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The field of candidates making a run to be Ottawa\u2019s mayor could soon have a fourth name, as another potential challenger seeks support to formally launch his campaign. <\/p>\n
Neil Saravanamuttoo was economic adviser to Catherine McKenney\u2019s unsuccessful 2022 campaign for mayor. <\/a><\/p>\n Now, he\u2019s thinking about the next election, this October. <\/p>\n The economist, podcaster and organizer behind non-profit CitySHAPES and its Better Ottawa town hall events said he\u2019s prepared to be a candidate, but with an unusual caveat: he’ll only run if a \u201cgrassroots movement\u201d signs up to back him. <\/p>\n \u201cIf there are 1,000 people that feel the way I do, that we can take back the City of Ottawa, return it to its rightful owners, we can win the next election,\u201d he said in an interview with CBC.<\/p>\n Saravanamuttoo said a relatively small group of people, knocking on doors and spreading the word, can make a big difference in a municipal campaign. He predicts that the audience he has already built up through his podcast and his newsletter on city affairs will be among the first to support him. <\/p>\n \u201cAll movements need a figurehead, need a leader, need a spokesperson,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Leading critic of Lansdowne 2.0<\/p>\n He still has plenty of time. Candidates can\u2019t even submit their paperwork for the election until nominations open in May.\u00a0<\/p>\n But three other potential candidates have already announced plans to run for mayor: incumbent Mark Sutcliffe, Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper and Alex Lawson, who owns a construction company and has also worked as a lobbyist.<\/p>\n Saravanamuttoo and Sutcliffe have already clashed during the Lansdowne 2.0 debate, with Saravanamuttoo leading a petition campaign to put the redevelopment plan to a referendum. <\/p>\n Would he still try to stop it as mayor? Saravanamuttoo said he\u2019d want to take a close look at the contract, but he has his doubts Lansdowne could be halted in its entirety.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s important to recognize that this project is well underway,\u201d he said. \u201cThe train has left the station and it would be irresponsible to make proclamations about it without understanding what’s possible.\u201d <\/p>\n Instead, Saravanamuttoo said he\u2019s now pushing another set of priorities. <\/p>\n The \u201cinfrastructure deficit\u201d will be the number one issue facing council, he said, as the city doesn\u2019t have enough money in its plan to fix all its roads, sewers and other assets. <\/p>\n He said the next mayor will have to understand public finance, noting his own resume includes stints at the department of finance and as chief economist at the G20\u2019s Global Infrastructure Hub.<\/p>\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769787191_969_default.jpg\")
Saravanamuttoo, left, poses with Catherine McKenney during the release of McKenney’s financial platform during the 2022 municipal election. (Joanne Chianello\/CBC)<\/p>\n
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Saravanamuttoo says transit will be top of mind for Ottawa voters, and if he runs he’ll try to find new ways to get the system the funding it needs. (CBC)Predicts two-horse race<\/p>\n