About
ADE OLUMIDE:
He lives in Ottawa, with his wife and three teenage sons. He holds a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lagos and a Masters in Business Management from the University of Warwick. He also studied Supply Chain Management at the Humber College and Internet Business Technology at the University of Toronto.
His solution-oriented approach to life has motivated over 25 years of volunteering with public policy groups, neighbourhood associations and local church communities. As the former president of the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group, Ade demonstrated bold and courageous leadership on inter-provincial trade, by drafting a motion on affordable Hydro and persuading 37 municipalities across Ontario to pass the motion.
His solution-oriented approach to life has motivated over 25 years of volunteering with public policy groups, neighbourhood associations and local church communities. As the former president of the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group, Ade demonstrated bold and courageous leadership on inter-provincial trade, by drafting a motion on affordable Hydro and persuading 37 municipalities across Ontario to pass the motion.
His public service as the former President of the Ottawa Taxpayer Advocacy Group were mentioned by:
This media report is not an endorsement in this mayoral race; Pierre Poilievre, M.P., “Applauded OTAG as a counter-balance to special interest groups which, he said, apply pressure on governments to spend more money on programs.” Ottawa Citizen. Federal Infrastructure Minister John Baird was on hand to deliver a short speech…”Any time you cut taxes and let people keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars, that’s a good day”. Ottawa Citizen.
This media report is not an endorsement in this mayoral race; Ade is the founder of the Ottawa Taxpayer Advocacy Group (OTAG) whose no-new-money approach was adopted by Mayor-elect Jim Watson, and whose departmental budget freeze campaign was championed by outgoing Mayor Larry O’Brien. “OTAG … shaped the debate by offering achievable solutions to limit increase”, Randall Denley – Ottawa Citizen
Ade’s family values include waste not want not, strong work ethic, fairness, merit, budgeting, helping up rather than handing out, defending those who cannot defend themselves and a willingness to disagree without being disagreeable. His Community Involvement include:
a. Launched a 2013 Canadian wide campaign with support from various municipalities and provinces on a change in high value sole sourcing laws through AIT (Agreement on Internal Trade).
b. Hosted a February 2013 Rogers TV show on P3s, Open Tendering and Innovating Transit with guests from US and Canadian think tanks as well as Provincial Members of Parliament.
c. Hosted a March 2013 Rogers TV show on the creation of Waterfront Ottawa with private and public sector CEOs, Business Improvement Area Director and Architect that designed NCC Waterfront Master Plan.
d. Organized the 2012 and 2013 Government Innovation Conference with speakers from 3 levels of government, including federal government ministers, authors, media and academia.
e. Designed provincial questionnaire based on feedback from over 60 councillors & mayors across Ontario Organized a 2011 Provincial Elections municipal affairs debate.
f. Proposed the following ideas which were included in the platform for Mayor Jim Watson; Spending Control Summit and “No New Money”.
g. Hosted the first 2010 Mayoral Candidates Debate thereby causing the election to be about money management.
h. Convinced Ottawa City council to pass a motion to hold a 2010 Financial Summit and designed the event agenda.
i. Organized a 2010 electorate candidate cocktail for about 20 council candidates.
j. Drafted a 2010 motion on Affordable Hydro which was passed by about 37 municipalities across Ontario.
k. Debated Ottawa Councillors Cullen & Wilkinson at a 2009 City Hall Property Tax Debate.
l. Supported by 80% of CFRA listeners on if Ottawa Taxpayer Advocacy Group “OTAG” should be allowed to run adverts on buses questioning the city’s spending habits.
m. Organized a 2009 Zero Should Mean Zero Event with speakers from the provincial government and an employment lawyer.
n. Member of 2007 City of Ottawa Community Budget Advisory Team (CBAT).
o. Authored Ottawa Community Budget Advisory Team “CBAT” IT & technology recommendations for process improvement recommendations.
He can be reached via twitter @ottawacityethic or via email endottawaelectiongambling @outlook.com.