbent: Shawn Menard

Candidates running: Rebecca Bromwich, Shawn Menard and Daniel Rogers

Where is Ward 17?

SURVEY RESULTS

Do you reside within this ward?

Rebecca Bromwich: No

Shawn Menard: Yes

Daniel Rogers: Yes

Why do you think you’re the best person to represent your ward?

Rebecca Bromwich: “I am conscientious, hardworking and ready to put my heart into work for the community. I will be a strong, effective independent voice for Capital Ward. My work will turn the page on fighting and finger-pointing. I work well with community groups, small businesses, colleagues, staff and partners. I am a mom to four teens, a lawyer, a Carleton University professor and a community volunteer.”

Shawn Menard: “Our team has spent four years working non-stop for residents through multiple emergencies while achieving progress in Capital Ward and challenging an entrenched status quo at city hall. We have enacted smart new climate change policies to reduce emissions and save funds, made our streets safer and improved local parks.”

Daniel Rogers: “I have worked in the most senior levels of the Government of Canada, providing strategic advice to senior members of cabinet. I know how to consult, collaborate and compromise. These skills are needed at city hall. I run a small business in the ward. I bring a mature, thoughtful, multi-faceted perspective to the table.”

What is the most important issue in your ward? Why?

Rebecca Bromwich: “In this inflationary environment, times are tough for everyone. Affordability is our top issue in Capital Ward. I will not support my opponent’s 13 per cent tax increase scheme, or his plan to create a municipal land transfer tax. These massive tax hikes would hurt our seniors and those on a fixed income. Market value assessment will also hit Capital Ward very hard.”

Shawn Menard: “Ottawa is growing and development will come to every neighbourhood. What is important is that the city develops public plans in conjunction with communities, small businesses, builders and staff and that we find consensus on how that growth will occur. How we build matters. We need to eliminate wasteful spending on sprawl and ensure that developer influence is reigned in when it comes to public subsidies. We need to provide for not-for-profit affordable housing, with development charges shifting from expensive, ineffective road widenings to better funded public housing solutions. There is no better example than Lansdowne Park. For years city council run roughshod over public consultation for this historic place. If we are going to get this site right, we need a public vision and avoid the mistakes (big box stores, $0 return from the waterfall financial agreement, lack of transportation access) that occurred in Lansdowne 1.0.”

Daniel Rogers: Submitted multiple issues, awaiting updated response

What is the most important issue citywide?

Rebecca Bromwich: “Safety is the most important issue citywide, especially in the wake of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ and ensuing chaos on the streets. Acknowledging it was a strong police response that finally ended that situation, I will not support the laying off of 140 police officers or the $200 million reduction in the police budget that my opponent’s alternative budget calls for. We need to evolve and diversify our police force with well-trained recruits from a wide variety of backgrounds and we need a nuanced approach to policing that integrates well with social services. I will support an increase to the police budget providing these priorities are included in it: domestic violence, hate crimes and speeding in our community.”

Shawn Menard: “Forward-thinking land use planning can transform our city into a more sustainable, resilient, and vibrant place to live. Ottawa is a city that has been overwhelmingly building single-unit homes on the periphery and towers and skyscrapers in the core. We need to change this, focusing our efforts on ‘missing-middle’ development as we’ve seen in places like Montreal. Missing middle housing can build community and achieve our climate change goals through thoughtful densification. Strong climate-adapted building standards for these new developments will lower emissions and save money in the long run.”

Daniel Rogers: “Unity. For the past four years, Ottawans have witnessed a city council which is broken. Recriminations and finger-pointing must stop. Citizens elect a mayor and city council to run the city on their behalf. There is much work to do. It starts with a council that is prepared to consult, cooperate, collaborate and, when necessary, compromise. We have seen none of this from the present council. I put my name forward because I want to help build a better city. If elected, I will work with all stakeholders and my fellow councillors to help build that better city.”

1. See all the latest municipal election coverage

2. Hear from municipal candidates in their own words

This article is available for free — outside of our paywall — because we believe this is a matter of crucial public interest. If you’d like to support us as we continue to provide journalism that matters for all , please subscribe: https://ottawacitizen.com/subscribe/