181 municipal candidates certified for October election; 10 elected by acclamation

Ottawa's municipal election cycle is locked in. The city has certified 181 candidates across all office positions after the nomination period closed at 2 p.m. on Aug. 21, following a four-month window that began May 1.

Ten candidates were automatically elected by acclamation — running unopposed in their races. Two city councillors: Riley Brockington in Ward 16 River and David Brown in Ward 21 Rideau-Jock. Eight school board trustees across the Ottawa Catholic School Board and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est filled their seats without competition.

Every other certified candidate will appear on the ballot. The City Clerk examined each nomination under the Municipal Elections Act (1996) to verify they met all requirements — a procedural gate that has now been cleared for all 181 entrants.

As HighOnCity reported in August, the number of acclamations grew as the deadline approached. The pattern mirrors recent cycles: a handful of incumbents and trusted candidates run unopposed in certain wards and trustee zones, while competitive races pile up in high-profile seats like mayor and hotly contested councillor wards.

Advanced voting takes place Oct. 16. Election day is Oct. 26, 2026. A full list of nominated candidates for mayor, councillor, and school board trustee positions is available on the City of Ottawa's nominations portal.