In the Kitchissippi ward city council candidates’ final debate before the upcoming municipal election, housing, public safety, and transit emerged as key topics. With incumbent Jeff Leiper running for mayor, voters in Ward 15 will choose a new councillor on October 26. The candidates vying for the position include former journalist Joanne Chianello, community activist Xavier Commerford, former association president Brian Innes, and real estate manager Subhir Uppal.
During the two-hour debate, which was both live-streamed and attended in person by numerous voters, the candidates discussed their priorities if elected. All four candidates highlighted public transit as a top concern, emphasizing the need for improvements in the system to address declining ridership and revenue challenges.
Commerford criticized the city’s “New Ways to Bus” initiative and pledged to reverse its effects. Chianello emphasized the importance of making transit more affordable, suggesting initiatives like free youth fares and affordable rates for seniors. Uppal proposed implementing distance-based fares similar to systems in other cities like London and Singapore.
Innes focused on the reliability of transit, particularly on major bus routes in the ward, and stressed the importance of tracking progress effectively. He set a goal of achieving a 90% performance rate within six months and committed to holding transportation committee discussions to address any obstacles.
When discussing public safety platforms, Innes advocated for expanding community policing to enhance proactive policing efforts. Uppal suggested that improving housing conditions could contribute to reducing public safety concerns, alongside initiatives like the ANCHOR mental health crisis program.
Chianello highlighted the importance of addressing housing issues and leveraging programs like ANCHOR, while also calling for additional local police resources. Commerford emphasized the link between job creation and crime prevention, emphasizing the need for increased investments in projects that generate employment opportunities to enhance community safety.