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.
Muyiwa Ojo is running for councillor in Riverside South-Findlay Creek Ward. Here are the answers, exactly as they arrived.
Why are you running?
I am running because I believe Ward 22 deserves a councillor who listens first, understands the realities of everyday life here, and turns residents’ concerns into practical action.
My family and I live here. We are raising our children here, building relationships here, and experiencing the opportunities and challenges that come with living in one of Ottawa’s fastest-growing communities.
I want to bring my professional experience, community involvement and commitment to public service to City Hall—and ensure Riverside South and Findlay Creek have a strong, practical voice in the decisions that shape our future.
What is the single biggest issue facing the people you want to represent, and what would you do about it?
The biggest issue is growth that is outpacing infrastructure and services.
Residents are seeing more homes, more families, and greater demand for roads, transit, recreation, parks, and community services. My focus would be ensuring growth is planned for—not simply reacted to.
I would advocate for coordinated infrastructure and transportation investment, push for better transit reliability and traffic solutions, and work with the City and other levels of government to close the gaps that residents experience every day.
Name one specific thing you would work on in your first year in office.
I would make transportation and infrastructure planning for Ward 22 a first-year priority.
I would work with residents, City staff and the Transit Commission to identify the most urgent gaps in roads, intersections, transit service, pedestrian and cycling connections, and community infrastructure.
Most importantly, I would establish clear priorities and report back regularly on what can be addressed immediately, what requires longer-term investment, and where provincial or federal partnerships are needed.
What is something the City gets wrong today that you would change?
I believe the City too often reacts to growth instead of planning ahead for it.
Residents should not have to wait until congestion becomes severe, transit is overcrowded or infrastructure is under pressure before solutions are considered.
I would push for a more coordinated approach where development, transportation, infrastructure and community services are considered together. Growth is not the problem. Unplanned or poorly coordinated growth is.
My approach would be to listen earlier, plan ahead, prioritize responsibly and report back to residents.
What should residents know about you that would not appear on a campaign flyer?
I believe leadership starts with listening. While my professional background is in finance and I hold an MBA from Ivey Business School, I don't believe a résumé alone makes someone an effective councillor. Good representation requires humility, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to listen to people, especially when they see issues differently. Community involvement has always been important to me. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Findlay Creek Community Association, I have seen firsthand that strong communities are built through relationships, trust, and people working together, not just policies and programs. I am also a husband and father, which keeps my perspective grounded in the realities that many families face every day. Like many residents, I care about safe neighbourhoods, reliable transportation, quality parks and recreation, and ensuring our children have opportunities to thrive. At the end of the day, I am not running because I have all the answers. I am running because I care deeply about our community and believe that by listening, learning, and working collaboratively, we can build a stronger Riverside South–Findlay Creek for everyone.
Anything else you would like voters to know?
This election isn't about the last decade of growth. It's about the next decade of growth.
Ward 22 is changing quickly, and we have an opportunity to make sure that growth creates a community that is safer, better connected and ready for the future.
If elected, I will listen first, act decisively and report back regularly. I won't promise that every problem can be solved overnight, but I will promise to be accessible, practical and persistent in advocating for our community.
Practical solutions. Everyday living.
That is the kind of representation I want to bring to Ward 22.
Who else is running in Riverside South-Findlay Creek
Riverside South-Findlay Creek is Ward 22: South-end Ottawa, population roughly 36,000, the suburban communities of Riverside South and Findlay Creek. 2 people are on the ballot here. Alongside Muyiwa Ojo: Steve Desroches (incumbent).
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 Muyiwa Ojo'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.
Muyiwa Ojo's ottown page: https://www.ottown.ca/elections/riverside-south-findlay-creek/muyiwa-ojo
