Here are the candidates for the federal election in Ottawa Centre:
Liberal Party candidate Penny Collenette
Hometown: Ottawa
Education: B.A. in law and political science from Carleton University, L.L.B. from the University of Ottawa and a Senior Fellow at John F. Kennedy School of Government, at Harvard University.
Life outside politics: Collenette was vice-president of George Weston Ltd., one of Canada’s leading corporations. She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa. She volunteers for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa, an agency that supports people living with disabilities.
Life in politics: Collenette has been a volunteer and political organizer for the Liberal Party of Canada since the age of 19. She served for four years as a senior director in the Prime Minister’s Office. She was the national director of Jean Chrétien’s second leadership bid in 1990 and Director of Legal Studies for the Liberal Party during the 1993 federal election. She was elected as the Liberal candidate of Ottawa centre in April 2007.
Major campaign issues: Collenette wants to implement a strong water policy. She plans to invest more money in making the inner city core more alive and vibrant. She plans to improve safety, transit and green space. Her international interests concern advancing human rights and promoting equality for women.
NDP candidate Paul Dewar
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Education: BA in Political Science and Economics from Carleton University, and a B.A. in Education from Queen’s University.
Life before politics: Dewar was an elementary school teacher and served as the vice-president of the Ottawa Carleton Elementary Schools Teachers’ Federation. He was also a board member for the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and has volunteered with Glebe Little League. In the ‘80s he was a project organizer with Tools for Peace in Central America.
Life in politics: Dewar is the incumbent for Ottawa Centre, elected in 2006 on the heels of former NDP incumbent Ed Broadbent. While in Parliament, Dewar put forward several private member’s bills concerning Gatineau Park and a number of environmental issues. He was the NDP foreign affairs critic and the deputy critic of Crown corporations.
Major campaign issues: Dewar will make keeping the portrait gallery in Ottawa and environmental protection for the Ottawa River and Gatineau Park important Centretown issues this election, according to his website.
Green Party candidate Jen Hunter
Hometown: London, Ont.
Education: BA (honours) in Political Science from Queen’s University.
Life before politics: Hunter has done a lot of work with volunteer organizations. She started volunteering as a youth with political parties in London and most recently served as an executive for the national capital chapter of Equal Voice, an organization that promotes female politicians. She is also a professional facilitator.
Life in politics: Although she’s been active in political organizations for most of her life, this is Hunter’s first election. She was nominated by the Green Party for Ottawa Centre last spring.
Major campaign issues: Hunter says the Green Party’s mantra of sustainable living and a green economy reflects the needs of Centretown residents. More specific to the area, she says a thoughtful transit plan, the protection of the Ottawa River and increased funding for cities are important issues.
Conservative candidate Brian McGarry
Hometown: Ottawa
Education: McGarry completed credits at Carleton University in social psychology.
Life outside politics: He served for nine years on the Ottawa Board of Education. He is currently the chair and CEO of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry Funeral Chapels. He is co-chair of the Montfort Hospital and volunteers for Kiwanis International, Crime Stoppers, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and the Ottawa Senators Foundation, which finances youth projects.
Life in politics: McGarry has served one term on regional council.
Major campaign issues: McGarry is concerned about water quality, promoting local business, investing in arts and culture and being tough on crime.
Marijuana Party candidate John Akpata
Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada candidate Pierre Soublière