An Ottawa city councillor slated to run for the federal Conservatives has resigned as a candidate after being charged with impaired driving.
Matthew Luloff, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who served in Canada’s war in Afghanistan, is a two-term city councillor in Ottawa, representing Orléans East-Cumberland Ward. He was nominated as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate in Orléans until earlier this month.
“Matt Luloff resigned his candidacy on July 10, 2024, due to a personal matter,” a Conservative spokesperson told True North.
Luloff’s lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, told True North that the resignation was a direct result of the charges against his client.
“We will be defending him on the charge. And he is to be treated as if he is innocent,” said Greenspon.
Despite the charges against Luloff, Greenspon said that there was no accident involved.
Luloff was born and raised in Ottawa.
He previously served in the Canadian military between 2003 and 2009 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. He also served as a member of the Ceremonial Guard.
Following his military service, Luloff graduated from Carleton University with a bachelor of public affairs and policy Management. He worked as an advisor to several members of parliament and federal cabinet ministers.
He also produced and co-hosted a podcast, “Veteran X,” meant for veterans and first responders transitioning to civilian life, which seemingly posted its last episode in July 2020.
Luloff is the chair of the Ottawa Public Library and previously served as the chair of Ottawa’s Community and Protective Services Committee, as well as the liaison for veterans and the accessibility advisory.
He previously told True North that he was unquestionably a conservative despite previously donating to the Liberals and working for a Liberal cabinet minister.
During the Freedom Convoy, Luloff publicly supported invoking the National Defence Act to deploy the military and disrupt the peaceful protest.
However, Luloff said the Liberals had abandoned the values that once attracted him to the party.
True North reached out to Luloff for comment but received no reply.
