Stittsville facing 1,000 new homes annually; Ward 6 candidates split on infrastructure timing

Stittsville is growing faster than its infrastructure can keep pace. Roughly 1,000 homes and apartments are being added annually, according to Councillor Glen Gower's 2024 estimate, straining roads and transit across the suburb.

Major construction projects take years to plan and deliver. Carp Road and Hazeldean Road intersection work is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, subject to land acquisition. Main widening between Hazeldean Road and Highway 417 won't start until 2028. Nine Ward 6 candidates were asked how they would manage the gap between approvals and delivery.

Candidates broadly agree infrastructure must come before or alongside development, but they split sharply on what that means and which projects should take priority.

Sheetal Narwal proposed a Ward 6 growth tracker placing approved developments beside the roads, parks and services they depend on, showing dates, funding and progress. She said: "You can't hold anyone to a schedule that was never made public." She would also publish intersection reviews and follow up on open resident concerns every 10 business days.

Chelsea Walton wants construction underway on Carp Road widening in the first year and measures to limit disruption for businesses during the work. Paul Meek's action plan would cover priorities including Robert Grant Avenue and Carp Road. Theresa Qadri proposed a roadmap showing commitments, timelines and funding. Marie-Ange Ahinful would push for a growth and infrastructure plan backed by annual progress reports.

Devin O'Brien proposed a Planning Act holding provision to block building permits for unserviced or bottlenecked subdivision phases until binding contracts for major road improvements are signed — a move that would depend on City staff and Council decisions. Mani Sharma would propose a Council motion against major new approvals without clear, funded infrastructure plans and seek a timeline for extending Robert Grant Avenue to Palladium Drive, also subject to Council approval.

Tanya Hein would support finalizing an agreement for the province to take over Ottawa's LRT. Kevin Hua would pursue planning and funding for a Stittsville bus station, reprioritize the city budget and implement Vision Zero to make walking and cycling safer.

The material does not provide positions from all remaining candidates on specific growth-management priorities.