Ottawa downtown councillors talk of 'urban caucus'

The councillor-elect for Somerset ward said there is strong support from other urban councillors to form a caucus to discuss issues that affect all of the inner-city wards.

• Jim Watson re-elected as Ottawa mayor for 2nd term

Fresh off her victory Monday night, Catherine McKenney is set to take over for Diane Holmes in Somerset ward when the new council convenes.

But she's already held informal talks with winners from Kitchissippi, Rideau-Rockcliffe, Capital and Rideau-Vanier wards about creating an "urban caucus."

David Chernushenko returns as councillor for Capital ward, while Mathieu Fleury returns as councillor for Rideau-Vanier. In the other two wards, there will be two new councillors — Jeff Leiper in Kitchissippi and Tobi Nussbaum in Rideau-Rockcliffe.

They would likely discuss common issues such as cut-through traffic, cycling and infill developments.

She said the idea came to her on the campaign trail.

"Maybe if we had five people on an urban caucus, that they might have a bit more leverage," she said.

McKenney said she isn't worried about creating a rift with sub-urban and rural councillors.

"No, not at all. You know we have a rural affairs committee as an example, and that doesn't do that," she said.

Prior to the election, McKenney's predecessor Holmes had lamented that despite having a large percentage of the population, urban wards were often outnumbered at council meetings.

Poll question

In addition to McKenney, Nussbaum and Leiper, Ottawa city council will have five other new faces:

• George Derouze in Osgoode.
• Jody Mitic in Innes.
• Jean Cloutier in Alta Vista.
• Riley Brockington in River.
• Michael Qaqish in Gloucester-South Nepean.