Ontario Voters Defeat Incumbent Mayors Across Province
Local elections in Ontario saw several long-serving mayors replaced by challengers this week.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Voters in numerous Ontario municipalities participated in local elections on October 26, 2026, opting for leadership changes in several major cities. Incumbents were defeated in Mississauga, Hamilton, Windsor, and Milton as new candidates secured mayoral victories.
Why it matters
These municipal results reflect a broad trend of voter dissatisfaction with local leadership across Ontario. The shifts in mayoral offices coincide with significant provincial political transitions currently reshaping the Canadian landscape.
Approximately two dozen Ontario towns and cities chose to vote for change during the October 26 municipal elections. The results officially unseated established incumbents in key urban centres across the province.
The players
Gord Krantz
He is the long-serving mayor of Milton who was defeated after over four decades of municipal service.
Andrea Horwath
She is the incumbent mayor of Hamilton who lost her bid for re-election.
Olivia Chow
She is the mayor of Toronto who successfully secured re-election in the municipal vote.
Patrick Brown
He is the mayor of Brampton who maintained his seat in the recent municipal elections.
Mark Sutcliffe
He is the mayor of Ottawa who was re-elected by voters to continue his term.
The details
Alvin Tedjo, Keanin Loomis, Fred Francis, and George Minakakis secured victories against incumbents Carolyn Parrish, Andrea Horwath, Drew Dilkens, and Gord Krantz respectively. Meanwhile, mayors in Ottawa, Brampton, and Toronto successfully won re-election bids.
Timeline
Gord Krantz was first elected as a Milton town councillor in 1965.
Gord Krantz began his service as the mayor of Milton in 1980.
British Columbia voters elected a Conservative majority on October 24, 2026.
Ontario held municipal elections across the province on October 26, 2026.
Manitoba is scheduled to hold municipal elections on October 28, 2026.
Political Context
The municipal outcomes align with the electoral shift observed in the 2026 British Columbia provincial election, where voters similarly chose to remove the NDP from power. These local results highlight a broader national appetite for political transition that extends beyond provincial borders.
Residents in cities with new leadership can expect potential shifts in local municipal policy and community management as new mayors take office. These changes may impact local tax priorities, city infrastructure projects, and the allocation of municipal resources.
The takeaway
Voters across Ontario are signalling a clear preference for new direction by replacing multiple long-term incumbents in local office. Citizens should engage with their new municipal representatives to advocate for local needs as these administration transitions begin.
What happens next
Manitoba will hold municipal elections on October 28, 2026, followed by scheduled elections in Prince Edward Island on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on provincial and local government trends, visit the Elections section.
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