Lansdowne 2.0, transit fare hikes and a 38% jump in for-profit housing built.
Core issues
What this election is actually about
Affordable housing
Development charges and fees were cut to speed construction. Units went up 38%, almost entirely for-profit. Low-income households, BIPOC residents and people using mental-health and substance-use services carry the shortfall.
OC Transpo and Para Transpo
Fares rose 2.5% to among the highest in Canada while the Metrolinx deal moved LRT ownership to the province. Para Transpo riders report vague pickup windows, long waits on vehicles and missed appointments.
Where the money goes
$419M to rebuild a decade-old Lansdowne while arenas and community facilities face closure. $104M to roads and sidewalks. A promised million trees with roughly 104,000 planted.
The incumbent
The record you are voting on
Mark Sutcliffe INCUMBENT
Running for Mayor of Ottawa · in office since 2022
Campaigning on continuity. Our research finds the housing built is overwhelmingly for-profit and transit riders are paying more for less.
Public money, private profile Protest ignored Pride cancelled
Key votes and spending
Council decisions that shaped the issues above
| Decision | Result | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebuild Lansdowne (Lansdowne 2.0) | Approved 15-10 | $419M | |
| Transit fare increase | Passed | +2.5% | |
| Police budget increase and 200+ new officers | Passed | +5% | |
| Metrolinx LRT ownership transfer | Signed | $85M/yr saving | |
| Tree planting commitment (1,000,000) | About 104,000 planted | Underfunded |
The other candidates
Drawn from published platforms and public statements
Alex Lawson
Running for Mayor of Ottawa
Cut development charges 50% for a year, faster approvals, and more police in public spaces.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Unclear
- Housing
- Cut development charges 50%
Jeff Leiper
Running for Mayor of Ottawa
1,500 non-profit units a year, reversed transit cuts, and no developer donations.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Unclear
- Housing
- 1,500 units/yr
Neil Saravanamuttoo
Running for Mayor of Ottawa
$1 transit fare, open books, and half a billion dollars redirected from Lansdowne to community projects.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Unclear
- Housing
- Supports
Side by side
Pick who you want next to each other
“Unclear” means we could not find a documented position, not that none exists.
| Issue | Mark Sutcliffe INC | Alex Lawson | Jeff Leiper | Neil Saravanamuttoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI data centres | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
| Environment | Underfunded | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
| Housing | Opposes non-profit targets | Cut development charges 50% | 1,500 units/yr | Supports |
| Land use | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
| Policing | Expanded | Supports | Unclear | Health-led |
| Public funds | Championed Lansdowne 2.0 | Unclear | Unclear | Fought Lansdowne 2.0 |
| Transit | Raised fares | Partial | Supports | $1 fare |
| Transparency | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
Documented position Opposes Unclear or partial
Money and donors
- Developer money
- Jeff Leiper is the only mayoral candidate publicly refusing developer donations. Filings for the rest are published by the City Clerk after the campaign period closes.
- Third-party advertising
- Horizon Ottawa is facing legal action over alleged campaign finance violations. Outcome pending.
- Public funds used politically
- The mayor drew criticism for city-funded advertising that raised his own profile in a pre-election year.
Local coverage
Reporting we drew on
LOCAL BUSINESS
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Ask every candidate the same questions we did, then tell us what they say.
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