A former Ottawa mayor has applied for a nomination in a bid to become mayor again after running for the municipal ballot box officially begins.
Bob Chiarelli, 80, launched his campaign for mayor by registering with the city’s election office on Monday morning.
Chiarelli was elected the first mayor of the reunited city of Ottawa in 2000 and served two terms before losing the 2006 election. He is also a veteran of provincial politics, serving as a liberal cabinet minister.
“I’m not doing it to satisfy my ego or supplement my resume in any way, shape or form,” Chiarelli told CTV News at noon on Monday. “I am a citizen like any other citizen and I think there is a strong consensus among us that many things in the town hall are moving in the wrong direction.
Chiarelli cited the city’s growing debt, LRT problems and the city’s response to the Freedom Convoy protests in February as questions he believes the current council could do better.
“Counselors are very divided on many issues and do not work together as a team,” he said.
Monday is the first day on which candidates for mayor, councilor and trustee of the school board can submit their documents for nomination for participation in the municipal elections in 2022 on October 24. Applicants can start accepting contributions and spending money on their campaign once the nomination forms are submitted and approved by the city.
After the Ottawa mayoral election, there will be a new mayor and at least seven new councilors.
Jim Watson has announced that he will not run for re-election after three terms as mayor of the Canadian capital. Watson was first elected mayor of the united city of Ottawa in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
Councilors Diane Dean and Catherine McKenney announced in December that they would run for mayor.
Asked why he was running for the city’s top job again at his age, Chiarelli said it was up to voters to make it important.
“This is something that voters have to decide,” he said. “We have six months. There is a campaign with a lot of energy, I have a lot of ideas on how to solve some problems, some new initiatives to present … this will be decided by the public. “
Four councilors said they would not want re-election – Jean Clutier, Keith Egley, Ian Harder and Scott Moffat. And a new councilor will sit at the council table this election as Ottawa adds the 24th district to address the growing population. The new division is “Division 24 – Barrhaven East”.
Candidates for mayor, councilor and trustee of the school board have until Friday, August 19, to submit their nomination forms.
Some councilors were available on Monday to sign for re-election. “I think these will be the four years of real fiscal responsibility we need to maintain,” said Beacon Hill-Sirville Kaun. Tim Tierney.
Sean Menard, a Capital Ward adviser, said he would like to see more accountability in the next term.
“At the end of the day, there is a lot of positive movement on some files,” he said. “We need to continue this work, but let’s make sure there is good debate and accountability, and I don’t think we’ve seen that much this term, and I really hope that will change the next term of the council.”
Rebecca Bromwich, who is also a member of Capital Ward, said she could help bring a level of decency to the council chamber.
“I am a mediator in education and I think I can bring a level of professionalism, decency and collegiality.”
Brandon Bay, who is running for mayor, says housing is a key issue.
“I think the most important thing is that for many residents and for me it is also the price of housing at the moment,” he said.
This election will also be the first in which voters across the city can use mail ballots to vote.
“This is an opportunity for any or all voters who may not feel comfortable going to the polls or simply prefer this method of voting to register and receive their special ballot by mail,” said the manager. municipal elections and French language services Michel Rochette.
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