Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe is making the case to the city's business community as he seeks re-election in the municipal election on Oct. 26, 2026, laying out a set of business-related priorities he says define his time in office so far.
Tax cuts and patio fees
Sutcliffe has centred part of his pitch on a small business tax reduction, which he says saves the typical small business in Ottawa $3,700 per year. He also pointed to a decision to waive patio fees for restaurants this summer, framing it as direct relief for local operators during the warm-weather months when patio revenue matters most to Ottawa's hospitality sector.
Money for Market security
On safety in one of Ottawa's best-known commercial strips, Sutcliffe highlighted a $1 million investment to enhance private security in the ByWard Market over the next two years. The Market has been a recurring flashpoint in city discussions about safety and business viability downtown, and Sutcliffe is positioning the security spending as part of his broader business platform heading into the vote.
Housing starts and a federal deal
Housing featured prominently as well. Sutcliffe said he wants to build 10,000 affordable housing units in Ottawa this decade, and pointed to housing starts in the city that were up 38 per cent in 2025 as evidence of momentum.
Defence sector as an economic pillar
Sutcliffe also pointed to Ottawa's growing defence innovation ecosystem, which he said now spans Ottawa and Gatineau with 330 companies.
An entrepreneur's frame
Sutcliffe has repeatedly leaned on his own background as he makes this case, describing himself as someone who was an entrepreneur for 30 years before he ran for office. That framing runs through his business-focused messaging: tax relief, fee waivers and security spending presented as the kind of practical, bottom-line moves a business owner would make.
The race heats up
Kitchissippi councillor Jeff Leiper has been talking up his own housing plans, including a proposal to build 1,500 non-profit housing units a year on city-owned land, alongside ideas for the ByWard Market and arts funding ottown's earlier report.
Sources: Ottawa Business Journal
