A long-time resident of Ottawa Centre, Stuart MacKay is a historian, writer, transit advocate, and community activist. Born and raised in Ottawa, Stuart completed a PhD in History at Carleton University. Stuart’s writings on American political history have been featured in books, journals, and in publications such as the Hill Times, iPolitics, and the Washington Post. 

Stuart currently works for S.i. Systems, an Information Technology (IT) staffing agency.  Working as a manager in strategic business development with S.i. Systems, he leads a team of proposal writers who help find jobs for people in the IT sector. Working with S.i. Systems’ Indigenous-owned partner company Tato Recruiting, Stuart has helped Tato win new business, allowing them to increase Indigenous equity in the Canadian workforce through economic reconciliation. 

In 2019, Stuart was elected to the board of the Centretown Community Association (CCA) and served until January 2021. Alongside a dedicated group of community volunteers, Stuart helped to increase the CCA’s membership, facilitated community conversations with small businesses in Centretown dealing with the impact of COVID-19, and helped to establish the successful and popular Elgin Street Market at Boushey Square. 

Stuart is also a co-founder of Ottawa Transit Riders, a member-driven organization that advocates for more affordable, reliable, accessible, and safe public transit in Ottawa. Ottawa Transit Riders has been at the forefront of transit advocacy in Ottawa by urging better levels of service, seeking equity for ParaTranspo riders, and fighting against fare increases.  

As a candidate for councillor in Somerset Ward during the Ottawa municipal election in 2022, Stuart campaigned on building a livable and accessible community for all, with more affordable housing, the renewal of civic infrastructure like sidewalks, and the creation of more parks and greenspace. Stuart remains a strong supporter of local business in Ottawa Centre, and is vocal champion for the revitalization of Ottawa's downtown core to create a space where residents can live, work, and play. 

As a member of the Ontario Liberal Party here in Ottawa Centre, Stuart has worked on federal, provincial, and municipal election campaigns. He has had the privilege of knocking on tens of thousands of doors and had those tough but important conversations with Ottawa Centre residents about the issues affecting their families. Stuart’s main priorities for Ottawa Centre will be public health care, public education, public housing, public transit, and public safety.