Mayor Mark Sutcliffe believes long-awaited funding for Ottawa’s struggling transit system could come early in the new year — provided this week’s drama on Parliament Hill doesn’t send months of negotiation off the rails.
Sutcliffe began his Fairness for Ottawa campaign in August, and soon found the wheels of federal bureaucracy turn slowly.
“I’m hopeful that we’re getting close to the finish line, but I am a little bit worried about what’s going on on Parliament Hill,” he told CBC in an end-of-year interview.
“Recent events have introduced a level of volatility and uncertainty on how things are going to go from here.”
That uncertainty revolves around Chrystia Freeland’s abrupt resignation as federal finance minister, and the pall that has been cast over the future of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
“It’s been a particularly challenging time on Parliament Hill. They’ve been dealing, obviously, with a lot of different issues,” Sutcliffe said.
Sutcliffe continuing talks
While that has slowed down negotiations, Sutcliffe said he’s been heartened by a recent post by local MP and cabinet minister Jenna Sudds on the social media platform X.
Sudds shared a photo of one of her discussions with the mayor — which Sutcliffe said have happened “almost every second day for the past few months” — writing that the pair are “focused on solutions” for Ottawa residents.
Her office later told CBC Sudds is not ready to confirm if that would include any additional funding.
When the fall economic statement was tabled on Monday, Sutcliffe was disappointed that it included money for a bridge and possible tramway in Gatineau, but nothing for his top priorities.
Even if the city receives the $36 million to fill a placeholder added to Ottawa’s 2025 budget, Sutcliffe said the city will need sustained funding for transit operations moving forward.
“We’ve been distracted by the immediate budget pressure that we’re facing for 2025, the $36 million, and that has shifted the focus away from the $8-billion hole we have in the long-range financial plan for transit,” he said.
“That’s where we need the solution.”
He said he’s been calling for that permanent solution, and won’t let up on that campaign even if a federal election is called.