Meet the candidates in Ward 23 – Kanata South

Kanata South

There are five candidates running for councillor in the ward of Kanata South, including incumbent Allan Hubley.  The ward includes the neighbourhoods of Hazeldean, Katimavik, Glen Cairn, the Kanata South Business Park and Bridlewood.

• 2018 municipal election voter turnout: 41.42 per cent
• Projected 2022 population: 53,472
• Projected 2026 population: 54,107

CTV News Ottawa invited all registered candidates to answer a questionnaire and submit a video introducing themselves to voters. (Some candidates submitted the requested 280 characters to describe their platform, while others submitted 280 words – CTVNewsOttawa.ca accepted both).

Erin Coffin

Political experience: None.

I have had the privilege to lobby and raise over $750,000, as a volunteer, for food security in our city.

Professional experience: Over 24 years in the public service – presently a Senior Advisor. Have been able to serve on files of: public infrastructure (transit, roads, clean water and waste water, re-naturalization of brownfields, etc.), counterterrorism and policing, heritage and culture, and most recently I was privileged to serve on PHAC’s COVID-19 Task Force.

How long have you lived in Ottawa? I have lived in Ottawa-Gatineau for most of my life. We moved to Nepean when I was 9, and then to Kanata when I was 15. After school and youthful adventures, I continue to live in Kanata South, raising my family, and my parents down the street (as does my 92-year-old Great Aunt Ruth). 

Favourite Ottawa location/landmark?  The Entrance Pool where I spent many happy summers as a child. Every time I drive by - it makes me smile. I want that sense of fun and community for our families and children throughout the city and in Ward 23.

Describe your platform in 280 words or fewer:

As your councillor for Kanata South I will work towards:

• Safe, reliable, and affordable public transit for all.
• Green and smart infrastructure, including retrofits, to limit the impacts of climate change, as well as better maintain our existing infrastructure. I will also prioritize existing tax dollars for better investments in Ward 23.
• Invest in a thriving Kanata South with innovative small businesses and services, great public spaces and community services. We deserve to enjoy our neighbourhoods and shouldn’t have to always leave Ward 23 for work and for recreation and fun.
• Ensure our neighbours have a home, healthy food and access to supportive community services. And,
• I will be present, accountable, and serve Kanata South with integrity.

Mike Dawson

Political experience: I am a 1st time candidate

Professional experience:  After being a husband and a dad, I’m a businessman. I founded my company, One Blue Planet Contracting in Kanata.  In addition, I practice real estate for another enterprise I own, Dawson Homes.  

How long have you lived in Ottawa? I was born and raised in Ottawa.  I have lived here my entire life (36 years).  I settled in Kanata South (Bridlewood- Emerald Meadows) ten years ago with my wife Robin and we have two young children: Ella (4yrs) and Oliver (2yrs).  

Favourite Ottawa location/landmark?  The Shaw Center  

Describe your platform in 280 words or fewer:

There are 50k+ residents and 20K+ households in Kanata South. Collectively we send over a $150M to City Hall. Unfortunately, we simply don’t get what we pay for. Residents deserve better.  I am running to fix this.

Taxes: I will not support tax increases until basic core services are restored.

Transit: As a priority, I want residents to have a reliable bus service (we pay for it and depend on it) in Kanata South.  

Safety/Crime Prevention: We need dependable response times for ambulances and police.  We have neither (I will support the funding but want the service).

Waste Management: Let’s return to weekly garbage pickup. It’s unreasonable to put the primary burden on households when they have little or no influence on the packaging of the foods they buy.

Parks & Recreation: Our greenspaces, facilities, parks, and paths are poorly maintained,and healthy recreational programs aren’t available or affordable.  We pay for these core services.  I’ll get them back.

Roads: The City has $88M in the road budget, $76M is for resurfacing, leaving $12M for curb and street repair citywide.  Clearly, it’s a Band-Aid strategy. I’ll help reset our priorities.

Development: We have a reasoned official plan so let’s support development which is consistent with it and respects our greenspaces. However, we must eliminate the permitting red tape.

Affordable Housing: This is a heartbreaking issue (10K waiting list) but first and foremost it is a leadership issue.  The solution needs to be defined and agreed upon by all 3 levels of government.

Climate Change: Global changes often begin when people act locally.   I will encourage residents, businesses, and the community to become leaders in the fight against climate change. #TogetherWeCanDoBetter

 

 

 

Rouba Fattal

Political experience:  This is my first campaign running for public office. 

Professional experience: I have worked for the public, private, and academic sectors as a senior economist. Previously, I worked as a researcher at the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO.  

My volunteerism in the community includes serving on the boards of community organizations such as the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, the Kanata Food Cupboard, and the Rotary Club of Ottawa. I also founded my own not for profit organization, the Kanata-Carleton Small Business Network, which has connected over 1,000 small business owners in Ottawa's west end. 

How long have you lived in Ottawa? I have lived for Ottawa for almost 12 years. 

Favourite Ottawa location/landmark?  My favourite landmark is the Chateau Laurier and the Parliament Buildings. I am a big fan of that kind of architecture. My favourite location would have to be the Stoney Swamp Conservation Area off of Hazeldean road. 

Describe your platform in 280 words or fewer: My campaign is about transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. I will restore faith in our public services, fix our roads and sidewalks, work on policies to help us become carbon neutral, and get us the best return on our investments so we can avoid big tax increases.

Allan Hubley

Political experience:  I have over 40 years of proven municipal leadership in our community of Kanata South. I started as a volunteer for the Glen Cairn Community Association and have been honoured to spend the last twelve years working with my community as the City Councillor for Kanata South.

In my time on city council I’ve had the opportunity to work on the Finance and Economic Development, Planning, Environment, Audit, Transit and Transportation Committees.

Professional experience: Prior to being elected Councillor for Kanata South, I have over twenty five years of experience working in the Federal Public Service in various senior positions, including in US Relations, Intergovernmental Affairs and in the Emergency Management and National Security Branch of Public Safety Canada.

How long have you lived in Ottawa? I have lived in Kanata South for over 40 years.

Favourite Ottawa location/landmark? Walter Baker Park and the Kanata Recreation Complex, where our community comes together.

Describe your platform in 280 characters or fewer: I'm the only candidate in Kanata South committed to continue to keep taxes low and affordable with the experience and ability to deliver on that commitment. Out of control inflation will impact the cost of everything we do as a city if we do not have proven leadership.

Bina Shah  

Political experience: In November 2021,  I put my name forward amongst 20 other candidates to fill the City Councillor vacancy by appointment left by Jenna Sudds in Kanata North (Ward 4).  I was very happy with the result, earning 2 votes from Ottawa City Council members.

Professional experience: I am an educator:  I’ve been with the Ottawa Public School Board as a high school math and science teacher for over 2 decades.  I have a deep understanding of building community and consensus to get the job done.  I’m in the business of service and understand that leadership works from the ground up.

How long have you lived in Ottawa? I have grown up and have resided in Kanata South - the ward I know and wish to represent now as City Councillor - for 40 years

Favourite Ottawa location/landmark?  The National Gallery

Describe your platform in 280 words or fewer:  My campaign’s focus is on environmental, social and economic justice. Environmental justice means: sustainability and thinking about the long term health of our communities. Social justice means diversity and inclusion. And economic justice means hope for the future. Giving my constituents the ability to achieve their life goals and dreams.

Kanata South continues to grow but our road infrastructure, maintenance and services have not kept up with that growth!  I would like to see our thoroughfares expanded to handle the traffic increases and we also need to prioritize proper maintenance of our roadways, bike and pedestrian pathways.  I feel long term infrastructure investment versus a patchwork of temporary fixes which waste city resources is critical and will be a focus for me.  Sensible planning with community consultations to triage future maintenance projects are considerations necessary to minimize disruptions.  In some neighbourhoods, road maintenance has simply not been carried out!  With growth comes the need for services like access to medical professionals, businesses and the expansion of recreation services to match.  Reliable, frequent and improved transit routes are necessary so residents have alternatives to become local transit users that access our businesses and recreation facilities with ease. 

Frankly speaking, we need to return back to the basics for people in Ottawa: the availability of affordable and sustainable housing and access to affordable, nutritious food is important.  Today’s reality for Ottawa families is very challenging and we must help our most vulnerable and those who are most in need out.  Having these basics (safe, affordable shelter and food) secured means that our community members will be set up for success so that they can contribute to our communities in a positive way.