Sutcliffe pledging to keep to a 2 to 2.5 per cent property tax cap if elected mayor of Ottawa
Mayoral candidate Mark Sutcliffe said Wednesday that he would hold property tax increases to between 2 and 2.5 per cent in the first two years of his term, if he is elected mayor of Ottawa.
Sutcliffe released his financial plan, saying he would commit to a tax increase of no more than 2.5 per cent in 2023 and 2024 and would target the same level for 2025 and 2026.
He is also pledging to undertake a strategic review of all city spending and said he would commit to no new types of taxes over the next four years.
“More than ever, we need a very thorough approach to budgeting that protects core services, keeps taxes as low as possible, and delivers responsible fiscal management instead of empty political promises,” he said in a news release.
In the last term of council, Mayor Jim Watson committed to a property tax increase of no more than 3 per cent. In previous terms, Watson capped increases at 2 per cent.
Sutcliffe’s primary opponents have also made tax pledges. Coun. Catherine McKenney said they would commit to a 3 per cent property tax cap, while former mayor Bob Chiarelli is promising to freeze taxes and spending at 2022 levels in 2023.
McKenney plans to release their financial platform Thursday.
Sutcliffe’s release also includes estimated costs of some of his other promises. Notably:
- $4 million in annual funding for community service agencies, with a focus on those offering mental health and substance use disorder programs to vulnerable residents;
- $25 million in new operating and capital funding to improve road quality and safety, including repair, maintenance, ice and snow clearing, and fixing cracks and potholes in sidewalks and bike paths;
- $5 million to freeze transit fares for one year while a review of the service is being undertaken;
- $2 million per year to cut recreation fees for children and youth by 10 per cent;
- $1.2 million per year to double traffic calming funding for ward councillors;
- $1 million per year for tree planting;
- $500,000 per year on major events, cultural programming, and his "Music City" pledge;
- $500,000 per year toward expanding a program to enable seniors to defer payment of property taxes;
- $200,000 per year to accelerate programs on anti-racism;
- $100,000 per year toward strengthened oversight of police services by the Police Services Board, at OC Transpo and financial oversight; and
- $500,000 per year in contingency funding
“Fiscal discipline isn’t just something I’m talking about now that I’m running for mayor. It’s something I’ve practiced my whole life,” Sutcliffe said. “As a small business owner, executive, and leader of non-profit organizations, I’ve been managing budgets and practicing financial management my entire career. I will bring that experience to city hall to make like more affordable for everyone.”
Sutcliffe says his financial plan has accounted for promises such as transit fare freezes, and cuts to recreational fees.
“We have accounted for all that in the financial plan. It has been reviewed by people with lots of knowledge on how the city’s finances work so every commitment that I have made in this campaign is on a list of expenditures and it all fits within that budget," the candidate told reporters while unveiling his campaign platform across the street from Ottawa City Hall.
His plan also includes a projected $35 million in savings through eliminating vacant non-essential jobs, attrition of non-essential staff, and "reducing work with consultants and other external services, as well as through the use of technology."
“It is one per cent, or thereabouts of the city budget, and I think that is achievable because again, we have not done for 20 years a line-by-line review of spending at the city and there are places we can find efficiencies," Sutcliffe said while defending his idea of finding savings in the budget. "It is one-percent.”
His costed platform includes $120 to $145 million in budget pressures, expenses and investments, and requires $35 to $60 million in strategic review and efficiencies to reach balance in addition to revenues.
Sutcliffe says he would negotiate with unions that represent city of Ottawa employees to reach deals that are "both fair to workers and affordable to taxpayers."
He says he expects the city to raise $40 million in revenue from new properties and $5 million through the elimination of tax exemptions. A property tax increase of 2 per cent would bring in an additional $40 million, he says.
Sutcliffe's plan says some of the $40 million from new properties would be directed toward policing and "areas where the incremental growth costs can be clearly demonstrated, such as new roads and parks." The remaining $20 million would be used to offset budget pressures, he said. He expects to see 25 new police officers each year.
Tax exemptions he would eliminate include the Brownfields Assistance program and the Community Improvement Plan program, which, notably, was granted for a proposed Porsche dealership on Montreal Road last year.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Leah Larocque
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.