OTTAWA, Oct. 27, 2026: Mark Sutcliffe leads the unofficial Ottawa election 2026 results for mayor with 139,354 votes (44.65%), ahead of Jeff Leiper at 105,819 (33.90%), with all 824 vote tabulators reporting. The results stay unofficial until the City Clerk certifies them. Ottawa's rental by-laws and Ontario's rent rules do not change because of the vote.
What are the Ottawa election 2026 results?
Mark Sutcliffe leads Ottawa's mayoral race in the City's unofficial results, which show all 824 of 824 vote tabulators reporting (City of Ottawa unofficial results, read October 27; the City's results file was last updated at 10:43 p.m. on October 26).
| Mayoral candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Sutcliffe | 139,354 | 44.65% |
| Jeff Leiper | 105,819 | 33.90% |
| Neil Saravanamuttoo | 34,463 | 11.04% |
| Alex Lawson | 23,605 | 7.56% |
| The other 10 candidates combined | 8,884 | 2.85% |
| Total votes for mayor | 312,125 | 100% |
The City reports 314,393 ballots cast from 868,248 eligible electors, a turnout of 36.21%. Council has 24 wards; the same page lists unofficial results for each, and the councillors in Ward 16 and Ward 21 were acclaimed.
When will Ottawa's election results be official?
Ottawa's election-night figures are labelled "unofficial" on the City's results page, and as of October 27 the City has not published a date for certified results. Under the City's Procedure By-law, the mayor certified by the City Clerk sets the time and place of the first Council meeting (By-law 2025-100, s.91).
What did Mark Sutcliffe campaign on for housing?
Sutcliffe's housing and rental commitments, each from his own campaign platform (read October 27), were:
- More homes: support approval of "at least 75,000 additional homes by 2030," and build 10,000 new affordable, supportive or transitional units by 2030 (housing plan).
- Costs on new housing: freeze all municipally imposed costs on new housing, including development charges, and hold tax increases to 2-2.5% for the first two years (affordability plan).
- Tax deferral for renters: let property owners apply for a one-year, interest-free property tax deferral on a renter's behalf, "so long as the full benefit is provided to the renter" (same page).
- Problem properties: where a property has significant social disorder the owner cannot address, "increase fines for landlords" and explore buying or expropriating the property (safety plan).
Runner-up Jeff Leiper's platform proposed 1,500 non-profit homes a year on City land, a fund to buy at-risk rental buildings, and proactive inspections with escalating fines for repeat offenders.
A campaign promise is not a by-law. Each item needs a Council decision, and some depend on funding from other governments.
What powers does Ottawa's mayor have?
Ottawa is one of the municipalities designated for the head-of-council powers in Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (O. Reg. 530/22, s.1 and Schedule 1). The mayor proposes the City budget and can veto Council's amendments, which Council can override with a two-thirds vote (s.284.16), and can veto a by-law that could interfere with a prescribed provincial priority (s.284.11). The proposed budget is due by February 1 each year, but a budget for the year after an election can be proposed only in that year, so the 2027 budget comes in 2027 (O. Reg. 530/22, s.7).
Which Ottawa rental rules stay in force after the election?
Every Ottawa rental by-law stays in force after the vote unless the new Council changes it:
- Rental Housing Property Management By-law (No. 2020-255): in force since August 31, 2021. Landlords must keep a capital maintenance plan, respond to urgent and non-urgent tenant service requests, give tenants required information and keep an integrated pest management plan (by-law text).
- Vacant Unit Tax (By-law No. 2022-135): every residential owner must declare each year, even for a principal residence or a tenanted unit. A unit vacant more than 184 days is taxed at 1% of assessed value, rising 1% each consecutive year to a maximum of 5% (City VUT page). Late declarations are accepted until April 30 with a $250 fee; after that the property is deemed vacant. Our vacant home tax guide compares Ontario cities.
- Short-term rentals (By-law No. 2021-104): a host needs a City host permit for their principal residence, at $116 for two years (City host requirements).
One by-law is already passed but not yet in force: the Rental Renovation Licence By-law (No. 2026-348) takes effect January 1, 2027 (s.30). From then, a landlord who gives an N13 for renovations must first obtain any building permit the work requires (with limited exceptions), apply for a City licence within seven days of the notice, and give the tenant the City's eviction information guide (ss.3-6). See our renoviction licensing comparison.
Does an Ottawa election change rent increase rules?
No. Ontario sets rent increase rules under the Residential Tenancies Act, and disputes go to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), so a city election does not change them. The rent increase guideline is 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027, and a landlord must give at least 90 days' written notice in the proper form (Ontario rent increase guideline). Our N1 guide walks through the notice.
What it means for landlords
For Ottawa landlords, nothing changes with the unofficial result. The property management by-law, the annual vacant unit declaration and short-term rental permits continue as before, and the renovation licence starts on January 1, 2027, as already scheduled.
What it means for tenants
For Ottawa tenants, your rights under the Residential Tenancies Act and the City by-laws are the same as before the vote. Rent increases still follow the provincial guideline. Toronto voted the same day; see our Toronto election results piece.
What to do now
- Treat the figures above as unofficial until the City Clerk certifies them; no date has been published.
- Note the dates: the new Council term starts November 15, 2026 (Municipal Elections Act, 1996, s.6(1)). That day is a Sunday, so the inaugural meeting may be held on the next business day (By-law 2025-100, s.91); the City has not yet announced it.
- Watch the 2027 budget: under O. Reg. 530/22 it can be proposed only in 2027. Budget dates are not yet announced.
- Landlords planning renovations that need an N13: build the January 1, 2027 licence steps into your timeline.
The rules haven't changed, so keep your paperwork in order
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