Former Ottawa city councillor and media personality Carol Anne Meehan has announced her withdrawal from the Conservative nomination race for the riding of Ottawa West-Nepean in the upcoming federal election. Meehan, who had declared her candidacy on July 29, cited her startup business as the primary reason for her decision.
In a statement released on Friday, Meehan expressed her gratitude for the positive response she received since entering the race. However, she highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the nomination meeting and the federal election, which is not expected to take place until next year.
"At the time I declared my interest, it was expected the nomination meeting was fairly imminent. As of today there is no date to choose the Conservative candidate, and it appears there will be no Federal election at least until next year, which is more time than I can spare away," she stated.
Meehan emphasized that she remains a staunch supporter of the Conservative Party and will continue to work alongside them.
A Career in Media and Politics
Meehan has a long and distinguished career in media and politics. She served as co-anchor for the evening news on CTV Ottawa from 1989 to 2015, and subsequently hosted a radio talk show on 1310 News in Ottawa from 2016 to 2017.
In 2018, she was elected as the city councillor for the former Gloucester-South Nepean ward, serving a single term until 2022. She chose not to seek re-election for the current term.
A Competitive Race
The riding of Ottawa West-Nepean is currently held by Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld, who has been re-elected three times since 2015. Former cabinet minister John Baird held the seat for the Conservatives from 2006 to 2015.
Meehan's withdrawal leaves a competitive field of candidates vying for the Conservative nomination. These include Parliament Hill staffer Ashti Waissi, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee Jennifer Jennekens, and Ryan Telford, a long-time public servant and former Hill staffer. Jennekens ran as the Conservative candidate in the riding in 2021, finishing second behind Vandenbeld.
The Next Steps
CTV News Ottawa has reached out to both the Conservative Party of Canada and the Ottawa West-Nepean Conservative riding association for details on the timing of the nomination meeting and the announcement of the candidate.
The next federal election is scheduled to be held on or before October 20, 2025. With Meehan's departure from the race, the remaining candidates will continue their campaigns, hoping to secure the Conservative nomination and challenge Vandenbeld for the seat in the upcoming election.
A New Chapter for Meehan
While Meehan's political ambitions may have shifted for now, her entrepreneurial drive and commitment to public service are evident. Her decision to prioritize her startup business is a testament to her dedication to creating new opportunities and making a tangible impact in her community. As her next chapter unfolds, it will be interesting to see how her entrepreneurial pursuits contribute to the economic and social landscape of Ottawa and beyond.
