Dynamic race underway to see who will be Ottawa’s next mayor
Ottawa is preparing for a municipal election on October 26, with incumbent Mayor Mark Sutcliffe facing a competitive challenge from several candidates. Key voter concerns include transit, homelessness, and public safety.
Why it matters
Local municipal elections directly impact urban policy and the daily lives of residents in major metropolitan areas.
An OC Transpo light rail train makes its way along Line 1, in Ottawa, on Aug. 14. Transit is a top-of-mind issue for local voters ahead of the Oct. 26 election. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Federal politics and Parliament dominate the typical Canadian perspective on Ottawa , the nation’s capital. The phrase “Ottawa says” has long been synonymous with decisions by the federal government.
But, with municipal elections across Ontario on Oct. 26, Ottawa voters are getting set to make decisions of their own, including choosing who will be the next mayor of their city, the second-most populous in Ontario and home to more than one million people.
There’s a debate underway about who can best manage the issues that are top-of-mind for local voters, including crime, homelessness, public disorder, transit and municipal taxation.
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