Ottawa councillor Fleury not seeking re-election
Veteran city councillor Mathieu Fleury says he is not running for re-election in this fall’s municipal election, nor is he running for mayor.
Fleury, 36, made the surprise announcement in an email to supporters on Tuesday morning. He has served three terms on council and had been mentioned as a possible mayoral candidate.
“It has been an extreme privilege to represent Rideau–Vanier around the council table, and I am so proud of everything we have accomplished together during my three terms as City Councillor. I am also humbled by the encouragement of so many Ottawa residents urging me to run for Mayor,” Fleury said.
“Executive tables, including the one in council chambers, benefit from renewal and new ideas. It is time for me to find new ways to contribute to our city’s future - at least for now.”
The University of Ottawa graduate was first elected to council in 2010 at age 25, the youngest councillor at the time.
“Please know that I am not going anywhere. Ottawa is my hometown and I am determined to build our exceptional community up in new ways,” he said.
Community leaders who worked with Fleury said his presence on council will be missed.
“It's a little bittersweet," said Kalin McCluskey, the executive director of the ByWard Market BIA. "Mat has definitely done a lot for the community, not just for businesses but also for the residents and has always tried to have a balance on what's best for ByWard and I know the other parts of his ward as well."
"We're hoping that the next councillor is going to be emphatic about all the changes that are coming to the ByWard Market, that they'll champion public realm to give us the improvements we need to make it even better and that they'll support our businesses who are mostly small and local."
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, who is also not seeking re-election, said Fleury has done a great job for the community.
"Politics is tough especially if you have a young family and Mat has a young family and you're out almost every night at different meetings and events and so on," Watson said. "I think he's done a great job and he'll be missed he's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm he brings to the council table and I wish him and his family the very best in their next journey."
Fleury’s announcement means there will be at least eight new councillors at city hall after the October election.
Veteran councillors Scott Moffatt, Jan Harder, Jean Cloutier and Keith Egli are not seeking re-election. Councillors Diane Deans and Catherine McKenney are running for mayor, leaving their seats in Gloucester-Southgate and Somerset wards open.
Deans has not officially registered to run for mayor, but announced she would run back in December.
There will also be a councillor elected in the newly-created Barrhaven East ward.
The municipal election is Oct. 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.