Sunday 13 September 2026
Running for public office is something I have always dreamed of.
Growing up, my parents taught me that when something matters to you, you have a responsibility to stand up, speak out and do what you can to make a difference. That lesson has stayed with me and shaped the work I have chosen to do in my community.
Municipal politics has always interested me because decisions made at City Hall impact people in immediate and personal ways. They shape the streets we walk on, the housing people can afford, the services available in our neighbourhoods, how safe people feel, how businesses are supported and how communities grow.
For me, running for City Council is the next step in the work I have already been doing for many years.
I was born in Canada to Ghanaian immigrants and have spent most of my life in Ottawa. I am a social-services professional, educator and community advocate. For the past 17 years, I have worked alongside newcomers building a life in Canada, people experiencing homelessness, young people looking for direction, and individuals dealing with mental-health, housing and other challenges.
I have seen what happens when our systems work well, and what happens when people feel unheard or communities do not get the support they need. That experience is a big part of why I am running to represent Somerset Ward.
Representation matters
As a Black candidate, I recognize that putting my name forward means something beyond my own campaign.
Ottawa has an accomplished and diverse African, Caribbean and Black community. We see Black leadership throughout our city in social services, education, health care, business, the public service and grassroots community work.
But we also need to be sitting at the tables where systems are designed and decisions are made.
Ottawa elected its first Black City Councillor, Rawlson King, in 2019. I want to see more Black candidates putting their names forward and more members of our communities represented at every level of leadership.
A seat at the table is not simply symbolic. It means having a voice when decisions are made about housing, policing, community services, economic development, transportation, neighbourhood investment and how public dollars are spent. Our communities should not only be asked for input; we should also be among the people helping shape the decisions.
As a college professor, I have had students tell me that I was their first Black teacher. I have always been proud of that because I know how important it can be for a young person to see someone in leadership and see something of themselves.
My own journey was not a straight line to politics. I grew up using some of the same community and social services that I would eventually work within. Over time, I went from receiving support, to working on the front lines, to teaching future social-service professionals, managing programs and taking on community leadership roles.
I hope there are young people watching this campaign who think, “Maybe I can do that too.” We need our voices at every table, and part of leadership is making it easier for those coming behind us to see that they belong there.
What I want to bring to City Hall
While my experiences shape who I am, I am running to represent every resident of Somerset Ward; Centretown, Chinatown, Downtown and the communities that make this ward one of Ottawa’s most diverse and dynamic places.
My approach is based on practical leadership, compassion and accountability.
I want neighbourhoods where residents feel safe, businesses feel supported and public spaces are welcoming and well maintained. We need to address homelessness, mental health and substance use with compassion and evidence-based services while also recognizing that residents and businesses deserve safety, responsiveness and accountability.
We need more housing, stronger protection for affordability and better infrastructure. We need reliable transit, safer cycling and walking connections, healthy parks and trees, and continued investment in our main streets and local businesses.
I also believe downtown communities cannot be expected to carry a disproportionate share of responsibility for challenges that belong to the entire city.
Above all, I want residents to feel that City Hall listens to them. People deserve meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions and elected representatives who communicate clearly and remain accountable.
I am not running because I believe one councillor can solve every problem. I am running because I know what sustained community work looks like. For 17 years, my career has required me to listen, bring people together, manage difficult situations and find practical solutions.
That is the kind of leadership I want to bring to City Hall, and I hope that by stepping forward, I can also help open the door a little wider for others to follow.
Michael Tay