In 1994, as a result of local government reorganization, Hunter moved to the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton Council.
A Liberal, he ran for the party in the 1999 provincial election in the riding of Nepean—Carleton, but lost to Tory incumbent John Baird.
With the creation of the new city of Ottawa, in 2000, Hunter ran to represent the Knoxdale-Merivale ward, and easily won election against an anti-development activist.
[1] [2] [3] Gord Hunter was also criticized for the appearance of a conflict of interest for having accepted a free corporate box seat at the 2007 Stanley Cup NHL hockey playoff game (Senators v.s.
Anaheim Ducks) at Scotiabank Place from Waste Management Services—a company that the City does business with.
However, other than addressing corruption, the provincial Municipal Act does not prohibit councillors from accepting such gifts.