Ward 1 - Orléans East-Cumberland

Mazhar Choudhry

"Via pay per passenger kilometre model accountability."

Bob Bell

"The key to improving OC Transpo service is to grow our bus fleet. We have fewer buses today than we did 20 years ago, and our population has grown by more than 300,000 in that time. In addition to population pressures, we continue to sprawl outwards, which means a much bigger area to service. We need to build a plan to grow our fleet responsibly and sustainably. On affordability, I think we need to bring our fares down. We have some of the highest fares in North America and it's putting a lot of pressure on our riders. We need to explore new revenue sources, including building on, around and in our transit stations to increase revenue."

Yvette Ashiri

"I'm committed to strengthening OC Transpo so residents choose it because it's faster, more efficient, more reliable, and more affordable than driving. I'll seek a seat on the Transit Committee to push for smarter forecasting and ensure residents aren't asked to pay more when services fall short. I'll go back to the drawing board and bring back proven transit models, like express buses, instead of repeating past mistakes. My focus will be on planning ahead, not patching problems. Drawing on my experience living in Paris and lessons from Luxembourg, I'll advocate for dedicated bus lanes, frequent "turn-up-and-go" service, micro-shuttles for low-density areas, and real-time reliability dashboards. Better shelters, stronger winter operations, and seamless links with cycling and walking paths will make transit comfortable and convenient. And because affordability drives ridership, I'll champion fare caps, employer-supported passes, and explore free transit for youth, seniors, and low-income residents, making public transit the most appealing way to move across our city."

Tammie Trellert

"I believe people will choose transit over their cars when it is reliable, frequent, affordable and convenient and making that shift is also an important part of building a greener, more resilient Ottawa.

We need to make it easier for people to leave the car at home, not lecture them about doing it. That starts with reliable service. I want clear, public reporting on on-time performance, cancelled trips, frequency and customer complaints so residents can see whether their service is actually improving and the City can be held accountable. For the east end, that means making sure buses connect reliably and frequently with LRT, particularly as our communities continue to grow. Service also needs to reflect how people actually live including evenings and weekends and not just traditional peak commuting hours.

A greener city also needs transportation choices. Better transit, safe walking routes, cycling connections and infrastructure that makes it practical to combine different ways of getting around can reduce unnecessary car trips, congestion and emissions while making our communities more livable. Affordability matters too. We shouldn't ask residents to choose transit over their cars while continually increasing the cost of getting around without demonstrating better service and value. I want to see efficiencies identified first, protect reduced-fare programs, and make sure every transit dollar is delivering value for residents.

My goal isn't to tell people they can't drive. It's to give people a genuine choice. If transit is dependable, accessible, affordable and connected, more people will choose it when it makes sense and that is better for our residents, our roads, our environment and the long-term resilience of Ottawa."

Mazhar Choudhry

"By advocating and educating."

Bob Bell

"In Ward 1, it's about making smart investments to bridge the gaps that exist in our system so that getting around via active transportation feels like a real option. The biggest barrier in the east end is we do not have enough safe routes, making it difficult for people to choose active transportation."

Yvette Ashiri

"I want Ottawa to be a city where walking, biking, and rolling are a safe, and easy part of everyday life. To make that happen, I'll push for stronger coordination between planning, public works, and transit so active transportation isn't treated as an afterthought but built into every project from the start. That means expanding protected bike lanes and multi-use paths that connect neighborhoods to schools, parks, and transit hubs; keeping sidewalks clear and accessible year-round; and designing streets that put people first. I also want clear progress tracking, with annual public updates on how we're meeting our sustainability goals. And by working with community organizations such as Ecology Ottawa, community associations, and school boards to encourage walking and cycling, we can make sustainable transportation a natural choice, not just a policy goal."

Tammie Trellert

"For me, sustainable transportation starts with making it practical, safe and accessible for people to walk, bike and roll.

Ottawa has plans and commitments, but residents need to see those commitments translated into infrastructure they can actually use. That means connecting sidewalks, cycling routes and multi-use pathways instead of building disconnected pieces that leave people navigating unsafe gaps.

I would push for accessibility and safety to be built into transportation planning from the beginning, not treated as an afterthought. That means properly maintained sidewalks and pathways, safer crossings, lighting, snow and ice removal, and infrastructure that works for people using mobility devices, families with strollers, cyclists and pedestrians.

In the east end, growth needs to come with the infrastructure to support it. As new housing is built, we should be asking: Can people safely walk to school? Can a senior roll to the grocery store? Can a family bike to a park, LRT station or community facility without having to cross dangerous roads?

I also want to see better connections between walking, cycling, buses and LRT so residents can combine modes instead of defaulting to a car for every trip.

This is part of my broader green approach: we can support growth while building a cleaner, healthier and more resilient city. But we have to make the sustainable choice the practical choice not simply put a plan on paper and call the job done.

And just as importantly, I would measure progress publicly. Residents deserve to know what was promised, what was built, what remains outstanding and why."

Mazhar Choudhry

"We are large enough already."

Bob Bell

"I would oppose further expansion of the urban boundary."

Yvette Ashiri

"I don't support expanding Ottawa's urban boundary. We should focus on building smarter within the city we already have, creating complete, connected communities instead of pushing development farther out. Expanding the boundary increases infrastructure costs, car dependency, and environmental impact, while leaving existing neighborhoods underused. Maintaining the urban boundary protects our farmland, forests, and wetland, which are essential to climate resiliency and food security. I believe we need to prioritize infill housing, mixed-use development near transit, and revitalizing underutilized areas so people can live closer to where they work, study, and shop. This approach protects farmland and green space, reduces emissions, and makes public services more efficient. Growth is inevitable, but it should be managed responsibly and sustainably, by investing in connected communities rather than expanding outward."

Tammie Trellert

"I'm not opposed to growth, but I am opposed to growth without a plan.

Ottawa is growing, and we need to accommodate housing and employment. But expanding the urban boundary should not be the automatic answer every time we need more housing.

Before adding land, I want us to demonstrate that we are making responsible use of the communities and infrastructure we already have. That means looking seriously at appropriate intensification, existing vacant and underused lands, and development around transit, while protecting agricultural land, green space and our natural environment.

If expansion is proposed, the questions need to be very practical: What will it cost to service? Can our roads, transit, water and wastewater systems support it? Will residents have access to schools, parks and other services? Will people be able to walk, bike, roll or take transit instead of being dependent on a car? And what are the long-term environmental and climate impacts?

The City itself recognizes that the urban boundary is connected to sustainable growth and the efficient use of infrastructure, and current expansion applications require infrastructure-capacity and land-needs assessments.

I want Ottawa to grow thoughtfully. We can build the homes we need while protecting the things that make Ottawa a great place to live, like our green spaces, agricultural lands, waterways and communities.

Growth should be measured not simply by how many homes we can build, but by whether we are building complete, connected and sustainable communities that residents can afford to live in and the City can afford to support."

Mazhar Choudhry

"By having a longer term plan and ensuring we are implementing it every budget and year."

Bob Bell

"I think we need better solutions on how to deal with the effects of climate change. We need to make sure we're building a resilient city."

Yvette Ashiri

"Protecting our most vulnerable residents from climate change begins with preparation and compassion. I will champion investing in green solutions like trees, rain gardens, permeable surfaces, and accessible public spaces, libraries, pools, and parks with shade and greenery to help manage heat and water naturally. Clear communication is just as important: residents should know where to go during an emergency and what support is available when extreme weather hits. I will work closely with community associations to reach seniors, families, and people with mobility challenges will make sure no one is left behind. Climate resilience isn't only about responding to disasters — it's about building a city that protects everyone, every day."

Tammie Trellert

"Climate resilience is about protecting people first, especially those who have the fewest resources to protect themselves.

Ottawa has already experienced the reality of more extreme weather: flooding, tornadoes, severe storms, wildfire smoke and extreme heat. We can't wait for the next event to start preparing because we know the next storm is coming. The City's Climate Ready Ottawa strategy is an important framework, but I want to see those commitments translated into action in our neighbourhoods.

That means investing in trees, green spaces, shade, natural stormwater management and resilient infrastructure that can help reduce flooding and heat before they become emergencies. It also means properly maintaining drainage systems, roads and critical infrastructure and making sure new development considers future climate risks.

But resilience isn't just about infrastructure. We need a people-focused emergency response that identifies and reaches residents who are most vulnerable including seniors, people living alone, people experiencing homelessness, low-income households and people who may have difficulty accessing transportation, cooling or other essential services. Ottawa's own climate planning identifies targeted outreach and community partnerships as important parts of preparedness.

I would also support expanding accessible cooling spaces, shaded public areas, clean-air spaces during wildfire smoke events, emergency communications and neighbourhood-level preparedness. Community organizations are already an important part of that work, and the City has begun investing in neighbourhood preparedness through its Extreme Weather Preparedness Grant Program.

For me, being green isn't just about reducing emissions. It's about building a city that can withstand what is coming. That means protecting our natural environment, preparing our infrastructure, supporting our most vulnerable residents and making sure every neighbourhood including our rural communities is prepared to respond and recover.

And just like everything else I believe in at City Hall, we need to measure it and be transparent about it. Residents should know what we said we would do, what we've done, where the gaps are and what comes next."

Mazhar Choudhry

"By not disturbing our green belts."

Bob Bell

"One of the things that people love most about living Ward 1 is our amazing green spaces and mature trees. We need to make sure that building more density in our ward does not just mean more hardscaping. I'd also like to see us explore urban design options that integrate greenery more meaningfully, to ensure we build livable density in the east end."

Yvette Ashiri

"In the past several decades, our City's urban tree canopy has been depleting at a concerning rate. We must invest in improving our urban tree canopy if we wish to meet our climate needs, and investing in our Urban Forest Management Plan, as well as a 40% canopy cover target, is an instrumental part of that. Not only do urban forests increase air quality and reduce the heat island effect, but they also contribute to improving mental health, reducing crime, and improving the overall quality of life."

Tammie Trellert

"Trees are our infrastructure. They are not decoration.

Ottawa's forests and urban tree canopy help manage stormwater, reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, support biodiversity and make our neighbourhoods healthier and more resilient. We need to treat them as an essential part of our city's infrastructure.

Ottawa has a 40% urban tree-canopy target, but the most recent data shows we have work to do. I would focus on protecting existing mature trees first, because planting a new tree does not immediately replace the environmental value of a mature one. Development needs to properly consider tree retention from the beginning, not after decisions have already been made.

Then we need to plant more and plant where the need is greatest. I support Ottawa's move toward proactive, equity-based tree planting, including identifying neighbourhoods with lower canopy and greater exposure to heat. The City is already moving in this direction through its Tree Planting Strategy and Plant Your Place! program.

I would also support expanding partnerships with residents, community groups, schools and businesses, increasing planting along streets and in parks, and looking at innovative approaches such as small urban forests where appropriate. But planting is only half the job, we need to budget for watering, maintenance and long-term survival, not simply count how many trees went into the ground.

For Ottawa's rural communities, protecting existing forests and maintaining no net loss of rural forest cover also needs to remain a priority.

Most importantly, I want us to measure the results. We already have the data and tools to track canopy change. Let's use them to publicly report whether we're actually moving toward 40%, where we're losing canopy, where we're gaining it and where investment is needed next.

A greener Ottawa isn't just about planting more trees. It's about protecting the forests we have, growing the canopy equitably, and making sure those trees are still here for our kids and grandchildren."

Mazhar Choudhry

"Via Education and incentives."

Bob Bell

"I would like to see the city pursue waste to energy solutions that would use waste to generate renewable energy and reduce the amount going to landfills. I will admit I'm not an expert in this area and would lean on local expertise to identify and develop these solutions."

Yvette Ashiri

"I would support Initiatives like the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and federal green procurement strategies actively build local demand for circular good."

Tammie Trellert

"I want Ottawa to move from a "take, make, throw away" mindset to one where we reduce what we consume, reuse what we can, repair what we have and recover valuable materials wherever possible.

Ottawa's current Solid Waste Master Plan gives us a strong starting point, but implementation and accountability are key. The City's landfill is expected to reach capacity around 2034–35 if current disposal habits continue, so we need to keep pushing waste diversion rather than simply planning for more landfill capacity.

I would focus on making diversion easier and more convenient, particularly for food waste and organics, which make up a significant portion of what goes to landfill. That means continuing to expand Green Bin access in apartments and condos, improving education and collection infrastructure, and making sure residents have practical options for bulky items, textiles and household materials.

But a circular economy goes beyond recycling. I want Ottawa to support repair cafés, reuse and swap events, food rescue, tool and equipment sharing, refill and rental programs, and local businesses that repair, refurbish and reuse materials. The City is already developing a Reuse Directory to connect residents with these kinds of services, and I would like to see that work grow.

There is also a role for the City as a purchaser. We should look at how municipal procurement can prioritize durable, repairable and reusable products, and how construction and demolition materials can be recovered rather than unnecessarily sent to landfill.

And I don't think the answer is simply asking residents to do more. We need to make the sustainable choice the easy choice, while keeping waste services accessible and affordable.

Finally, I would want clear public reporting: how much waste are we actually diverting, where are the gaps, how much landfill capacity are we saving, and are our investments delivering results?

A greener Ottawa should see waste as a resource. Reduce it. Reuse it. Repair it. Recover it. And landfill only what truly has nowhere else to go."

Mazhar Choudhry

"By promoting and advocating for active lifestyle and active transportation."

Bob Bell

"The biggest impact we can make in the City is in reducing the emissions associated with commuting and other transportation, by getting more people to choose transit and active transportation where possible. That means building OC Transpo into something that actually works and can be relied on."

Yvette Ashiri (response given in French)

"Je vais soutenir l'approche d'Écologie Ottawa et ses initiatives. Je vais appuyer une approche ambitieuse et réaliste pour que la Ville d'Ottawa respecte ses engagements du plan Évolution énergétique et atteigne la carboneutralité d'ici 2050. Cela passe par des actions concrètes : renforcer l'efficacité énergétique des bâtiments municipaux et résidentiels, accélérer la transition vers les énergies renouvelables locales, et réduire la dépendance à l'automobile grâce à un réseau de transport collectif, cyclable et piéton bien intégré. Je crois aussi à la transparence : la Ville doit publier des rapports annuels clairs sur les progrès réalisés et les émissions évitées. Enfin, il faut soutenir les ménages à faible revenu pour qu'ils puissent participer à cette transition sans en subir les coûts."

Tammie Trellert

"I support Ottawa's commitment to reaching net-zero community emissions by 2050, but commitments only matter if we measure them, fund them and are willing to hold ourselves accountable when we fall behind.

Energy Evolution identifies the major areas where Ottawa needs to make progress: electrifying transportation, retrofitting existing homes and commercial buildings, diverting organics from landfill, transitioning commercial fleets and increasing renewable energy. The City estimates these five areas account for roughly 80% of the emissions reductions required.

My approach would be to focus investment where it produces measurable results.

That means accelerating energy-efficiency retrofits and making programs more accessible to homeowners, renters, small businesses and older buildings. Buildings account for about 45% of Ottawa's greenhouse-gas emissions, so we cannot reach our target without addressing how we heat and power them.

It also means continuing to improve public transit and active transportation, supporting the transition to electric vehicles and zero-emission municipal fleets, and making sure new development is designed around energy efficiency and sustainable transportation from the beginning.

I also believe the City has to lead by example. Our own buildings, fleet, operations and procurement should be moving toward the same targets we are asking residents and businesses to support.

And this comes back to transparency. Ottawa already has emissions targets and an annual reporting process. The community target is a 100% reduction by 2050, with interim targets of 43% by 2027, 68% by 2032 and 96% by 2040, measured against 2012 levels.

I would want residents to see those numbers in plain language, alongside the actions being taken, the money being invested, what is working and where we are falling short.

Being green isn't about making promises. It's about doing the work, measuring the results and being honest with residents about whether we're on track. We owe that to our environment, our children and the generations that come after us."

Mazhar Choudhry

"By advocating and voting for green initiatives."

Bob Bell

"Ottawa is trying to take a step in the right direction on this by phasing in electric buses, but we need to make sure that the energy charging those buses is coming from renewable sources. We are going to have to take a hard look at what our grid can currently handle and how we can build more clean capacity to charge our fleet."

Yvette Ashiri (response given in French)

"Les plans existent déjà; il revient au conseil de veiller à ce que la Ville tienne le cap sur ces engagements. Je serais vigilante à ce que chaque décision municipale soit alignée avec le Traité de non-prolifération des combustibles fossiles, en privilégiant les investissements dans les énergies renouvelables, l'efficacité énergétique et la mobilité durable."

Tammie Trellert

"Ottawa made a commitment in 2022, and I believe commitments need to translate into action.

I would focus on what the City can control: reducing fossil-fuel use in municipal operations, transitioning City fleets, improving transit and active transportation, supporting energy-efficient buildings and increasing renewable energy where practical.

I would also make climate considerations part of City procurement and infrastructure decisions, so public dollars aren't locking us into unnecessary fossil-fuel dependence.

Most importantly, we need to measure and publicly report our progress. Being green isn't about making promises, it's about practical action, measurable results and accountability."

Mazhar Choudhry

"By advocating and voting for green initiatives."

Bob Bell

"We need to make sure that we're not just protecting the spaces for the sake it, but using them thoughtfully to help build a more resilient city. Protecting areas like wetlands can help protect us from flooding, as well as preserving vital greenspace for future generations. I would push for the city to consider how ecological preservation and climate resilience go hand-in-hand, and make sure that informs our infrastructure decisions moving forward."

Yvette Ashiri (response given in French)

"Je soutiendrai la création de partenariats avec les Peuples Autochtones, les communautés, et les organismes environnementaux afin d'identifier et de protéger les zones prioritaires. Enfin, la Ville doit rendre compte publiquement de ses progrès et s'assurer que la conservation devienne un pilier de la planification urbaine. Protéger la biodiversité, c'est protéger la santé, la résilience et la beauté de notre ville."

Tammie Trellert

"Protecting biodiversity has to be part of how Ottawa grows, not something we consider after the fact.

I would work to protect Ottawa's forests, wetlands, waterways, green spaces and wildlife corridors, while restoring degraded natural areas and improving connections between them. Our Official Plan already provides a framework for protecting natural heritage, water resources and agricultural areas, and we need to use it effectively.

That means making informed decisions about development, protecting significant natural areas, expanding urban forests and supporting community and Indigenous-led conservation.

For me, being green means protecting what we have, restoring what we can and measuring whether we're actually making progress. Ottawa should publicly track its contribution toward the 30% conservation goal and be transparent about where we are succeeding and where more work is needed."

Mazhar Choudhry

"By advocating and workshops."

Bob Bell

"I think we need more meaningful public consultation across the board in Ottawa. I am committed to working towards this goal, and that would include for ecological activities and decisions."

Yvette Ashiri

"I'll make sure residents are part of Ottawa's ecological decisions by keeping things local and accessible. That means holding regular neighborhood consultations, working with schools and community associations on hands-on projects like tree planting or waste reduction, and sharing clear progress updates so people see how their input shapes results. When residents can take part directly and see change happening around them, environmental action becomes a shared effort, not just city policy."

Tammie Trellert

"People should have a real voice in the environmental decisions that affect their neighbourhoods and I want to start that conversation early, including in our schools.

I would push for early, accessible and transparent public engagement through neighbourhood meetings, online surveys, community groups and environmental organizations, but also by bringing environmental education and hands-on projects into our schools.

Our kids are the next generation of environmental stewards. Whether it's tree planting, community gardens, waste reduction, biodiversity projects or learning about climate resilience, I want young people to have opportunities to participate in their own communities.

Most importantly, the City should close the loop: tell residents what we heard, what we changed because of it, and why.

Good environmental policy starts with listening and it should start with our kids."

Mazhar Choudhry

(No response provided)

Bob Bell

(No response provided)

Yvette Ashiri (response given in French)

"L'équité linguistique : Il est très important de disposer en ligne d'informations et de consultations publiques en français et en anglais, les deux langues officielles. Merci à Écologie Ottawa d'être un bon exemple. La sécurité alimentaire: soutenir la nourriture locale, les jardins communautaires, les marchés, les fermes, réduire les coûts."

Tammie Trellert

"I want Ottawa to be a city where being green is practical, not performative.

For me, that means protecting our forests, waterways and green spaces, building climate-resilient communities, making walking, biking, rolling and transit realistic choices, reducing waste and involving residents including our kids in the solutions.

I also believe environmental policy has to work for families. We need to make sustainable choices accessible and affordable, not simply tell people what they should be doing.

And above all, I believe in accountability. If we make an environmental commitment, we need to measure it, report on it and do the work to achieve it.

I'm not interested in political theatre. I'm interested in leaving Ottawa cleaner, greener and more resilient for the next generation. It's our responsibility, everyone's, to make sure that happens."