Sutcliffe says he won’t increase parking prices in downtown Ottawa

Mayoral candidate Mark Sutcliffe says he will not raise parking fees in downtown Ottawa.

Sutcliffe, a former CityNews Ottawa talk show host, entrepreneur and author, is one of 14 people vying to be Ottawa's next mayor.

“What our downtown requires now more than ever is people,” Sutcliffe said in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 29. “In my view, raising parking fees for visitors to our downtown – including places like the ByWard Market, Elgin Street, Preston Street – will discourage people, rather than encourage them to come to our downtown core.”

Sutcliffe said his goal, if elected mayor, is to bring a balanced approach to transportation that respects the diverse needs of the city of Ottawa and how people choose to get around, be it by public transit, car, bike or walking.