Somerset ward to be represented by Ariel Troster
CBC News | Posted: October 25, 2022 1:14 AM | Last Updated: October 25, 2022
Catherine McKenney's run for mayor left urban ward open
Three candidates ran in Ward 14 Somerset to replace mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney: transit advocate and historian Stuart MacKay, Brandon Russell, and Ariel Troster, who works at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and is an LGBTQ advocate.
Voters in the urban ward chose Ariel Troster, CBC projects.
After hearing she was projected to win, Troster told CBC News her main priority was affordable housing.
"I heard from so many people who feel that either they're being pushed out of the neighbourhood because rents are out of control — the average cost of a one-bedroom has gone up to $2,000 a month — or they feel like if they ever need to leave their apartment they won't be able to stay."
"We need to make sure that our city remains an inclusive, diverse downtown community."
Troster says she is looking forward to co-operation between councillors in urban, suburban and rural wards.
"I'm ... really excited for a new city council, a new mayor," she said. "I think we all want an affordable place to live, we want transit that works, we want people-friendly streets, so I'm really excited to get to work."
Troster's priorities included separated bike lanes on Kent Street and Gladstone Avenue, adding a full-depth outdoor pool to the ward and more investment in health and social services.
MacKay's priorities included better sidewalks, improving OC Transpo's Route 11 and stops along its way, and turning the former Somerset House into a community hub.
Russell's priorities included improving parks, affordable housing and ending queer and youth homelessness 100 days into the next term.
Ward at a glance
Projected population 2022: 48,587
Projected population 2026: 51,438