More Ottawa Municipal Election Regional Roundtable - Central

Ottawa has the talent, institutions, businesses, and quality of life of a world-class capital. The municipal election on October 26 is our opportunity to choose the leadership, priorities, and action needed to realize that potential.

As part of its non-partisan More Ottawa election campaign, the Ottawa Board of Trade will host a series of virtual regional roundtables with municipal candidates from across the city. Moderated by Rick Chase, these conversations will explore how Ottawa can accommodate growth, strengthen its economy, and improve quality of life in every part of the city.

The discussions will be grounded in the three pillars of the More Ottawa campaign:

• Build for growth: Build the housing, transportation, and infrastructure Ottawa needs to keep pace with growth. Make it easier to get things built.
• Compete to win: Create the conditions for businesses, talent and investment to choose Ottawa. Position our city and region to win the opportunities ahead.
• Elevate the capital: A vibrant downtown strengthens all of Ottawa. Create a safer, more welcoming core and a capital experience that reflects Ottawa's ambition and Canada's place in the world.

Candidates will participate in conversations focused on the distinct priorities of central Ottawa - from downtown renewal and established-neighbourhood growth to transportation connectivity, infrastructure readiness, innovation, economic development, and access to opportunity.

Hear from candidates from in:

• Ward 12
• Ward 13
• Ward 14
• Ward 15
• Ward 16
• Ward 17

Click here to find which ward you are in and who is running in your area. Don't see your ward above? Click here to explore our full list of regional roundtables.

These roundtables will go beyond asking candidates what they support. They will examine how candidates intend to deliver results, what they plan to do, where greater collaboration is required, and how the City should measure and publicly report its progress through 2030. Attendees will be able to submit questions during the roundtable to the moderator, and attendee cameras will be turned off.

The insights gathered will help identify areas of alignment, bring regional priorities into the city-wide conversation, and inform the Ottawa Board of Trade’s engagement with the next Mayor and Council.

More ambition. More action. More Ottawa. Learn more at MoreOttawa.ca.

Moderated by Rick Chase, Vice President and Partner, Gifford Carr

Rick Chase is an Ottawa business and community leader with more than 25 years of involvement in the city’s business, civic, and political communities.

Throughout his career, Rick has been an active volunteer and advocate for Ottawa’s business community, contributing his time and leadership to the city’s various Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for more than two decades. His involvement has focused on strengthening Ottawa’s business environment, supporting local economic development, and ensuring the voice of the business community is represented in conversations about the future of the city.

Rick has also been actively involved in politics and public policy at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, working with candidates, campaigns, elected officials, and community stakeholders across all three levels of government.

His community involvement extends well beyond the business community. Over the years, Rick has contributed to the governance and board leadership of numerous local charities and community organizations. That experience has reinforced a philosophy that has shaped much of his volunteer work: strong communities create the conditions for businesses to succeed, and successful businesses help build strong communities.

Professionally, Rick is Vice President and Partner with Gifford Carr, an Ottawa-based insurance and financial services firm, where he leads the firm's Benefits and Planning business. His career in financial services has spanned leadership, business development, financial planning, and advisor development, giving him a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and families in Ottawa.

Rick believes Ottawa is at its best when its business, community, and political leaders work collaboratively toward a city that is economically competitive, socially vibrant, and a great place to build a business, a career, and a life.