---
title: "Ward 8 College candidates split on transit and LRT transparency"
description: "Laine Johnson and Malloum Abakar are running for the Ward 8 College councillor seat. Both say transit and housing are the ward's biggest problems, and they disagree on what to do first."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/college-ward-candidates-transit-housing-2026-10-16"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T18:36:41.247Z"
---

Two candidates are running for city councillor in Ward 8 College: incumbent [Laine Johnson](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/laine-johnson) and challenger [Malloum Abakar](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/malloum-abakar). The Algonquin Times published a side-by-side profile of both on October 15. Both name transit and housing as the ward's biggest problems, and they differ on what to do first.

## Johnson: regular meetings and a youth liaison

Johnson told the Algonquin Times she sees transit as her first priority. She said she believes Algonquin College students use the U-Pass more than students at any other post-secondary institution in Ottawa, which she says shows how dependent the ward is on OC Transpo. She plans to hold regular meetings between OC Transpo and the Algonquin Students' Association if she is re-elected. She also says she would create a youth liaison position within her council office.

On housing, Johnson told the paper she sees availability and cost as a pressing concern for the ward. She did not name a specific target.

## Malloum: publish the LRT numbers

Malloum told the Algonquin Times he wants the city to publish the full cost and a completion date for the western LRT extension. He said Canada Day flooding exposed how far infrastructure has fallen behind development. "I want all the costs and the delay, when it's going to be finished, everything, published," he said.

On growth, Malloum cited a city projection of 1.5 million daily commuters in Ottawa by 2040 and argued the city has approved new development without the transit and roads to support it. "Transit is growing. The building developments are being approved. But the infrastructure is not going the same way," he said.

Both candidates said they reach constituents through door-knocking. Johnson also meets with the Algonquin Students' Association and athletics department. Malloum holds coffee meetings with residents.

## How to vote in Ward 8 College

Advance voting is open today, October 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. General voting day is Monday, October 26, also 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can read both candidates' pages at [/on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-8-college](/on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-8-college).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/on/ottawa-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.