Here's how Ottawa's mayoral candidates would improve public safety

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNews Here's how Ottawa's mayoral candidates would improve public safety Sutcliffe, Saravanamuttoo, Lawson and Leiper outlined their strategies to deal with rising crime rates, homeless encampments and the toxic-drug crisis. Author of the article: By Aedan Helmer Published Sep 04, 2026 Last updated 2 hours ago 6 minute read Join the conversation Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe unveiled his public safety plan at a campaign event Sept. 3. TONY CALDWELL, Postmedia. PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL /Postmedia Article content Mayor Mark Sutcliffe pledged to hire 350 more first responders, including 200 more police officers if he is re-elected, while doubling the investment in alternative response programs and appointing a “downtown safety czar” to help solve the toxic drug and mental health crisis. Article content Sutcliffe unveiled his platform for improving public safety during a campaign appearance at Fisher Park in Wellington Village on Sept. 3, outlining 32 measures to improve citywide public safety. His three main challengers in the mayoral race responded with critiques of the mayor’s plan, and with pledges of their own. Article content Article content Article content “As Ottawa grows, we must protect our quality of life. That means protecting and enhancing safety across the city,ˮ Sutcliffe said Sept. 3. “Weʼve made a lot of progress, but our work is not finished. We must continue to invest in public safety so everyone feels safe no matter where they are in Ottawa.ˮ Article content The Evening Citizen The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content His campaign pointed to his record of hiring 340 police and paramedic personnel since being elected as mayor in 2022, with the largest police budget increase in the city’s history. Article content He outlined his plan to hire 200 more officers who would be assigned to priorities like the guns and gangs unit, intimate partner crimes and hate crime investigations, while expanding community policing and neighbourhood watch programs. He also pledged to hire 100 more paramedics and 50 firefighters if elected for a second term. Article content The Ottawa Police Service reported an eight-per-cent…