The more I read about him, the more I’m liking Nour Kadri for Ottawa’s Mayor as an alternative to front runners Catherine McKenney or Mark Sutcliffe.

Voter’s Prioroties

CTV has polled voters to determine their priorities in this election. Public transit efficiency, local economy, possible tax hikes, and affordable housing for all residents top the list.

Dog parks, tourism, and millions of dollars for new bike lanes are (understandably) lower.

Catherine McKenney

From what I’ve heard so far in this mayoral race, McKenney seems financially irresponsible, non credible, almost delusional. Accounting basics and common sense dictate you should take the budget into consideration when spending.

For example, does promising free bus fare to anyone make sense when our public transit system is already millions in debt? It sure won’t increase efficiency!

Mark Sutcliffe

While I prefer Sutcliffe’s “look for inefficiencies” approach to McKenney’s “spend, spend, spend” one, he appears too complacent to me. Perhaps that’s just his personality, but he gives the impression his heart is not in the mayoral race.

I do like the fact that Sutcliffe is new to politics, so offers a credible alternative to “more of the same” rhetoric and irresponsible/frivolous spending.

Nour Kadri The Alternative Candidate?

If you haven’t yet heard of him, take a moment to learn. Nour Kadri ticks all the boxes for Ottawa’s mayor in my opinion:

• Intelligent
• Well and diversely educated
• Years of relatable (but not political) experience
• Great speaker, well versed
• Financially literate, with budget expertise

Unfortunately, Kadri was not invited to debate the front runners. He would have blown them out of the water. This tweet confirms that!

Conclusions

These are just my opinions of course. Do your own research before you exercise your right to vote. You’ve only got 11 more days to decide until the 24th of October election date!