CONOR MEADE’S VISION FOR OTTAWA 2015-2018 #MEADE2014 [email protected] SEPTEMBER twitter website 25/2014 email ELECT • ÉLISEZ QUARTIER SOMERSET WARD [email protected] twitter website email LETTER FROM CONOR My name is Conor Meade, and I believe that I’m the right choice to represent Somerset Ward on the Ottawa City Council. We’re all very fortunate to live in this great city, and in Somerset Ward. But as much as I love this community, I think we can make it even better. I truly believe that Ottawa can develop the best quality of life in North America, and Somerset Ward can lead that transformation. This platform outline the five priorities that I will focus on as your City Council representative. With your help, I will be a strong advocate for: Smart Development; radically improved Urban Transportation networks; Support For Local Businesses; a new culture of Evidence-Based Policy on our City Council; and the prioritization of Active, Healthy Lifestyles for our residents. This document presents a comprehensive outline of exactly what I will do to achieve these goals as your City Council representative. Thank you for taking the time to read it, and thank you for your support on October 27th. Cheers, CONOR MEADE Candidate, Somerset Ward [email protected] twitter website email #MEADE2014 | 613.863.1519 | ABOUT CONOR • Owner of Sprint Graphics, a local provider of web development and digital marketing solutions • B.Comm in Finance/Marketing (Guelph) and a Master’s in Economics (Simon Fraser University) • Three years of experience working in strategic public policy, focused on information technology, innovation, and economic growth Conor Meade was born and raised in Ottawa. He attended McNabb Park Elementary School and has lived in Centretown for three years. He has a diverse background in economics, public policy, business, finance, and marketing; he is a demonstrated community leader and he has a strong personal commitment to improving Somerset Ward for all its residents. CAREER In 2008, Conor earned a Bachelor’s in Commerce at the University of Guelph, with a dual concentration in finance and marketing. He earned a Master’s in Economics from Simon Fraser University in 2009. From 2010 until 2013, Conor worked as an economist and policy analyst with Industry Canada. His work focused on the Canadian information technology sector, emerging technologies, business development, and innovation. Earlier this year, Conor left Industry Canada to work at his own company – Sprint Graphics - which provides web development and digital marketing solutions to local businesses. CONORMEADE.CA #MEADE2014 | 613.863.1519 | ABOUT CONOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Conor was born and raised in Ottawa and moved back to Centretown after finishing his education. He has lived on Waverley Street for the past three years. Through Sprint Graphics, Conor has provided marketing services to a variety of local organizations, artists, and charities. Conor currently sits on the executive board of the Jack Purcell Recreation Association (JPRA). Conor has demonstrated an interest and aptitude in leadership and governance throughout his life. He has served as: • Representative for The College of Management and Economics on the Guelph Central Student Association • Representative for The College of Economics on the Simon Fraser Graduate Student Society • Founder and Chair of a department-wide Young Professionals network at Industry Canada, which comprised several thousand members PERSONAL LIFE Conor is the oldest of three siblings – all of whom are Somerset Ward residents. He is lucky to be able to spend most of his free time with his family and close friends. Conor also plays recreational hockey, ultimate frisbee, squash, softball, and practices yoga regularly. He played intercollegiate rugby at the University of Guelph and Simon Fraser University. Conor has traveled extensively through Europe and Asia. During a gap year, Conor spent several months each living in Thailand, India, Spain, and France. CONORMEADE.CA #MEADE2014 | 613.863.1519 | SMART DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT SUPPORTING PRIORITIES LOCAL BUSINESS A NEW CULTURE OF MY GOOD GOVERNANCE, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLES IN SOMERSET WARD SIDNEY COOK PRIORITY #1: SMART DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING I believe that the most important guiding principle in municipal government is promotion of a sense of community. Urban planning decisions must prioritize a culture of belonging, public health, and social cohesion. In practice, this means: • Prioritizing healthy living and active transportation • Building dense, safe, convenient, and fun urban areas that facilitate social lifestyles • Promoting a culture of civic interdependence and intersectional social bonds • Supporting families with better parks, schools, and housing options that are affordable for young parents SMART DEVELOPMENT There are many areas in Somerset Ward that can • Support and Infrastructure: Many residents currently benefit significantly from smart development. I support have a negative perception of intensification. This is the goal of reducing urban sprawl by intensifying our because we have seen a major imbalance between downtown core, which will bring more amenities and our increasing population density, and the quality city services into Somerset, improve our quality of life, of services we receive. If we’re going to bring more and make Ottawa more sustainable. people and more development into the downtown core, we need to balance this with investments in I define Smart Development according to the following transit services, better sidewalks and bike lanes, more guiding principles: police foot patrols, and better upkeep of our parks and recreation facilities. • Predictability: Development must take place within the confines of community design plans that have REDUCING URBAN SPRAWL been drafted with extensive consultation in the Ottawa has seen massive outward growth and affected neighbourhoods. urban sprawl in recent decades[1]. This is bad for our environment, our economic viability, and our quality of • Consistency: New buildings must be consistent life. with the current design and historical character of a #1: PRIORITY neighbourhood. We can reduce urban sprawl by intensifying our downtown core, and providing incentives for Ottawa • Affordability: We need to prioritize the construction of residents to move here, such as: BUILDING COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPMENT SMART affordable family homes. Somerset Ward is currently well-provided with one-bedroom condos and million- • Better urban transportation options dollar heritage homes. We need to increase our stock • A strong, vibrant business community of housing options that are accessible to middle- • Promotion of healthy urban lifestyles income families. [1] Pierre Filion, et.al. Intensification and Sprawl: Residential Density Trajectories in Canada’s Largest Metropolitan Regions, 2013 CONORMEADE.CA #MEADE2014 | 613.863.1519 | PRIORITY #1: SMART DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING I am a strong advocate for improving the urban living 1) Advocating for urban design experience, in part because I represent an urban ward, practices that contribute to but also because it is in the best interests of the city as pro-social lifestyles and civic engagement: a whole. Urban sprawl costs the city money, it is bad greater density, vibrant local businesses, convenient for the environment, and it creates insular, atomized transportation, and well-maintained parks and public communities. spaces. A New Approach 2) Setting a new standard for accessibility and Our current Councillor has had a difficult relationship transparency as a City Councillor. I’ve made it my with the rest of Council on the development issue. I goal to be as transparent as possible throughout this believe that Ms. Holmes has been needlessly inflexible. campaign, and I will continue that practice as the She is not committed to the goal of reducing urban Councillor for Somerset Ward. Throughout my term, sprawl and bringing smart development to Somerset I will be hosting a regular series of meetings with ward. As a result, we’ve missed out on a lot of important communities within Somerset Ward: opportunities over the years for better amenities, better transportation networks, and a more vibrant community. 1) A monthly round table with Somerset Ward’s LGBTQ community. 2) A bi-weekly French language luncheon, in part to discuss Francophone issues, but also to help me improve my French language skills. I believe the Francophone community of Somerset Ward deserves a representative who is fluent in their native language. 3) A weekly game of pick-up hockey at Jack Purcell Park, open to the whole community, followed up with hot chocolate and an opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns As a Councillor with a new perspective, I will support that citizens have. smart development in keeping with the official My goal is for these gatherings to be a useful community design plan. My priority will be to get a forum for ideas, a fun way to get residents better deal for my ward in terms of infrastructure and involved in their community, and engaged with services and the protection of our low-rise residential me on a personal level. neighbourhoods. 3) Working to fulfill the City’s Official Gender and Human I will also be able to effectively oppose decisions that Rights Policy, and increase accessibility to city are bad for our neighbourhoods – for example, the facilities,