Carleton

Carleton is a sprawling riding in Ottawa’s suburban and rural west, encompassing the communities of Stittsville, Richmond, Manotick, Osgoode, North Gower, and the rural reaches of West Carleton. One of the fastest-growing ridings in Ontario, its population surged from approximately 103,000 in the 2016 census to over 131,000 by 2021, driven by new housing developments in Stittsville and the surrounding areas. Goldie Ghamari won the seat for the Progressive Conservatives in 2018, defeating the NDP and Liberal candidates decisively. Heading into 2022, the riding remained a PC stronghold, though growth-related pressures on infrastructure, healthcare, and services were key concerns for voters.

Candidates

Goldie Ghamari (Progressive Conservative) — Ghamari grew up in Ottawa, the daughter of Iranian immigrants. She studied political science at the University of Toronto before earning a law degree from the University of Ottawa. Prior to entering politics, she worked as an international trade and business lawyer. She was first elected as MPP for Carleton in 2018.

Tom Dawson (Liberal) — Dawson is a career public servant who has worked at several federal departments, including Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada, and Environment Canada. He holds degrees from the University of Waterloo, EDHEC in France, and the University of Victoria. Born and raised in Osgoode, he served as Chair of the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation. His great-grandfather Adam Acres was the MPP for Carleton from 1923 to 1948.

Kevin St. Denis (NDP) — St. Denis is a designated occasional teacher with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. He has also taught internationally, including in Poland and Tanzania. His campaign focused on education, healthcare, and support for local farmers.

Cody Zulinski (Green Party), Rob Stocki (New Blue Party), Ethan Ferguson (Ontario Party), and Chris Mark Beauchamp (None of the Above Direct Democracy Party) also sought election in the riding.

Local Issues

The dominant concern in Carleton during the 2018 to 2022 term was managing rapid population growth. Communities such as Stittsville and Richmond experienced major residential development, placing strain on local roads, schools, and services. A proposed health hub for the Kanata-Stittsville corridor was a priority for residents who argued the area lacked adequate medical facilities despite its booming population. Traffic congestion on rural highways connecting communities to Ottawa’s urban core was a persistent frustration.

Healthcare access in rural parts of the riding, including North Gower and Osgoode, remained a concern, with residents reporting difficulty finding family physicians. The long-term care crisis, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, also resonated in a riding with a significant and growing senior population. Agricultural landowners in the western portions of the riding raised concerns about the balance between farmland preservation and suburban expansion.

Housing affordability was a growing issue as well. Although Carleton had historically offered more affordable options compared to Ottawa’s urban core, rising land values and construction costs pushed prices upward, making homeownership increasingly difficult for younger families drawn to the area’s newer subdivisions.