Jim Watson, Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin to push local issues during election campaign
Transit, infrastructure and affordable housing are top priorities for capital region, mayors say
The mayors of Ottawa and Gatineau say they plan to lobby candidates to ensure local issues become important in the federal election campaign.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin annnounced Wednesday they have joined forces to create a three-point strategy to bring key issues to the table for local candidates.
This is the first time the two cities' mayors have come together in such a joint effort, they said.
The two plan to hold a debate at each city hall — in Ottawa on Oct. 5 and in Gatineau on a yet to be announced date.
The mayors also plan to send information on local priorities to each candidate running in their cities.
Pedneaud-Jobin has said he sent this information already, while Watson said he would meet with candidates in person to speak about transit, infrastructure and affordable housing, among other issues.
The mayors also plan to send short questionnaires before the end of August to federal party leaders and local candidates on the priorities of Ottawa and Gatineau
The responses will be published simultaneously online before the end of September, according to the mayors.