ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL

Today is a countdown anniversary of sorts: one month until municipal election voting day. Many Ottawans are only vaguely aware there is a local election campaign going on, let alone that it also includes school boards. We debate national politics at length — Who’s got more support, Justin Trudeau or Andrew Scheer? Who’s least popular, Jagmeet Singh or Maxime Bernier? — but ignore civic contests at our peril.

How about asking these questions instead? Who arranges to have potholes filled? Who approves 65-storey buildings, or builds new bike lanes? Who plans bus routes, arranges garbage pickup, decides where the latest traffic “hump” will be? Who oversees the local police? Who decides how much you will pay in property taxes each year?

For all these reasons, it’s time to start paying attention to the lawn signs dotting your neighbourhood. Read up on issues in your ward, monitor candidates’ social media, listen to public debates and figure out who deserves your vote Oct. 22.

Excitement in any municipal race is often driven by a colourful contest for mayor. Ottawa isn’t offering a neck-and-neck race this time. But it is also true that the mayor is only one vote on a council of 24, though he (“he” in this case; there are no female mayoral candidates) wields power in other ways.

Jim Watson and Clive Doucet, the most visible mayoral candidates, have begun to sketch out their platforms. Doucet, a former city councillor, is floating a regional rail plan, a pilot project to offer weekly garbage pickup in the summer, a pledge to re-examine development. Watson has said he’ll boost funding for Invest Ottawa, cut patio fees for restaurants and sprinkle out a bit of cash to other projects. And of course, he runs on his record. Expect more announcements from both men in the next four weeks.

Ask how they, and ward candidates, plan to pay — i.e. to make YOU pay — for their promises. As mayor, Watson kept annual tax hikes relatively low, which critics felt led to inadequate basic services. Will he stay the course? Doucet, meanwhile, isn’t known as a micromanager of budgeting. Will he offer a detailed payment plan?

Another factor: Ottawa’s next mayor will need to successfully partner with the provincial government, which this week offered a dramatic display of its sweeping power over cities. It also said on Friday that Ontario faces a $15-billion deficit this year based on the former government’s spending. That will have trickle-down effects on cities.

So you’ve an interest in learning about your local candidates for council. Ask them some tough questions — and circle Oct. 22 on your calendar to vote.