Welcome to this week’s edition of City In Review. CFRA’s Andrew Pinsent is steering the ship. And here is what we are following!

The Week In Review

• Two more road deaths this week, officials re-iterate road safety measures.
• Municipal flags at half-mast in honour of those killed, injured at CFB Wainwright last weekend.
• Top 2 candidates for Ottawa Mayor trade jabs on the final week of the campaign trail.
• Stittsville, Knoxdale-Merivale, Kitchissippi some of the wards to watch on Monday night.
• Polls open from 10am until 8pm on October 26th, CFRA and CTV election night updates.
• More than half of mail-in ballot kits not submitted by deadline.
• Nanos Poll: Residents increasingly concerned about loved ones becoming homeless.
• Ottawa Gymnastics Centre wants lease extension, concerned about closure as city recreation centre at ‘end of life’ stage.

Online Voting?

As Ottawa voters head to the physical polls on Monday to cast ballots in the municipal election, many Ontario municipalities have already moved to online and telephone voting. The town of Perth, located about an hour south of Ottawa, is among the 43 percent of Ontario municipalities that have moved to this form of voting. They got rid of paper ballots in 2006. Overall, voter reviews are generally positive from those who spoke to CTV News, but some who may be less tech-savvy had concerns. The town’s Clerk says the move has increased voter turnout, and voting stations have been set up for those who need assistance or a computer.

The City of Ottawa has previously said it will not be moving towards internet or telephone voting this election – citing concerns around digital security, barriers to internet connectivity, the inability for recounts, and the quality of the voters’ list. Lydia Miljan, a Political Scientist and Professor at the University of Windsor, spoke to CFRA about whether this could be a potential solution to low voter turnout and voter apathy.

Traffic safety a top concern with a spate of October road deaths

This week was another tragic and deadly one on Ottawa’s roads. Two more traffic deaths brings the total to eight in the month of October and 32 in 2026. That’s more than all of 2025. Robyn Robertson is the President and CEO of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, a national non-profit based in Ottawa that advocates for road and traffic safety. Robertson spoke to City In Review about the increase in poor driver behaviour and the possible solutions.

Candidate Corner

City In Review has been speaking to and profiling as many of the 14 mayoral candidates as possible before the October 26th election – in alphabetical order where possible. This week, Incumbent Mayoral Candidate Mark Sutcliffe discussed his campaign and decision to run for re-election in 2026. And just under the wire, Queen Amber Devine Priya Bakshi also accepted the invitation to discuss her campaign.