Former journalist Joanne Chianello has officially declared her intention to run for city council in the Kitchissippi ward during the 2026 municipal election. Chianello, who previously worked for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa, made the announcement on Monday, calling it the "worst-kept secret" at City Hall. In a social media post dated December 1, she shared that she was prompted to confirm her candidacy during a recent municipal affairs panel on CBC Radio. "Well, I am all for transparency and accountability, so I had no problem with that," she wrote. "And to be honest, I’ve been telling anyone who is remotely interested that I am planning to run for council in Kitchissippi ward in the October 26, 2026 election. So it’s hardly a secret." Chianello acknowledged that the election cycle has been lengthy, with two elections already held this year. She noted that many residents are not yet focused on the upcoming municipal election. Current Kitchissippi Councillor Jeff Leiper, who has held the position since 2014, announced earlier this year that he will be running for mayor in the next election. Chianello and Leiper are known to be friends and allies, having attended various community events together, including the recent Light Up the Village charity drive and the lighting of a public Christmas tree at Parkdale Market. Chianello plans to launch her official campaign in the spring. She expressed her commitment to engaging with the community, stating, "I am spending the coming months learning even more about the incredible community I’ve called home for a quarter-century, and listening to the issues on the minds of residents and local business owners. It’s early days — but I’m excited for the conversations ahead." As she prepares for her campaign, Chianello aims to connect with constituents and address their concerns leading up to the election.