---
title: "CBC profiles Neil Saravanamuttoo, economist and first-time candidate for Ottawa mayor"
description: "CBC News published a profile of mayoral candidate Neil Saravanamuttoo, tracing his path from federal public servant and G20 economist to first-time candidate running against what he calls special interests at city hall."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/saravanamuttoo-profile-cbc-2026-10-16"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T18:36:40.580Z"
---

CBC News published a profile of Ottawa mayoral candidate [Neil Saravanamuttoo](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/neil-saravanamuttoo) on October 16, tracing his path from federal economist to first-time candidate for mayor. The piece, written by Elyse Skura, is part of CBC's series on the candidates in the October 26 race.

Saravanamuttoo spent 15 years at the federal Department of Finance before becoming chief economist of the G20 Global Infrastructure Hub, where he said he worked with rotating nation chairs including Turkey and China, according to CBC. He told the outlet that public finance is where his heart has always been.

He grew up near Carlingwood in Ottawa, attending D. Roy Kennedy Public School and Nepean High School, and later studied economics at Carleton University, CBC reported. He settled in the Glebe with his family.

His entry into Ottawa civic life came through opposition to Lansdowne 2.0, the city's $419-million development of an urban park, CBC reported. He said campaigning against the development taught him the power of connecting neighbours who want to make a difference, and he has since positioned himself as an outsider candidate running against what he calls special interests at Ottawa city hall.

Saravanamuttoo was also on Catherine McKenney's policy team during the 2022 mayoral race, working on how to finance McKenney's bike lane proposals, he told CBC. McKenney, now the NDP MPP for Ottawa Centre, has endorsed Jeff Leiper's campaign this time. CBC said McKenney declined to comment on their dealings with Saravanamuttoo.

Unlike the other candidates, Saravanamuttoo does not surround himself with political staff, CBC reported. He often shows up to media interviews with a tripod and a phone to record his own videos. He favours ask-me-anything town halls over door-knocking, and told CBC he considers the latter too inefficient. One of those town halls in late September drew at least 50 people, CBC reported, and one attendee's suggestion about a tiny homes village in Gatineau, Quebec, has since become one of his most discussed platform promises.

Paul Samson, who worked with Saravanamuttoo in the federal government, told CBC there are two types of public servants: those who focus on following procedure, and those who push their own ideas. Saravanamuttoo, he said, is the second type. "It's pretty rare," Samson told CBC, of public servants who run for office.

Voting day for the Ottawa municipal election is October 26. Voters can read about [Neil Saravanamuttoo](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/neil-saravanamuttoo) and all candidates for mayor at the [Ottawa 2026 candidates page](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates#mayor).

## Sitemap

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