Former Ottawa Citizen journalist Joanne Chianello running for city council
Former Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa journalist Joanne Chianello confirmed the “worst-kept secret” at City Hall on Monday and announced she will be running for council in the Kitchissippi ward in the 2026 municipal election.
In a Dec. 1 social media post, Chianello said she was asked to confirm her intentions during a recent municipal affairs panel on CBC Radio.
“Well, I am all for transparency and accountability, so I had no problem with that,” she wrote. “And to be honest, I’ve been telling anyone who is remotely interested that I am planning to run for council in Kitchissippi ward in the October 26, 2026 election. So it’s hardly a secret.
“But it’s been a long year for elections — two already! — and most people are not exactly in ‘municipal ballot box’ mode just yet.”
Coun. Jeff Leiper, who has represented Kitchissippi since his election to council in 2014, announced earlier this year he will be seeking the mayor’s seat in the upcoming election.
Leiper and Chianello are friends and allies and have been photographed together at numerous community events, most recently at the Light Up the Village charity drive in Westboro and at the lighting of a public Christmas tree at Parkdale Market over the weekend.
In a posting, Chianello said she is planning an official campaign launch in the spring.
“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,” she wrote. “It’s early days — but I’m excited for the conversations ahead.”
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