The 2003 Ottawa municipal election was a municipal election that was held in Ottawa to elect the city's mayor, City Council, and school trustees for the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The vote was held on November 10, 2003. The elections were held simultaneously with most other municipalities in Ontario.
The mayoral election was won by popular incumbent and former LiberalMember of Provincial Parliament Bob Chiarelli. His main competition was that of right-wing candidate Terry Kilrea.
Issues
The main issues of the race were a controversial Smoking ban, the expansion of the O-Train (Ottawa's light rail system), official bilingualism and the recent amalgamation. Chiarelli was in favour of the smoking ban, which had been implemented by the last city council. The ban was on smoking in all public places, which angered many bar and restaurant owners. Kilrea was against the smoking ban. He was also against putting money into expanding the O-Train, and official bilingualism in the city.
Controversy
One of the prominent fringe candidates for mayor was associated with white supremacist support. Donna Upson received contributions from the Ku Klux Klan,[1] and she voiced support for racial segregation. She has also set up a Canadian branch of the National Socialist Movement.[1][2] She finished in sixth place with 1,312 votes (0.71%).
Turnout
Turnout for the election was low, at 33%. The highest turnouts were in the rural areas, specifically in Goulbourn, Rideau and the highest West Carleton (45%). The lowest turnout was in Somerset Ward at 25% turnout.
^ ab"Candidate for mayor supported by Klan". CBC News. July 9, 2003. Archived from the original on July 27, 2003. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
^"Ontario Municipal Elections 2003". Canada.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
^"Aldermen for almost a year, Harris runs again in Dalhousie," Montreal Gazette, 18 April 1994, p. 14.
^"Voting results: the final count," Montreal Gazette, 8 November 1994, p. 8.
^Jason Fekete, "Rivals focus on poverty, crime, planning," Ottawa Citizen, 4 November 2003, p. 7.
^Lisa Tallyn, "Tribunal decision involving local man won't be known for months; Harrison accused of posting web messages promoting murders," The Georgetown Independent and Free Press, 16 June 2006, p. 1; "Rights tribunal adjourns," Penticton Western News, 3 December 2006, p. 9.
^Joseph Brean, "Judge orders Ezra Levant to pay $25,000; Charged with defaming human rights lawyer," Montreal Gazette, 20 November 2010, p. 5.