Bob Chiarelli makes it official and files nomination papers

Registration is now open for candidates in this fall's municipal election, and a familiar face is vying to become Ottawa's next mayor. 

Bob Chiarelli is once again running to be Ottawa's mayor, a position he first held in the year 2000 when he was elected as the first mayor of the newly amalgamated city of Ottawa, and served two terms until he was defeated in the 2006 municipal election. 

“I've accomplished a lot in my life, and I'm not stepping forward to boost my ego or pat my resume,” said Chiarelli on The Rob Snow Show on Monday, May 2. “I'm a citizen of Ottawa too, and I believe many people like me feel that our city is moving in the wrong direction.”

Chiarelli feels that files such as transit, housing, policing, and carbon reduction have been mismanaged, adding that the council table has shown division at times when discussing issues of importance that greatly impact residents across the capital. 

“We need more leadership at city hall, the councillors are simply too divided,” he added. “I can bring them together and achieve their trust, and I have done it before. You can't solve all the problems until you admit the seriousness of the problem.”

Chiarelli said the key to resolving issues the city is currently having, whether it's with the light rail transit system (LRT), policing or the impact of the 2022 trucker convoy, is to have open transparency with residents across Ottawa. 

“We can take the time to get things rectified by engaging with the community and share the problems we are facing,” he said. 

There will be a new mayor in Ottawa come election time, as current Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson announced he will not be seeking re-election after three terms. Watson was first elected mayor in 2010, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.

Councillors Diane Deans and Catherine McKenney both announced their intentions to run for mayor.

Listen to the full interview with Bob Chiarelli on The Rob Snow Show on May 2 below: