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.” Opponents push back Sutcliffe’s opponents say his plan isn’t realistic and focuses too much on policies the city doesn’t have control over. “Mark Sutcliffe pulled out his greatest hits again today,” said candidate Neil Saravanamuttoo. “What’s concerning is that a lot of the issues put forward are actually not even within the city’s control. Take the example of direct flights to Ottawa. Sure, we’d all like direct flights to Ottawa, although I think a lot of people would like direct buses within Ottawa first, but of course, that’s something that’s a commercial decision of the airlines.” Jeff Leiper says a strong economy has reliable basic services, including public transit. “I think Mark Sutcliffe has come up with a plan to do things like more flights and more summits. But what Ottawa really needs is a plan for better public transit and housing that everyone can afford. Creating economic activity in the city is a matter of creating a city that works,” he said. Alex Lawson says he wants to make sure small businesses don’t leave the city. “He’s had four years to move something in this direction and he hasn’t,” Lawson said. “When it comes to the federal public service, we’re really one industry town in Ottawa, and we need to be doing a lot more to attract different employers. We have a great talent pool with the public sector employees here. We have a very educated population, and unfortunately, we know we’re losing our kids to the cities with stronger economies moving over to Montreal, to Toronto.” 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, Amjad Ali Syed, and Peter Westaway. With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Leah Larocque
