George Darouze

George Darouze (born November 1964) is the Ottawa City Councillor for Osgoode Ward. He was elected for the first time in the 2014 Ottawa municipal election.

Darouze immigrated from Lebanon in 1990, settling in the community of Greely, Ontario in Osgoode Township, which would be amalgamated into Ottawa in 2001.

Darouze graduated from Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts with a degree in Telecommunications. After moving to Canada, he worked in a number of odd-jobs such as busboy, baker, dishwasher and fast food employee before purchasing a pizzeria. Later, he became a sales representative for a Bell Mobility dealer, which led him to work in a number of managerial positions for various telecommunications companies. He speaks English, French and Arabic. He is the former president of the Ottawa-Carleton Snowmobile Trail Club.

Darouze has supported Conservative Member of Parliament Pierre Poilievre, as well as the previous councillor for Osgoode Ward, Doug Thompson. After deciding not to run for re-election in 2014, Thompson in turned endorsed Darouze, helping him to claim his seat. Thompson had previously stated he would remain neutral.

Darouze, along with Laura Dudas and Matthew Luloff was appointed as a deputy mayor of the city in December 2018.

As of January 2016, Darouze sits on the following Committees and Board of Directors:

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee – Vice Chair
• Audit Committee
• Community and Protective Services Committee
• Transportation Committee
• IT Sub-Committee
• South Nation Conservation Authority Board of Directors - Vice-Chair
• Manotick Mill Corporation Board of Directors
• Osgoode Care Centre Board of Directors

Darouze has volunteered with the Greely Winter Carnival, the Osgoode Village and Metcalfe Santa Claus Parades, the Vernon Arts and Crafts Show, and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

In 2011, Darouze was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. George’s extensive volunteer work was also recognized in 2011 when he received the Osgoode Ward Community Volunteer Award, and in 2012 when he became a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal recipient.

After a long eight months of campaigning and knocking on over 9,000 doors, Darouze was elected as a first time councillor in the 2014 municipal election for Osgoode Ward. He won with 1,783 votes and 21.06% in a crowded race. Darouze was re-elected in the 2018 municipal election as the councillor for Osgoode Ward.