Mayoral candidates in Ottawa will face questions on housing supply, development and the city’s future growth at a moderated debate later this month, organisers confirmed on Friday. The forum, co‑hosted by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) and the Ottawa Real Estate Board, is scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Saint Elias Banquet Centre.
Who’s taking part
The event will feature four registered candidates: Alexander Lawson, Jeff Leiper, Neil Saravanamuttoo and incumbent Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. It is billed as a structured, moderated discussion running from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will be targeted at issues that directly affect Ottawa’s housing and development landscape.
- Date and time: Sept. 24, 7:30–9:30 a.m.
- Location: Saint Elias Banquet Centre
- Hosts: GOHBA and Ottawa Real Estate Board
- Registered mayoral candidates: Alexander Lawson, Jeff Leiper, Neil Saravanamuttoo, Mark Sutcliffe
Why the debate matters
Housing affordability and the pace and form of development are top municipal issues in Ottawa, affecting both inner‑city neighbourhoods and rapidly growing suburban and rural areas in the wider region. The forum organised by industry groups offers a rare opportunity for builders, real estate professionals and community stakeholders to hear directly from candidates about how they would address the supply of homes, zoning and infrastructure priorities.
Municipal decisions on land use, approval timelines and density requirements shape whether new housing reaches market quickly, how neighbourhoods evolve and what services are prioritised. With the 2026 municipal election approaching, the debate could influence conversations among residents weighing candidates’ plans for long‑term growth and the relationship between development and community character.
Event details, ticketing and access
Organisers said the event is already 80 per cent sold out. Tickets are refundable up to seven days before the debate; after that point, tickets can only be transferred. GOHBA members who do not have an account and wish to register online are advised to contact the association for assistance.
“The structured format will focus on key municipal issues and Ottawa’s continued growth.”
That description from event organisers points to an emphasis on policy rather than personal attacks, which could allow for more substantive comparisons of candidates’ platforms. The timing — early morning on a weekday — also suggests the audience will be drawn largely from industry, municipal stakeholders and media, though ordinary residents with an interest in housing policy may also attend.
Context across Ottawa’s urban‑rural divide
The debate’s focus on supply and development highlights tensions that run through Ottawa: inner‑city neighbourhoods pressing for sensitive infill and protection of heritage character, suburban wards seeking infrastructure to support rapid growth, and rural communities concerned about preserving agricultural land and managing sprawl. Candidates’ answers on where and how to accommodate new housing will reveal how they balance those competing priorities — and how they plan to work with provincial rules and builders to deliver results.
| Candidate | Status |
|---|---|
| Mark Sutcliffe | Incumbent |
| Jeff Leiper | Registered candidate |
| Alexander Lawson | Registered candidate |
| Neil Saravanamuttoo | Registered candidate |
For voters, the debate will be a chance to compare specific commitments on timelines for approvals, incentives for affordable housing, approaches to intensification and the interplay between provincial policy and municipal planning tools. For builders and real‑estate professionals, it is an opportunity to press candidates on the practical steps they would take to increase housing supply.
With the municipal election looming, forums like this one could play a role in shaping public expectations and pressuring candidates to set clear, implementable targets for housing production and development approvals across Ottawa.
