Four candidates compete for Kitchissippi ward seat as incumbent runs for mayor
With Jeff Leiper leaving council to run for mayor, Ward 15 Kitchissippi has its first open councillor race in 12 years. Four candidates made their case to voters ahead of the October 26 vote.
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Ward 15 Kitchissippi will have a new councillor on October 26 for the first time in 12 years. Councillor Jeff Leiper, who held the seat since 2014, is running for mayor instead of seeking another council term. CTV News reported on October 18, 2026 that four candidates are making their case to voters in a ward known for high participation.
The four candidates on the ballot are Joanne Chianello, Xavier Commerford, Brian Innes and Subhir Uppal.
Kitchissippi includes the neighbourhoods of Westboro, Hintonburg, Mechanicsville and Hampton Park, according to CTV News. The ward had a voter turnout of 52.98 per cent in the 2022 municipal election, which CTV News reported was the highest of any ward in Ottawa.
What the candidates are saying
Chianello told CTV News that the absence of an incumbent lets candidates focus on what they can offer the community rather than comparing themselves to the person who held the seat before. "You're here to say, here's what I can do. Here's what I can bring," she said.
Commerford told CTV News that residents showed strong interest in municipal issues throughout the campaign, from transit and affordability to public infrastructure and recreation access. He said concerns about lower turnout appeared to give way to optimism about participation as the campaign went on.
Innes told CTV News he has been hearing about the need for local recreation, including concerns about the loss of the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre. He also cited reliable transit and traffic movement as issues residents have raised.
Uppal told CTV News he has focused on investment in roads, sidewalks and recreation space. He said residents want greater accountability for how their tax money is spent and how much funding comes back to their community.
What residents said
CTV News spoke with three Kitchissippi residents. One said the city needs the right people at a time of change. Another said transit needs to do better for people who want to use it. A third said candidates have spent more time on the "what" than on the "how" of their proposals.
What you can do
Voting day is October 26, 2026. You can read about all four candidates and compare their backgrounds at /on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-15-kitchissippi.
Questions this story answers
Why is the Kitchissippi ward seat open in 2026?
Councillor Jeff Leiper, who held the Ward 15 Kitchissippi seat for 12 years, chose to run for mayor of Ottawa in the 2026 election instead of seeking another term on council. Because Leiper is not on the council ballot, no incumbent is seeking re-election in the ward. This is the first time in 12 years that voters in Kitchissippi have not had the option of returning their sitting councillor to office.
Who is running for council in Ward 15 Kitchissippi?
Four candidates are on the Ward 15 Kitchissippi ballot for the October 26, 2026 election: Joanne Chianello, Xavier Commerford, Brian Innes and Subhir Uppal. You can read about each of them on voche.me. Chianello told CTV News that without an incumbent in the race, candidates can focus on what they offer the community rather than comparing themselves to an existing councillor.
What issues are the Ward 15 Kitchissippi candidates talking about?
CTV News reported on October 18, 2026 that the four candidates have raised transit reliability, traffic congestion, safer streets, building intensification, and the upkeep of city infrastructure as the main topics they have heard about at the doorstep. Candidate Brian Innes told CTV News he is also hearing concerns about the loss of local recreation facilities, including the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre, and a shortage of convenient recreation options in the ward.
What did Subhir Uppal say about the campaign?
Subhir Uppal told CTV News he has focused on investment in roads, sidewalks and recreation space, and that residents want greater accountability for how tax money is spent and how much funding returns to their communities. He said residents are looking for energy and passion, and that getting things done for the community has been the central message of his campaign.
What did Xavier Commerford say about voter engagement in Kitchissippi?
Xavier Commerford told CTV News that residents showed strong interest in municipal issues throughout the campaign, from transit and affordability to public infrastructure and recreation access. He said early concerns that turnout might be lower this election appeared to give way to optimism about participation as the campaign went on.
How high was voter turnout in Kitchissippi in the last election?
CTV News reported that Kitchissippi had a voter turnout of 52.98 per cent in the 2022 municipal election, the highest of any ward in Ottawa. The ward covers the neighbourhoods of Westboro, Hintonburg, Mechanicsville and Hampton Park, according to the same report.
When is voting day for the Kitchissippi ward council race?
Voting day for the Ottawa municipal election, including the Ward 15 Kitchissippi council race, is October 26, 2026. Advance voting has already taken place. The City of Ottawa runs the voting places; check the City's own tool to find your specific location.
Where can I find information about all four Ward 15 Kitchissippi candidates on voche.me?
You can read the profiles of all four candidates on voche.me: Joanne Chianello, Xavier Commerford, Brian Innes and Subhir Uppal each have a page at /on/ottawa-2026/candidates/. The ward race page is at /on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-15-kitchissippi. Voting day is October 26, 2026.
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