Catherine McKenney made an emphatic return to the political arena Thursday as the former city councillor was elected to Queen’s Park in what experts are calling a landslide victory. McKenney captured the Ottawa Centre riding with more than 56 percent of the vote, comfortably outpacing Liberal candidate Thomas Simpson, who trailed with significantly fewer votes.
With the counting of votes nearing completion, McKenney had established a remarkable lead with 32,483 votes out of 58,320 total ballots cast, resulting in her the clear favorite among voters and confirming her as the new Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Ottawa Centre.
Ottawa Centre, I love you, thank you for believing me, McKenney expressed gratefully to jubilant supporters gathered at The Royal Oak pub, where the celebration took on the form of lively performances including drag queen Sunshine Glitterchild. McKenney's heartfelt sentiments reflected her commitment to the electorate, promising to prioritize pressing issues such as homelessness and healthcare upon her return to the Ontario legislature.
This victory belongs to you, she emphasized, adding defiantly, The pendulum has swung far enough to the right – and this is where we stop it. The former city councillor's passion for her constituents was palpable, showcasing her readiness to tackle the socio-economic challenges facing many Ottawans.
McKenney's comeback is notable; she re-enters the political sphere two-and-a-half years after losing a hard-fought battle for Ottawa's mayoralty to Mark Sutcliffe. The election saw McKenney lead early but was later overshadowed as Sutcliffe focused his campaign on branding her as singularly focused on urban issues like bike lanes and environmental policies, though she has always expressed her dedication to the broader community needs.
Defeated Liberal candidate Simpson conceded graciously shortly after the results were announced. We found ways to connect with thousands of voters across this riding on the phone and in person, he stated. Recognizing the difficult task he faced, he told supporters: Thank you all so much for all the work been done, and acknowledged McKenney's name recognition as a significant hurdle for his campaign.
Other candidates vying for the Ottawa Centre seat included Scott Healey of the Progressive Conservative Party, who admitted the challenges of campaigning as the Conservatives sought to make headway where none had been previously made; Ottawa Centre has been consistently held by NDP or Liberal representatives for over half a century.
The new riding area of Ottawa Centre includes diverse neighborhoods like Centretown, Westboro Beach, the Central Experimental Farm, Old Ottawa East, as well as parts of Prince of Wales and Meadowlands drives. McKenney's vision for the future includes reinstated rent controls, more publicly-funded housing, and addressing the significant healthcare gaps faced by the community—where approximately 165,000 people still lack access to family doctors.
Before returning to politics, McKenney distinguished herself within municipal governance, serving two terms as the councillor for Somerset Ward and co-founding CitySHAPES, which focuses on creating more liveable urban environments. Her experience during the truckers' occupation revealed her advocacy skills—she often amplified the voices of residents adversely affected by the protest activities.
Since the prominence of the occupation heightened, McKenney's activism was spotlighted, earning her solid support within Ottawa Centre as she explicitly rallied for local voices and denounced the negative repercussions faced by the city’s downtown residents.
After the dust settled from the election, she reiterated her determined stance on housing and healthcare matters. Please know if you are sleeping in a shelter tonight, when I wake up tomorrow, you will be my priority, McKenney pledged, evoking awe among her supporters.
Looking forward, the question remains how McKenney will translate her grassroots support and her urban platform ideals to effective policies at Queen’s Park. With the NDP destined to form the official opposition, many are eager to see how they will influence provincial decisions moving forward.
Despite being buoyed by her latest victory, McKenney will likely face immediate challenges, especially with her party's mission outlined amid continuous political pressure from the ruling party and Liberal opposition. Nevertheless, her outspoken commitment to the community and her astute grasp of local concerns will remain key assets as she navigates her role as MPP.
With major matters like housing affordability, access to healthcare, and public transit on the agenda, McKenney's return could signal transformative change not just for Ottawa Centre but potentially for the entire province as she aims to speak on behalf of her constituents at Ontario's legislative assembly.
McKenney's pledge resonates loudly with many who feel the current political climate overlooks their struggles. The overarching sentiment from supporters at her celebration emphasized the need for the government to prioritize people-centered policies aligning directly with community needs, and with McKenney taking her seat, the hope is renewed for real reform.