Ottawa, Gatineau mayors pressure federal parties on struggling downtown, public service

From housing and transit to the struggling downtown core and potential public service cuts, the mayors of Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., are joining forces to call on federal parties to pledge help for the National Capital Region. 

Mark Sutcliffe and Maude-Marquis Bissonnette have worked together on a set of priorities they've sent to all leaders, hoping the strength of a united campaign will prompt action. 

"There are a lot of ridings up for grabs in our two cities," Sutcliffe said.

"If it's clear that these are the priorities — and that we are speaking with one voice on those priorities — then I hope that the federal party leaders and the candidates in both our cities will listen carefully and will agree that this is what needs to be done to support the future of our two cities."

Sutcliffe added that he knows from personal conversations with both the leaders running in Ottawa that they care about local issues, and he hopes the threat of U.S. tariffs won't overshadow them. 

What's on their wishlists?

Sutcliffe and Marquis-Bissonnette have already been working together on a call for easing restrictions to interprovincial trade and supporting businesses affected by tariffs. 

This campaign adds several more priorities, including help for downtowns they say have been weakened by federal work-from-home policies and support for public servants who face the prospect of job cuts. 

"Ottawa and Gatineau are both great cities, but we need support to be able to get through this challenging time," said Sutcliffe. 

As the federal government divests downtown office space, Sutcliffe and Marquis-Bissonnette are looking for a commitment to help the city use those spaces to boost the economy or add much-needed housing. 

With the main parties hinting at a slimmed-down public service, the mayors suggest the federal government provide "reorientation and skill-training programs" to anyone losing their position.

Both leaders want a stronger voice on the National Capital Commission, including being granted full voting powers and having a local minister responsible for the Crown corporation. 

They're also looking for predictable funding for affordable housing and transit, including the proposed tramway in Gatineau and the eventual extension of Ottawa's LRT into Kanata, Stittsville and Barrhaven.

"Public transit is certainly a top priority," said Marquis-Bissonnette, noting recent progress on the tramway. "We've seen the funding announced for the whole planning of the project — and even recently for the part in Ontario and the the bridge as well going to Gatineau — and we want to see that collaboration continue."

Another top issue is the payments provided by the federal government in lieu of property taxes, which the City of Ottawa argues are underfunded — a central tenet of Sutcliffe's "Fairness for Ottawa" campaign. 

Ottawa recently lost a legal challenge involving the payments, and is preparing to spend $50,000 to $70,000 appealing the decision. A Gatineau official told reporters on Monday that the city has faced a shortfall of $90 million since 2018, while Ottawa said it's out $100 million in the past five years. 

Sutcliffe and Marquis-Bissonette hope to set up a meeting with the next prime minister to discuss these issues soon after the election.