District 4: Plateau district candidate Serge Tonlé runs as independent

Devoted to beautifying the Plateau while positively influencing Gatineau’s development over the next four years, local resident Serge Tonlé recently announced himself in the running as an independent candidate to become the next municipal councillor for district number four. Officially publicizing his candidacy on September 28, Tonlé more recently told the Aylmer Bulletin that he was initially compelled to get into municipal politics several months ago. Claiming to be a highly community-oriented person driven by desire to give, he expressed that the election is a great opportunity for him to positively impact the lives of local residents over the coming years.

A proud Plateau resident for the last seven years, Tonlé said he’s fully dedicated to defending and fighting for the interests of his district’s constituents, helping improve the offer of nearby services, and better support local families. Stating that the Plateau is diversely populated, and an especially popular living location for young families and students, he stressed that the area’s residential densification, while reasonably justified, must be accompanied with an adequately varied presence of services.

Tonlé continued stating that he’s dedicated to revitalizing and dynamizing local municipal infrastructures, such as roads, and transportations systems, to more adequately adapt to the city’s rapid demographic development and population growth, and more adapted solutions to reduce traffic on busy roadway arteries. “I believe people have the same concern as me,” Tonlé said, stating that he wants to work cooperatively with other elected officials to identify sensible solutions. “

While supportive of the city’s proposed project to build a multi-rink sports complex in the district, Tonlé said expanding the variety of sports and recreational infrastructure in the Plateau and in the new facility, including developing its own community centre, is also imperative. “The four-ice project does not respect the diversity of the Plateau,” Tonlé said

Noting that the Plateau encompasses around 20,000 residents and is still growing, he stated that the district is in great need of a dog park. He added that the city must ensure the protection of greenspaces with stringent tree cutting regulations, provide more measures to preserve biodiversity, and eliminate the destruction of wetlands and eco-territories – notably pointing to the small wooded area behind the Donalda-Charron Library.

Seeing great importance in featuring numerous independent candidates seated at the municipal council table for the general good of the public, he continued stating that implementing more speed reduction measures in residential areas and addressing environmental issues will also be top priorities.

If elected on November 7, Tonlé said he’s confident in his ability to accomplish his goals, and strongly believes to be the right pick to make the Plateau more prosperous and Gatineau grow more promisingly.

Recognizant of incumbent councillor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette’s efforts throughout the last mandate – noting that she did everything she could to enrich the Plateau and make Gatineau a better place with the limited tools at her disposal - he said there remains plenty of work to be done in that regard.

Teaching secondary math at Ottawa’s Franco-Ouest Catholic high school for the last six years, after teaching four years at De La Salle Public High School (also in Ottawa), Tonlé says he’s passionate about contributing to the success of young people and a devout defender of teachers’ rights.

Originally from Cameroon, Tonlé has lived in several countries all over the world, including Germany, and the United-States, before settling in Canada many years ago. “I am a citizen of the world,” Tonlé said. “The Plateau is where I chose, where I wanted to live. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.”