Ottawa’s municipal election is now less than two weeks away and one local mother is putting families at the centre of the conversation. Through her social media platform, Caroline Leal, is asking mayoral candidates how they plan to make Ottawa a city that works better for parents and children. Having travelled to more than 45 countries, the mother of two and the creator behind the Instagram account @Ottawabutwithkids, says she’s seen how other cities incorporate the needs of children and caregivers into everyday public spaces and believes Ottawa has room for improvement. “Really what I’m learning through this experience is a lot of families and children really feel like an afterthought when we’re looking at how the city is planning for its residents,” said Leal. Walking along Bank Street, Leal pointed to vacant storefronts and nearby Snider Park as examples of spaces she believes could offer more for families. “If I was to go and have a coffee, let’s say with my baby or my eldest, that’s fine and dandy, but then what can I go and do after? There’s really not that much,” she said. “I’ve been here quite a few times now during the daytime and it’s often quite empty when there’s no programming and one of the reasons, in my opinion, is the fact that there really is a lack of play elements,” she added about the park. Leal says her experiences have highlighted a broader issue with how cities are designed and with the municipal election approaching, she’s taking her questions directly to the mayoral candidates. Asking questions her followers put forward about transit, recreation programs, public safety and the future of downtown Ottawa. “Recreational programming is definitely top of mind when we’re talking about the amount of activities that are possible, accessibility, the fees, we’ve talked about the Hunger Games of swimming classes,” she said. “Infrastructure is definitely top of mind a lot of folks were asking questions they want to hear the candidates on what we are going to do about our sidewalks, but also safe streets as well speeding around schools.” Among the candidates who participated were Alex Lawson, Neil Saravanamuttoo and Jeff Leiper. Lawson pointed to the need to address safety downtown, while Saravanamuttoo spoke about transforming downtown into Ottawa’s living room, making room for families to come and relax. Leiper discussed working with business improvement areas to bring more programming into neighbourhoods. For Leal, one idea stood out: finding new ways to use existing public spaces. “One idea I thought was interesting [was] really thinking a bit outside the box of how we can use spaces that already exist in the city and transform them [into] an area that’s more welcoming to families,” she said. “None of these ideas are radical, they’re being done all over the world. They’re being done across the river.” Incumbent Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was unable to participate in Leal’s conversations, but he tells CTV News he will work continue working with community partners to make downtown safer. While Leal wants families considered in municipal decision-making, she also believes children themselves should have a say. “I think children are key they have really great ideas and guess what? They’re residents of the city too,” she said. CTV News put that question to four Grade 5 students at Guardian Angels Elementary in Stittsville, asking what they would change about their city. “One thing I would change is the amount of litter in parks,” said Aarav Karthik. “Maybe the parks, if we could make them more for like older kids more zip lines,” said Bailey Poland. “It would make me feel safer if there were more policing,” said Leo MacEachern. “I would put more sidewalks, more speed limits and speed bumps,” said Mya Belay-Zeleke. “I don’t feel safe walking home alone because a lot of cars drive fast and sometimes there’s no sidewalks.” Although the students are too young to vote, decisions made at City Hall will help shape the communities they grow up in. Leal says making Ottawa more welcoming to families doesn’t necessarily require major new developments. She believes existing public spaces could be improved by incorporating seating, play areas and other features that allow parents and children to spend time together. She argues those changes could also help bring more families downtown, contributing to a more vibrant city centre.
