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← Ward 17 Capital Councillor

Shawn Menard

Candidate for Ward 17 Capital Councillor

Elected (official result)

In their own words

This candidate hasn’t listed a campaign website or social account with the Town. That says nothing about them as a candidate — it just means less of their material is published online for us to summarise.

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Menard would keep pushing for bigger investments in co-operative and other not-for-profit housing in Ottawa.

  • Affordability, including affordable housing, 'is at a crisis point in Ottawa'
  • Would continue pushing for great investments in co-operative and other forms of not-for-profit housing
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I will continue to push for great investments in co-operative and other forms of not-for-profit housing.”

Source: Capital Ward candidate Shawn Menard answers our election questions (ottown) · October 20, 2026

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Shawn Menard would consider Increased federal infrastructure funding; Increased provincial infrastructure funding

  • Increased federal infrastructure funding
  • Increased provincial infrastructure funding
  • Development charges for growth-related infrastructure
  • Dedicated infrastructure levy
  • Property tax increases specifically dedicated to infrastructure renewal
“• Increased federal infrastructure funding • Increased provincial infrastructure funding • Development charges for growth-related infrastructure • Dedicated infrastructure levy • Property tax increases specifically dedicated to infrastructure renewal”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Menard would rein in 'wasteful P3s and mega project spending' (Lansdowne 2.0, LRT, Tewin) and focus on existing infrastructure.

  • Would rein in wasteful P3 and mega-project spending: Lansdowne 2.0, the LRT, and 'needless urban boundary expansions such as Tewin'
  • Instead focus on maintaining and improving existing infrastructure, parks, community centres, pathways and roads
  • Frames the choice as basics-first vs austerity, bad debt and worsening affordability
“This means we must rein in wasteful P3s and mega project spending (e.g. Lansdowne 2.0, the LRT, needless urban boundary expansions such as Tewin, etc.) and instead focus on maintaining and improving our existing infrastructure, parks, community centres, pathways, roads, and low cost but effective quality of life improvements.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Capital Ward candidate Shawn Menard answers our election questions (ottown) · October 20, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Shawn Menard names “Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure” as their second infrastructure priority for 2026–2030.

  • Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure
“Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard assigns highest priority — advance immediately to the Baseline BRT corridor across the Baseline–Heron corridor.

  • Highest priority — advance immediately
“Highest priority — advance immediately”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard commented: “Bus service must be made more affordable for riders. Decreased fares is one important step in the right direction.

  • Bus service must be made more affordable for riders.
  • Decreased fares is one important step in the right direction.
  • This past term, I pushed back against the ridiculous fare hikes proposed for older adults and fought to maintain Wednesday and Sunday free service.
“Bus service must be made more affordable for riders. Decreased fares is one important step in the right direction. This past term, I pushed back against the ridiculous fare hikes proposed for older adults and fought to maintain Wednesday and Sunday free service. My office also championed the youth 18-and-under free transit initiative, and it has proven extremely successful in increasing ridership. Measures such as these also improve affordability, foster independence, and help youth get to jobs. The same is true for other transit riders as well. We must also continue to increase bus service and reliability by purchasing new buses, ensuring our existing fleet is well-maintained, and improving scheduling across the system.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard assigns low priority to the western Stage 3 LRT extension toward Kanata and Stittsville.

  • Low priority
“Low priority”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard would prioritize improving OC Transpo frequency and reliability before major expansion if Ottawa receives significant new

  • Improving OC Transpo frequency and reliability before major expansion
“Improving OC Transpo frequency and reliability before major expansion”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard names An acceptable Ottawa alignment; Other as important conditions for supporting the tram.

  • An acceptable Ottawa alignment
  • Other
“• An acceptable Ottawa alignment • Other”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Menard would expand free youth transit beyond this summer's pilot, citing 28,000 youth riders making 456,000 trips, and keep cutting fares.

  • Wants to expand free youth transit (evenings, weekends, holidays, summer) after this summer's 18-and-under pilot
  • Cites OC Transpo data: 28,000 youth riders made ~456,000 trips this summer vs 8,000 riders / 130,000 trips in 2025
  • City council must 'build on this success by continuing to reduce fares'
“As a result, affordability improved and OC Transpo reported that 28,000 youth transit riders made ~456,000 trips this summer (on existing routes) - whereas in summer 2025, 8,000 youth made ~130,000 trips. City council must build on this success by continuing to reduce fares.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Capital Ward candidate Shawn Menard answers our election questions (ottown) · October 20, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard strongly supports the proposed STO Gatineau–Ottawa tram extending from western Gatineau into downtown Ottawa.

  • Strongly support
“Strongly support”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Shawn Menard names “Maintain, improve, and renew existing roads, streets, and underground infrastructure” as their first infrastructure

  • Maintain, improve, and renew existing roads, streets, and underground infrastructure
“Maintain, improve, and renew existing roads, streets, and underground infrastructure”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard says the City should require or evaluate A ban on heavy truck traffic through downtown Ottawa

  • A ban on heavy truck traffic through downtown Ottawa
  • Acceptable environmental and land-use impacts
“• A ban on heavy truck traffic through downtown Ottawa • Acceptable environmental and land-use impacts”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard named Accelerated sewer separation and flood resilience infrastructure; Road resurfacing and renewal

  • Accelerated sewer separation and flood resilience infrastructure
  • Road resurfacing and renewal
  • Other BRT and transit priority corridors
  • Cycling network investment
  • Sidewalk and pedestrian network investment
“• Accelerated sewer separation and flood resilience infrastructure • Road resurfacing and renewal • Other BRT and transit priority corridors • Cycling network investment • Sidewalk and pedestrian network investment”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard: additional road-renewal funding should be directed principally to allocation based principally on road condition and risk.

  • Allocation based principally on road condition and risk
“Allocation based principally on road condition and risk”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard ranked “Transit — bus / BRT” as the transportation mode most deserving additional public investment.

  • Transit — bus / BRT
  • Pedestrian
  • Vehicular / road infrastructure
“1. Transit — bus / BRT 2. Pedestrian 3. Vehicular / road infrastructure 4. Cycling 5. Transit — rail 6. Truck / goods movement”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard ranked “Public transit — buses and Bus Rapid Transit” as their #1 infrastructure investment priority.

  • Public transit — buses and Bus Rapid Transit
  • Pedestrian infrastructure and sidewalks
  • Renewal of existing roads and bridges
“1. Public transit — buses and Bus Rapid Transit 2. Pedestrian infrastructure and sidewalks 3. Renewal of existing roads and bridges 4. Cycling infrastructure 5. Flood prevention, stormwater and sewer infrastructure 6. Public transit — rail 7. Truck and goods movement infrastructure 8. New or expanded roads”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard supports increasing Ottawa's road resurfacing and road renewal budget during the next term of Council.

  • Support
“Support”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard commented: “Climate change is the greatest threat facing Ottawa, and city council must act accordingly.

  • Climate change is the greatest threat facing Ottawa, and city council must act accordingly.
  • That means taking bold steps to reduce emissions in Ottawa, and one of the key ways we must do so is by shifting the majority of trips away from cars and…
  • This includes continuing to advocate for a permanent, city-wide, and publicly-owned bike share for Ottawa.
“Climate change is the greatest threat facing Ottawa, and city council must act accordingly. That means taking bold steps to reduce emissions in Ottawa, and one of the key ways we must do so is by shifting the majority of trips away from cars and towards active and public transit. This includes continuing to advocate for a permanent, city-wide, and publicly-owned bike share for Ottawa. If we aspire to be a thriving, sustainable G7 capital where residents enjoy a great quality of life, we have to prioritize active and public transit infrastructure.”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard: Primarily renewal — Ottawa should prioritize repairing existing infrastructure before undertaking significant new expansion.

  • Primarily renewal — Ottawa should prioritize repairing existing infrastructure before undertaking significant new expansion.
“Primarily renewal — Ottawa should prioritize repairing existing infrastructure before undertaking significant new expansion.”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard is undecided on a Kettle Island interprovincial bridge, saying more study is required.

  • Undecided / more study required
“Undecided / more study required”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard names “Accelerated sewer separation and flood resilience infrastructure

  • Accelerated sewer separation and flood resilience infrastructure, including managing Combined Sewer Overflows and installing green infrastructure wherever…
“Accelerated sewer separation and flood resilience infrastructure, including managing Combined Sewer Overflows and installing green infrastructure wherever possible”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard's infrastructure vision: “Ottawa needs to get back to the basics and focus on prioritizing the needs of residents.

  • Ottawa needs to get back to the basics and focus on prioritizing the needs of residents.
  • This means we must rein in wasteful P3s and mega project spending (e.g.
  • Lansdowne 2.0, the LRT, needless urban boundary expansions such as Tewin, etc.) and instead focus on maintaining and improving our existing infrastructure,…
“Ottawa needs to get back to the basics and focus on prioritizing the needs of residents. This means we must rein in wasteful P3s and mega project spending (e.g. Lansdowne 2.0, the LRT, needless urban boundary expansions such as Tewin, etc.) and instead focus on maintaining and improving our existing infrastructure, parks, community centres, pathways, roads, and low cost but effective quality of life improvements. These include affordable and reliable bus service, new and improved community centres, safer streets, more not-for-profit housing, longer library hours, and community climate action to reduce emissions and make our city more resilient to worsening storms, heat, and smoke. We must see this transition in priorities in Ottawa this term of council, or we will continue down a path of austerity, bad debt, and worsening affordability for residents, including our children.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard selected Coordinate provincial construction schedules to reduce simultaneous traffic disruptions as Ottawa's position on

  • Coordinate provincial construction schedules to reduce simultaneous traffic disruptions
“Coordinate provincial construction schedules to reduce simultaneous traffic disruptions;”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard: Generally oppose additional road capacity

  • Generally oppose additional road capacity
“Generally oppose additional road capacity”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard would establish flood resilience and stormwater infrastructure as one of Ottawa's top three capital priorities.

  • Yes
“Yes”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard supports, subject to acceptable financial and operating terms, transferring ownership and responsibility for Ottawa Road 174

  • Support, subject to acceptable financial and operating terms
“Support, subject to acceptable financial and operating terms”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard opposes a new ring road or bypass.

  • Oppose a new ring road or bypass
“Oppose a new ring road or bypass”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard would prioritize Accelerated combined sewer separation; Larger or upgraded storm sewers in flood-prone areas

  • Accelerated combined sewer separation
  • Larger or upgraded storm sewers in flood-prone areas
  • Green infrastructure, permeable surfaces and natural stormwater management
“• Accelerated combined sewer separation • Larger or upgraded storm sewers in flood-prone areas • Green infrastructure, permeable surfaces and natural stormwater management”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard commented: “A ring road would be extremely expensive, would carve up valuable farmland

  • A ring road would be extremely expensive, would carve up valuable farmland, and would not solve the car congestion in already existing communities.
  • It would induce the exact opposite type of costly travel and was not supported by city staff in the most recent Transportation Master Plan.
  • It is an awful idea.
“A ring road would be extremely expensive, would carve up valuable farmland, and would not solve the car congestion in already existing communities. It would induce the exact opposite type of costly travel and was not supported by city staff in the most recent Transportation Master Plan. It is an awful idea.”

(a few sentences)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Shawn Menard commits to advancing “Renewal of park community buildings. Specifically

  • Renewal of park community buildings.
  • Specifically, the Windsor Park Fieldhouse and the new Old Ottawa East Community Centre.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“Renewal of park community buildings. Specifically, the Windsor Park Fieldhouse and the new Old Ottawa East Community Centre.”

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Shawn Menard strongly supports increasing Ottawa's investment in sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and connections to transit.

  • Strongly support
“Strongly support”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard would emphasize Completing missing links in the existing cycling network

  • Completing missing links in the existing cycling network
  • Protected cycling infrastructure on major corridors
“• Completing missing links in the existing cycling network • Protected cycling infrastructure on major corridors”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Shawn Menard would increase Ottawa's cycling infrastructure investment during the next term.

  • Increase investment
“Increase investment”

(one sentence)

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Shawn Menard would defer, reconsider or not pursue as a first initiative: “Lansdowne 2.0 phase 2 and 3”.

  • Lansdowne 2.0 phase 2 and 3
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“Lansdowne 2.0 phase 2 and 3”

Source: FCA Ottawa 2026 Candidate Survey on Infrastructure Priorities — Ward 17 · October 9, 2026

Confidence:High

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Think we got something wrong?

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