Sutcliffe pitches Gatineau free-trade zone; Leiper counters with infrastructure levy

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is pitching a regional economic strategy centred on free trade with Gatineau and defence innovation investment to voters, while his primary challenger, Jeff Leiper, is attacking those promises as unachievable without addressing Ottawa's crumbling infrastructure.

Sutcliffe, seeking re-election, pledged to implement an economic co-operation agreement signed this summer with Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. The plan would eliminate trade and talent barriers between Ottawa-Gatineau, turning the region into a "special economic zone with free trade." He also promised a defence innovation strategy to attract major investments in defence technology and cybersecurity, a 2027 summit to secure national and international investment, and increased direct flights from Ottawa airport. The mayor cited tariffs, federal workforce reductions, inflation, and overall economic uncertainty as threats the city faces.

"I will work to eliminate trade and talent barriers between the two cities," Sutcliffe said, adding the partnership would bring more investment, talent, companies, visitors, and events to the region.

Leiper, a city councillor and Sutcliffe's main opponent, rejected the mayor's approach, arguing that "what Ottawa actually needs, if we're going to have a strong economy, is focus on building a city that works." He proposes a 1 per cent infrastructure levy to fund repairs on aging infrastructure like roads, sewers, and water mains, and to address a backlog of repairs on city-owned assets including arenas and community centres.

"We need to focus on getting our public transit right so that people can get to work," Leiper said. "We need to concentrate on affordable housing that every worker can afford. We need to concentrate on infrastructure that is well maintained in order to be able to attract workers and provide a quality of life."

Leiper criticized Sutcliffe's low-tax approach, which has kept tax increases below inflation. "The very low tax approach that Sutcliffe is pursuing means that he simply can't deliver on the promises he's making to improve and build new infrastructure," Leiper said.

On affordability, Leiper reframed the argument beyond tax rates alone. "If you've blown a tire on a poorly maintained road, or if you are bailing out your basement because it's flooded due to inadequately maintained stormwater infrastructure, that's not affordable," he said. "Affordability is about all of the costs that the city has some influence over in your day-to-day life."

Also running for mayor is Alex Lawson, though limited details on the candidate's platform were available.