Ottawa councillor George Darouze nominated as PC candidate for Carleton

Ottawa city councillor George Darouze has been nominated as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.

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Darouze, who has served as councillor for Osgoode Ward since 2014, won the party's nomination in the riding of Carleton on Sunday with 96 per cent of the vote, he wrote in a Facebook post.

"I am deeply honoured to stand as the Ontario PC Party candidate for Carleton," Darouze said in a news release.

"This community is my home, and I am passionate about building a Carleton where families can thrive. From investing in vital infrastructure and health-care services to keeping life affordable for all, I'm ready to bring my experience and dedication to Queen's Park to fight for the future of our community."

Darouze has served three terms on council, being elected to a second term in 2018 and a third in 2022. He also served as Deputy Mayor under Jim Watson's tenure.

Originally from Lebanon, he immigrated to Canada in 1990 and has lived in Ottawa since. He previously held managerial positions in various telecommunications companies, according to his biography.

The city's integrity commissioner found him to be in violation of the council code of conduct in 2019 after attempting to "bully and intimidate" a constituent, though councillors did not impose any sanctions after he apologized.

He was also fined in 2020 after being caught using his cellphone while driving and wearing his headphones during a virtual city committee meeting. He later apologized and went to the police station to pay the fine.

"George Darouze is a champion for the people of Carleton and a seasoned leader," Premier Doug Ford said in the news release.

"George's track record of advocating for better infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and delivering on community priorities makes him the ideal candidate to represent Carleton. I'm excited to have him on our team as we continue to build a stronger Ontario."

The announcement comes as the provincial government has hinted at the possibility of an early spring provincial election, with Ford previously refusing to rule out calling an election before the fixed June 2026 date.

The riding of Carleton is currently represented by MPP Goldie Ghamari, who was removed from the PC caucus last summer after she posted a photo of a meeting with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, founder of the anti-Islam English Defence League.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre holds the seat federally.

The riding has a population of approximately 102,000 and includes Stittsville, parts of Kanata and the rural south end of the city.