When Ariel Troster first ran for Somerset Ward councillor, she wanted to be a strong advocate for Ottawa’s urban core. After her first term on council, she says that goal remains at the centre of her work.
Troster says one of the most important lessons from her first four years on council has been the value of councillors listening to communities outside their own wards.
Ottawa is a city made up of diverse communities, from the densely populated urban core to suburban and rural areas. Troster believes councillors work effectively together when they take the time to understand the different needs across the city.
“I will always advocate for the people and the needs of the urban centre,” Troster said, adding that the issues facing downtown Ottawa can be very different from those facing communities such as Manotick.
For Troster, one of the biggest challenges facing Somerset Ward is planning for its continued growth. Little Italy and Chinatown alone could see between 7,000 and 10,000 new residents move into the communities over the next decade, she said.
“We have to plan future needs with that reality in mind,” Troster said.
Her priorities for the next term include community safety, housing and homelessness, safer streets, vibrant communities and transparency at City Hall. She also points to work completed during her first term, including a bylaw aimed at addressing renovictions, as an accomplishment she is proud of.
Community-building has also been an important part of Troster’s work. She is particularly enthusiastic about the continuation of the Safe Seats program, which brings programming and activities into public spaces in the downtown core.
“It was a fantastic way to enliven the communities downtown,” Troster said. “It brought people out to the areas off of Bank Street.”
The program has hosted activities ranging from dance classes and DJ nights to craft circles and chess meetups. Troster says creating safer communities is one of her top priorities.”What is better for creating a safe community than people out on the street enjoying themselves in our communities?” Troster said. “More activity puts more eyes on the street, and that also means more community safety.”
The program is also expanding into Chinatown, a neighbourhood Troster says is facing significant challenges but remains one of Ottawa’s most vibrant cultural areas.
Regarding issues such as homelessness and the problems associated with drug addiction that have manifested themselves publicly in areas such as Chinatown, Troster says many of these issues are directly impacted by policies implemented by other levels of government, including the Ontario government.
“It is one of the frustrations we have on council that a lot of what a city deals with is directly impacted by decisions made by other levels of government,” she said.
Still, she believes investment in public spaces and community programming can help bring new energy to the neighbourhood.
Troster says that approach reflects a broader philosophy about representing Somerset Ward.
She wants to see a downtown that is active, welcoming and designed with the people who live there in mind.
As the ward continues to grow, she believes the city needs to think ahead about the infrastructure, services and public spaces that will be required to support new residents.
For Troster, being a city councillor is ultimately about advocating for the communities she represents while also understanding the needs of the city as a whole.
If re-elected, she hopes to continue working on housing, homelessness, community safety and creating vibrant neighbourhoods throughout Somerset Ward.
“I will always advocate for the people and the needs of the urban centre,” she said.