OTTAWA — The Government of Ontario and the City of Ottawa are continuing to work together to implement the historic New Deal for Ottawa, with $48 million in new provincial funding to improve public safety on transit and in the downtown core and $40 million to help address the increased number of asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness in Ottawa. The province and city are also continuing to make progress on other aspects of the New Deal, including supporting the economic recovery of Ottawa’s downtown area to ensure the sustainable, long-term growth and prosperity of the nation’s capital.
“With our historic New Deal for Ottawa, our government is demonstrating our ongoing support and commitment to the success of Ottawa and all of Eastern Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As today’s announcement shows, we’re continuing to work closely with Mayor Sutcliffe to improve public safety, tackle homelessness and rebuild the city and region’s economy. As we do so, we continue to call on the federal government to be an active partner in the success of our nation’s capital.”
To enhance public safety and address community concerns related to increases in violent local crime, mental health issues and substance use, particularly in the ByWard Market area, the province will invest $48 million over three years in seven initiatives that will improve safety and security on transit and in the downtown core. This follows the approval of the city’s comprehensive Public Safety Plan that will increase the number of uniformed OC Transpo special constables on the transit system, implement new community-based initiatives including outreach and alternative mental health supports and establish a police neighbourhood operations centre near the ByWard Market to address community safety concerns.
To help address the increased numbers of asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness, the province will provide $40 million in 2024–25 to the city to support emergency shelter operations. This is in addition to $9.5 million in funding announced in May 2024 to help create more than 100 supportive housing units in Ottawa. Providing housing with support services on-site helps people to move out of the shelter system and achieve long-term housing stability.
“This funding is a significant step forward for the safety and well-being of our community. Ottawa’s unique challenges as the nation’s capital require targeted solutions and we are grateful for the province’s investment,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “Programs like the Downtown Safety Outreach Partnership and CORE Strategy will expand outreach and proactive policing to reduce crime, while the Market Safe Initiative ensures a strong law enforcement presence during peak hours in the ByWard Market. Together, these efforts enhance public safety and support Ottawa’s economic recovery. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with Premier Ford to build a safer and more vibrant city.”
Work continues on other New Deal commitments, such as a three-phased assessment of potential provincial ownership of Ottawa Road 174, a new interchange at Highway 416 and Barnsdale Road and providing funding to repair and upgrade major connecting routes and rural roads critical to keeping the people, goods and services of Ottawa moving. In addition, Ottawa and Ontario continue to work together on a plan to revitalize Ottawa’s downtown and ensure the city’s unique character and attractions continue making the nation’s capital a tourism destination for Canadians and international visitors.
In turn, the City of Ottawa is taking steps to open up municipal lands for factory-built, attainable housing development to ensure Ottawa meets and exceeds its housing targets, strengthen the city’s vacant home tax and implement efficiency measures that minimize the property tax burden on Ottawa’s people and businesses.