A record eight candidates have filed nomination papers in Ottawa Centre for the May 2 federal election.
Challenging incumbent NDP MP Paul Dewar are the Marijuana Party’s John Akpata, independent Romeo Bellai, Liberal Scott Bradley, Jen Hunter of the Green Party, Conservative Damian Konstantinakos, Stuart Ryan, Communist Party, and Pierre Soublière, Marxist-Leninist Party.
In the 2008 election, Dewar defeated Liberal Penny Collenette, Conservative Brian McGarry, Hunter, Akpata and Soublière. Dewar received 25,399 votes, Collenette 16,633, McGarry 15,065, Hunter 6,348, Akpata 378 and Soublière 95.
The candidates will square off at the first all-candidates debate on April 17 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Chinese Canadian Heritage Centre, 397 Kent St. The debate will focus on new Canadians and immigration. Other debates will take place at the Cube Gallery, 1285 Wellington St. West, at 6:30 p.m. on April 19: the University of Ottawa Damarais building, 12th floor at 5 p.m. on April 20 and Centretown United Church, 507 Bank St. on April 20 at 7:30 p.m.