---
title: "Ward 6 candidates address housing, services and belonging at Stittsville equity forum"
description: "Eight of nine Ward 6 council candidates attended or submitted responses to a West Side Pride forum in Stittsville on Oct. 6, covering affordable housing, local services, transit access and community inclusion."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/ward-6-equity-forum-2026-10-11"
last_updated: "2026-10-11T23:33:09.717Z"
---

Eight of nine candidates running for the Ward 6 council seat in Stittsville took part in a two-hour equity and inclusion forum on Oct. 6, Stittsville Central reported. West Side Pride organized the event at Stittsville Library, saying earlier candidate forums had given these topics little attention.

[Chelsea Walton](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/chelsea-walton), [Marie-Ange Yindaki Ahinful](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/marie-ange-yindaki-ahinful), [Paul Meek](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/paul-meek), [Kevin Hua](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/kevin-hua), [Sheetal Narwal](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/sheetal-narwal) and [Tanya Hein](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/tanya-hein) attended in person. John Eastwood presented responses on behalf of [Theresa Qadri](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/theresa-qadri), and [Mani Sharma](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/mani-sharma) submitted a written statement that was read aloud.

## Affordable housing

Walton named the former Pretty Street Community Centre site at 2 Pretty Street as an opportunity for affordable housing including accessible units, and proposed exploring affordable housing above a renewed food bank at 1631 Stittsville Main Street.

Hua proposed leasing City land, waiving fees and speeding up approvals for nonprofit builders. Ahinful called for partnerships with nonprofit and co-operative housing providers. Narwal called for clarity on how many proposed units would be affordable or accessible and when residents could expect them. Meek said housing should allow people to age in place and should reflect the needs of smaller and multigenerational households.

## Local services and transit

Candidates supported bringing services closer to Stittsville residents. Walton said she would identify gaps in mental health, addiction and youth supports. Ahinful suggested inviting service organizations into libraries and recreation facilities. Hua and Narwal proposed using existing spaces. Meek said a western hub could serve Stittsville, Kanata and Bells Corners.

On winter maintenance, Walton and Meek called for separating pedestrian sidewalk clearing from road clearing. Narwal said clearing bus stops and shelters should be part of delivering transit. Sharma's written statement outlined a two-tier shuttle system, with service between local hubs and direct connections from park-and-ride locations toward downtown, the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.

## Community inclusion

Walton and Hua said they would continue Pride events and flag raisings. Hua said he would oppose a motion to stop flying the Pride flag. Meek said the councillor should make clear that negative attitudes toward marginalized communities would not be welcome. Ahinful committed to speaking out against discrimination.

## Voting in Ward 6

Voters in Ward 6 (Stittsville) cast their ballot on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Advance voting day is Friday, Oct. 16, with voting places open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Candidate profiles for the Ward 6 council race are at [/on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-6-stittsville](/on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-6-stittsville).

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