Moffatt Not Running In ’22, Brown Becomes Frontrunner

By Manotick Messenger Staff

Councillor Scott Moffatt may be responsible for having the name of the Rideau-Goulbourn Ward changed, but he will not represent Ward 21 when it becomes the Rideau-Jock Ward after the next City of Ottawa municipal election.

On Saturday, Moffatt announced on Twitter that he will not be seeking re-election in 2022. His decision will immediately make David Brown, whom Moffatt defeated 5,080 votes to 4,023 votes in 2018, the frontrunner to represent the soon to be re-named ward.

When first elected in 2010, Moffatt commented that he would likely stick around for 12 years as councillor if he could when asked about term limits. “And now, after 11 years in office, it would appear my sentiment about how long I’d be a Councillor rang true,” Moffatt wrote.

Moffatt first ran for council in 2006 and lost to incumbent Glenn Brooks. Also on the ballot was longtime municipal politician and former Rideau Township mayor Jim Stewart. He said that loss led to his victory in the next election and to his career as a councillor.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for that 2006 loss 15 years ago,” Moffatt tweeted. “Thank you to everyone who got me here today.”

Moffatt pointed out that it has been nearly 50 years since he or two men he looked up to from childhood to adulthood would not be running for the local ward.

“With all of that said, on October 24, 2022, the ballot will be absent of a Brooks, Stewart or Moffatt for the first time since 1974, seven years before I was born,” he tweeted.

Moffatt made the announcement on Nov. 13, a year and a day before his term as Rideau-Goulbourn Councillor runs out.

“While it can be fun to look back to the past from time to time, and I probably do that more often than most, you also have to look ahead,” he tweeted. “Tomorrow is November 14, exactly a year to the end of the term. On November 15, 2022, a new Councillor will be sworn in as the representative for Ward 21, Rideau-Jock.”

Moffatt received a number of well-wishes on the Twitter thread. One of the first was from Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.

“It’s been a real pleasure and honour to work with you over the past three terms,” Watson tweeted. “Thank you for your dedication to your community and for your great sense of humour and leadership around the council table.”

CHEO CEO Alex Munter also expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for your many years of service and congratulations on this decision – I’m sure it was not an easy one to make. Your first election was also my last one and I’ve learned there are many great ways to keep contributing to our community. Good luck finding your path,” he wrote.

Brown frontrunner

With Moffatt’s departure, the race is already David Brown’s to lose. Brown has served as an assistant to both Moffatt and to Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre. He is currently an assistant in the Ward 22 office of Councillor Carol Anne Meehan.

Brown also has many ties in the community, particularly in agriculture. He has been a driving force for the Richmond Fair for years, and has also served as the president of the Richmond Agricultural Society.

After the 2018 election, Brown immediately said he would be running again in 2022. He is yet to officially make an announcement on 2022 or launch his election campaign.