When Sean Devine was voted in as Knoxdale-Merivale city councillor in October 2022, it was anyone's race to win. The seat was left vacant after longtime incumbent Keith Egli bowed out of municipal politics, and seven names were on the ballot.
The playwright had somewhat of an advantage. He had previously run as the NDP candidate for the Nepean riding in federal elections. He became a household name in Trend Arlington, where he served as president of the local community association when a tornado tore through the suburb in 2018.
Devine won with a comfortable 39.2 per cent of the vote — an almost 20 per cent advantage over second-place challenger James Dean, who took 20.8 per cent. Myles Egli — the brother of the incumbent councillor — took 16.7 per cent, followed by Joseph Ben-Ami at 11.6 per cent, Michael Wood at 10 per cent, Peter Westaway at 0.9 per cent, and Peter Anthony Weber at 0.6 per cent.
This time around, Devine is one of only three candidates vying for the job. He will be up against Anna Ielo-Tal and Cole Fraser Jones. Brandon Ly, who was also registered as a candidate, dropped out due to "personal circumstances."
While incumbents usually have the upper hand, Devine could be fighting to keep his seat.
Ielo-Tal has picked up endorsements from some heavy hitters in political circles, including former government leader of the Senate Marjory LeBreton, former mayor Jackie Holman, and former Barrhaven Coun. Jan Harder. The hopeful politician has picked up some support among the current council table, including Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown, who was acclaimed to his seat and Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney, who's also seeking re-election. Current Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill also attended Ielo-Tal's campaign launch.
Devine has said it feels like his ward is being "targeted by the outside." He has the endorsement of Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Chandra Pasma, who's been out canvassing with the incumbent, and Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard.
"While I didn't expect the campaign to take this turn, I'll tell you something: If people like David Hill, David Brown, Tim Tierney, and Jan Harder are each interested in seeing me unseated, then I take it as confirmation that I'm acting in the city's best interests," Devine wrote on social media.
Both candidates have also been campaigning hard. Devine has said his campaign has raised over $24,000 in donations, while Ielo-Tal has raised about 20,000. Devine said he was feeling good about his chances, planting over 550 lawn signs — more than his targeted goal of 500.
And out of all 24 municipal wards, the race in Knoxdale-Merivale has seen some of the most drama. It began after the Rogers TV debate when Devine accused Ielo-Tal of spreading misinformation.
Ielo-Tal hinted that Devine might support a congestion tax — a fee charged to motorists for driving into or through a designated high-traffic urban zone during peak hours. But Devine said he's never supported such an idea.
Instead, his previous tweets said that the results of a congestion tax in New York City "will be interesting" and noted, "I'm sure other cities will be watching." In another social media post, Devine said Ottawa's geography would not suit it, "but I'm still eager to see the results of this kind of financial tool to decrease traffic and increase transit use."
Devine also accused Ielo-Tao of telling residents that he would aim to reduce curb-side garbage collection to one bag only, instead of the current three. Devine said that it was never his intention, and Ielo-Tal said the resident must have misrepresented what she said.
Following the debate, Ielo-Tal accused Devine of using bullying tactics and swearing at her. Devine confirmed on social media that he used swearing in a sentence, noting, "It's upsetting to hear someone admit to saying two falsehoods about me." He said the profanity was used when telling her to do better research.
In the last few weeks, Ielo-Tal has put up election signs around the ward targeting some of Devine's previous voting records, including his support for Sprung Structures and his votes against some police service budgets.
Her sign reading "End the war on drivers" has irked Devine, who pointed to the rise of pedestrian fatalities in recent weeks, and the man who was left seriously injured after his motorized scooter was hit by a car outside the Metro Grocery store on Viewmount Dr.
Devine also hinted in a separate social media post that he should talk to a copyright lawyer after accusing Ielo-Tal of using many of his ideas. His comments were made on a post of Ielo-Tal's, which focused on "a better Merivale Road for Ward 9."
