Here are the 9 people currently vying to be the next mayor of Ottawa

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson’s announcement in December that he would not extend his record-long tenure in office fueled the race to replace him.

With less than two months until nominations close and less than four months until Election Day, here’s who has registered to run.

In 2018 there were 12 candidates and in 2014 – eight.

Candidates are taken from the city’s official list and follow in alphabetical order. Nominations close on August 19, and election day is October 24.

Brandon Bay

The software developer and manager counts housing, tourism and investing in post-pandemic community improvements among his priorities.

Bob Chiarelli

The former Ottawa mayor and provincial cabinet minister says he can get council to work together and criticizes the city’s debt and over-budget projects.

Bernard Cushman

Couchman says she runs in memory of her sister, who died in December. His platform promotes a unified city where local companies can thrive.

Graham McDonald

MacDonald, who has worked in the funeral industry, has seven key issues on his website, including creating a mental health officer for the city that could help police respond with mental health workers and address the opioid crisis.

Mike Maguire

Maguire signed up on June 29 and has no email or website listed.

Catherine McKenney

The Somerset ward councilor since 2014 has a platform focused on building the “healthiest city in Canada” through investment in transportation and the environment.

Ade Olumide

Olumide, with a background in taxpayer advocacy, is rolling out its platform gradually. It includes limiting tax and fee increases and weekly garbage collection.

Param Singh

Singh has been a police officer in Ottawa since 2002 and wants to create more affordable transit and housing, along with investing in post-Covid economic growth. His campaign said in an email that his website should launch this week.

Mark Sutcliffe

The former journalist and current business advisor also signed up on June 29. The city had no other information, but a news release from the same day touted a “safe, reliable, affordable” message that mentioned reliable transit and keeping city fees and taxes low.