The 2003 Ottawa municipal election was a municipal election that was held in Ottawa to elect the city's mayor, City Council, and school trustees for the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The vote was held on November 10, 2003. The elections were held simultaneously with most other municipalities in Ontario. The mayoral election was won by popular incumbent and former Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament Bob Chiarelli. His main competition was that of right-wing candidate Terry Kilrea.

Issues

The main issues of the race were a controversial Smoking ban, the expansion of the O-Train (Ottawa's light rail system), official bilingualism and the recent amalgamation. Chiarelli was in favour of the smoking ban, which had been implemented by the last city council. The ban was on smoking in all public places, which angered many bar and restaurant owners. Kilrea was against the smoking ban. He was also against putting money into expanding the O-Train, and official bilingualism in the city.

Controversy

One of the prominent fringe candidates for mayor was associated with white supremacist support. Donna Upson received contributions from the Ku Klux Klan, and she voiced support for racial segregation. She has also set up a Canadian branch of the National Socialist Movement. She finished in sixth place with 1,312 votes (0.71%).

Turnout

Turnout for the election was low, at 33%. The highest turnouts were in the rural areas, specifically in Goulbourn, Rideau and the highest West Carleton (45%). The lowest turnout was in Somerset Ward at 25% turnout.

Results for mayor

Chiarelli won all but three wards and had his most strength in the city core region. Kilrea won three wards, all in the rural south and west.

Council results

[[Image:Ottawawards2000-2006.PNG|300px|thumb|Map of Ottawa's Wards used in this election

1. Orléans Ward
2. Innes Ward
3. Bell-South Nepean Ward
4. Kanata Ward
5. West Carleton Ward
6. Goulbourn Ward
7. Bay Ward
8. Baseline Ward
9. Knoxdale-Merivale Ward
10. Gloucester-Southgate Ward
11. Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward
12. Rideau-Vanier Ward
13. Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward
14. Somerset Ward
15. Kitchissippi Ward
16. River Ward
17. Capital Ward
18. Alta Vista Ward
19. Cumberland Ward
20. Osgoode Ward
21. Rideau Ward.]] No incumbents lost any races, and only two councillors had a decrease in the popular vote percentage from the 2000 election. Orléans Ward Innes Ward Bell-South Nepean Ward Kanata Ward West Carleton Ward Goulbourn Ward Bay Ward Baseline Ward Knoxdale-Merivale Ward Gloucester-Southgate Ward Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward Rideau-Vanier Ward Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward Somerset Ward Kitchissippi Ward River Ward Capital Ward Alta Vista Ward Cumberland Ward Osgoode Ward Rideau Ward

School trustee races

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Trustees

Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board Trustees

Conseil des écoles catholiques de langue française du Centre-Est Trustees

Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario Trustees

Information on the candidates