There isn’t one right way to participate in an election. Maybe you start by finding the candidates in your ward. Maybe you attend a community event, ask a question, or talk with your neighbours about what you want to see from the next City Council. Maybe you vote early, bring a friend to the polls, or follow along with what is happening at City Hall after the election.
For the Ottawa Food Bank network, the municipal election is an opportunity to ask candidates how they would help build a food secure Ottawa.
Ottawa has made commitments to addressing food insecurity and the conditions that contribute to it. The City’s work on food security connects with its responsibilities around poverty reduction, housing, affordability, transportation, and community services. The question now is: what will candidates do to move this work forward?
Below, we’ve assembled resources to help you engage and advocate for a food secure City this election.
Who are the candidates in your ward?
The City of Ottawa’s election website has official information about candidates, wards, voting, and accessibility.
You can also find Ottawa Food Bank network members in your ward and learn more about the work they do in your community. This can help you connect local food security issues with the candidates seeking your vote.
What are candidates saying?
The Ottawa Food Policy Council (OFPC) is asking candidates to respond to questions about food security.
The survey gives residents a chance to see how candidates are responding to food access related questions and compare their answers. It can also help you think about what matters to you and what you want to ask your own candidates.
When and how to vote
If you are eligible to vote, make a plan that works for you. For official information about voter eligibility, voting locations, accessibility and voting options, visit the City of Ottawa’s election website.
Key dates for the 2026 municipal election:
- October 1–4: Special Advance Voting Days
- October 16: Advance Voting Day
- October 26: Voting Day
Advocating for Food Security
Regardless of your voting status, you can still take part in this election by asking candidates questions, attending debates and community events, contacting elected representatives, sharing your experiences to advocate for the changes you want to see in your community.
Here are three questions you can ask local candidates to help start the conversation:
Advancing Ottawa’s Food Security Commitments
Ottawa City Council has committed to developing a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of food insecurity. The City is working with community partners on food security planning, including an action plan and Food Charter.
Ask candidates: What will you do to advance Ottawa’s food security commitments and make progress toward reducing food insecurity?
Making Ottawa More Affordable
When housing, transportation and other essentials take up more of a household’s income, there can be less left for food. The City has important responsibilities and investments that affect these costs, including housing, transit and other community services.
Ask candidates: What will you do to make Ottawa more affordable so that people can afford food and other basic needs?
Strengthening Ottawa’s Food Security Infrastructure
Food banks and community food programs are part of the infrastructure that communities rely on when people cannot afford enough food. Across Ottawa, the Ottawa Food Bank network helps connect people with food close to where they live.
Ask candidates: What role should the City play in strengthening Ottawa’s food security infrastructure and ensuring communities have the space, resources, and services they need to respond to food insecurity?
The Ottawa Community Food Partnership (OCFP), in partnership with the City for All Women Initiative (CAWI), has developed a collection of election resources to help Ottawa residents understand municipal government, learn about their ward, talk with candidates and connect food security to municipal policy.
The resources include Municipal Election Care Cards covering issues such as food security, housing, income, and transportation, as well as a Caring Conversations Guide to help facilitate meaningful conversations.
Election Day isn’t the end of the conversation.
Once a new Council is elected, residents can continue to follow decisions at City Hall, contact their councillor, attend community meetings and ask about the commitments made during the campaign.
Food security is a year-round issue, and building a food secure city takes ongoing work.
Find your candidates. Ask questions. Listen to their answers. Vote if you can, and stay involved in shaping the Ottawa you want to see.
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