Ottawa Municipal Election 2026 Begins As Candidates Start Registering For Mayor, Council And School Board
The 2026 Ottawa municipal election is officially underway as the nomination period has opened for candidates hoping to run for mayor, city councillor or school board trustee. The campaign period began on May 1, giving residents an early look at the names entering the race and the key issues likely to shape the election.
One of the first major candidates to submit nomination papers was longtime Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Jeff Leiper, who is now seeking the mayor’s office after serving multiple terms on Ottawa city council.
Jeff Leiper Registers To Run For Mayor
Jeff Leiper filed his nomination papers on Friday morning, becoming one of the first high-profile candidates to formally enter the Ottawa mayoral race.
Leiper, who was first elected to city council in 2014, has represented Kitchissippi Ward for several terms. After being re-elected twice as councillor, he is now aiming for a larger role at city hall.
He described the nomination process as an exciting step and said he believes Ottawa has serious challenges that require practical solutions. His campaign message focuses on building a city that functions better for residents.
Transit Expected To Be A Major Election Issue
A key part of Leiper’s platform is improving Ottawa transit. He said Ottawa is expected to grow significantly over the next two decades, with as many as 500,000 new residents potentially moving to the city.
Because of that growth, Leiper argues that Ottawa needs a more reliable public transit system. He said his campaign will make transit dependability a major commitment to residents.
Transit has remained one of the biggest political issues in Ottawa in recent years, especially with concerns around service reliability, commuting delays and the future of the city’s transportation network.
Mark Sutcliffe Plans To Seek Re-Election
Current Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe did not register on the first day of nominations. However, a spokesperson said he intends to run for re-election and will file his nomination papers later.
Sutcliffe won the 2022 Ottawa mayoral election with 51 per cent of the vote. That race included 14 mayoral candidates, with former city councillor Catherine McKenney finishing second with just under 38 per cent.
McKenney has since moved into provincial politics and now serves as the MPP for Ottawa Centre at Queen’s Park.
Neil Saravanamuttoo Enters The Mayoral Race
Community organizer Neil Saravanamuttoo also filed nomination papers on Friday to run for mayor.
Saravanamuttoo previously worked on Catherine McKenney’s 2022 mayoral campaign. He later founded CitySHAPES, a nonprofit organization focused on issues such as housing, homelessness, sustainable transportation, climate action, municipal governance and city finances.
He said he is running because he believes Ottawa residents deserve better from city leadership. His campaign is expected to focus strongly on transparency at city hall and improved municipal accountability.
Saravanamuttoo also pointed to his professional background as an economist and his experience in public finance, infrastructure policy and community advocacy.
Alex Lawson Also Announces Mayoral Plans
Homebuilder Alex Lawson has also announced his intention to run for mayor. His entry adds another name to what could become a competitive 2026 Ottawa mayoral race.
As more candidates register, voters are expected to see debates around housing, affordability, infrastructure, taxation, transit, homelessness and city governance.
New Councillors Expected In At Least Two Wards
The 2026 election will also bring change at the council level. At least two wards are expected to elect new councillors.
Since Jeff Leiper is running for mayor, Kitchissippi Ward will have a new representative. In Stittsville Ward, Coun. Glen Gower has said he will not seek re-election after serving two terms.
These open seats could create competitive ward races and bring new voices to Ottawa City Council.
2022 Voter Turnout Shows Challenge For 2026 Race
Voter participation will be another important issue in the 2026 municipal election. In the 2022 election, voter turnout was 43.79 per cent.
Municipal elections often have lower turnout than federal or provincial elections, even though city councils make decisions that directly affect roads, housing, policing, transit, property taxes, local services and neighbourhood planning.
Candidates in 2026 may face the challenge of convincing more residents to participate in the democratic process.
Important Ottawa Election Dates
| Election Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination period opens | May 1 |
| Nomination period closes | 2 p.m. on Aug. 21 |
| Election Day | Oct. 26 |
Candidates can register to run for mayor, city councillor or school board trustee until 2 p.m. on Aug. 21. Election Day is scheduled for Oct. 26.
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