Ecology Ottawa publishes the results of its 2026 All-candidate Environmental Survey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ecology Ottawa publishes the results of its 2026 All-candidate Environmental Survey

5 October, 2026 | OTTAWA | UNCEDED, UNSURRENDERED TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHINAABEG

Ecology Ottawa has published how candidates in the 2026 municipal election answered its All-Candidate Environmental Survey. At last count, 40 mayoral and City Council candidates responded to 10 questions on key environmental issues facing Ottawa, and their answers are posted online, organized by ward and by question.

“Voters need to know where the people asking for their vote stand on the issues that shape our city’s environment,” said Nasrat Mateen, Ecology Ottawa’s Climate Change Organizer and coordinator of Ecology Ottawa's election initiative. “Candidates answered in their own words, and we’ve published every answer exactly as received so residents can read them in full and decide for themselves.”

The survey asked candidates to share their positions, priorities, and plans on transit and sustainable transportation, Ottawa’s urban boundary, climate resilience, tree canopy, waste and the circular economy, emissions reduction under Energy Evolution strategy, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, biodiversity protection, and community participation in ecological decision-making.

Each ward’s page lists every responding candidate’s answer to each question together, so residents can compare the candidates in their ward one question at a time. Residents are encouraged to ask their candidates directly to complete the survey.

“Voters need to know where candidates stand on transit, trees, and climate,” said William van Geest, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. “We encourage residents to read candidates’ full answers, ask the candidates in their ward about them, and bring the environment with them to the ballot box on October 26.”

Background

The survey was sent in early September to every mayoral candidate and every candidate across Ottawa’s 24 wards. The All-Candidate Environmental Survey is part of Ecology Ottawa’s 2026 municipal election initiative, which also includes Steal These Ideas initiative, mayoral eco-debates, sharing basic voting information, and our recommended Ecological Planks, commitments Ecology Ottawa encourages candidates to adopt.

The survey results are available at ecologyottawa.ca/all_candidates_survey_results_2026. For the full list of questions and how the survey was conducted, see ecologyottawa.ca/all_candidates_survey_2026.

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

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