By Jessica Ruano
October is just around the corner, which means it’s time for Ottawa to hit the ballot boxes! The upcoming election on Monday October 24, 2022 (Mark your calendars!) is an especially important one for Lowertown residents, who get to vote not only on for a new mayor, but also for a new city councillor to represent Ward 12 Rideau-Vanier, since Mathieu Fleury decided to step down from the position he has held since 2010.
There are 10 candidates running in this community, more than any other riding in Ottawa. This offers lots of choice but can also feel overwhelming. Of course, there’s lots to consider when reading through candidates’ platforms and listening to them at the debates, but we at MASC want to renew a worthy plea to vote for a candidate who supports the arts and culture in Ottawa.
Over the past decade, you may have participated in one of the dozens of community murals MASC has spearheaded in Lowertown. Perhaps you enjoyed an outdoor performance at the Lowertown Celebration. Or maybe you were relieved of pandemic boredom and isolation with a dance workshop from your balcony. Maybe you even took part in one of MASC’s Awesome Arts en folie programs that – in partnership with the Lowertown Community Resource Centre and other amazing organizations – brings together people of all ages to address important community issues through the arts.
Many of these programs were supported in large part by arm’s length government funding that allows MASC to provide arts programming to community members at a reduced cost, and sometimes no cost at all, so that the arts are accessible to everyone. MASC appreciated Councillor Fleury’s consistent support and attendance at these events, and we hope Rideau-Vanier’s new city councillor will also see the value of arts in helping a community thrive.
Local organizations Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council recently formed the Ottawa Arts Initiative to advocate for the social and economic value of the arts and culture in Ottawa. Earlier this year, they called for a new Arts, Culture, and Heritage Plan at the municipal level that would invest in local culture, as the previous one ended in 2018. We look forward to a new plan for the arts that reflects our community’s new challenges and opportunities.
Speaking of 2018, our last municipal election had a 42.55% turnout, which means that half of Ottawa residents didn’t have their voices heard through their votes. If your neighbour needs a reminder or a ride to the voting booth, consider offering them a helping hand. Together we can ensure that we elect a candidate who truly reflects the creativity and vibrancy of our community.
Jessica Ruano is Communications Director/ Directrice des communications at MASC.