Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard strolled into the Glebe’s Senate Tavern moments before polls closed on Monday night . Flanked by his parents, the incumbent waited as other supporters — and family members — joined him, waiting for the results.
A wide grin enveloped Menard’s face as cheers from his watch party filled the sports bar. Unofficial results from Ottawa’s 2026 municipal election showed that Capital ward voters sent Menard back to City Hall for a third consecutive term — and resoundingly so.
The 44-year-old earned nearly 87 per cent of the vote as of 9:00 p.m.
“It’s special what we achieved here,” Menard said, which preceded his supporters breaking out into “87 per cent” chants.
Steps away from his supporters, volunteers and family, Menard said the results are a “vote of confidence.”
“We have a ward that really pays attention to what is happening municipally,” he said.
Menard ran against Farah Gulzar and Jaac Doduck. The two challengers accumulated seven and five per cent of the votes, respectively.
Menard became Ward 17’s councillor in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022, winning with nearly 79 percent of the vote.
“I like the fact that he’s concerned about the environment, which is extremely important,” said Pete Smorenburg at Menard’s watch party, adding that he’d voted for the incumbent the previous two times his name was on the ballot.
That support isn’t something the former public school board trustee takes lightly.
“The ward itself advocates for things like community buildings, pool hours and bathrooms and I try to be a conduit for that work,” said Menard. “It feels like there’s a real coming together in the ward.”
Menard previously served as chair of the environment and climate change committee and as a member of the transit and finance and corporate services committees, among other appointments.
In his nearly decade-long tenure at City Hall, Menard touted milestones like replacing the Heron Park Community Building, along with “smaller quality of life stuff” like snow clearing.
“The biggest thing I’m proud of is the work that we’ve done with our community and community associations in advocating to City Hall,” said Menard. “We’ve changed some narratives around what’s possible in the city despite challenges.”
Moving forward, Menard said he will push a heavy transit platform as a city councillor.
“It’s important to me to get that right,” he said. “The city deserves that to be helped, to be fixed.”
Ottawa’s city clerk is expected to make the 2026 municipal election results official on or before Friday.
ELECTION RESULTS FROM MORE OTTAWA WARDS:
Orléans East-Cumberland
Orléans West-Innes
Barrhaven West
Kanata North
West Carleton-March
Stittsville
Bay
College
Knoxdale-Merivale
Gloucester-Southgate
Beacon Hill-Cyrville
Rideau-Vanier
Rideau-Rockcliffe
Somerset
Kitchissippi
River
Capital
Alta Vista
Orléans South-Navan
Osgoode
Rideau-Jock
Riverside South-Findlay Creek
Kanata South
Barrhaven East
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