Candidate's priorities target community safety, environment, youth engagement
Mohamed Roble is a 29-year-old Herongate resident who is campaigning to represent the Gloucester-Southgate Ward. He has lived in Ottawa for the past two decades - primarily in south Ottawa. Roble, the eldest of seven children, recently completed his master's degree in education at the University of Ottawa.
His experience includes four years of development work in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and he served seven years with the Canadian Armed Forces reserves as a medic.
Roble is an active volunteer with several organizations across south Ottawa, and is interested in youth mentorship and political engagement. His interests include photography, fitness and travel.
Q: Why are you running for city council in Gloucester-Southgate Ward?
A: I believe that city council should be more representative and reflective of our local community.
New insights and fresh ideas are required to tackle the growing challenges that affect our community and Ottawa as a whole. It's time that city council hears a new voice offering a different perspective.
My three major priorities include the environment, youth engagement and community safety and security.
According to the Ottawa police service crime trends report of 2012-13 only 43 per cent of residents in Gloucester-Southgate feel safe to walk alone at night compared to a 60-per-cent average across all wards. Community safety and security can be better addressed in our community by increasing collaborations between the police service and community groups.
I believe a Neighborhood Watch initiative alongside police services will decrease criminal activity and foster overall safety and security in our ward.
My priorities include advocating for clean drinking water and surface water in our community. Constituents in Gloucester-Southgate have expressed to me their concern about the TransCanada's proposed Energy East pipeline that would run through south Ottawa. Their concern is that drinking water and surface water may be contaminated.
Being a resident of Gloucester-Southgate, I too share their concern over our drinking water and surface water.
Civic and youth engagement is also a priority. In the previous municipal election, Gloucester-Southgate Ward had the second lowest voter turnout rate at 40 per cent.
I believe municipal politics need to be made more relevant for younger people. By addressing the concerns of the youth, they are more likely to actively become engaged with the democratic process.
Q: Do you live in the ward you are running in?
A: Yes, I live in the Herongate area of Gloucester-Southgate Ward.
Q: Detail your past political and civic activism, whether it's volunteering, campaigning, donations, lobbying or employment at any level
of government or political party.
A: I've been a long-term activist for youth political engagement.
During my university career I was and still am a staunch supporter of reducing the increasing cost of tuition for university students. I also volunteered with John Fraser's Liberal Party campaign for provincial office. I volunteer for various organizations both locally and across Ottawa supporting youth initiatives.
Q: How are you going to fundraise for your campaign?
A: Fundraising is being done through my website at mohamedroble.ca.
Q: Do you have any potential pecuniary interests or a financial or family conflict of interest?
A: No.
Q: What do you think the biggest issue was in Gloucester-Southgate Ward this term and how was it handled? What will be the big issue next term?
A: One of the biggest issues in the 2010 election was crime and safety in our community. In this election, I believe it is still is a major concern especially around the Herongate and Heatherington areas.
Crime and safety must be addressed and cannot be a reoccurring issue from one election to the next.
Other candidates registered in Gloucester-Southgate Ward are Meladul Haq Ahmadzai, Rodaina Chahrour, George Marko, Lilly Obina, Brad Pye and Diane Deans.
This guy is up against an Arab, an Afghan and a bunch of cadaan folk
. Insha'Allah he holds it down
you are a son the Somali people are proud to claim 
