---
title: "What Ottawa's four main mayoral candidates have promised before voting day"
description: "With two days left before the October 26 vote, CTV News Ottawa published a side-by-side of the key commitments made by Alex Lawson, Jeff Leiper, Neil Saravanamuttoo and Mark Sutcliffe."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/mayoral-promises-roundup-oct24-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-24T23:44:37.712Z"
---

Ottawa's mayoral campaign ends on Sunday, two days before the October 26 vote. CTV News Ottawa published a side-by-side of what the four main candidates have promised on property taxes, transit, infrastructure and public safety across the 178-day campaign.

There are 14 candidates for mayor of Ottawa, CTV News Ottawa reports. The four whose platforms the article covers are [Alex Lawson](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/alex-lawson), [Jeff Leiper](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/jeff-leiper), [Neil Saravanamuttoo](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/neil-saravanamuttoo) and [Mark Sutcliffe](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/mark-sutcliffe).

**Property taxes.** Lawson's campaign platform identified between $77 million and $148 million a year in budget savings and new revenue and promises a zero per cent property tax freeze in 2027, according to CTV News Ottawa. Leiper has not set a specific tax target and says increases will be "affordable, reasonable and predictable." Saravanamuttoo told reporters in September, "my commitment is to keep it as low as possible" and promises to open the city's books within 100 days. Sutcliffe pledges to find $250 million in new savings and efficiencies, CTV News Ottawa reports.

**Transit.** Lawson would bring back rush-hour bus rapid transit but says "the system is not ready for more money yet." Leiper proposes a Transit Service Guarantee with on-time performance standards, dedicated bus lanes and raised income limits for the EquiPass. Saravanamuttoo proposes a "Buck a Ride" transit fare with a monthly cap of $40. Sutcliffe promises 200 more buses by 2030, 250 new drivers and mechanics and new express routes, CTV News Ottawa reports.

**Infrastructure.** Leiper announced a $50 million plan in October to upgrade sewer and green infrastructure in the Bay, College and Knoxdale-Merivale wards following the summer flooding. Sutcliffe pledges $500 million by 2030 for 1,000 kilometres of new or resurfaced traffic lanes, an increase of $60 million in rural road funding, $400 million in work at recreation facilities, 150 new parks and four new community centres, according to CTV News Ottawa.

**Other commitments.** Lawson's "Recovery First Ottawa" plan proposes a 200-bed recovery campus funded by the Ontario government, CTV News Ottawa says. Saravanamuttoo commits to raising the share of non-market housing from five per cent to ten per cent. Sutcliffe promises to hire 350 new first responders and appoint a Downtown Safety Czar.

Ottawa voting day is Monday, October 26, 2026. Voting places are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can read each candidate's full profile at [voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/candidates#mayor](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates#mayor).

## Sitemap

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