Tressy El-Hawi. Photo courtesy of Tressy El-Hawi campaign on Facebook
The following are 5 questions that we sent out to every Ottawa City Council candidate in hopes of getting to know them better. We publish the responses exactly as we receive them, in the order that they were sent to us. Here are the responses from Alta Vista (Ward 18) Council candidate Tressy El-Hawi.
1. Who are you? Where are you from? What relevant experience do you have for the job?
I’m Tressy El-Hawi, a Lebanese-Canadian and a single mother of two. I’m a community minded resident who understands the challenges families face every day. I’m running because I believe Ward 18 deserves a strong, accessible and hardworking voice at City Hall.
2. The city spends nearly $1B/y on OC Transpo, though many constituents remain dissatisfied with the state of Ottawa’s public transportation. What would you do as a councillor to improve the city’s transportation system?
Ottawa needs reliable, affordable and accountable public transit. I would push for better service, especially in underserved communities, while demanding that OC Transpo improve efficiency and be accountable for how taxpayers’ money is spent.
3. In a December 2025 poll from Abacus Data, 37% of respondents said that cost of living was the most important issue facing the city; another 19% responded ‘housing affordability.’ What would you do as a councillor to make the city of Ottawa more affordable?
Affordability starts with responsible city government. I would focus on keeping property taxes and user fees under control, reducing unnecessary spending, speeding up housing approvals, and supporting more affordable housing options.
4. Certain city services like OC Transpo and the OPS have run significant deficits in recent years. Is there anything that you would do as a councillor to try to balance the city’s budget?
We need to spend taxpayers money wisely. I would support a thorough review of city spending, reduce waste and duplication, improve accountability, and make sure essential services not unnecessary bureaucracy are the priority.
5. Why are you running for Council? What do you think is the biggest issue facing your ward today?
I’m running to replace political noise with practical problem solving. Ward 18’s biggest challenges are neglected infrastructure, traffic congestion and the disconnect between City Hall and our neighbourhoods. Residents deserve an accessible councillor who listens, works hard and gets things done.
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