Although Ottawa's top mayoral contenders got the chance to try to secure the youth vote Tuesday, Mayor Larry O'Brien told CTV Ottawa his political future is in God's hands.
"Well you know it will be what it will be. And God will determine whether I'm worthy to finish the job that I started," said O'Brien.
The youth vote helped Calgary's new mayor secure his own win on Monday. In Ottawa, the top mayoral candidates battled it out Tuesday at a crucial debate organized by Carleton University's student association.
The candidates acknowledge the youth vote is important, especially with so many young voters undecided.
"The youth is particularly important because they have the most to gain and the most to lose," said O'Brien.
"We need to get the student vote higher and higher. Last election, only 25 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted," said rival Jim Watson.
Although many candidates are counting on social media to engage youth, O'Brien admitted it might not be enough.
After the debate, the mayor changed gears from youth-based issues to addressing his legacy.
If Watson comes out the winner in next week's election, O'Brien is confident the projects he's started won't be scrapped.
"Jim is committed to doing the LRT; I think Jim is committed to doing Lansdowne. There's no way he can stop the Convention Centre. There's no way he can stop the Ottawa River Action Plan. So, no matter what happens I think the City of Ottawa is in better shape," O'Brien said.
The latest poll gave Watson a 28-point lead over O'Brien, who has been trailing in the polls throughout the campaign.
Voters have less than a week to decide who they will elect as mayor. Residents head to the polls Oct. 25.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
