Four Ottawa councillors running unopposed as Aug. 21 nomination deadline passes
College, River, Rideau-Jock, and Osgoode ward incumbents are the only registered candidates. If no challengers file by Friday, all four will be acclaimed—the first since 2003.
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Four Ottawa councillors are running unopposed heading into the Oct. 26 municipal election after the nomination deadline passed Friday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m.
College Coun. Laine Johnson, River Coun. Riley Brockington, Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown, and Osgoode Coun. Isabelle Skalski—who won the ward's June by-election against 10 other candidates—were the only registered candidates in their wards when the period closed.
If no other candidates are nominated by the deadline, all four will be acclaimed on Aug. 24 when the city clerk certifies the nominations. No city councillor has been acclaimed since 2003, when three incumbents—Rick Chiarelli, Peter Hume, and Doug Thompson—ran unopposed.
Across the city's 24 wards, 77 candidates registered to run for council. Eight candidates were nominated to run for mayor.
The mayoral campaign features four frontrunners who launched campaigns in May: Mayor Mark Sutcliffe (announced May 26), Jeff Leiper, Alex Lawson, and Neil Saravanamuttoo (all registered May 1). Four additional challengers have since joined: Zed Chebib, who also ran in 2022; cycling advocate Peter Westaway; engineer Suraj Harish; and strategic policy advisor Queen Divine Priya Amber Bakshi.
Ward races show varied competition. In Ward 1 (Orléans East-Cumberland), Coun. Matt Luloff faces the largest challenger field among any incumbent, with six candidates competing for his seat. A former journalist, Coun. Laura Dudas in Ward 2 (Orléans West-Innes) faces one challenger. Ward 3 (Barrhaven West) Coun. David Hill faces two challengers, including school board trustee Donna Blackburn.
As the 2022 election results for the four unopposed councillors show varying margins of support, the lack of opposition contests in those wards contrasts with competitive races elsewhere.
Advance voting runs Oct. 1–4 and again Oct. 16. Voting day is Oct. 26.
The facts
Which Ottawa councillors are running unopposed?
College Coun. Laine Johnson, River Coun. Riley Brockington, Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown, and Osgoode Coun. Isabelle Skalski are the only registered candidates in their wards as of the August 21, 2026 nomination deadline.
When will the four unopposed councillors be acclaimed?
August 24, 2026, when the city clerk certifies the nominations—provided no additional candidates file by then.
When is the Ottawa municipal election?
The municipal election in Ottawa is October 26, 2026.
How many mayoral candidates are running?
Eight candidates registered to run for mayor, including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and seven challengers.
