Candidates’ pledges will be tested in short order
While we voted to send a near-identical cohort of capital region MPs back to Parliament Hill, it’s important to remember that some of them made new commitments for the next government’s term. And, there’s one new addition: Orléans Liberal Marie-France Lalonde.
This list of local campaign pledges will make a handy reference come next election when you’re searching for a way to evaluate your MP’s performance. It draws its content from candidate websites and their responses to a survey bythe Citizen and only includes those that are specific, local and measurable.
Ottawa Centre: Catherine McKenna (Liberal)
McKenna set herself a hefty local mandate for the coming term: developing a 10-year plan for affordable housing in Ottawa Centre, and ensuring affordable housing will be part of the LeBreton Flats development; launching a new tree-planting program in Ottawa; securing federal support for the expansion of Bayview Yards; partnering with the city on its electric bus pilot project; pushing to fast-track the elimination of unnecessary single-use plastics; and funding, along with other levels of government, a pedestrian and cyclist crossing over the Prince of Wales Bridge.
Ottawa—Vanier: Mona Fortier
(Liberal)
Fortier cited affordable housing as a local priority and committed to advocating for investment in Ottawa—Vanier through federal programs such as the National Housing Strategy.
Ottawa South: David McGuinty (Liberal)
McGuinty said his local priority will remain providing “reliable service” to his constituents to help them with immigration, pension, tax and other everyday challenges. He also pledged to continue working to secure local infrastructure investments (LRT, district heating and cooling, affordable housing) and continuing his signature student engagement, volunteer and small-business initiatives. Orléans: Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal)
Lalonde identified jobs as her local priority if elected, stressing
the need to champion Orléans as a “prime destination” for new businesses. She called for the mapping of a regional strategic plan. Nepean: Chandra Arya (Liberal)
Arya said he will advocate for new and upgraded infrastructure in his constituency.
On the transit file specifically, he said he would work to ensure Nepean is included in new infrastructure investment decisions. He also pledged hard work to see that Nepean benefits from community, culture and recreational facility funding available through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Kanata—Carleton: Karen McCrimmon (Liberal)
McCrimmon said that if re-elected her priority would be improving transit infrastructure and digital infrastructure in her riding. Carleton: Pierre Poilievre (Conservative)
Poilievre, the only Ottawa MP who does not belong to the governing party, promised to fight for more federal funding for roads in Carleton.