This is the first edition of iPolitics’ Ottawa mayoral candidate series. Over the next weeks, we will sit down and interview every major candidate for the mayor’s office in this fall’s election. You can check out Jeff Lieper’s profile here.

Ask Neil Saravanamuttoo what’s wrong with Ottawa, and he won’t start with potholes or transit delays. He’ll start with the city’s books. 

The economist-turned-mayoral candidate says after decades of watching the city “move sideways,” Ottawa’s biggest problem isn’t a lack of ideas or money, but a city hall that has lost sight of who it’s working for. 

Saravanamuttoo said there’s so much “potential” for the city, and argues that there’s a need to tackle the issues in a pragmatic approach. 

For him, that starts with transparency. 

His campaign promises “100 days of open books,” an initiative aimed at giving residents a clearer picture of how the city spends its money. 

With over a decade of experience at the federal Department of Finance, Saravanamuttoo argues that Ottawans need to better scrutinize the value taxpayers receive for major projects.  

He points to examples ranging from $16,000 speed bumps — projects he says cost significantly less in cities such as Toronto and Montreal — as evidence the city isn’t asking enough questions before approving spending. 

“If we’re overspending on the small stuff, what are we doing on the big stuff,” Saravanamuttoo said. 

He argues the program goes beyond individual projects. Saravanamuttoo believes city hall has become too closely aligned with large construction firms and developers, leading to spending decisions that don’t always serve residents’ interests. 

“There’s an overly cozy relationship between City Hall and some of the large construction companies that end up with jobs that cost far more than what we could hope for,” he said. 

“We need to open up the books so that we can see exactly how the city is spending our money and what they’re spending it on and people can actually start commenting on it meaningfully,” he said. 

Transit

That philosophy also underpins Saravanamuttoo’s transit platform. 

Under his “Four Point Transit Recovery Plan,” he points to his ‘Buck a ride,’ which looks to reduce OC Transpo fares from $4.10 to $1.00, while capping monthly transit costs to $40. 

Saravanamuttoo said his proposed $1 transit fare would be funded using savings from the province’s planned upload of Ottawa’s LRT to Metrolinx, which he said would reduce the city’s operating costs by about $85 million annually. 

Rather than allowing those savings to be absorbed into OC Transpo’s broader budget, he said they should be redirected toward lowering fares. 

He frames the proposal as a way to rapidly increase ridership rather than just lowering fares. 

He explained the transit fares currently only bring in $200 million dollars, the rest of money ultimately comes from taxpayers. 

READ MORE: Lawson gains ground as Sutcliffe maintains lead in Ottawa mayoral race: poll

Housing 

When it comes to housing, Saravanamuttoo applies the same fiscal lens. 

He said Ottawa needs to rethink not only how much it builds, but where it builds. He questioned whether the city’s long-term population projections still reflect current realities, pointing to slower immigration, a shrinking federal workforce and declining birth rates. 

Instead of planning decades in advance based on outdated assumptions, he said Ottawa should adopt a more flexible approach to growth. 

Saravanamuttoo pointed to suburban expansion, arguing new greenfield developments such as Tewin saddle taxpayers with costly infrastructure that must be built, maintained and eventually replaced. 

“Just the water pipes to get out there would be $600 million alone… this is coming back to these discretionary decisions that the city has control over,” he said. 

“I would argue that the housing that could potentially be created in Tewin could easily be created elsewhere in the city.” 

Saravanamuttoo also pointed out that Ottawa has relied too heavily on the assumption that new development pays for itself through development charges. While those fees help finance the initial construction of roads, pipes and other infrastructure, he says they do little to cover the long-term costs of maintaining and eventually replacing those assets.

Rather than continuing to expand the city’s suburban footprint, he argues Ottawa should prioritize building housing in existing neighbourhoods where infrastructure is already in place. To make that work, Saravanamuttoo says communities that accommodate new housing should also share in the benefits of that growth, arguing residents are more likely to accept greater density if they see improvements to their own neighbourhoods.

Asked whether he is prepared for resistance from city staff, Saravanamuttoo said he expects pushback. 

“I’m not getting into politics to be a politician,” he said. “This is the only time I’ve ever run for office and it’s because I love the city.” 

He said greater public transparency will be key to driving change, arguing residents, councillors, and city staff ultimately share the same goal of spending tax dollars more effectively. 

“It’s not going to be easy, and we’re definitely going to ruffle feathers, but we’re going to make it happen.”