What should the future of Downtown Ottawa look like?

Good morning and welcome to this special elections-themed Thursday newsletter! 

With so many platforms and candidates, covering federal elections have always been hard. But this year has been particularly challenging because many candidates from various political parties are ignoring the media. 

It's hard to dig into local issues that impact Ottawa residents when this happens.  But we keep trying. If you feel one party has more coverage over another, please know it’s not due to a lack of trying. 

In today’s newsletter, we did manage to chat with a couple of candidates. I sat down with both Ottawa Centre Liberal incumbent MP Yasir Naqvi and his main challenger, the NDP’s Joel Harden, about their plans to revitalize the downtown core. 

Our first freelance piece of the election also comes from Agrani Tiwari who broke down how riding changes could impact the vote in certain communities. For some who headed to early voting stations, names on the ballot came as a surprise. 

Lastly, apologies for the more than usual spelling mistakes in Wednesday’s newsletter. We incorrectly stated that Joel Harden was MPP for Nepean when he was, of course in fact MPP for Ottawa Centre. We also stated the photo with Carleton’s Bruce Fanjoy was with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe when it was in fact Jim Watson. It was 2:30 am; when I finished the newsletter and I was seeing stars by that point after a long day out in the community. One day, we’ll have the resources to hire a proofreader. As always, we apologize for the errors.

Let’s get to today’s election stories!

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor

[email protected]

X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Thursday: 17 🌡️ 6 | 🌧️

Friday: 13 🌡️ 8 | ☁️

Saturday: 13 🌡️ 3 | 🌧️

FEDERAL ELECTION

Ottawa Centre candidates release downtown platforms

Downtown Ottawa is in desperate need of revitalization. 

The once sprawling area for federal public servants became abandoned when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, resulting in people working from home instead. This had a devastating impact on the local businesses, which relied on the working-class clientele to pay their bills. 

To make matters worse social challenges started to spread. Ottawa is in the midst of a homelessness crisis. There is an opioid epidemic taking lives on the streets. And rates of crime in Centretown are up. 

Even as hybrid work stabilizes and workers are back in the office three times a week, it hasn’t been enough to bring back pre-pandemic levels. Now the federal election candidates in Ottawa Centre are releasing their downtown-oriented platforms to bring a new vision to the core. 

Revitalization of LeBreton Flats  

Liberal incumbent Yasir Naqvi said it’s all about bringing more attractions and housing to the area. He referenced the new Ādisōke Central Public Library, which will open in 2026. The $334-million building will have more than 216,000 square feet of space spanning five floors. It’s just one of multiple projects planned for the LeBreton Flats site which could see massive development in the next number of years. 

“You've got Dream LeBreton, a project that's going up, which is a great mix of not-for-profit, affordable housing, by multifaith housing initiative, and for-profit housing in a community together,” Naqvi told the Lookout. “Behind it is the Pimisi LRT station, right behind that is where the Ottawa Senators arena and events space is supposed to go, and then behind is the Ottawa Library, which is going to be transformative as a public space for our city. To the right of that is where the French public secondary school — the very first in Ottawa Centre — is scheduled to go up.”

The land for the French school is currently owned by the NCC, and Naqvi said he’s been working to broker a deal. There is hope that Ottawa Community Housing can build on top of the structure to bring more affordable lodging to the area. The Ottawa Centre Liberal candidate also said he'd like to work with the neighbouring Good Companions Seniors Centre to see housing for seniors built there. 

Converting downtown office buildings 

Ottawa Centre NDP candidate Joel Harden is focusing his downtown platform on finding a new use for former federal office buildings. He said instead of handing them over to for-profit developers, they should be retrofitted into housing with the support of social service agencies that are already located downtown. 

“There are so many organizations ready, willing and able to help people who are looking for a respite, looking for a meal, looking for a place to be. If you’re homeless or if you’re struggling with an addiction during the day, there is no place for folks to go,” said Harden at a press conference held at Live on Elgin Tuesday. 

That has led to people who are struggling congregating around small business doorways, which can lead to conflict with neighbours, said Harden. 

“When I'm talking to neighbours, one of the things I bring up the most is the need for us to act with urgency. I think we have to set the goal that the Government of Finland set, and that is eliminating homelessness.” 

Harden said many Canadian cities are ahead of Ottawa in this regard. He referenced a trip to Vancouver where he saw a person intoxicated, nearly getting hit by cars. As the NDP candidate ran after the person to encourage them to use the sidewalk, a man emerged from a building and pulled the person to safety. Peeking inside, Harden saw rows of bunk beds. It sparked curiosity over what was going on. 

 “The city of Vancouver for years now has been actively repurposing vacant public spaces — even the tourist areas like where I was —  to give folks places to go who are trying to sleep after using drugs during the evening or to find a meal, to find some comfort, find some respite,” said Harden. “What that has done in Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax and Montreal is reduced conflict between neighbours. It created opportunities for people to sleep off something that they're struggling with. It’s also created opportunities for social services to be available for neighbours who are struggling with homelessness and addiction.”

In 2023, the federal government announced that 10 federal office buildings in Ottawa were up for disposal. Public Services and Procurement Canada said at the time they could one day be used for housing or community space. 

During his presser, Harden took aim at the federal government for not repurposing a single building. But Naqvi said it’s not that easy. 

“Remember three years ago, nobody was talking about Downtown Ottawa. Nobody was talking about revitalizing downtown. We did not sit back. We actually convened a group of people who all wanted to contribute, and what we learned is that the community had a lot to say as to the way in which we should revitalize downtown,” responded Naqvi. 

”That report has become a catalyst. Now what we are seeing is actual action coming into place. What's really important is some of the bigger pieces, which require a lot of diligent work to make sure that you've got the right partners in place, that you've got funding in place, that you've done the appropriate feasibility study,” the Liberal candidate added.

“It's really easy to show up and just talk about something you want to do. The real work is to roll up your sleeves and do the hard work and arrange those conversations and find those partners, advocate for those dollars.”

Naqvi said among his plans is to convert the Jackson Building on Bank Street into housing for Indigenous people. 

Other local priorities 

There are many hidden gems in Ottawa, including at Dow’s Lake, the Central Farm and neighbouring Dominion Arboretum, which Naqvi said he would like to turn into “community destinations.”

That would total investments, including upgraded walking trails and family-friendly amenities. 

In addition to that, Naqvi noted the importance of enhancing existing bike paths and active transportation routes. 

“As a lifelong runner, I use these paths daily — and I see the potential to do more,” said Naqvi. “Active transportation should work year-round, for everyone. Whether you’re walking, biking, rolling, skiing, or using a mobility device, our federal lands should serve you.” 

The Ottawa Centre Liberal platform includes wider, well-maintained paths, improved lighting, better snow clearing, and full wheelchair accessibility across core routes. It also prioritizes segregated pathways that clearly separate pedestrians from cyclists and fast-moving e-scooters. There is also a commitment to expand winter trail funding and reimagining public spaces as safe, multi-use corridors 

For Harden, he said creating a better transit system is needed to help bring people downtown from other communities. He said the current system — which will face even more cuts when New Ways to Bus is implemented Monday — is “not like anything I grew up with.”

“I could count on my bus arriving on time, whether I was waiting for it in January or in July. That is not the case today, and more and more neighbours, because of that are deciding not to take transit. They're taking personal vehicles, they're taking Uber. We do not blame them for their choices. However, we do want to find ways in which transit can be part of the solution in our downtown to stop the congestion that we have seen during the rush hour of the day.”

In Canada, municipalities have the goal of doubling transit usage by 2035. Harden noted that would be the equivalent of taking 20 million cars off the road. For reference, there are a little over 25.7 million motor vehicles registered in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.

POLLS

As we dive into election issues throughout the week, we are looking to hear from readers about your thoughts on some of the questions we have been posing to candidates. Feel free to answer in as much detail as possible and we will include a handful of responses in our upcoming newsletters.

CAPITAL EATS

The Capital Eats guide to the best restaurants in Orléans

If you thought all of the best restaurants were within a few kilometres of downtown, you’d be sorely mistaken. From Mexican, Jamaican to Thai, the community is becoming a mecca for high-quality, authentic food.

Here are some of the best spots we’ve reviewed in the community.

To read this story and subscribe to Capital Eats, our food and drink newsletter, click here.

FEDERAL ELECTION

Will Ottawa’s redrawn electoral boundaries impact results on election day?

By Agrani Tiwari

As Ottawa residents prepare to vote, newly redrawn federal riding boundaries have sparked confusion among voters, with many unaware of the changes or unsure what they mean. But even as electoral maps shift, local residents say their concerns remain steady: housing, healthcare and leadership. 

On the Bells Corners Rocks Facebook page, many residents said they were surprised to be voting in a different riding when they headed to the advanced polls. Previously part of the Nepean riding, one user commented, “I was looking forward to marking Mark Carney on my ballot.” Another person expressed concern over representation, stating: ”As Bells Corners founded in 1851 is one of the oldest parts of Nepean founded in 1792, it must be in Nepean and not included with the much younger Kanata founded in 1950.”

Whichever riding they are voting in, it most likely won’t impact the outcome. Polling projections on 338 Canada show incumbent Sudds winning with 53 per cent of the vote. Her Conservative counterpart Craig Chung is projected in second at 37 per cent. In Nepean, Liberal party leader and local candidate Mark Carney is showing a comfortable lead with 58 per cent. Conservative candidate Barbara Bal is trending down in projections to 33 per cent. 

The newly drawn boundaries could, however, slightly impact results. It could benefit Sudds as Bells Corners typically votes Liberal. Heron Park, which is now part of Ottawa Centre instead of Ottawa South, typically votes NDP. That could help Joel Harden, the former NDP MPP for the area, who’s going up against Liberal incumbent Yasir Naqvi. 

Orléans will see some of the biggest changes with 13,000 residents moving electoral districts. Blackburn Hamlet, Cardinal Village and Carlsbad Springs neighbourhoods have been redistributed elsewhere. Local Liberal incumbent MP Marie-France Lalonde objected to the changes, but was unsuccessful with her plea. 

In an email, she expressed that while those constituents would be well served in other ridings, ”it does not remove the fact that they identify as members of the community of Orléans. Unfortunately, the commission’s decision is minimizing the preservation of the identity of these neighbourhoods that truly shape the Orléans electoral district.”

Redistribution of ridings is done every decade to account for population changes. Orléans was trimmed because, between 2011 and 2021, its population soared from 119,247 to 139,267 — 19.49 per cent above the 116,590 average for Ontario ridings. 

How do Ottawa residents feel about the electoral changes?

The Ottawa Lookout hit the streets of the newly drawn ridings to see what voters thought of the changes.  Darlene Love, who has lived in the Capital for over 30 years, said she was unaware, but said she’d be checking the map online to see who she could vote for. 

“It should be more promoted, and there should be more signage out as to where you can vote, and what riding you're in,” she said. In past elections, Love noticed a lack of clear direction. “There wasn’t enough signage… people walked by and didn’t vote. So, I’d like to see more signage so there’s no excuse not to vote.”

Kanata riding resident Douglas Wilson said his vote is shaped more by leadership than riding lines. He emphasized that while riding changes may affect some, federal issues remain the top priority. 

“Federal elections are more important for national issues,” Wilson explained. “Municipal or provincial elections would have more impact on local issues.” Asked whether redistricting might influence how others vote, he was skeptical. “I imagine it’s possible,” he said, “but I don’t see how the federal programs are pretty well spread out.”

One voter who recently moved to Bells Corners echoed that sentiment. A federal government employee who asked not to be named said she was surprised to find her riding had changed, but didn’t think it would impact her vote. 

“It feels odd that they changed it,” she said. “It was never explained. I just looked at the map and went, ’oh, it’s different.’” She noted both her old and new ridings are Liberal-held, so the party dynamics remain the same for now. “I’m not sure if it’s going to really affect all that much. It’ll be determined if it’s changed or flipped to a different party.”

For her, the top issues are clear. “I really hope housing and healthcare is top of mind for sure,” she said. “We’re going into a period of fiscal restraint, no matter the choice, so we’ll see.”

Robert Blutarsky, who was walking along Mooney’s Bay beach and moved to Ottawa a year-and-a-half ago, said riding changes won’t impact his vote.  

As riding lines and political winds shift, one thing is clear from conversations with voters: while some boundaries have changed and it may be confusing for some, it doesn’t seem to be impacting how people vote. 

As Wilson put it: “It’s not really about where you vote. It’s about who you believe in.”

How ridings have changed

1 - Kanata-Carleton is now Renamed Kanata. 

• The community of Bells Corners has been added from the Nepean riding. ​Rural areas, including Fitzroy Harbour, Dunrobin, Kinburn, and Constance Bay, have been transferred to the Carleton riding. 

2 - Carleton

• This community faced rapid growth in a decade, soaring from a population of 89,522 to 131,375. 

• Gained rural communities such as Fitzroy Harbour, Dunrobin, Kinburn, and Constance Bay from the former Kanata—Carleton riding. 

• Acquired areas south of Bells Corners, west of Highway 416, and south of Barnsdale Road from the Nepean riding. ​

• Transferred the Findlay Creek area to the Ottawa South riding. ​

3 - Nepean

• This riding also saw a large population growth going from 104,775 in 2011 to 132,769 in 2021. The Barrhaven part of the community alone has about 100,000 residents. 

• The community of Bells Corners has been moved to the Kanata riding. 

4 - Ottawa South

• Gained the Findlay Creek neighbourhood from the Carleton riding. ​

• Areas between the Rideau River and Bank Street, including Riverside Park, Billings Bridge, and Heron Park, have been moved to the Ottawa Centre riding. 

5 - Ottawa Centre

• Added Riverside Park, Billings Bridge, and Heron Park from the Ottawa South riding. ​

6 - Ottawa-West Nepean 

• The Shillington Avenue area and many homes around the north end of Broadview Area have been moved to Ottawa-West Nepean from Ottawa Centre.

• A small area south of the CN rail tracks on Prince of Wales Drive is switching to Nepean. 

7 - Ottawa Vanier is now Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester

• Gained the Blackburn Hamlet neighbourhood from the Orléans riding. ​

8 - Orléans

• Transferred the Blackburn Hamlet neighbourhood to the Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester riding. ​

• Some parts have also been moved to the ridings of Carleton and Prescott-Russell-Cumberland.

• The southern boundary was adjusted closer to the Ottawa River.

As always, check your election card you received in the mail, or visit Elections Canada, to find your polling location.

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This weekend, our partnership team is launching an exclusive quarterly newsletter called Lookout Insights, full of the latest strategies on how to get noticed when it comes to local advertising. We’ll also share updates about the Lookout, exclusive discounts on our different ads, and early looks at new ways to reach people.

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EVENT GUIDE

Night Market at Next Door | Next Door Ottawa, 955A Gladstone Avenue | Apr. 24, 6 pm | Indoor market with vendors and food | Free

Fibre Fling Art Show & Sale | Kitchissippi United Church, 630 Island Park Drive | Apr. 25–26, 10 am | Fibre and mixed-media art exhibit | Free

Ottawa Aerial Circus Festival | Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue | Apr. 25–27, various times | Circus shows, workshops, and competitions | Tickets $22+

Orléans PoutineFest | Centrum Plaza, 255 Centrum Boulevard | Apr. 25–27, various times | 75+ types of poutine & spring kickoff fun | Free admission

Irish Film Festival Ottawa | Ottawa Art Gallery | Apr. 25–27, various times | Irish film, music, dance & culture | Tickets $12+

The Ottawa Indie Bookstore Crawl | Various locations | Apr. 25–27, various times | Celebrate indie bookstores by visiting different shops & win book prizes | Free admission

Ottawa Charge | TD Place | Apr. 26, 12 pm | Come see the Ottawa Charge play against the Montreal Victoire | Tickets $87+

The Great Ottawa Markets Collective Craft Destash & Food Market | Bell Sensplex, 1565 Maple Grove Road | Apr. 26, 10 am | Craft supplies and food for makers and DIY enthusiasts | Free

Outdoor and Adventure Travel Show | Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue | Apr. 26–27, 10 am | Outdoor gear, trips, family fun & talks | Free admission

Canadian Imaging Expo | Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Road | Apr. 26, 10 am | Photography gear, demos, and exhibits | Tickets $100+

Ottawa Rapid FC | TD Place at Lansdowne, 1015 Bank Street | Apr. 27 & May 15, various times | Pro women’s soccer team kicks off their inaugural game against AFC Toronto | Tickets $24+

Ottawa Orchid Society Annual Show | Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue | Apr. 27, 10 am | Orchid displays, workshops, shopping & more | Learn more

Moss Art Workshop | Parking Indigo Ottawa - St. Margaret's Anglican Church 206 Montréal Rd | April 30, 9 pm - 8:30 pm | General Admission $54.58