2026 Ottawa municipal election

2026 Ottawa mayoral election
October 26, 2026
 
Candidate Jeff Leiper Mark Sutcliffe Alex Lawson
Map of Ottawa City Council wards
Incumbent mayor

Mark Sutcliffe


The 2026 Ottawa municipal election will be held on October 26, 2026, to elect a mayor, city councillors, and trustees to the English and French public school boards and the English and French Catholic school boards in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Background

As mayor, Mark Sutcliffe has criticized both provincial (Ford ministry) and federal (Trudeau and Carney ministries) for "short-changing" the City's funding, particularly for transit.[1] Sutcliffe supported Lansdowne 2.0, a controversial $418.8 million second phase of the redevelopment at Lansdowne Park which includes a new, smaller event centre for hockey and concerts, and new north-side stands for TD Place, along with two new residential towers.[2] The planned reduction in the capacity of the arena (from 8,268 to 6,600 for hockey) has resulted in the Professional Women's Hockey League stating that the city's team, the Ottawa Charge will no longer play in the arena, and may move the team to a different city.[3]

Issues

A January 2026 poll commissioned by the Ottawa Real Estate Board (sample size 1000) found that the top issues in the upcoming election were the cost of living (37%), housing affordability (19%), and public transit reliability (11%). A majority of respondents thought that candidates should campaign on the cost of living as a high-priority issue.[4]

Declared candidates Jeff Leiper and Alex Lawson (who supported Sutcliffe in 2022) have criticized the incumbent mayor for overseeing a decline in the quality of city services.[5][6]

Mayoral election

Candidates

Declared

Alex Lawson

Alex Lawson is a home builder, who owns a local framing company. He lives in Dunrobin, and grew up in Heron Gate. He previously served on the board of the Kanata—Carleton Conservative Association, and his campaign team includes Emrys Graefe, deputy campaign manager for the Conservatives in the 2015 federal election, Ontario Proud founder Jeff Ballingall, Fred DeLorey, Conservative campaign manager during the 2021 federal election, and Quito Maggi, CEO of Mainstreet Research. Lawson's priorities are housing, affordability, transit, traffic and public safety, and wants to "take Ottawa back to a time where the city worked better". Lawson stated he voted for Sutcliffe in the last election, but says city services have declined unacceptably.[5]

Candidacy announced: January 23, 2026
Candidacy registered:
Campaign website: alexanderlawson.ca
Campaign slogan:
Campaign slogan (French):
Jeff Leiper

Jeff Leiper is the incumbent city councillor for Kitchissippi Ward, having served in the position since 2014. Leiper has generally been described as a progressive during his time on city council.[7] Leiper stated he was concerned about inadequate city services, such as lack of sidewalk maintenance, delays in garbage collection, and especially the city's poor transit network.[8] Leiper noted budget disputes with the incumbent mayor – he thought the city was not putting enough funding towards municipal services – and opposed cutting train service frequencies.[6]

Candidacy announced: July 24, 2025[9]
Candidacy registered:
Campaign website:
Campaign slogan:
Campaign slogan (French):
Mark Sutcliffe

Mark Sutcliffe, 57,[10][11] is the incumbent Mayor of Ottawa, having served in the position since being elected in 2022. Prior to being elected to office, he was an entrepreneur & business consultant, as well as a former local radio, print, & television media personality.[12] Sutcliffe has been described as centrist;[13][14][15] an Ottawa Citizen article described his governance style as "middle-of-the-road" but "socially conscious".[16]

Candidacy announced: June 24, 2025[17]
Candidacy registered:
Campaign website:
Campaign slogan:
Campaign slogan (French):

Considering

  • Neil Saravanamuttoo, economist, podcaster, and organizer. Economic advisor to Catherine McKenney in the 2022 mayoral election.[18]

City Council

Orléans East-Cumberland Ward

Incumbent city councillor Matthew Luloff was re-elected in 2022 with 74.17% of the vote. Luloff was initially slated to run as a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada in the 2025 federal election, but withdrew due to being charged with impaired driving.[19] He intends to run for re-election.[20] Local Liberal, Barbara Daniela Gandolfo, a designer and educator intends to challenge Luloff.[20]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Orléans East-Cumberland
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Orléans West-Innes Ward

Incumbent city councillor Laura Dudas was re-elected in 2022 with 71.43% of the vote. She will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Orléans West-Innes
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Barrhaven West Ward

Incumbent city councillor David Hill was elected in 2022 with 43.97% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Barrhaven West
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Kanata North Ward

Incumbent city councillor Cathy Curry was elected to a full term in 2022 with 76.75% of the vote, having been appointed to the seat in 2021 following the resignation of her predecessor, Jenna Sudds.[22] She will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Kanata North
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

West Carleton-March Ward

Incumbent city councillor Clarke Kelly was elected in 2022 with 27.40% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: West Carleton-March
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Stittsville Ward

Incumbent city councillor Glen Gower was re-elected in 2022 with 58.67% of the vote. He announced he will not be seeking re-election.[23]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Stittsville
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Bay Ward

Incumbent city councillor Theresa Kavanagh was re-elected in 2022 with 82.79% of the vote. She will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Bay
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

College Ward

Incumbent city councillor Laine Johnson was elected in 2022 with 52.64% of the vote. She will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: College
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Knoxdale-Merivale Ward

Incumbent city councillor Sean Devine was elected in 2022 with 39.20% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Knoxdale-Merivale
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Gloucester-Southgate Ward

Incumbent city councillor Jessica Bradley was elected in 2022 with 42.24% of the vote. She will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Gloucester-Southgate
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward

Incumbent city councillor Tim Tierney was re-elected in 2022 with 81.96% of the vote. He has not announced whether or not he will be seeking re-election.

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Beacon Hill-Cyrville
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Rideau-Vanier Ward

Incumbent city councillor Stéphanie Plante was elected in 2022 with 37.15% of the vote. She will be seeking re-election.[21] She is being challenged by Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee Lyra Evans.[24]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Rideau-Vanier
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward

Incumbent city councillor Rawlson King was re-elected in 2022 with 80.14% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Rideau-Rockcliffe
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Somerset Ward

Incumbent city councillor Ariel Troster was elected in 2022 with 61.28% of the vote. She will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Somerset
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Kitchissippi Ward

Incumbent city councillor Jeff Leiper was re-elected in 2022 with 71.97% of the vote. He has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in order to run for Mayor.[9]

Declared candidates
2026 Ottawa municipal election: Kitchissippi
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

River Ward

Incumbent city councillor Riley Brockington was re-elected in 2022 with 73.08% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: River
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Capital Ward

Incumbent city councillor Shawn Menard was re-elected in 2022 with 78.81% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Capital
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Alta Vista Ward

Incumbent city councillor Marty Carr was elected in 2022 with 47.12% of the vote. She has not announced whether or not she will be seeking re-election.

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Alta Vista
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Orléans South-Navan Ward

Incumbent city councillor Catherine Kitts was re-elected in 2022 with 76.47 % of the vote. She will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Orléans South-Navan
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Osgoode Ward

Incumbent city councillor Isabelle Skalski was elected to this seat in a by-election held on June 16, 2025, with 34.01% of the vote, after her predecessor, George Darouze, resigned after being elected as the MPP for Carleton in the 2025 provincial election. She has announced she will be seeking re-election.[26]

Declared candidates
2026 Ottawa municipal election: Osgoode
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Isabelle Skalski
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Rideau-Jock Ward

Incumbent city councillor David Brown was elected in 2022 with 66.64% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Rideau-Jock
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Riverside South-Findlay Creek Ward

Incumbent city councillor Steve Desroches was elected in 2022 with 67.89% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Riverside South-Findlay Creek
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Kanata South Ward

Incumbent city councillor Allan Hubley was re-elected in 2022 with 33.86% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Kanata South
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

Barrhaven East Ward

Incumbent city councillor Wilson Lo was elected in 2022 with 36.82% of the vote. He will be seeking re-election.[21]

2026 Ottawa municipal election: Barrhaven East
Candidate Popular vote Expenditures
Votes % ±%
Total valid votes
Total rejected, unmarked and declined votes
Turnout
Eligible voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:

References

  1. ^ Blair, Crawford (January 21, 2025). "Sutcliffe warns of 'historic challenges' in 2025, including Trump tariffs". Ottawa Citizen.
  2. ^ Pringle, Josh (November 7, 2025). "Here's what you need to know about Lansdowne 2.0". CTVNews. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  3. ^ Bergeron-Oliver, Annie (November 25, 2025). "PWHL 'will not play' at Landsdowne 2.0, leaving Ottawa Charge's future up in the air". CTVNews. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  4. ^ "Housing and affordability top voter concerns as Ottawa heads toward 2026 elections – Ottawa Real Estate Board". Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  5. ^ a b White-Crummey, Arthur (January 23, 2026). "Homebuilder Alex Lawson plans to run for Ottawa mayor". CBC News.
  6. ^ a b White-Crummey, Arthur (June 25, 2025). "Coun. Jeff Leiper eyes mayoral run against Mark Sutcliffe". CBC News.
  7. ^ "Councillor Jeff Leiper says he plans to run for mayor in 2026". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on July 4, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  8. ^ Pringle, Josh (June 27, 2025). "Unofficial race begins for mayor of Ottawa in 2026 election". CTV News. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Potter, Evan (July 24, 2025). "Potter: Jeff Leiper for mayor? Lace up those shoes". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  10. ^ "Sutcliffe". Ottawa Citizen. July 16, 1968. p. 26. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  11. ^ "Carriers fly to Florida Friday". Ottawa Citizen. March 13, 1982. p. 33. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "Ottawa broadcaster, entrepreneur Mark Sutcliffe running for mayor". CTV News Ottawa. June 29, 2022. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  13. ^ Chianello, Joanne (October 25, 2022). "For incoming mayor Mark Sutcliffe, the hard part starts now". CBC News.
  14. ^ Newman, Emma O'Toole, Dennis Kovtun, Hibah Salaria, Cate (October 25, 2022). "Voters back centrist Sutcliffe as city's next mayor in watershed election that sends 11 newcomers to council". Capital Current. Retrieved August 2, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Donovan, Mckenzie (July 22, 2022). "The sensible centrist – Mark Sutcliffe makes his move for mayor. - Ottawa Life Magazine". Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  16. ^ Denley, Randall (October 1, 2025). "Opinion: Ottawa's mayoral election is a year away—and the race is already underway". Ottawa Citizen.
  17. ^ White-Crummey, Arthur (June 25, 2025). "Coun. Jeff Leiper eyes mayoral run against Mark Sutcliffe". CBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  18. ^ White-Crummey, Arthur (January 30, 2026). "Former top McKenney adviser laying groundwork for his own mayoral run". CBC News. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  19. ^ Pringle, Josh (July 22, 2024). "Ottawa Coun. Matthew Luloff charged with impaired driving". CTV News. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Lookout, Ottawa. "Orléans at the voting booth". Ottawa Lookout. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r White-Crummey, Arthur (January 13, 2026). "Sea of incumbent Ottawa councillors planning to seek re-election in 2026". CBC Ottawa. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  22. ^ Lord, Craig (November 11, 2021). "Ottawa city council taps former school board trustee Cathy Curry for Kanata North seat". Global News. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  23. ^ Sharma, Anchal (February 22, 2026). "Stittsville's Glen Gower not seeking re-election". CBC News.
  24. ^ White-Crummey, Arthur (January 14, 2026). "Sidelined public school trustees ponder city council runs". CBC News. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  25. ^ "Former Ottawa Citizen journalist Joanne Chianello running for city council". Ottawa Citizen. December 1, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  26. ^ a b Laucius, Joanne (June 17, 2025). "Isabelle Skalski gets 16 months to prove herself on Ottawa council after winning Osgoode byelection". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
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