Who I Am
I'm Spencer Radford, and I've called Ottawa home for more than 20 years.
I moved to Bay Ward because I wanted to build a life here with my wife, my family, and a neighbourhood I believe in. I work in security, I've studied Police Foundations and Social Service Work, I've volunteered in long-term care, driven school buses, and served for three years as President of the Kiwanis Club of Kanata-Stittsville.
I know what it means to show up for people, not because it's required, but because it matters.
I'm not a career politician. I'm someone who started paying attention to what was happening in my ward, looked at the records, attended community meetings, spoke with residents, and decided I had something to contribute.
Why I'm Running
When I reviewed four years of publicly disclosed ward expense records, I found something I believe needs to change.
Several Bay Ward communities received support for local events, organizations, and initiatives.
But multiple communities, including Bayshore, Fairfield Heights, Carlingwood, and McKellar Park, had no identified direct neighbourhood investment in the records I reviewed.
I don't believe any part of Bay Ward should feel forgotten.
This campaign isn't about taking opportunities away from one neighbourhood and giving them to another.
It's about making sure every community sees its councillor, its ward office, and its ward budget at work.
The same budget. Different priorities. Every community matters.
What I Believe In
I believe good representation is about presence, not promises.
It's about showing up before you're asked, listening before you speak, and being honest about what you can and can't deliver.
I'm not running on big-ticket issues I can't control. I'm running on the things a ward councillor can actually influence: how the office budget is spent, how accessible the office is, how residents are engaged, and whether every community feels like someone is paying attention.
I believe residents shouldn't have to send an email and hope for a response. They should know where to go when they need help and trust that someone will be there to listen.
A Little Bit More About Me
I moved to Ottawa from England as a child and have called this city home for more than 20 years.
Ottawa gave my family opportunities, friendships, and a place to belong. That experience shaped how I see community. I know how important it is to feel welcomed, included, and able to access the services and support you need.
That's one reason accessibility matters so much to me.
Whether someone is a newcomer, a senior, a student, a renter, or a long-time resident, local government should be easy to reach and easy to navigate. My goal is to build a ward office that serves residents in English, French, and Arabic and helps connect people with the information and support they're looking for.
I don't claim to have all the answers. What I do bring is a willingness to listen, learn, and put in the work.
Running for office is a serious responsibility, and I don't take it lightly. Bay Ward deserves a councillor who is present, accessible, and willing to earn the trust of residents every day.