---
title: "Eight mayoral candidates tell CBC where they stand on arena funding, developer donations and data centres"
description: "CBC Ottawa asked all 14 mayor candidates five questions. Eight responded. On the proposed Ottawa Senators arena, all eight said the city should not pay for it."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/cbc-questionnaire-mayor-issues-2026-10-22"
last_updated: "2026-10-22T20:47:08.583Z"
---

Eight of 14 candidates running for mayor of Ottawa answered a CBC Ottawa questionnaire on five issues: the proposed Ottawa Senators arena, developer donations, data centres, strong mayor powers and the police budget. All eight said the City of Ottawa should not contribute funding toward a new arena at LeBreton Flats. CBC News published the responses on October 21, 2026.

## Arena funding

The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission agreed in August 2025 on a land purchase at LeBreton Flats for a proposed arena and mixed-use development. CBC asked whether the city should put money toward building it. All eight respondents said no.

## Developer donations

Individuals can give a maximum of $1,200 to a single municipal candidate in Ottawa's election. CBC asked whether candidates would accept donations from the development and construction industry, which regularly seeks city approvals.

Seven of the eight respondents said they would not, including [Mark Sutcliffe](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/mark-sutcliffe), [Jeff Leiper](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/jeff-leiper) and [Neil Saravanamuttoo](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/neil-saravanamuttoo). [Alex Lawson](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/alex-lawson) was the only one to say yes.

## Data centres

Ottawa City Council passed a motion directing staff to draw up a framework to assess data centre applications, with a report expected for council approval in 2027.

Leiper and Saravanamuttoo both said they would introduce a moratorium on new data centres until more is known about their environmental and electricity demands. Sutcliffe said he would want a management strategy rather than a blanket approval or ban. Lawson said data centres should generally be permitted.

## Strong mayor powers

Ontario has given more than 200 mayors powers to veto some council decisions and direct staff. Sutcliffe said he has not used these powers during his current term and would not use them if re-elected. Leiper said the mayor's job is to bring people together. Lawson said the powers are an option if necessary. Saravanamuttoo said he would use them to appoint senior city staff but not to override council.

## Police budget

Ottawa's 2026 police budget is more than $400 million, according to CBC. Sutcliffe said he has increased it each year of his term and plans to continue. Lawson said he would raise the budget and double the minimum number of on-duty patrol officers over four years. Leiper said the current level is appropriate and he would expand the ANCHOR crisis response program. Saravanamuttoo said he would do a line-by-line review.

The others who responded were [Ali Shayvard](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/ali-shayvard), [Suraj Harish](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/suraj-harish), [Peter Westaway](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/peter-westaway), [Josh Rachlis](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/josh-rachlis) and [Queen Divine Priya Amber Bakshi](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/queen-divine-priya-amber-bakshi). You can see all 14 mayoral candidate profiles at [/on/ottawa-2026/candidates#mayor](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates#mayor). Voting day is Monday, October 26.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/on/ottawa-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.