UPDATE: Deans, McKenney, Chiarelli confirm intentions to run for mayor of Ottawa in 2022
Posted Dec 10, 2021 08:45:00 PM.
Gloucester-Southgate Ward City Councillor Diane Deans, Somerset Ward City Councillor Catherine McKenney and former provincial cabinet minister Bob Chiarelli say their names will be on the ballot for mayor of Ottawa in the 2022 municipal election.
Deans made the announcement after calling a news conference at City Hall at 3 p.m., Friday, December 10.
“I am so grateful for all of the support from my family, friends, colleagues, constituents, & Ottawa residents from across this city,” Deans tweeted a short time later. “I can’t wait to share my vision for our amazing city in the coming months.”
Deans had appeared on CityNews' The Sam Laprade Show on Thursday, where she said residents would find out soon if she would be running for mayor in 2022. Mayor Jim Watson then announced Friday morning that he would not be seeking a fourth term next fall. Deans then called her news conference.
“I believe that this city is in dire need of a new direction,” the Gloucester-Southgate representative told The Sam Laprade Show. “And, you know, some new thinking. And with somebody that has the knowledge and experience that can make sure that we are making good decisions going forward.”
Deans has served as city councillor for the Southgate area since before amalgamation and has sat on a number of different city committees and boards over the years, most recently as chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board. A battle with ovarian cancer took Deans away from council from September of 2019 to September of 2020.
McKenney confirmed to CityNews her intention to run for the mayor's seat in 2022, late Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Chiarelli told CityNews back in May that he was considering running for municipal office. He then confirmed Friday, that he too would be vying for the position of mayor next fall.
