OTTAWA - The cost of housing, the state of OC Transpo, and accountability at city hall are the top 3 concerns for Ottawa voters as the city enters a municipal election, according to a recent poll commissioned by the Broadbent Institute and conducted by Viewpoints Research.
The survey, which was intended to gauge their attitudes about the upcoming mayoral election, also shows that 84% of voters support disallowing mayoral and city council candidates from accepting donations from real estate developers.
“Ottawans have a lot on their minds when it comes to their municipal election ballots this fall, and not without reason,” says Clement Nocos, director of policy and stakeholder relations at the Broadbent Institute. “With the retirement of Mayor Jim Watson and several members of the current City Council, there are opportunities for a renewed vision and we were interested in testing the public opinion waters.”
What Ottawa voters want
- 75% support increasing protections for renters to reduce evictions and improve building maintenance.
- 73% support expanding OC Transpo service into suburban Ottawa.
- 68% support bringing LRT operations into City management and control.
- 54% think Ottawa should invest to improve services, even if it means a small tax increase.
- 54% think Ottawa should invest now to fight climate change and adapt infrastructure.
- 48% of voters think the City of Ottawa is headed in the wrong direction. Only 29% of voters agree that the City of Ottawa is headed in the right direction.
“Ottawans are looking for change. A bold progressive vision that prioritizes equality over tax cuts, investments over austerity, and collaborative leadership instead of favours for well-endowed interests could win the day,” says Nocos. “Electoral campaigns and social movements would do well to get together and fight for a better city that works for its residents.”
Further reading
Download 2022-08 ottawa research project quantitative analysis public
