What's the biggest municipal election issue in Ward 4 – Kanata North?

Quick facts about the Kanata North ward

Incumbent: The Kanata North municipal seat was appointed to Cathy Curry by council in 2021, after Jenna Sudds, who was elected in the last municipal election ran, and won, as a federal MP in 2021.

Candidates running: Cathy Curry, Viorel Copil and Christine Moulaison

Where is Ward 4?

1. How to vote in the 2022 Municipal Election

2. Here are the candidates for the 2022 Ottawa municipal election

SURVEY RESULTS

Do you reside within this ward?

Cathy Curry: Yes

Viorel Copil: Yes

Christine Moulaison: Yes

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

Cathy Curry: “I have lived in Kanata North for almost 30 years. I understand the needs of the community, have extensive experience in many sectors, and I am a communicator by nature. My historical collaborative efforts with those in the community will continue to ensure that I truly represent the residents of Kanata North.”

Viorel Copil: “As a chartered professional accountant with vast public and private sector experience in finance and project management, I know how to achieve results, how to represent the interests of residents and how to make responsible decisions in an environment where needs always exceed revenue and where there are many competing priorities.”

Christine Moulaison: “I have been a community leader and representative for people across the city for the last seven years through my work in the parent community within the OCDSB. I am dedicated, strong and willing to stand up for those that I represent. I know this ward and its people well.”

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

Cathy Curry: “The ongoing greenspace issue and its connection to business and housing development are connected to everything else. It is so much more than just golf. The final decision on what happens will have a huge ripple effect on our community. The thousands of residents who use that greenspace the other six months of the year will be impacted, as will all long-term land agreements municipalities have. It will influence what we plan for our greenspace going forward and how we set out our goals for a greener community. It affects how our Kanata North Tech Park recruits top talent to help it continue to be a leader for tech in Canada. Residents, businesses and legal experts understand that this issue has a significant impact in Kanata, across Ottawa and, based on the precedent it could set, all of Canada, depending on the outcome.”

Viorel Copil: “The feedback I receive from Kanata North residents is consistently about the need to improve transit availability, reliability and affordability. City hall is not transparent on the long-term plans nor on the short-term solutions. More studies and promises to fix the LRT in the future have left us in a predicament where we cannot count on the public transit we pay for. We need a plan that promotes green and affordable transit, one that will provide residents with the confidence necessary to increase ridership. With the right city council, we will make the appropriate decisions and adopt a plan that is a win for everyone.”

Christine Moulaison: “We are one of the fastest-growing communities in the city and the infrastructure isn’t able to keep up. Roads aren’t wide enough to accommodate, the ones that are wide enough are ripped up to add more underground infrastructure, and we end up with areas that were once three lanes and are down to one. This puts all of the current residents in difficult spots and has the new ones who are moving in living in an even bigger construction zone than they should be.”

What is the most important issue citywide?

Cathy Curry: “The most important issue citywide is planning. We need smart, critical planning where planning makes sense. More than ever, city councillors have to ensure that more housing options are available where people can live in communities that are close to the services and amenities that they need. By making smart planning decisions we will be able to ensure housing affordability standards are met within the City of Ottawa. Smart planning encapsulates all of the other priorities in our new Official Plan.”

Viorel Copil: “There is a lack of a clear long-term vision that integrates all of the elements of economic development that create the synergy necessary for success. We need a realistic and affordable plan with clear commitments, accurate costing and appropriate controls that address our current and future needs. The nation’s capital has the potential to become a magnet for investment, job growth, green development and tourists worldwide. We clearly need to stop and reset — we need a new, dynamic, competent and experienced Council!”

Christine Moulaison: “I feel limiting wards to one issue does not serve the residents well. However, I feel one issue we see citywide and beyond is the huge jump in the cost of living. Be it groceries, rising rent and mortgage rates, or the increase in the price of other everyday necessities. We need to work to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are not lost and ignored when they need us most. This is an issue that isn’t going away quickly, but one that we can work together on to ensure that we as a city will overcome.”

Read more:

Kanata North: Curry — Preserving green space is about health, innovation and Ottawa’s economy

See all published Op-Eds from municipal candidates

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