Leiper pledges $50M for sewer upgrades in three wards hit hardest by July flooding
Jeff Leiper says he would commit $50 million to upgrade sewer and green infrastructure in Bay, College and Knoxdale-Merivale wards, and raise grants for flood-stricken households to as much as $10,000.
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Jeff Leiper promised on Tuesday a $50-million plan to upgrade sewer and green infrastructure in three west Ottawa wards, and said he would raise city grants to flood-affected households to as much as $10,000 for lower-income residents. CTV News reported the announcement on October 20, 2026.
The three wards in the plan are Bay, College and Knoxdale-Merivale. CTV News reported that city staff identified those three wards as the ones hit hardest by the July 1, 2026 rainstorm, which dumped 167 millimetres or more of rain on some parts of the city. Leiper's campaign said more than 6,600 basement flooding reports came in after that storm, and that many affected families are still dealing with damaged homes, insurance claims and paperwork months later.
What the plan includes
Leiper said he would move faster to replace aging sewers and would improve nature-based ways to absorb heavy rainfall, such as adding more trees, plants and stormwater ponds. His campaign also said the plan includes a dedicated flood navigator team to help residents directly with insurance claims, provincial disaster relief and city programs.
He would waive permit fees for flood repairs and would ramp up 3-1-1 staffing during major storms, according to CTV News.
Grants for affected residents
The City of Ottawa currently pays $1,000 through a compassionate grant program to property owners or tenants affected by basement flooding caused by sewer surcharging. Hundreds of residents submitted applications after the July 1 storm, CTV News reported.
Leiper said he would raise the maximum grant from $1,000 to $10,000 for lower-income households. His campaign said the deadline to apply for provincial disaster assistance is only weeks away, and that many residents are still working through the process on their own.
Other candidates' positions
Neil Saravanamuttoo also released an environmental protection plan on October 20, which CTV News reported includes replacing aging sewers and improving nature-based solutions for absorbing rainwater. Incumbent Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has previously announced a $500-million pledge to improve climate resiliency through upgraded storm sewers, improved drainage and ditch enhancements.
Fourteen candidates are running for mayor in Ottawa's October 26 election. You can see the full list of candidates on the Ottawa mayoral candidates page.
Questions this story answers
What did Jeff Leiper promise about Ottawa flooding?
Jeff Leiper promised, according to CTV News, a $50-million plan to upgrade sewer and green infrastructure in three west Ottawa wards: Bay, College and Knoxdale-Merivale. Those three wards were hit hardest by the July 1, 2026 rainstorm that dumped 167 millimetres or more of rain on parts of the city. Leiper said more than 6,600 basement flooding reports came in after that storm, and many affected families are still dealing with damage and insurance claims.
How much money would Leiper give to residents whose basements flooded?
Leiper said he would increase city grants to households affected by basement flooding from the current $1,000 to as much as $10,000 for lower-income households. The city currently pays $1,000 through its compassionate grant program to residential property owners or tenants affected by basement flooding caused by sewer surcharging. Following the July 1 storm, hundreds of people submitted applications for that grant, according to CTV News.
Which Ottawa wards are covered by Leiper's sewer plan?
Leiper's plan targets Bay, College and Knoxdale-Merivale wards, the three areas CTV News reports were hit hardest by the record July 1, 2026 rainstorm. Bay Ward is also where Leiper's rival Neil Saravanamuttoo released his own environmental platform the same day. Leiper said he chose those three wards because city staff identified them as the worst affected.
What else is in Leiper's flood plan?
Leiper said he would create a dedicated flood navigator team to give residents direct help with insurance claims, provincial disaster relief and city programs. He would waive permit fees for flood repairs and would increase 3-1-1 staffing during major storms. His campaign also noted that the deadline to apply for provincial disaster assistance is only weeks away. CTV News reported the plan on October 20, 2026.
What are other candidates promising on flooding?
CTV News reported on October 20 that Neil Saravanamuttoo also released an environmental protection plan the same day that includes replacing aging sewers and improving nature-based solutions for absorbing rainwater. Incumbent Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has previously pledged $500 million to improve climate resiliency through upgraded storm sewers, improved drainage and ditch enhancements.
When is the deadline for provincial disaster assistance after the July 1 flood?
Leiper's campaign said the deadline to apply for provincial disaster assistance is only weeks away, according to CTV News. The campaign did not name the specific date in the article. Residents still waiting to apply should contact the City of Ottawa or the province directly. Voting day is October 26, 2026.
When is the Ottawa municipal election?
Ottawa's municipal election is on Monday, October 26, 2026. Fourteen candidates are running for mayor. Advance voting day was October 16. The City of Ottawa's elections office at ottawa.ca/elections has voting place information and other details.
How can I find out more about Jeff Leiper's policies?
You can read about Jeff Leiper on the voche.me candidate page at /on/ottawa-2026/candidates/jeff-leiper. The page covers his background, sources and recorded positions. CTV News covered his flooding plan on October 20, 2026 at the link in this article. Voting day is October 26, 2026.
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