Ottawa mayor speaks on Sprung structures, challenges facing the city in year-end interview

Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he's disappointed in the amount of "misinformation" surrounding a plan to erect tent-like structures to accommodate hundreds of migrants in the city, a proposal that has been suggested to alleviate the city's overburdened shelter system.

Sutcliffe spoke on a variety of issues in a year-end interview with CTV News, including the migrant crisis affecting municipalities across the country.

• PART 1: Ottawa mayor speaks on transit funding, federal turmoil in year-end interview

Ottawa continues to face significant challenges in accommodating newcomers and refugees in the city, with a lack of temporary and permanent housing adding pressure to immigration support services and shelters.

The city has proposed building at least one modular structure to be used as a newcomer reception centre at 1645 Woodroffe Ave. by the end of 2025 that could sleep up to 150 people inside. A second site in Kanata, at the Eagleson Park and Ride, would be used if the Woodroffe site proves insufficient to meet demand.

The issue has proven to be polarizing, with some residents organizing large protests in opposition to the structures, raising concerns over crime and a lack of support services available in their neighbourhoods. An information session held last month to describe the project erupted into chaos after a man rushed the stage during the presentation.

When asked if he regretted the way the city handled the communication with residents on the structures, Sutcliffe reiterated his support of the proposal, calling the current migrant situation "untenable" with local community centres being closed to temporarily support migrants and shelters that are at capacity.

"I'm not happy about the amount of misinformation that's out there about what's going on. This is not a municipal responsibility. It's not municipal dollars that are going towards this solution. It's a federal issue and we're simply the people who are providing the solution because somebody has to," he said.

"We can't have people sleeping outside, we can't have people sleeping in community centres. We need to return those community centres to those neighbourhoods and have a proper welcome centre for new arrivals to the country."

He said there are several solutions in place for newcomers in many different parts of the city.

"We are here simply to provide support and services to whatever new arrivals come into Ottawa so we're in a challenging position. We don't get to make the decisions about immigration, but we are here to respond to what is a migrant crisis around the world," he said.

The City of Ottawa says there are 600 asylum seekers currently using Ottawa's shelter spaces. City staff say the newcomer reception centre is "intended to provide a more dignified option for newcomers who are currently sleeping on bunk beds in recreational facilities that have not been designed for human habitation."

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The planned structure is expected to have on-site services such as translation and asylum claim assistance. Residents would be able to stay inside the structures for up to 90 days, where they will be offered services to effectively transition into the community. If permanent housing has not been secured after 90 days, clients will move to other transitional housing facilities.

Sutcliffe says city staff continue to work on a plan to open the first structure in early 2025 but says federal dollars will be needed to pay for it. He says only a small amount of municipal funds will be used for infrastructure needs.

'A long way to go' for ByWard Market revitalization, housing starts

The mayor also spoke on plans to revitalize the ByWard Market ahead of its 200th birthday in 2027. The city is undertaking a $129 million plan to guide the market's evolution as business owners and residents continue to express concerns over homelessness and public safety in the area.

Sutcliffe says he has heard positive feedback from business owners but said there is still work to be done.

"We're making progress, but we still have a long way to go. We all want the ByWard Market to be what it was in the past — a real gathering place for the city, a real source of pride," he said.

The provincial government announced earlier this month that it would be investing $20 million into the market, which includes funds to transform William Street into a pedestrian-only corridor and developing a "cultural and entertainment district." The Ottawa Police Service unveiled its new CORE strategy this year, which included the opening of a new police hub in the Rideau Centre and increased foot-patrols in certain crime "hot spots."

The ByWard Market District Authority unveiled a new synthetic skating rink and winter market this year to attract residents to the area during the holiday season.

Housing a priority for the city

When asked what other issues he will be focused on this year, Sutcliffe said housing was top of mind for him and a big priority for the city while adding that more work needs to be done to build more.

While the latest statistics have shown a boost in housing starts this year, the number of new homes under construction in the capital is 14 per cent lower than last year, according to a CMHC report.

Housing experts have blamed the problem on higher interest rates in recent years and an increase in development fees for builders.

"It's a very challenging, complicated file but we need to do more work to streamline our processes at the city of Ottawa and make it easier for homes to be approved," Sutcliffe said.

"At the same time, we need the developers to build the homes that have already been approved. We've approved tens of thousands of homes of homes already that are still not being built by the developers that own those properties."

When will the skateway open?

The top-of-mind question for many residents this year is whether the Rideau Canal will be open for skating this winter. Sutcliffe wouldn't speculate on an opening date but said he hopes there will be more skating this year than the past two seasons.

"Theres no question that that's become a big issue," he said.

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"It's amazing to me when I meet people from all over the world, one of the things they identify with Ottawa is the Rideau Canal and being able to skate on it during the winter. It's a real shame that we have only been able to have it open for a few days the last two winters."

Sutcliffe says the city has faced several challenges this year but said he's optimistic about the future. He added he was proud of the amount of collaboration and consensus on city council, noting it has been better than previous terms.

"I promised in 2022 that I would work very hard for the people of Ottawa every single day – I've done that. We've faced some big challenges this year, but we've accomplished a lot working together," he said.

"At this time of year, I'm reflecting on how lucky I am to be the mayor, how lucky we are to live in Ottawa. It's a wonderful, kind, generous community."