BERNARD COUCHMAN OTTAWA FIRST BLACK MAYOR: OTTAWA MUST STOP EXPORTING OPPORTUNITY — IT'S TIME TO BUILD HIGH-PAYING JOBS

BERNARD COUCHMAN OTTAWA FIRST BLACK MAYOR: OTTAWA MUST STOP EXPORTING OPPORTUNITY — IT'S TIME TO BUILD HIGH-PAYING JOBS

BERNARD COUCHMAN OTTAWA FIRST BLACK MAYOR: OTTAWA MUST STOP EXPORTING OPPORTUNITY — IT'S TIME TO BUILD HIGH-PAYING JOBS RIGHT HERE AT HOME

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2026

OTTAWA RESIDENTS FIRST. OTTAWA BUSINESSES FIRST. OTTAWA'S FUTURE FIRST.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Bernard Couchman, candidate for Mayor of Ottawa, is putting job creation and economic opportunity at the centre of his campaign, with a clear commitment: Ottawa must become a city where Citizen residents can build prosperous careers, businesses can grow, and local talent has a real opportunity to succeed.

“We have the people. We have the talent. We have the universities, colleges, high technology parks companies, trades, entrepreneurs and more than $90 billion in municipal infrastructure assets.

 The question is: why aren't we connecting these resources more effectively to create opportunity for the people who live here?”

The Couchman Municipal Re-Engineering Plan proposes a new economic-development approach:

  • HIGH-PAYING JOBS: Build stronger pathways into technology, cybersecurity, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction, research and professional services.

  • OTTAWA BUSINESSES FIRST: Connect major employers with local suppliers, contractors, tradespeople and small businesses.

  • PUT CITY ASSETS TO WORK: Examine suitable underused municipal buildings and spaces for business expansion, innovation, training and enterprise.

  • INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION: Advance Indigenous Economic Zones across all 24 wards, creating opportunities for Indigenous-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and workers.

  • DEVELOP OUR PEOPLE: Strengthen connections between education, skills training, employers and career development.

Couchman is seeking to become Ottawa's first Black Mayor in 200 years — a historic milestone that he says must be accompanied by meaningful economic opportunity.

“I am not running to occupy an office and do things the way they've always been done. I am running to change how Ottawa creates opportunity. We cannot keep talking about economic growth while residents struggle to access the jobs, contracts, training and business opportunities that growth should produce.

I want Ottawa residents working, earning, building businesses and investing in their own communities. I want our young people to see a future here. I want our businesses to have room to grow. And I want every ward to participate in Ottawa's prosperity. The moment you vote for me we automatically create changes for the better,  because of accessible for all including Black's and Indigenous and Jew, young people who are mix heritage like myself. My family is diverse and so is my vision. 

This is about building,  health, wealth, creating opportunity and putting Ottawa first.”

The proposed strategy would use transparent partnerships, workforce development, competitive procurement and measurable reporting. Job numbers, wages and investment outcomes would be tracked rather than promised without evidence.

THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE: WE DON'T JUST NEED MORE JOBS. WE NEED MORE HIGH-PAYING JOBS, MORE LOCAL OPPORTUNITY AND MORE OTTAWA RESIDENTS SHARING IN OTTAWA'S GROWTH.

BERNARD COUCHMAN
Candidate for Mayor of Ottawa — 2026

KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE. PUT IT TO WORK. MEASURE THE RESULT. BUILD WHAT COMES NEXT.

 

H2OBoy.