Jeff Leiper's mayoral pitch: fix transit, build affordable housing
The Kitchissippi councillor, one of four candidates running for mayor, says his City Hall experience will bring effectiveness to the top job.
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Jeff Leiper says his 12 years on city council have prepared him to hit the ground running as Ottawa's mayor, pointing to his record of securing investment in his ward and understanding how City Hall works.
"I know how City Hall works, I know the people, I know the mechanisms, I know the statutes, I know the limitations, I know the opportunities and the possibilities," Leiper said. He chairs the planning and housing committee and sits on transit, heritage, and finance committees.
Leiper's platform centres on two major planks: fixing transit and expanding affordable housing.
On transit, he would reverse cuts made last year to OC Transpo's "New Ways to Bus" rollout and restore comprehensive citywide service. With electric buses finally arriving and the LRT moving toward full repair, Leiper said the city needs to make transit more attractive to riders. He would implement a regular bus acquisition strategy to avoid the current situation where a large fleet is reaching end-of-life simultaneously.
He also proposes a "service guarantee" that would compensate riders when transit service falls short and restore citizen seats on the transit commission to rebuild trust.
On housing, Leiper pointed to the city's zoning bylaw overhaul, which is expected to allow more housing in existing neighbourhoods as Ottawa's population is projected to swell to 1.7 million over the next 25 years. But he said the market alone won't deliver truly affordable housing — the non-profit sector will need to build more.
Leiper is one of four candidates seeking the mayor's office. Voting is set for Oct. 26.