Municipal election 2026

The wins and losses of the Ottawa municipal election

There were few surprises this election cycle, but most results were expected at both the mayoral and ward level

Municipal election: the mayoral races

Unlike some previous elections, when the mayoral race was easier to predict, this race could leave room for surprises.

Wards to watch: Stittsville

The seat is being left vacant after two terms as a councillor. Glen Gower decided to step aside from municipal politics. To take his place, there are nine names on the ballot.

Wards to watch: Knoxdale-Merivale

This time around, Devine is one of only three candidates vying for the job. He will be up against Anna Ielo-Tal and Cole Fraser Jones.

Kanata South could be one of Ottawa’s most interesting council races to watch

Coun. Allan Hubley is among the longest-serving representatives around the council table. But this election, he could be fighting to keep his seat.

Transit, housing, revitalization and safety: Rideau-Vanier candidates state their cases

There is change planned for Rideau–Vanier, and even more that residents are hoping to see in the coming years. Here's what the six candidates for city council are proposing.

Ottawans seeking climate change policy in municipal election in midst of increasing weather events

As the planet continues to warm, making weather patterns less predictable and extreme weather events more frequent, climate change has become another issue that politicians are expected to plan for.

How much will Ottawa property taxes rise? Four mayoral candidates offer competing plans

The money to support city services comes mostly from the property taxes paid by Ottawa homeowners, and it turns out, the four main mayoral candidates have differing ideas on how much they should be raised.

Orléans East-Cumberland candidates talk transit, transportation and other priorities for the east end

It's no surprise that transportation is top of mind for many voters in Ward 1, Orléans East–Cumberland, and it's one that all seven candidates for councillor have plans to address.

‘We are making progress’: Sutcliffe makes his case for a second term

Sutcliffe, who won with a small majority of about 51 per cent of the vote in 2022, says his name will be on the ballot again because there is still work to be done, and he's the man for the job.

Jeff Leiper says Ottawa needs to work better. Here’s how he would change it

The three-term councillor's platform is centred on what he believes Ottawa needs to do differently with the services it already provides.

Housing, transit, and safety key topics at Carleton University Mayoral debate

Three candidates shared their vision for how they'd approach being mayor on some of the biggest topics facing the city

How Somerset candidates would tackle safety, homelessness and the toxic drug crisis

The five candidates running in Ward 14 are each making the case for how they would approach a community that is both one of Ottawa’s most vibrant and one of its most complex.

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 voting for their city councillor on election day.

How Ottawa’s top mayoral candidates plan to address Ottawa’s housing crisis

With Ottawa’s municipal election officially underway, candidates for city council are launching their campaigns and revealing their platforms, promising change, advocacy and partnership for the nation’s capital.

Here's who's running in Ottawa's municipal election

The 2026 Ottawa Municipal Election is now underway, with residents scheduled to head to the polls on Oct. 26, 2026, to elect a mayor, city councillors and school board trustees.

Transit, parking, safety: three mayoral candidates weigh in on what Ottawa’s downtown core needs to thrive

With Ottawa heading toward a municipal election this fall, decisions about what downtown should become are increasingly part of the race for mayor.

Running for a job with no clear mandate: OCDSB candidates enter uncertain trustee race

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will see the return of trustees sometime after this fall's municipal election. But their roles and scope will look very different

MacLeod for mayor? How a new possible contender could change Ottawa’s mayoral race

Many commenters on social media have suggested MacLeod herself should consider running for mayor. As it turns out, she has been thinking about it, too.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe officially registers as candidate, but faces controversy over newspaper ads

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has filed his papers to run for Mayor a second time, but is now facing controversy over an ad published in a local newspaper

Here’s who’s running for city council so far in Nepean wards

Some old and new names make the list

Here's who’s running so far to be your next city councillor and mayor

Orléans at the voting booth

When voters head to the polls in this fall's municipal election, Orléans East Cumberland will be a key race to watch for many reasons.

Could a home builder be Ottawa’s next mayor?

Alex Lawson says his decision to run for mayor isn’t based on a lifelong ambition to be in politics. Instead, he is entering the race because, in his view, Ottawa has stopped delivering basic services effectively.

Neil Saravanamuttoo talks transit, budget and running for mayor

Finance expert Neil Saravanamuttoo is planning a run for mayor, but there is a catch: he will only do so if residents are willing to organize a “grassroots movement” around him first.