Alex Lawson draws on life across Ottawa’s neighbourhoods in mayoral bid

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 15, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC News

Ottawa mayoral candidate Alex Lawson is presenting his experience growing up in different neighbourhoods, navigating financial hardship and building a construction business as the foundation of his campaign to lead the Canadian capital.

The 38-year-old entrepreneur says living in communities across Ottawa has given him a broader understanding of the challenges residents face, from housing affordability and unreliable public transit to public safety and the rising cost of living.

Lawson grew up in Heron Gate and later lived in Lowertown, Centretown, Ottawa’s east end and Kanata North before settling in Dunrobin with his wife and three daughters. He has operated Capital Framing, a residential construction company, since 2017.

His personal history, he argues, helps him understand residents whose experiences differ depending on where they live and their financial circumstances.

Lawson has spoken about relying on a food bank and receiving assistance from the Snowsuit Fund during his younger years. He now points to those experiences as part of what shapes his approach to the city’s affordability challenges.

He says Ottawa’s municipal government needs to pay closer attention to the everyday concerns of residents instead of prioritizing projects that do not directly address basic services.

Housing is central to his platform. Lawson proposes cutting development charges by half during his first year in office, arguing that high fees and regulatory barriers increase construction costs and make it harder for smaller and medium-sized builders to compete.

He has also said the city should be prepared to build housing directly on public land if private developers fail to deliver enough homes despite receiving additional opportunities and incentives.

On public transit, Lawson has called for changes to OC Transpo’s management, route planning and scheduling. He argues that improving service reliability should take priority over introducing fare reductions or additional subsidies.

He has also made homelessness, addiction and public safety key campaign issues, advocating for responses that focus on recovery and support alongside efforts to address immediate community concerns.

Lawson’s campaign centres on his argument that understanding Ottawa requires experience beyond the corridors of City Hall. He says his background as a former resident of several neighbourhoods, a small-business owner and a parent gives him insight into the different pressures facing families across the city.

As the October 26 municipal election approaches, Lawson is asking voters to consider whether his experiences and proposals offer a different approach to the city’s persistent challenges.