Somerset: Russell — Downtown Ottawa ward is 'the future of Canadian politics'

Getting queer homeless kids off our city streets; revitalizing parks; tackling affordable housing — all are on my agenda.

The Citizen invited candidates in the Oct. 24 municipal election to share their thoughts:

They say fortune favours the bold; I say bold is just the beginning for Ottawa.

My name is Brandon Russell, I’m 21 years old and I am running to be the next city councillor for Somerset ward right here in downtown Ottawa. I have worked in politics since I was 13 years old, and have run more than 30 campaigns across Canada, the United States and more.

I run campaigns with a politically agnostic lens, so I have sat in many rooms where important decisions have been made. I know how to have tough conversations with the other side for the good of our city. I am ready to hit the ground running on Day One to represent all people, including those who have never had a voice, or who don’t feel represented.

My platform can be described in one word: people. To give a little more context, Somerset ward is the future of Canadian politics. We have a population 10 years younger on average than the rest of Canada, and more forward-thinking/educated than ever before. Having the highest voter turnout across the country in 2015, I know the people of our ward know how to connect with each other and their officials, and I plan to govern as such, holding weekly open-office sessions across the ward to ensure people can have their voice heard.

One of my major “planks” focuses on getting queer homeless kids off our city streets within 100 days of taking office. This may be an ambitious task, however I know if our city works together it will work, for the better.

Park revitalization is another priority of mine: across our ward, parks such as Dundonald have gone under-serviced and have been disrespected, filled with drugs, needles and crime. This is not a dystopian nightmare, rather a sobering reality that our leaders have failed us.

I also plan on making developers pay for the lack of affordable housing in our community, by imposing that 30 per cent of new housing be deemed affordable, and processed by the City of Ottawa.

As a gay man, growing up in this country I didn’t see queer representation in politics. I am hoping to change that for young people.

ALSO: What’s the biggest municipal election issue in Ward 14 – Somerset? 

— Brandon Russell (He/him), political strategist, fixer, crisis manager and candidate for Ottawa Council, Somerset ward

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