---
title: "Four candidates compete for Kitchissippi ward seat as incumbent runs for mayor"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/kitchissippi-ward-open-race-2026-10-18"
last_updated: "2026-10-19T02:24:51.388Z"
---

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](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/joanne-chianello), [Xavier Commerford](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/xavier-commerford), [Brian Innes](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/brian-innes) and [Subhir Uppal](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/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](/on/ottawa-2026/races/councillor/ward-15-kitchissippi).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/on/ottawa-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.