2026 Municipal ElectionMainstreet Resource Hub
Ottawa's 18 Business Improvement Areas represent the businesses on our mainstreets. This hub gathers what BIAs, their members and candidates need to talk about mainstreet issues this election — all in one place.
This hub is non-partisan. OCOBIA and Ottawa's BIAs are local boards of Council and do not support or oppose any candidate. Every candidate is invited to take part on the same terms, and responses are published as received.
Ottawa's BIAs fund themselves. The city gets the return.
BIAs are funded by a levy paid by commercial property owners — not from City operating dollars. They deliver placemaking, safety, beautification and business support on that levy, and they do it on every mainstreet in the city, urban, suburban and rural.
reinvested into Ottawa neighbourhoods by BIAs in 2025 — self-funded through the levy, not City operating dollars.
Figures: OCOBIA, The Value of Ottawa's 18 BIAs (2025 Snapshot).
Three sets of tools
Everything here is issue-based and candidate-neutral. Take what applies to you.
Advocate for your members
Stay onside with the rules while making the case for your district — plus a fact sheet template ready to share with candidates.
Know what to ask
City Hall decides your patio permit, your sidewalk, your parking and your policing. Here's how to work out where a candidate stands before you vote.
Understand our mainstreets
What BIAs are, what they deliver, and what the business community is asking of the next Council. Same materials go to every candidate.
The election calendar
- Aug 21 Nominations close — the full candidate list is set
- Sept 1 Voters' list opens; check and update your registration
- Oct 1–4 Special advance voting (vote anywhere), 10 am – 8 pm
- Oct 16 Advance voting day, 10 am – 8 pm
- Oct 26 Voting day — polls open across Ottawa Voting day
Am I registered?
Check and update your voter information through the City of Ottawa. Check the voters' list →
Where do I vote?
Find your ward, your candidates and your voting place. Find your voting place →
Other ways to vote
Special mail-in ballots and voting by proxy are both available. Voting options →
What candidates told us
Every certified candidate for Mayor and City Councillor receives the same questionnaire. Responses appear here as they are received, published in full and unedited. A candidate's absence from this list means no response has been received.
The questionnaire goes out once nominations close. Check back mid-month, or subscribe to the OCOBIA newsletter to be notified as responses are posted.
[Candidate Name] [Office / Ward]
[Question 1]
[Response as submitted]
[Question 2]
[Response as submitted]