Michelle Groulx has withdrawn from the race to become Kitchissippi’s next city councillor. The council hopeful announced her decision on Facebook Monday, saying “recent unforeseen circumstances” led her to step away from the race.
“Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for Ottawa City Councillor in Kitchissippi Ward due to recent unforeseen circumstances — truthfully, I’m quite saddened,” she wrote.
Groulx did not elaborate on the circumstances behind her decision.
She thanked residents who had supported her campaign and those who spoke with her as she knocked on doors throughout the ward.
“To everyone who supported my campaign and the residents who welcomed me at their doors and shared their ideas for our community, THANK YOU,” Groulx wrote. “Your kindness, encouragement, and belief in me have meant more than I can express.”
Groulx entered the race earlier this year as Kitchissippi prepared for its first change in representation at city hall in more than a decade. Incumbent councillor Jeff Leiper, who has represented the ward since 2014, is not seeking a fourth term and is instead running for mayor.
When Groulx first spoke with the Kitchissippi Times about her candidacy in April, she said Leiper’s departure presented an opportunity to put her years of community and business advocacy to work at city hall.
“I wanted to do it because it’s kind of like the right time and it’s the right opportunity,” she said at the time. “With Jeff announcing that he’s not going to be running, I thought, I love this community, and I have been championing it and obviously the business community for so long, this might be my time.”
The Westboro Beach resident served as executive director of the Westboro Village Business Improvement Area from 2018 to 2020, working with merchants, residents and community groups along Richmond Road.
She later became executive director of the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas, representing 18 BIAs and more than 7,200 businesses across the city between 2021 and 2024. Following a stint as president of MBC Group, she returned to the BIA organization last year as its chief advocate.
Despite leaving the council race, Groulx indicated that she intends to remain involved in community and economic development work in Ottawa.
“While my campaign is coming to an end, my commitment to Ottawa is not,” she wrote. “I look forward to continuing to contribute through the work I care deeply about — strengthening communities, supporting economic development.”
In announcing her withdrawal, Groulx offered no endorsement but praised the other people seeking to replace Leiper.
She said she had researched the Kitchissippi candidates through their websites, LinkedIn pages and social media accounts before making her announcement.
“The strong slate of candidates ensures that our neighbours will be well represented, and I wish each of them the very best in the weeks ahead,” said Groulx.
There are now three names on the ballot to become Kitchissippi’s next city councillor. They include former CBC Ottawa municipal affairs reporter Joanne Chianello, former Hintonburg community association president Brian Innes, and entrepreneur Subhir Uppal.
Nominations close later this month, and election day is Oct. 26.