Another socially diverse ward, it stretches from the western boundary of Westboro to March Rd., just short of Kanata. The ward includes the neighbourhoods around Lincoln Fields, Carlingwood Shopping Centre, Bayshore Shopping Centre and Britannia Park.
The population estimate at the end of 2012 was 45,700. Just over 1,500 units are non-market housing managed by public and non-profit providers, accounting for about 6.3% of the city’s total non-market units.
On the other side of the spectrum, the ward is also home to large homes in the west near the Ottawa River.
It’s a ward that’s poised to get a taste of LRT by 2023 if the city’s plan to extend rail comes to fruition.
It’s one of the wards with the largest density of seniors, accounting for about 21% of the ward population. According to the city’s older adult plan, 40% of seniors in the ward live alone.
Candidate: Alex Cullen
Why are you running?
I am running for re-election because Bay ward needs a better city councillor that will speak out on the issues that matter and provides leadership on both ward and city issues, not a get-along go-along councillor who votes with the mayor 99% of the time. I have the experience (represented Bay Ward for 10 years), the integrity (don’t take developer cheques, wouldn’t abuse my position as chair of CPS Committee to bring in a favourable report for the taxi industry and then accept their cheques to help pay off a campaign deficit), and the leadership (LRT, anyone?) to get things done.
What is the biggest issue facing the ward?
It is leadership – leadership to get the funding to address aging infrastructure like Bayshore’s woefully inadequate 60-year-old fieldhouse that serves 7,000 residents (a project that I left ready to go in 2010 and still hasn’t been started!), leadership to put a freeze on bus passes after four years of above-inflation price increases, leadership to reduce the unfair tax burden faced by renters (over half of Bay ward) who pay higher multi-residential taxes than the equivalent condo unit of same value, and leadership to put the Ottawa River Action Plan into action!
Are you accepting developer and/or union donations for your campaign?
No. Accepting donations from developers and unions who do business with City Hall that councillors vote on creates a conflict of interest. This was clearly demonstrated when Mark Taylor, as chair of CPS Committee, brought in a report favourable to the taxi industry and then took cheques from them to help clear off his campaign deficit. Further, these donations distort the election playing field as the bulk (72%) of these donations (mostly from developers) went to 23 winning candidates (in 2014, 21 actually, as Diane Deans & Eli El-Chantiry, who did win, used their previous campaign surpluses for their campaigns). Following the 2003 municipal election and again following the 2006 municipal election I prepared reports to city council recommending we follow the City of Toronto lead and ban corporate and union municipal campaign contributions. Following this election I will do so again.
Who do you consider a role model as a great leader?
Winston Churchill for both inspiration and perseverance, Abraham Lincoln for leadership in difficult times, and Tommy Douglas for combining idealism with political pragmatism.
What’s your main vice?
Adventure. I like to explore and try things. I never thought at age 60 I would be in an Ironman triathlon, but I did it (and finished!).
Candidate: George Guirguis
Why are you running?
It is so sad that Ottawa has gone from high-tech to high tax! The biggest problem in the City of Ottawa is the domination of socialism-oriented mayor, councillors and managers.
What is the biggest issue facing the ward?
Crime and unemployment.
Are you accepting developer and/or union donations for your campaign?
No.
Who do you consider a role model as a great leader?
Billy Graham
What’s your main vice?
None
Candidate: Brendan Mertens
Why are you running?
Enough is enough. I work seven days a week and having those who represent us sign a 20-year contract with a company that lost $8 million of taxpayer’s money. Everybody who initially signed the contract has jumped ship. What’s up with that? I want that contract exterminated immediately.
What is the biggest issue facing the ward?
Helping families. Current geared-to-income housing is coming up to being almost 50 years old and they haven’t had any updates yet. When did immigrant become a bad word? My father was an immigrant and I’d like to think I’d be helping him by helping others that are new to Canada.
Are you accepting developer and/or union donations for your campaign?
I would never take money from anyone. My wife is getting pissed at how much I am spending.
Who do you consider a role model as a great leader?
Anyone who would die standing up for what they believe in.
Who do you consider a role model as a great leader?
Anyone who would die standing up for what they believe in.
What’s your main vice?
Ghostbusters 3. I’ll see it, and I’ll love it, but I know I shouldn’t. Not without Harold involved. I mean, Ivan Reitman yelled at him during the shooting of one scenes in the mayor’s office. Without Harold, we just get Sony table scraps set in a Marvel-type world full of residual cheques that will last for 10 years.
Candidate: Michael Pastien
Why are you running?
I am a strong-voiced infra visionary pragmatic fiscal realist, with “perfect” vital experience as senior executive on boards of directors for the City of Ottawa, as well as both our provincial and federal Conservative parties; plus extensive experience in business development, multimedia, marketing, sales, retail, construction, restaurants and hotels, and arts and entertainment.
What is the biggest issue facing the ward?
There is clearly the need for a strong councillor who will finally get things done, and solve the perpetually stagnating (westbound) LRT and Grant School, in addition to providing safe bike lanes and crosswalks for seniors and the disabled; plus fiscally simply beautifying neighbourhoods throughout which will help foster goodwill, business growth, and naturally deter crime.
Are you accepting developer and/or union donations for your campaign?
I am the “Mr. Clean” candidate for Ottawa Bay ward who will accept no developer or union donations for this election campaign.
Who do you consider a role model as a great leader?
I most admire our Canadian prime minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper; who can best be described as the modern day pragmatic Winston Churchill, amidst an era of dithering Neville Chamberlain world Leaders.
What’s your main vice?
A casually insatiable desire to learn.
Candidate: Trevor Robinson
Why are you running?
I’ve been involved in my community since I was a child. Unfortunately, earning an income reduces the amount of free time that you have for such things. What better way to be involved in your community than to be its councillor? Being councillor would allow me to be involved in my community in ways not previously possible, to help to steer the future
of my community, all while still being able to earn an income and provide for family.
What is the biggest issue facing the ward?
There are countless issues facing the ward, similar to those facing the rest of the city, such as LRT, garbage collection, infrastructure renewal, maintenance, etc. There are areas of public lands where residents cut the grass more often than the city. There are some roads/sewers what were promised to be repaired over 15 years ago, with no repairs in sight and that’s not acceptable.
Are you accepting developer and/or union donations for your campaign?
No, to date I have not benefited from any donations, developer, union, or otherwise.
Who do you consider a role model as a great leader?
A great role model the comes to mind is the late Wayne McIntyre. Wayne was heavily involved in the Algonquin College community, fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation and so much more. That was why I nominated Wayne as one of CTV Ottawa’s “Amazing People,” following which, he was awarded the People’s Choice Award.
What’s your main vice?
I’d probably have to say food, I enjoy good food. Not only do I enjoy eating a good meal, but I enjoy making a good meal as well.
Candidate: Mark Taylor (incumbent)
Why are you running?
To finish what we have started together with residents in Bay ward. I also want to see Ottawa continue to grow as a caring capital city, one that reflects the needs of residents today, is respectful of tax dollars and ready for tomorrow.Bay ward needs years of stalled projects to be completed and new ones begun. From the renewal of parks, play structures, pipes and roads to providing jobs, shops & services that are missing in our community I have been honoured to work with residents from every one of our neighbourhoods. Community building is a team effort and we have accomplished a lot but there is more to do. Across the city residents deserve modern light rail, working infrastructure, a clean Ottawa river, landmarks we can take pride in, a safe city and one where we care for those in need. I understand we must deliver these things without increasing taxes irresponsibly.
What is the biggest issue facing the ward?
The need to update the community so that it reflects today and tomorrow’s needs. This takes in everything from renewed parks, field houses, roads and infrastructure to handling traffic concerns and providing the core services residents count on. We also have a very diverse community including the largest number of older adults in the city, we have to be building and rebuilding our ward in a way that is age friendly and responsive to the needs of everyone here.
Are you accepting developer and/or union donations for your campaign?
Yes, although I will not accept any contributions from unions that deal with the community and protective services committee that I chair.
Who do you consider a role model as a great leader?
There are many and I try to learn from as many as possible. Politically, as an example of leaders who led by principal: Winston Churchill and FDR. As a moral compass and an example of kindness, my wife Christine.
What’s your main vice?
I could cheat and give one of those things that really isn’t, like “I work all the time: – but I will be honest here: political TV shows and potato chips.
This article was republished from: http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/10/04/bay-ward-has-a-mix-of-social-and-seniors-issues