The reaction was mixed in various businesses and community organizations after longtime Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson announced he would not seek re-election in 2022.
Watson, who was the city’s longest-serving mayor, announced on Friday that he would not seek re-election. So far, three people – two current city councilors and a former mayor – have announced their intention to run for Ottawa’s top job.
Still, at least one organization is hoping others will also toss their hats in the ring ahead of next fall’s election.
“We need fresh air, a breath of fresh air in this city. We need change, ”said Godlove Ngwafusi, spokesperson for the African-Canadian Association of Ottawa.
“We need new ideas of diversity to replace the status quo of complicity and adversity. We need people who are ready to work, to really roll up their sleeves and work.”
He pointed to Edmonton and Calgary as places where BIPOC candidates made waves in their recent elections. Ngwafusi said he hopes the new mayor will also use the skills of various city employees.
Collaboration with the business community
Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, said she was sorry to see Watson quit her job as she always saw him as someone who is willing to collaborate with the community. city affairs, especially at the onset of the pandemic.
“We hope whoever takes her place will be as pragmatic, business minded, as energetic and dedicated to our community,” she said.
“He is someone who truly understands, as we have all learned over the past 22 months in particular, that community health and economic health are one and the same.”
LRT, affordable housing other priorities
Some organizations said they believe the council’s attention should shift from businesses and developers to the city’s most vulnerable.
“There’s a lot of energy, a lot of disappointment, a lot of anger and I think that’s going to play a big part in next year’s election,” said Rory Lewis, member of the Transport Users Advocacy Group. in common of Ottawa.
He sees Watson’s legacy as one of the higher transit fares and unreliable service.
In his statement on Friday, Watson admitted that the city’s LRT system was frustrating and a disappointment for users, but more reliable service is coming.
But Lewis also says the issues go beyond LRT. “For Para Transpo users, it’s a system that falls so far short of their dignity,” he said.
Sam Hersh, a board member for advocacy group Horizon Ottawa, said he did not see Watson’s tenure as an occasion to celebrate. He sees the election of a new mayor and a new council as a chance for the city to build a different legacy.
In addition to having a reliable transit system with affordable fares, Hersh said he hopes the top priority of the newly elected officials will be tackling the lack of affordable housing.
“Right now, $ 15 million to fund our new affordable housing construction is really shameful,” he said. “We have particularly harsh winters. I mean, it’s inconceivable that anyone should live outside in negative 30 degree weather.”
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