Mark Sutcliffe Wins Re-election as Mayor of Ottawa

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe won re-election to a second four-year term in Ottawa on October 27, 2026, securing approximately 44.7 percent of the preliminary vote. He defeated Kitchissippi councillor Jeff Leiper, who received 33.9 percent, as well as candidates Neil Saravanamuttoo and Alex Lawson. Sutcliffe's platform includes a $10 billion infrastructure plan, a $95 adult monthly transit pass, and a pledge to keep tax hikes below 2.5 percent over the next two years.

The election saw the city's lowest voter turnout since 2003, at approximately 36.2 percent. The results produced a historic shift in the city council, which will feature more women than men for the first time since amalgamation, with a 13 to 12 split. Erin Coffin was the only candidate to unseat an incumbent, defeating Allan Hubley in Kanata South, while Joanne Chianello and Chelsea Walton also joined the council.

Councillors Riley Brockington and David Brown were acclaimed for new four-year terms after facing no opposition. While praising Sutcliffe's collaborative approach, both councillors expressed frustration with the slow pace of city staff. Brockington specifically highlighted the need to improve OC Transpo's bus reliability, noting that on-time performance is currently 76 percent against a target of 85 percent. The campaign was further marked by downtown voter dissatisfaction regarding homelessness, open drug use, and the Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project.