Acclaimed to another term, Brockington eyes transit, Confederation Heights and Greenbelt battles

For the first time in more than two decades, voters in River Ward will not be electing a city councillor on election day.

Coun. Riley Brockington has been acclaimed to a fourth term after no challengers registered against him before nominations closed Aug. 21. Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown was also acclaimed, making them the only two members of Ottawa city council returned without a vote this election. 

It marks the first time since the 2003 municipal election that an Ottawa city councillor has been acclaimed; that year, Baseline Coun. Rick Chiarelli, Alta Vista Coun. Peter Hume and Osgoode Coun. Doug Thompson were all elected without opposition. 

Brockington, who was first elected in 2014, said the lack of an opponent has not diminished his desire to serve or engage with residents. He said he still plans to spend the campaign period speaking with residents, even without his name appearing in a contested race.

Brockington said he believes a contested race is healthier for public debate and acknowledged broader forces may be discouraging some people from seeking municipal office.

“I certainly encourage the democratic process, the exchange of ideas, and the debate about priorities. I think that’s very healthy,” Brockington told the Lookout. “And I don’t think acclamations bring us to the same level of public discourse just because there are no debates, and people aren’t motivated to get as involved, I believe, when you have a contested field.”

He pointed to political polarization, online abuse, workload, and compensation — particularly for elected officials in smaller municipalities — as possible deterrents.

“The workload, the toxic exchange online has turned a lot of good people off of politics, and has really restricted people from entering because they don’t want to deal with that,” Brockington said.

Brockington will begin his fourth term at city hall while simultaneously taking on one of the most prominent municipal advocacy positions in Ontario.

At the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s annual conference in Ottawa last month, Brockington was elected president of the organization for the 2026–2028 term. AMO represents municipal interests across Ontario and advocates to Queen’s Park on issues ranging from infrastructure and housing to homelessness, health care and municipal finances. 

Brockington is a longtime member of AMO’s executive. In his new role, he said his responsibility is to represent municipalities across Ontario rather than use the organization primarily to advance Ottawa’s agenda. But Brockington said his position will inevitably create opportunities for Ottawa.

“If there’s a top priority that Ottawa needs addressed, and I happen to be in the corridors at Queen’s Park and I see that minister coming, I will absolutely use opportunities to address issues,” he said.

Infrastructure funding is expected to be among his priorities. At this year’s AMO conference, Brockington warned that municipalities were facing mounting pressures from aging infrastructure, housing growth, homelessness, emergency services and climate resilience while relying on a funding system that has not kept pace.