OTTAWA

Clive Doucet joins the race for mayor

ctvottawa.ca Published Tuesday, July 6, 2010 5:29PM EDT

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In a surprising turn in the mayor's race, longtime city councillor Clive Doucet threw his hat into the contest Tuesday, one week after losing a crucial vote on the future of Lansdowne Park.

Doucet says he's angry the city is being influenced by developers and private interests, something he hopes to change if elected.

"I'm not running to be the developers' go-to-guy. I will not run the city behind closed doors. If Ottawa chooses me for mayor, I will throw those doors wide open," Doucet said. \

Light rail and Lansdowne

He said he decided to run for mayor two years ago. Key issues in his campaign will be a push to resurrect north-south light rail, as well as the future of Lansdowne Park.

Doucet, who is currently the councillor for the city's Capital Ward, was one of the most vocal opponents to the Lansdowne redevelopment plans, saying developers would transform the historic park into a shopping mall.

After 12 years on city council, Doucet says his experience makes him a viable candidate for the city's top job. He also wants to reach out to new voters. He says residents need to move away from casting their vote based on who they don't want, but rather they should vote for who they do want to run the city.

Plenty of competition

There are currently 14 people in the race for mayor. Front-runners include Mayor Larry O'Brien, former MPP and mayor of the pre-amalgamated Ottawa, Jim Watson, and Coun. Alex Cullen.

However, Doucet's entrance into the race hasn't fazed his main competitors.

"This is a game of points. If I gained a point in the polls today by someone coming in, that gives me reason to be confident," said O'Brien.

Watson also believes the added competition is a good thing: "It obviously now gives the public a clear choice. There are three members of the current council running as front-runners, and I hope to be able to bring new change and new direction to City Hall," he said.

As for Cullen – he admits Doucet will likely take some of the votes he was counting on. Still, he says he believes he has a wider appeal to voters.

"Certainly in the Glebe, Capital Ward, where Clive comes from, these are votes I was hoping to be able to attract. But I don't think Clive has the same profile through the rest of the city," said Cullen.

Other candidates in the race for mayor include: