Ottawa mayor and emergency services call for safer driving after 32 road deaths this year
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and city emergency services held a press conference on October 29 to ask drivers to slow down and put away phones, ahead of Halloween weekend and the end of daylight saving time.
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Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe stood at Ottawa City Hall on October 29 with police, paramedics and public health officials to call on all road users to slow down after a deadly month on the city's streets. CTV News Ottawa reported the press conference.
Seven people have been killed in Ottawa traffic collisions in October alone, CTV News reported. The total for 2026 is 32 deaths on Ottawa roads, up from 23 in 2025. Ottawa Paramedic Service Chief Pierre Poirier said collisions with life-threatening injuries are up 40 per cent this year.
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility," Sutcliffe said at the press conference. "Dangerous driving must not be treated as acceptable in our city. We need everyone to play their role in keeping our streets safe."
Mayor appeals for Halloween weekend caution
Sutcliffe made a direct appeal for the coming days. Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, and daylight saving time ends on November 2, making evening hours darker. CTV News reported that Sutcliffe asked residents to slow down in residential areas and to be especially careful around crosswalks and intersections.
"Let's all slow down in residential areas," he said. "Let's be especially vigilant around crosswalks and intersections."
Police point to phones and speed
Ottawa Police Supt. Julie Mann said distractions are one of the main causes of collisions in the city. CTV News reported her saying that police continue to see speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving and impatience on Ottawa roads.
"These are choices, choices that can change someone's life forever," Mann said. "Put your phone away, slow down, leave yourself enough time to reach your destination without rushing, and actively look for the people sharing the road with you."
Mann also spoke to pedestrians, asking them to follow traffic signals and use designated crossings.
Speed cameras removed a year ago
CTV News reported that Sutcliffe said he will continue to push Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario government to bring back automated speed cameras in school zones. The provincial government ordered municipalities to remove those cameras in November 2025, and Ottawa no longer operates them.
"Too many families are living with the devastating consequences of preventable collisions, and we cannot accept this as business as usual," Sutcliffe said.
Mayor Sutcliffe named road safety as a priority for his second term. His promise tracker records his commitments on policing and road safety.
Ottawa residents who see speeding or dangerous driving can call the Ottawa Police Service non-emergency line at 613-236-1222.
Questions this story answers
How many people have been killed on Ottawa roads in 2026?
CTV News reported that 32 people have been killed on Ottawa roads in 2026, up from 23 deaths in 2025. Seven of those deaths happened in October 2026. Ottawa Paramedic Service Chief Pierre Poirier also said that collisions resulting in life-threatening injuries are up 40 per cent in 2026 compared to the previous year.
What did Mayor Sutcliffe say at the road safety press conference?
CTV News reported that Mayor Mark Sutcliffe held a media conference at Ottawa City Hall on October 29. He said, 'Dangerous driving must not be treated as acceptable in our city. We need everyone to play their role in keeping our streets safe. We need drivers to slow down, pay attention, obey the rules, and stop looking at their phones.' He also made a specific appeal for Halloween weekend and the end of daylight saving time, asking residents to slow down in residential areas and watch for pedestrians at crosswalks.
Who spoke at the October 29 road safety press conference?
CTV News reported that Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was joined by Ottawa Paramedic Chief Pierre Poirier, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Trevor Arnason and officers with the Ottawa Police Service, including Supt. Julie Mann. The conference was held at Ottawa City Hall on October 29, 2026.
What did Ottawa Police say about the cause of collisions?
CTV News reported that Ottawa Police Supt. Julie Mann said distractions are 'one of the worst causes' of collisions. She listed the dangerous behaviours police continue to see: speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving and impatience. She called on drivers to put phones away and slow down, and asked pedestrians to follow traffic signals and use designated crossings.
Is Mayor Sutcliffe calling for speed cameras to return to Ottawa?
CTV News reported that Sutcliffe said he will continue to push Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario government to reinstate automated speed cameras in school zones. The Ontario government ordered municipalities to deactivate those cameras in November 2025. Ottawa no longer operates them.
What should drivers do differently for Halloween weekend?
CTV News reported that Mayor Sutcliffe made a specific appeal for Halloween weekend, which falls on Saturday, October 31. He asked residents to slow down in residential areas and be especially careful around crosswalks and intersections. Daylight saving time ends on November 2, meaning it will be darker earlier in the evenings when children are out.
What is the Ottawa Paramedic Service saying about road injuries?
CTV News reported that Ottawa Paramedic Chief Pierre Poirier said collisions resulting in life-threatening injuries are up 40 per cent in 2026. He said, 'The goal is simple: that everyone who leaves home today returns home safely.' He also noted that the language has shifted from 'traffic accident' to 'traffic collision' to reflect that these events are preventable.
How does this road safety concern relate to the new Ottawa City Council?
The new Ottawa City Council takes office on November 15, 2026. Mayor Sutcliffe, who won re-election on October 26, will lead that council. CTV News reported that he raised the road safety issue at his first major public appearance after re-election, and called on the province to restore speed cameras. His promise tracker at /on/ottawa-2026/tracker records his commitments on public safety for this term.
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