Ottawa votes on Monday, October 26, 2026, and we wanted to hear from the people on the ballot in their own words. So we sent the same six questions to every certified candidate in the city, with one promise: we publish what you send back, unedited.
Farah Gulzar is running for councillor in Capital Ward. Here are the answers, exactly as they arrived.
Why are you running?
I am running because I believe local government should be accessible, responsive and accountable to the people it serves. I have spent many years working with and supporting members of my community, and I have seen how issues such as housing affordability, safe streets, inadequate facilities and the rising cost of living affect families every day. I want residents to have a stronger voice at City Hall and to know that their concerns are being heard and followed up on.
What is the single biggest issue facing the people you want to represent, and what would you do about it?
For many residents, affordability is a major concern — particularly the cost of housing and the overall cost of living. I would focus on practical municipal actions that can make a difference: increasing access to affordable housing, protecting tenants, improving city services and infrastructure, and making sure public funds are spent responsibly. I also want residents to have clearer information about what the City is doing and what results are being achieved.
Name one specific thing you would work on in your first year in office.
I would work on creating a more transparent and accessible system for residents to report problems such as potholes, damaged sidewalks, unsafe crossings and other infrastructure issues, with clear tracking of complaints from the initial report through to completion. Residents should be able to see that their concerns have been received, what action is being taken and when the work is completed.
What is something the City gets wrong today that you would change?
I would change the way residents experience communication and follow-up from the City. Too often, people report an issue without knowing what happens afterward. I would push for clearer, plain-language communication and regular “What We Heard / What We Did” updates so residents can see how community concerns are being addressed.
What should residents know about you that would not appear on a campaign flyer?
Residents should know that I genuinely value listening to people and hearing different perspectives. I have spent many years working with community members from different backgrounds, and I believe leadership is about being present, accessible and willing to listen. I do not believe residents should have to know the right person or navigate complicated systems to have their concerns heard.
Anything else you would like voters to know?
I want residents to know that I am running with a community-first approach. My focus is on practical improvements that people can see in their daily lives — safer streets and sidewalks, affordable housing, better public spaces and facilities, support for seniors and youth, and greater accountability and transparency at City Hall. I want residents to feel that their councillor is accessible and that their voice matters.
Who else is running in Capital
Capital is Ward 17: Just south of downtown along the Rideau Canal, Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, the Glebe, Heron Park and Carleton University. 3 people are on the ballot here. Alongside Farah Gulzar: Shawn Menard (incumbent) and Jaac Doduck.
They have all had the same six questions. We publish each set of answers as it comes in.
When you can vote
Ottawa votes on Monday, October 26, 2026, with advance voting before then. The City's certified candidate list is the authority on who is on your ballot.
About this piece
These are Farah Gulzar's own words, published as sent. We have not fact-checked the claims in them, and running them is not an endorsement. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.
Farah Gulzar's ottown page: https://www.ottown.ca/elections/capital/farah-gulzar
