The deadline to enter the race for a seat on Ottawa city council is approaching, with four wards currently having only one candidate in contention. Aspiring candidates have until 2 p.m. on Friday to submit their nomination papers for the municipal election scheduled for Oct. 26, which will also determine the mayor and trustees for Ottawa’s school boards.
As of Thursday evening, River ward Coun. Riley Brockington, College ward Coun. Laine Johnson, Osgoode Coun. Isabelle Skalski, and Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown were running unopposed. If no challengers emerge by the deadline, these candidates will secure re-election to the city council after formal certification by the city clerk on Monday.
The nomination period opened on May 1, and there was initial interest in the mayoral race, with three candidates filing their paperwork early on. At present, seven candidates are vying for the mayor’s position, including the incumbent Mark Sutcliffe, three-term city councillor Jeff Leiper, homebuilder Alex Lawson, economist Neil Saravanamuttoo, bike repair worker Peter Westaway, former candidate Zed Chebib, and engineer Suraj Harish.
The candidates have already started their campaigns, making policy announcements on various issues such as transit, transparency, and housing. Endorsements for the candidates are also rolling in, with Sutcliffe securing support from prominent figures like ex-cabinet ministers John Baird and Madeleine Meilleur, as well as former city councillor Mathieu Fleury. Leiper’s campaign has received endorsements from NDP MPPs Catherine McKenney and Chandra Pasma.
While there was significant turnover in the 2022 election, most incumbents are seeking re-election in 2026, except for Kitchissippi and Stittsville wards, which are open races. Voting for the 24 city councillors will take place on Oct. 26, with opportunities for early voting between October 1-4 and October 16. Additionally, a special mail-in ballot application process will be available from September 1-15, with ballots required to be received by 8 p.m. on Oct. 16 to be counted.