Denley: Finally, municipal politics will be interesting again - Ottawa Citizen

Author of the article:

Randall Denley

It will be exhilarating to have a real race for mayor, rather than another election featuring Jim Watson versus someone you’ve never heard of. Compound image of (from left) Bob Chiarelli, Diane Deans, Mathieu Fleury and Catherine McKenney, all possible candidates for mayor in Ottawa in 2022. Postmedia staff photos jpg

Mayor Jim Watson’s decision not to seek yet another term was the best one for him and for the city. Finally, municipal politics will be interesting again.

Campaigning doesn’t start until next May, but we got an early taste of the tone last week when three contenders jumped into the race on the day Watson made his announcement. They showed all the grace of a flock of crows descending on fresh road kill.

The fact that former mayor Bob Chiarelli and councillors Diane Deans and Catherine McKenney all declared their intentions to so run so quickly gives the superficial impression that the field is already filled with capable veterans. If only it were so.

Each of the three has strengths and weaknesses, but none is such an obvious contender that they should deter additional candidates.

Chiarelli has the experience, but it’s hard to believe that the city’s best option is an 80-year-old who last held the mayoralty 15 years ago. He lost his bid for a third term in 2006, garnering just 15 per cent of the vote. Chiarelli did bounce back, returning to his previous job as an MPP, and was a cabinet minister in the former Liberal government. Chiarelli is a crafty and determined campaigner, so he can’t be taken lightly. He could certainly do the job, but voters should be looking for a livelier alternative.

Diane Deans has 25 years of experience on council and has often threatened to run for mayor. Deans is noted more for being against things than for them, but it has worked for her this term as she has positioned herself as a Watson critic. Deans says she is fiscally responsible and socially progressive. She’s interested in social housing, a different approach to policing and climate issues. She thinks council needs to set priorities, not just do a little more of the same every year. “This council has been lazy,” Deans said in an interview. She’s not wrong, but it’s a comment that won’t endear her to her colleagues.

Catherine McKenney is intelligent and knowledgeable. McKenney’s focus is on social issues, which is not the prime responsibility of city council. McKenney could draw support from downtown voters, but will have a difficult time persuading suburban and rural voters interested in better roads and controls on taxes.

By declaring their candidacies so soon, the first three contenders have chosen an interesting strategy. It will be more than four months before they can do anything effective, but they will open themselves to greater scrutiny from voters and the media. There’s more than a little chance that voters will be tired of all three before the campaign even begins.

That’s to the benefit of Coun. Mathieu Fleury, who doesn’t intend to announce his intentions until next year, but who is almost certain to run. Fleury, 36, has been on council since 2010. He offers a combination of youth and experience that the other contenders can’t match.

Fleury is difficult to categorize ideologically, which is a good thing in a municipal politician. He has shown himself to have ideas and to be open to the ideas of others. Despite representing a downtown ward, Fleury’s age and young family make him a closer demographic fit with suburban voters whose support will be critical to the ultimate winner.

A smart candidate, whether it’s Fleury or someone else, will assess potential support now but announce their candidacy closer to the real beginning of the campaign, then use the momentum of the announcement to start grabbing campaign headlines. That’s more useful than spending the rest of the winter sniping at the lame duck Watson.

For Ottawans, it will be exhilarating to have a real race for mayor, rather than another election featuring Jim Watson versus someone you’ve never heard of. The first three declared candidates, if they all sign up in May, will offer choice, but we’re not yet at the point where any of them could be unreservedly described as a good choice.

Randall Denley is an Ottawa political commentator and author. Contact him at [email protected]