Leiper promises more night ambassadors, fuller storefronts in ByWard Market if elected mayor of Ottawa

Ottawa mayoral candidate Coun. Jeff Leiper is promising to hire more night ambassadors in the ByWard Market, create temporary leases for empty storefronts, and develop a new, permanent festival plaza if elected mayor. (Photo of Leiper: supplied. Photo of Market building: CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa mayoral candidate Coun. Jeff Leiper says, if elected mayor on Oct. 26, he would triple the number of night ambassadors and community engagement team members in the ByWard Market, work to fill empty storefronts in the district, and create a new, permanent festival plaza for events.

Leiper unveiled his ByWard Market plan on Thursday, saying he would work to tackle homelessness, mental health and addictions challenges, and get more storefronts occupied in the historic downtown destination.

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“The ByWard Market can and should be a gathering space, an economic driver, a job creator and the pride of Ottawa. But families say they’re not comfortable being there after dark, or don’t want their kids exposed to the drug use they might see there,” he said in a news release.

“Under Mark Sutcliffe, we’re on the wrong track — too many storefronts are shuttered and too few struggling people are given help. This election is about putting Ottawa back on the right track. Making the ByWard Market vibrant and safe for Ottawa residents and businesses is part of our vision for our city’s future as a city that works.”

More supports in the market

The community engagement team provides street outreach to connect homeless individuals with supports. It operates in the ByWard Market during the day, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Night ambassadors work in the ByWard Market on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. These individuals offer support to intoxicated or vulnerable people, provide water and snacks and other essential items, de-escalate conflicts and connect the public with emergency services when required. Night ambassadors receive training on de-escalation techniques, first aid, overdose awareness, and are selected based on experience in medical services, social work, community outreach, and harm reduction.

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The night ambassador program first launched in 2025 and ran from late June to early November. It launched in late July this year, according to the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA). The program is funded by the City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Office in partnership with the BMDA.

Leiper says he would provide permanent funding to these programs and triple the number of people working on them.

The BMDA says it currenty has seven night ambassadors.

Empty storefronts

Leiper says he would work with other business improvement areas (BIAs) in the city to fill empty storefronts in the ByWard Market through temporary lease agreements.

He is pledging to create a new meanwhile leasing program to fill empty storefronts by providing short-term leases and spaces for non-profit and local cultural groups.

“Empty storefronts are not only an economic loss and an eyesore, they also attract more social disorder,” Leiper said, through his campaign.

“We don’t have to accept social disorder and mothballed storefronts. We don’t have to make it hard for festivals and events to be successful. We can’t afford four more years of Sutcliffe taking the ByWard Market down the wrong path,” he said.

Festival plaza

Finally, Leiper is promising to create a new permanent festival plaza in the ByWard Market to host events such as the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Festival Franco-Ontarien, the Children’s Festival, and markets like 613Flea.

“Working with the [National Capital Commission], the [Public Services and Procurement Canada], and Ottawa’s provincial partners in economic development and tourism Leiper will develop a permanent spot to welcome a full roster of festivals and events, and attract new ones,” his campaign said.

His release did not indicate a desired area where such a plaza might go.

“I love Ottawa festivals. Let’s make it easier for them to grow and be successful. Let’s plan to welcome new festivals and events. Let’s plan for a cultural and economic boom,” said Leiper.

A $200-million plan to revitalize the ByWard Market that was unveiled by incumbent Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in February and approved by city council in March includes the rehabilitation of 55 ByWard Market Square, turning the parking garage at 70 Clarence Street into a community hub and creating a “pedestrian-friendly event space” on York Street.

Election day is Oct. 26. Special advance voting days are underway now through Sunday.

Leiper is one of 14 candidates running for mayor of Ottawa this year. The others, in alphabetical order, are: Queen Divine Priya Amber Bakshi, Zed Chebib, Bernard Couchman, Suraj Harish, Alex Lawson, Geoff Nicholas, Josh Rachlis, Neil Saravanamuttoo, Ali Shayvard, Jacob Solomon, Mark Sutcliffe (incumbent), Amjad Ali Syed, and Peter Westaway.

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