Incumbent mayor Mark Sutcliffe is promising free trade between Ottawa and Gatineau, more events and direct flights to the capital if re-elected this fall. Sutcliffe unveiled his plan for economic growth in Ottawa on Monday, outlining measures he says will strengthen the local economy, create jobs across the city and improve quality of life for residents. “For the past four years, I’ve been focused on attracting investment, creating tens of thousands of new jobs, supporting small business, partnering with the City of Gatineau on economic opportunities, increasing direct flights to Ottawa, and bringing more visitors and events to the capital, including Ironman Canada and the World Junior Hockey Championships,” Sutcliffe said in a news release. “I will build on this progress to make Ottawa’s local economy even stronger and more resilient.” Free trade in the National Capital Region If re-elected, Sutcliffe says he would work with Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, as well as the federal and provincial governments, to create a special economic zone in the National Capital Region that would allow for free trade between Ottawa and Gatineau. “With many local businesses suffering from new U.S. tariffs, we must make it easier for them to sell their products in Canada — including just across the river into Quebec,” he said. In August, Sutcliffe and Marquis-Bissonnette signed an agreement to strengthen economic cooperation between the two cities. Shows, flights and summits Sutcliffe’s plans include several measures, which he says are aimed at attracting visitors and investors to the capital. To increase tourism in Ottawa, Sutcliffe says he would continue to work with Ottawa Tourism and the Ottawa airport to attract direct flights to host major events in the city. Sutcliffe also says he would host an investment summit in Ottawa next year, akin to the summit Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted in Toronto. “On the heels of Prime Minister Carneyʼs investment summit in September, we know the world is watching and wants to invest in Canada,” Sutcliffe said. “This is a significant opportunity for our region, and we must ensure that Ottawa gets a piece of the action.” Other initiatives The mayor is promising to waive patio fees for businesses, an initiative that was piloted this summer, and says he would create grants and match-making programs to fill vacant lots on Ottawa’s main streets. He also says he would adopt a fair wage policy to ensure workers are adequately paid for municipally procured jobs. Sutcliffe outlined several plans put into motion during his term as mayor, including the Defence Innovation Strategy and the ByWard Market revitalization plan, and says he would continue to implement them. Sutcliffe also plans to establish several economic and development zones in rural and suburban Ottawa to boost job growth outside the city’s core and expand business improvement areas in the city. He also proposes creating a group to develop a “vibrant town centre in Barrhaven,” As the Ottawa Senators develop plans for a new arena at LeBreton Flats, Sutcliffe says he would require the Senators and other property owners to “develop a strong plan that meets community expectations” for new businesses and attractions in the area of Canadian Tire Centre. Election day is Oct. 26. Sutcliffe 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, Jeff Leiper, Geoff Nicholas, Josh Rachlis, Neil Saravanamuttoo, Ali Shayvard, Jacob Solomon, Mark Sutcliffe (incumbent), Amjad Ali Syed, and Peter Westaway.
