The race to fill George Darouze’s vacant Osgoode Ward seat has officially become one of the most crowded electoral contests in recent Ottawa history. With 11 candidates now confirmed for the April 15th byelection, voters in the rural south-end ward face a diverse field of contenders bringing varied backgrounds and priorities to the table.
I spent yesterday speaking with several candidates at a community meet-and-greet in Metcalfe, where residents expressed both excitement about the robust democratic participation and concerns about potentially splitting the vote among so many options.
“This level of interest shows how much people care about Osgoode’s future,” said Heather Warren, a longtime resident I encountered at the event. “But it also means we’ve got our homework cut out for us to really understand where each candidate stands.”
The candidates represent a cross-section of the community, including small business owners, a former police officer, community volunteers, and several with previous municipal experience. Their platforms address recurring themes important to rural Ottawa residents: infrastructure maintenance, responsible development, preserving agricultural land, and ensuring equitable city services.
Doug Thompson, who previously served as Osgoode’s councillor from 2000 to 2014 and as mayor of the former Osgoode Township, brings the most political experience to the race. During our conversation, Thompson emphasized his record of fiscal responsibility and deep community connections.
“I know this community inside and out,” Thompson told me. “The relationships I’ve built over decades of service mean I can hit the ground running from day one.”
Several candidates are positioning themselves as fresh voices who can bring new energy to city hall. Dan O’Brien, a small business owner and volunteer firefighter, stressed the importance of advocating specifically for rural concerns.
“Too often, rural Ottawa feels forgotten in city-wide discussions,” O’Brien said. “We need someone who understands the unique challenges facing our farmers, small businesses, and families.”
The candidate list also includes Jean Johnston-McKitterick, Michael Morin, Bruce Anthony Faulkner, Allan Gordon Hubley-Alexandersen, Jean-François Claude, Dave Corry, Bob Masaro, Rod Vanier, and George Wright.
City Clerk Rick O’Connor confirmed this is one of the largest candidate fields for a single ward election in Ottawa since amalgamation. The previous record for an Ottawa byelection was nine candidates in the 2006 Bay Ward race.
The diversity of candidates reflects Osgoode’s changing demographics, as the traditionally rural ward continues to see new development and population growth. According to Statistics Canada data, Osgoode’s population grew approximately 5.3% between 2016 and 2021, slightly above the city average.
Several candidates I spoke with identified transportation infrastructure as a key priority. With many commuting to downtown Ottawa or other employment centers, road maintenance and public transit options remain persistent concerns.
“The condition of our rural roads is unacceptable,” candidate Michael Morin told me during a phone interview. “Potholes, inadequate winter maintenance, and poor drainage aren’t just inconveniences – they’re safety hazards.”
Agricultural preservation emerged as another common theme. Osgoode contains some of Ottawa’s most productive farmland, and candidates expressed varying approaches to balancing development pressures with agricultural protection.
Jean Johnston-McKitterick, who has extensive experience with community associations, emphasized the importance of updating the ward’s secondary plans.
“We need thoughtful planning that respects our agricultural heritage while accommodating appropriate growth,” Johnston-McKitterick said. “The next councillor needs to ensure Osgoode’s voice is heard in these decisions.”
The byelection follows former councillor George Darouze’s resignation in December after nine years representing the ward. Darouze faced controversy during his tenure, including a 2019 integrity commissioner ruling that found he had intimidated residents who criticized him online.
Current councillor Riley Brockington has been temporarily overseeing Osgoode
