On Thursday, October 1, the Ottawa Board of Trade hosted a mayoral debate focused on the decisions that will shape Ottawa’s future ahead of the upcoming municipal election on October 26 – from reliable transit and housing affordability to public safety and the conditions businesses need to grow.
Moderated by Marieke Walsh, Senior Political Reporter with The Globe and Mail, the debate featured candidates Alex Lawson, Jeff Leiper, Neil Saravanamuttoo, and Mark Sutcliffe. The discussion provided an opportunity to hear their perspectives on four priorities for Ottawa’s business community: leadership at City Hall, transit and infrastructure, public safety and downtown, and affordability.
Leadership at City Hall
Candidates discussed how they would build relationships with business and community partners, strengthen Ottawa’s economy, and manage municipal finances. The conversation explored economic diversification, spending priorities, procurement practices, and accountability. Business concerns also featured prominently, including how to reduce red tape and improve the timeliness of permits and development approvals.
Transit and infrastructure
Transit reliability, service levels, and fares were central to the discussion, with candidates presenting different approaches to rebuilding ridership and funding the system. The debate also examined the respective roles of municipal and provincial governments in supporting light rail. Recent flooding brought infrastructure resilience into focus, alongside questions about how Ottawa should prioritize and fund investments to meet current needs and accommodate growth.
Public safety and downtown
The discussion addressed safety in the downtown core and ByWard Market, including policing resources, community support, and responses to homelessness, mental health challenges and addiction. Candidates outlined their different approaches to supportive housing, treatment, and harm reduction. They also shared opinions on how to strengthen the visitor economy through festivals, cultural programming, outdoor recreation, and welcoming public spaces.
Affordability
Housing supply, development charges, and approval processes were key topics as candidates discussed ways to make Ottawa more affordable. The conversation considered the roles of private construction and public housing initiatives, as well as the need for homes that serve a range of household sizes and incomes. Candidates also shared their approaches to property taxes, budget transparency, and balancing affordability with investment across municipal services.
In their closing remarks, candidates outlined their visions for Ottawa in 2030, returning to themes of housing, mobility, safety, economic opportunity, and downtown renewal.
The Ottawa Board of Trade thanks all participating candidates, our moderator, the University of Ottawa for hosting us, event sponsors including Ottawa Tourism, Inter Clôtures Sentinelle, Enbridge, the University of Ottawa, Hobin Architecture, and everyone who joined the discussion. As a nonpartisan voice for Ottawa’s business community, OBOT remains committed to creating opportunities for informed dialogue on the policies and investments that will shape our city’s prosperity and quality of life.
Watch the debate
Missed the event or want to revisit the discussion? Watch the full debate replay, filmed courtesy of Rogers TV.
Learn more about OBOT’s municipal election priorities
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