The Gargoyle: Ottawa councillors lie low this campaign

[guest]

Oh, some of the most partisan ones have been around the federal campaigns. But most of them have kept very low profiles for professional political animals. Mayor Jim Watson is a known and self-professed Liberal, but he’s been meticulous about impartiality in the campaign — inviting each of the parties’ local candidates to separate briefings on city issues and even offering the Conservatives a second opportunity after they all stood him up for the first. I haven’t heard a single word from him in two months that would seem to favour one party over another.

Cumberland Coun. Stephen Blais has shown up at Liberal rallies — such as the big Trudeau event at the Shenkman Centre a few weeks ago — and gone to events with Orléans Liberal candidate Andrew Leslie.

Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney, who used to work for Ottawa Centre NDP candidate Paul Dewar on Parliament Hill, has publicly backed his affordable-housing stance.

Dewar says any housing on LeBreton Flats must consider a mixed housing approach. Has spoken to NCC about it. #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/gDorS3Qp8a

— Michael Woods (@michaelrwoods) October 13, 2015
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And Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley’s done his bit for his Tory candidate Walter Pamic.

Great night out canvassing in Glen Carin. Thanks to councillor Allan Hubley for joining us this evening.

— Walter Pamic (@WalterPamic) September 4, 2015
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Other than that, though, if they’ve been supporting federal candidates, they’ve been pretty quiet about it. Possibly because with several local races having seemed pretty uncertain, it didn’t make a lot of sense to throw in with a candidate unless a councillor already had a well-known partisan affiliation.

More from The Gargoyle’s Election 2015 Notebook

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