The city of Ottawa, Canada held municipal elections on November 13, 1978.
Controller Marion Dewar becomes the second woman and first New Democratic Party (and to date, only) affiliated person to become mayor of Ottawa. She defeated former alderman Pat Nicol. This would mark the last elections for Ottawa's Board of Control.
Dewar won all of the city's 11 wards. Her strongest ward was Capital, where she won 62.8% of the vote. Her worst ward was Elmdale-Victoria, where she won 48.9%. Elmdale-Victoria was the only ward where she did not get a majority of the vote. Elmdale-Victoria was Nicol's home ward, but Dewar still beat her there by 545 votes.
(4 elected)
Six to be elected in each zone
4 to be elected
1 to be elected