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Mark Sutcliffe

Candidate for Mayor

Elected (official result)

In their own words

marksutcliffe.ca — Mark Sutcliffe’s campaign website, opens in a new tab

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Sutcliffe targets 10,000 affordable homes by 2030, backed by a $400M federal deal and his Housing Action Plan's red-tape cuts.

  • Would 'secure the funding necessary' to build 10,000 affordable, supportive and transitional housing units by 2030 (measured against 2020 levels)
  • Cites a $400 million deal with the federal government to build 3,000 new affordable and mixed-income homes, including supportive units
  • Points to a Housing Action Plan that cut 13 housing studies, reduced municipal fees on new homes, and led to a 38% rise in 2025 housing starts
  • Separately pledged 650 more supportive housing units in an Ottawa Citizen op-ed (reported Oct 2026)
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I will secure the funding necessary to build a total of 10,000 affordable, supportive, and transitional housing units in Ottawa by 2030, when compared to 2020 levels.”

Source: A vision for Ottawa (My plan for...) · October 15, 2026

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

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

Sutcliffe pledges a 2-2.5% property tax cap for the first two years, $250M more in savings via a hiring freeze and program review.

  • Renews his promise to keep taxes as low as possible, with a tax limit of 2-2.5% for the first two years of the term
  • Pledges to find another $250 million in savings and efficiencies over four years, on top of $252 million he says was found in his first term
  • Savings measures: maintain a hiring freeze for non-frontline, non-priority positions for at least two years; freeze general operating spending so it only grows with assessment; expanded program review with City staff and independent third-party experts; peer benchmarking against other municipalities
  • Pledges a multi-year budget for predictability and to continue securing provincial/federal investment to reduce pressure on local taxpayers
“I will renew my promise and keep taxes as low as possible, including a tax limit of 2-2.5% for the first two years.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: A vision for Ottawa (My plan for...) · October 15, 2026

Confidence:High

Sutcliffe pledges to keep tax increases at 2-2.5% for two years while investing in infrastructure, transit and public safety.

  • Sutcliffe repeats his pledge to hold tax increases to 2-2.5% for the first two years.
  • Pairs low increases with a disciplined approach to public finances.
  • Says this leaves room to invest in infrastructure, transit, public safety and homelessness.
“I will keep tax increases to 2-2.5% for the next two years. With low tax increases and a disciplined approach to public finances, we can advance important investments into priorities such as infrastructure, transit, public safety, and addressing homelessness while ensuring that life remains affordable for families.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Ottawa Mayoral Candidate Survey Results 2026 (OREB) · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

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Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

Sutcliffe pledges 350 more first responders, a public safety dashboard, and a Downtown Safety Plan.

  • Would hire 350 more first responders: 200 more police officers (with body cameras), 100 more paramedics and 50 more firefighters
  • Would create a public dashboard reporting key public safety performance indicators
  • Would fully implement the district policing model and work with the province on municipal ambulance offload centres to cut ER wait times
  • Would advance a Downtown Safety Plan, supported by more policing, alternative response and new response teams, including activating the Emergency Coordination Centre
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Hire 350 more police officers, firefighters, and paramedics — Hire 200 more police officers, equip the police service with body cameras, and ensure safety in communities across Ottawa.”

Source: Making Ottawa safer, together · October 15, 2026

Confidence:High

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

Sutcliffe would cut the monthly OC Transpo pass to $95 and leans on the $4B provincial LRT upload to strengthen transit.

  • Would cut the monthly transit pass from $138.50 to $95, which he calls the lowest price of any major city in Canada, saving regular riders over $500 a year
  • Points to a $4 billion deal with the province to 'upload' the LRT as the single largest transit infrastructure investment in Ottawa's history
  • Cites the purchase of 500 new buses (mostly zero-emission) and a ~30% increase in transit investment over four years
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I will dramatically lower the price of a monthly transit pass from $138.50 to $95 in order to make life more affordable for residents and welcome riders back to transit.”

Source: A vision for Ottawa (My plan for...) · October 15, 2026

Confidence:High

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Sutcliffe's downtown plan covers the ByWard Market Action Plan, 40,000 new downtown residents and 50,000 jobs.

  • Would complete the ByWard Market Action Plan (renovate major properties, new attractions) ahead of the Market's 200th anniversary
  • Would continue the downtown revitalization plan aimed at bringing 40,000 new residents, 50,000 jobs and hundreds of new businesses downtown
  • Would fully implement the Defence Innovation Strategy (citing a $90M Defence Aerospace hangar investment at the airport), host a 2027 Ottawa-Gatineau investment summit, and pursue a 'free trade' special economic zone with Gatineau
  • Would address vacant storefronts with a pop-up/short-term-lease matchmaking program, storefront improvement grants, public art on vacant storefronts, and fast-tracked approvals for conversions
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Ottawa's economy depends on a strong and vibrant downtown. I will continue to implement the downtown revitalization plan to support bringing 40,000 new residents, 50,000 new jobs, and hundreds of new businesses to downtown Ottawa.”

Source: A vision for Ottawa (My plan for...) · October 15, 2026

Confidence:High

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Growth & development

How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Water & waste

Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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