Homebuilder Alex Lawson Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Ottawa

Alex Lawson, a homebuilder from Ottawa, has officially announced his candidacy for the city’s mayoral election. Lawson, owner of Capital Framers, aims to challenge the current mayor, Mark Sutcliffe, in the upcoming election scheduled for October 26, 2023.

Background of Alex Lawson

Lawson grew up in the Heron Gate neighborhood of Ottawa. His home framing company employs 17 individuals, providing him with valuable business experience. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding himself with a skilled political team to manage the campaign effectively.

Political Affiliations and Strategy

Although Lawson has ties to Conservative politics, he does not consider himself a partisan candidate. He believes municipal politics should focus on solutions rather than party affiliation. His campaign manager is Emrys Graefe, who has previous experience with significant national campaigns, including those for Stephen Harper and Doug Ford.

• Campaign Team Highlights:
  • Emrys Graefe – Campaign Manager
  • Jeff Ballingall – Digital Campaign Manager
  • Quito Maggi – Campaign Chair

Key Issues and Vision for Ottawa

Lawson aims to address several pressing issues in the city. His priorities include housing, affordability, transit, traffic, and public safety. He criticizes the current state of services in Ottawa, stating that the city is facing a steady decline in these areas.

Transit Challenges

Lawson expresses concerns over the troubled Ottawa transit system, particularly the issues surrounding the Light Rail Transit (LRT). He believes the system has created inefficiencies and hindered transportation within the city. He advocates for returning to the former Transitway routes that provided reliable service to residents.

Housing and Development

The candidate recognizes the importance of increasing residential construction. Lawson acknowledges efforts made by Mayor Sutcliffe to reduce regulatory barriers but insists that more support is needed for the labor force involved in building new homes.

Mental Health and Public Safety

Lawson’s motivation to run for mayor also stems from concerns about mental health and addiction issues in downtown Ottawa. He seeks to enhance community support systems to aid individuals looking to recover and reintegrate into society.

Electoral Strategy and Public Engagement

Lawson emphasizes the significance of name recognition as a key challenge in the election. He aims to engage with the public early in the campaign to communicate his vision and proposed solutions. He remains confident that his approach will resonate with voters and is not overly concerned about vote splitting with Sutcliffe.

As the election date approaches, Lawson plans to outline more specific policy proposals that reflect his commitment to rebuilding Ottawa. He wants to restore quality services and improve the overall quality of life for residents in the city.