Mark Sutcliffe secures second term as Ottawa mayor, defeats Jeff Leiper

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 28, 2026

Photo courtesy: Mark Sutcliffe | X Account

OTTAWA, Canada — Mark Sutcliffe has won a second term as mayor of Canada’s capital, defeating 13 challengers in the municipal election on Monday, October 26, despite a decline in voter turnout.

Unofficial results showed Sutcliffe receiving 139,354 votes, or 44.6% of the total, ahead of his closest rival, city councillor Jeff Leiper, who secured 105,819 votes, or 33.9%.

Neil Saravanamuttoo placed third with 11% of the vote, followed by Alex Lawson at 7.6%.

All 824 vote tabulators had reported, although the results remain unofficial until certified by the City of Ottawa.

Sutcliffe, a former broadcaster and business owner, first became mayor in 2022. His re-election gives him another four years to pursue his priorities for Ottawa, including housing affordability, public transit, infrastructure improvements, and municipal spending.

Speaking to supporters at Hometown Sports Grill on election night, Sutcliffe thanked voters for giving him another opportunity to lead the city.

“This victory is not mine, it is yours,” he told the crowd.

His campaign focused on keeping municipal taxes manageable while improving essential services and addressing the city’s growing housing needs.

Among his commitments were limiting property tax increases to between 2% and 2.25% during the first two years, lowering the monthly transit pass to $95, and freezing recreation fees for seniors and families.

He also pledged to advance Ottawa’s light rail transit system, support affordable housing development, and improve conditions in the city’s downtown core.

However, the election also revealed a significant decline in voter participation.

Turnout reached just 36.2%, down from approximately 43.8% in the municipal election held in 2022.

The figure means fewer than four in 10 eligible voters cast ballots, despite a competitive mayoral race and elections across the city’s 24 council wards.

Continuity was also evident in the council results, with 21 incumbent councillors retaining their seats and only three new members elected.

The outcome leaves much of Ottawa’s existing municipal leadership in place as Sutcliffe begins his second term.

Housing remains one of the city’s most pressing issues. Sutcliffe has committed to supporting the approval of at least 75,000 additional homes by 2030 while working to reduce development barriers and increase housing supply.

His administration will also face continued demands to improve transit reliability, maintain infrastructure, and manage rising costs for residents.

With another term secured, Sutcliffe will lead Ottawa through the next four years as the city balances demands for improved services with pressure to keep municipal spending affordable.