Record number of Orlans candidates tricky for voters

Eleven Orlansward candidates chatted in French at a debateThursday night, giving voters what's likely going to be one of afewchancesto hear fromthe record number of candidates for thatcouncil seatin one setting.

The francophone cultural groupMouvement d'implication francophoned'Orlans, or MIFO,held all-candidates debates this week for Ottawa'sthree eastern wards.

• WARD PROFILE|A 17-way race inOrlans

But with 11of the 17 candidates agreeing to take part, organizers didn't hold a traditional debate.

Instead, they gave them each a few minutes to present themselves, lay out their prioritiesand answer a couple of questions.

On Sept. 27, Ecology Ottawa plans to also hold an event for the ward, but candidates donot expect a traditional format then,either.

Vote splitting fears

Residents also have a challenge sorting through 16 platforms one candidate,Louise Soyez,will be on the ballot but is not actively campaigning to sort out who to vote for to replace the retiring Bob Monette.

Michle Jodouin has not yet gotten to speak with any candidate at her door.

She wasunfamiliar with anyof the names on the ballot in Orlans and was keen to see them each speak on Thursday night, one after the other.

"I don't know how anybody can do a good job of selecting a candidate," she said. "You really have to learn more about them."

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The evening helped Jodouin narrow her listto five candidates, who impressed her withthe way they spoke and had a command of the area's issues.

Still, she said she plans to research her choices further to make sure the candidates have depth.

Jodouin has an overarching concern for how Orlans residents will choose one strong person out of 17 to send to city hall.

"If they're unknown to the majority of the people, then the vote's onlygoing to be all split and that can't be good for anyone."