The CTV News Ottawa mayoral debate is Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. Watch on CTVNewsOttawa.ca, listen on Newstalk 580 CFRA and watch on the Newstalk 580 CFRA YouTube Channel. Incumbent mayor Mark Sutcliffe is promising improvements to Para Transpo service and new standards for accessibility in Ottawa if re-elected this fall. Sutcliffe unveiled his plan on Saturday, saying he is “committing to making Ottawa the most accessible city in Canada.” “An accessible city isn’t just about ramps and doorways,” Sutcliffe said in a statement. “It’s about how we design our spaces, how we deliver our services and how we treat people. We have an opportunity to build accessibility into every decision we make as a city.” Para Transpo As part of his plan, Sutcliffe says he would allow for same-day Para Transpo booking. Currently, Para Transpo users typically must book their ride 24 hours in advance. In September, OC Transpo began offering Para Transpo service until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights as part of a one-year pilot project. Sutcliffe says he would make those extended hours permanent if re-elected. Accessibility standards The incumbent is also promising to complete accessibility retrofits for current city facilities and to create a new “Gold Standard of Accessibility” for all future municipal projects and city facilities. “This is about changing the way we build our city,” Sutcliffe said. “We shouldn’t have to go back and fix accessibility problems that could have been prevented in the first place.” Sutcliffe also says he would complete stroller tests across the city to identify problem areas for parents and caregivers of young children and permanently extend a pilot project that provides businesses with accessible ramps. Sutcliffe is also pledging to install gentle-angle stairs, shower benches and 15 new water wheelchairs at public pools, and committing to improve access to afterschool programs for children who require additional supports. To achieve his vision of a more accessible Ottawa, Sutcliffe says he would seek guidance from Rick Hansen, a paralympic athlete and accessibility advocate. “I have had the opportunity to speak with Rick about accessibility, and I believe we should learn from his leadership and expertise as we build Ottawa,” Sutcliffe said in a statement. “If we are going to set a higher standard for accessibility, we should start with the standards and expertise of people who have been leading this work for years.” Fourteen candidates are running to be mayor of Ottawa. In alphabetical order, they are: Queen Divine Priya Amber Bakshi, Zed Chebib, Bernard Couchman, Suraj Harish, Alex Lawson, Jeff Leiper, Geoff Nicholas, Josh Rachlis, Neil Saravanamuttoo, Ali Shayvard, Jacob Solomon, Mark Sutcliffe (incumbent), Amjad Ali Syed, and Peter Westaway
