In the upcoming year, there are several noteworthy events to anticipate, spanning political, sporting, and other spheres. Alongside these, there will be various developments such as openings, closures, and transformations, as well as reflections on significant milestones.
In the realm of politics, 2026 will witness municipal elections in Ontario and provincial elections in Quebec. The Ontario municipal elections are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26. Notably, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has expressed his intention to seek a second term, while Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson is yet to decide on his candidacy. These elections hold the potential to steer smaller municipalities with tumultuous council terms onto a new trajectory.
In Quebec’s Outaouais region, an election involving five Coalition Avenir Québec MNAs and one Liberal representative is slated to take place by Monday, Oct. 5. Speculations suggest the inclusion of another independence referendum on the ballot.
The City of Ottawa is actively working on a “bubble bylaw” aimed at curbing protests across more locations. Additionally, the government has committed to continuing the transformation of public services, which includes significant job cuts and early retirement offerings.
Turning to the realm of sports, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games are set to unfold from Feb. 6-22, followed by the Paralympics from March 6-15. Local athletes will have the opportunity to etch their legacies with medal triumphs, while players from Ottawa Charge and Senators will represent national teams.
Atlético Ottawa is gearing up to defend its Canadian Premier League championship and compete against other regional victors in the CONCACAF Champions Cup commencing next month. Jonathan David, Canada’s all-time leading scorer in men’s soccer, is expected to play a prominent role at the World Cup starting June 12 in Toronto.
Furthermore, 2026 will witness several notable openings, closures, and changes. This year marks the commencement of the Lansdowne 2.0 construction project, with objectives to complete the arena and initiate the construction of new north side stands by 2028. Conversely, financial constraints are driving the anticipated closure of Algonquin College’s Perth campus following the spring term.
In the cultural sphere, the new History music venue at the junction of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive is on track to open early this year. Notably, John Storgårds will commence his tenure as the conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in September.
Reflecting on anniversaries, 2026 marks significant milestones such as the 25th anniversary of the amalgamation of 12 communities into the City of Ottawa and the last league title win for the Ottawa 67’s. Additionally, the Ottawa International Animation Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, alongside the 50th anniversary of the Gatineau junior hockey team adopting the Olympiques moniker. Moreover, this year commemorates the 150th anniversaries of the Library of Parliament and the Royal Military College.
In historical retrospection, the formal establishment of Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg as a reserve by the government of the Province of United Canada began 175 years ago on Aug. 30, 1851, coinciding with the foundation of Ottawa (then Bytown) on Sept. 26, 1826.
Lastly, some ongoing developments include the rescheduled opening of Ottawa’s Line 1 eastern extension to Trim Road, now set for early 2026, and the delayed unveiling of the Thunderhead monument acknowledging individuals impacted by 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination, now expected to open in the summer of 2026 due to construction complexities.
