The mayoral election was won by popular incumbent and former Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament Bob Chiarelli.

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.

The ban was on smoking in all public places, which angered many bar and restaurant owners.

Donna Upson received contributions from the Ku Klux Klan,[1] and she voiced support for racial segregation.

No incumbents lost any races, and only two councillors had a decrease in the popular vote percentage from the 2000 election.