If Ottawa candidate for mayor Jim Watson wins, he says he will quickly and dramatically reduce the number of councillors to between 14 and 17 people, down from 23.

The former Ontario cabinet minister told CTV Ottawa that he will also create "boroughs" for small groups of councillors to have more control over decisions in their geographical areas.

The boroughs would have full jurisdiction over matters that don't impact the rest of the city.

Watson estimated the councillor reductions would save up to $2 million annually in salaries and office budgets.