Bob Chiarelli files nomination papers as Ottawa municipal election campaign begins
A former Ottawa mayor has filed nomination papers in a bid to become mayor again as the dash to the municipal ballot box officially begins.
Bob Chiarelli, 80, kicked off his campaign for mayor by registering at the city's elections office Monday morning.
Chiarelli was elected the first mayor of the amalgamated city of Ottawa in 2000, and served two terms before losing in 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 pad my resume in any way, shape or form," Chiarelli told CTV News at Noon on Monday. "I'm a citizen like any other citizen, and I think there's a strong consensus among us that a lot of things at city hall are moving in the wrong direction."
Chiarelli singled out the city's growing debt, LRT issues, and the city's response to the 'Freedom Convoy' protests in February as issues he thinks the current council could have handled better.
"The councillors are very divided on a lot of issues and they’re not working together as a team," he said.
Monday is the first day candidates for mayor, councillor and school board trustee can file their nomination papers to run in the 2022 municipal election on Oct. 24. Candidates can begin accepting contributions and spending money on their campaign once the nomination forms have been filed and approved by the city.
There will be a new mayor and at least seven new councillors at Ottawa City Hall after the election.
Jim Watson has announced he will not be seeking re-election after three terms as mayor of Canada’s capital. Watson was first elected mayor of the amalgamated city of Ottawa in 2010, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
Councillors Diane Deans and Catherine McKenney both announced in December they would be running for mayor.
Chiarelli, asked why at his age he's running for the city's top job again, said it's up to the voters whether that matters.
"That's something for the voters to decide," he said. "We have six months. There's a campaign with a lot of energy, I've got a lot of ideas on how to solve some problems, some new initiatives to bring forward ... that'll be up to the public to decide."
Four councillors have said they will not be seeking re-election – Jean Cloutier, Keith Egli, Jan Harder and Scott Moffatt. And a new councillor will sit at the council table this election, as Ottawa adds a 24th ward to address the growing population. The new ward is “Ward 24 – Barrhaven East.”
Candidates for mayor, councillor and school board trustee have until Friday, Aug. 19 to submit their nomination forms.
Some councillors were on hand Monday to sign up for re-election. "From my mind, this is going to be the four years of true fiscal responsibility that we have to maintain," said Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney.
Shawn Menard, the councillor for Capital Ward, said he'd like to see more accountability in the next term.
"At the end of the day there's been a lot of positive movement on some files," he said. "We need to continue that work but make sure there is good debate and there's accountability and I don't think we've seen that as much this term and I really hope that changes next term of council."
Rebecca Bromwich, also running in Capital Ward, said she could help bring a level of decorum to the council chamber.
"I'm a mediator by training and I think I can bring a level of professionalism and decorum and collegiality."
Brandon Bay, who is running for mayor, says housing is a key issue.
"Top of mind I think for a lot of residents and for me as well is the price of housing right now," he said.
This election will also be the first where voters city-wide can use mail-in ballots to vote.
"This is an opportunity for anyone or any elector who may not feel comfortable going to a voting location or just prefer that method of voting to sign up and to receive their special mail-in ballot," said municipal elections and French language services manager Michele Rochette.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.