Jeff Leiper

Leiper targets 1,500 non-profit homes a year and an acquisition fund with the Ottawa Community Land Trust.

• Commits to a target of 1,500 new non-profit homes per year, requiring federal, provincial and municipal cooperation
• Commits to partnering with non-profits and the Ottawa Community Land Trust on an acquisition fund to preserve affordable rental housing and prevent demovictions
• Development charge relief should not apply to market units; property tax exemptions reserved for housing meeting a strict affordability definition or non-profit ownership
• Pushes for a fairer federal partnership: a 50/50 cost split with the federal government 'is not fair' given city pressure on transit and infrastructure

Confidence:High

Leiper proposes a 1% infrastructure levy (~$28/year per household) to close the infrastructure repair gap.

• Would impose a 1% infrastructure levy to fund repairs on aging roads, sewers and other city assets, estimated at about $28 per year for the average homeowner
• Levy would sit on top of whatever property tax rate council passes; he rejects claims he would raise taxes 7-9%
• Has cited a $10.8B infrastructure funding gap, arguing avoidance of tax increases worsens the gap and leaves the city less leverage with federal/provincial funders

Confidence:High

Leiper would reverse the 2024 bus service cuts, expand dedicated bus lanes.

• Would reverse service cuts made under the 2024 'New Ways to Bus' plan (roughly 70,000 hours of service, ~$10M in savings), prioritizing funding toward core routes
• Would expand dedicated bus lanes and transit-priority measures to improve reliability and reduce congestion
• Proposes a Transit Service Guarantee: published on-time performance and frequency standards with regular public reporting on results
• Would restore a citizen seat on the Transit Commission and open bus routes to rider accountability; frames transit reliability as an affordability issue

Confidence:High

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

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Leiper would bring a Fair Wage Policy to city construction contracts over $1.5M by end-2027.

• Would introduce a Fair Wage Policy for all City of Ottawa construction projects over $1.5M, in force no later than end of 2027
• Would create a City Fair Wage Office, led by a Manager, by end of 2027 to administer and enforce the policy
• Would add Community Employment Benefits Agreements and a Skilled Trades Workforce Development Plan to create apprenticeships, especially for communities facing barriers
• Would seek council support for Ottawa to become a signatory contractor with the 20 affiliated unions of the Building and Construction Trades Council

Confidence:High

Pledges a new Kanata recreation centre with dedicated health-hub space; finding a family doctor shouldn't feel like winning a lottery.

• Kanata is growing, but its infrastructure isn't keeping up.
• As mayor, he would build the new recreation centre and include dedicated space for a health hub, so families get healthcare closer to home.

Confidence:High

Leiper would move a portion of arts and culture funding into the city's economic development branch.

• A portion of arts and culture funding would move into the city's economic development branch
• No amount specified in the material reviewed

Confidence:High