In a move that ends months of speculation at Ottawa City Hall, former journalist Joanne Chianello has officially declared her intention to run for municipal office. The longtime municipal affairs reporter for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa confirmed on Monday, December 1, 2025, that she will seek the council seat for Kitchissippi ward in the October 26, 2026 municipal election.
From Reporter to Candidate
Chianello addressed what she called the "worst-kept secret" in a social media post, stating she was asked to confirm her plans during a recent CBC Radio panel on municipal affairs. "Well, I am all for transparency and accountability, so I had no problem with that," she wrote. She noted that she had already been sharing her intentions with anyone interested, making the announcement less of a surprise.
The seasoned journalist, who covered City Hall for years, acknowledged the current public sentiment toward elections. "But it’s been a long year for elections — two already! — and most people are not exactly in ‘municipal ballot box’ mode just yet," she added, referencing the recent federal and provincial campaigns.
A Seat Opens in Kitchissippi
Chianello's candidacy comes as the current Kitchissippi councillor, Jeff Leiper, prepares to vacate the seat. Leiper, who has represented the west-end ward since 2014, announced earlier this year that he will be running for mayor in the 2026 election. This creates an open race for the council position.
The two are described as friends and allies, having been seen together at numerous community events. They were most recently photographed together at the Light Up the Village charity drive in Westboro and at the Parkdale Market Christmas tree lighting over the weekend.
Spring Campaign Launch Planned
While the election is nearly two years away, Chianello is already laying the groundwork. She announced that she is planning an official campaign launch in the spring of 2026.
"I am spending the coming months learning even more about the incredible community I’ve called home for a quarter-century, and listening to the issues on the minds of residents and local business owners," Chianello stated. "It’s early days — but I’m excited for the conversations ahead."
Her announcement sets the stage for one of the first major contests in the next Ottawa municipal election, bringing a familiar face from the press gallery into the political arena.
