Embattled city councillor Rick Chiarelli not seeking re-election
Embattled long-time Ottawa city councillor Rick Chiarelli will not be seeking re-election this fall.
Chiarelli did not register to run for a new term in College Ward ahead of the 2 p.m. deadline Friday for candidates to register for the October municipal election.
The former Nepean councillor has been a city of Ottawa councillor since amalgamation, serving Baseline Ward and College Ward. Chiarelli was first elected to office in the 1980s, the youngest person ever elected to council in Nepean.
During this term of office, Chiarelli was found to have violated the city's Code of Conduct for elected officials following two investigations by the integrity commissioner into alleged inappropriate conduct towards staff members and women applying for jobs in his office.
In December 2019, Chiarelli underwent open-heart surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He was readmitted to hospital due to a serious bacterial infection in his chest in January 2020.
Mayor Jim Watson reacted to news of Chiarelli not seeking re-election Friday afternoon, saying "good riddance."
"He brought shame to City Hall and to the city of Ottawa, became a national story, his vulgar and disgraceful behaviour towards women, the Integrity Commissioner's report speaks for itself," Watson told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron.
"It's laughable that he thinks he could win the election. Who in their right mind would support someone who's behaved so poorly over the course of the last several years."
Chiarelli will be eligible for a "transition allowance" of one month's pay for each consecutive year of service, up to a maximum of six months. The severance package is offered to all elected officials who decide not to seek re-election or are defeated on Election Day.
Chiarelli will receive $55,555 transition pay for his service.
Mayor candidate Mark Sutcliffe called on Chiarelli to either turn down the severance package or donate it to a charity.
"@Rick_Chiarelli - given you violated the city's code of conduct, you should turn down the $55,000 severance package you're eligible to receive. Better yet, donate it to a charity that supports vulnerable women," Sutcliffe said.
There are five candidates on the ballot in College Ward: Laine Johnson, Granda Kopytko, Wendy Davidson, Pat McGarry and Delvas Vilteau.
Johnson released a statement after the 2 p.m. deadline for candidates to register, saying Chiarelli's decision not to seek re-election means College Ward can "move forward with a new positive, hopeful direction."
"I am pleased that this election will no longer be a referendum on the scandals of the current City Councillor, but that we can focus on the many issues that have been coming up at the doors," Johnson said.
Chiarelli's decision not to seek office means there will be at least 12 new elected members on Ottawa City Council for the four year term. Nine councillors are not seeking re-election, Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney is running for mayor, and a 24th ward is being added to council for the new term.
Watson is also not seeking re-election, following three terms as mayor of Canada's capital.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.