FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16 July, 2026 | OTTAWA | UNCEDED, UNSURRENDERED TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHINAABEG
Ecology Ottawa today launched its initiative to promote ecology in the 2026 municipal election. Like all Ontarians, Ottawans elect a new City Council and mayor on October 26, and as candidates knock on doors, attend events, and hold town halls, Ecology Ottawa is working to advance ecological issues.
"Elections are pivotal moments for meaningful change," said William van Geest, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. "The outcomes dictate who makes decisions for an entire term, and this is a critical moment to define the agenda and raise awareness on the issues that matter for Ottawa's future and its ecology."
Ecology Ottawa's 2026 municipal elections initiative is composed of several key elements: soliciting ecological ideas from the community via social media and an online brainstorming session, then sharing a resulting list of suggested ecological planks that Ecology Ottawa encourages candidates to adopt; running a candidate survey sent to mayoral candidates and candidates across all wards on key ecological issues, with responses posted online; contributing to mayoral eco-debates held in collaboration with other Peoples' Official Plan members; and sharing basic voting information shared on Ecology Ottawa's website and social media.
"This election is particularly significant," said Nasrat Mateen, Ecology Ottawa's Climate Change Organizer. "As federal and provincial leaders repeatedly abandon climate measures, it's critical that municipal leaders push back and limit the destruction."
Ottawa has once again felt the effects of climate change this year, whether smoke from wildfires exacerbated by climate change, or historic flooding affecting 5,700 Ottawa households.
"This is why we, like advocacy organizations across the city, are mobilizing to ensure the best outcome of this election," van Geest said. "We seek to raise public awareness of ecology and climate change issues in Ottawa, encourage candidates' adoption of ecological stances, and empower Ottawans to engage in this critical civic process."
More information on Ecology Ottawa's election initiative is available at ecologyottawa.ca/municipal_election_2026.
About Ecology Ottawa
Ecology Ottawa is a not-for-profit, grassroots and volunteer-driven organization. We believe that Ottawa residents are concerned about issues such as climate change, pollution and waste, and that they want sustainable communities where clean energy, air, and water, public transit, active transportation and greenspace protection take priority. We provide residents with the information and tools needed to understand local environmental issues and promote environmental leadership at all levels impacting the City of Ottawa.
Media Contact:
Nasrat Mateen
Climate Change Organizer, Ecology Ottawa
[email protected]
613-860-5353
