Mayor Sutcliffe presents City’s Public Safety Action Plan

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was joined today by Police Chief Eric Stubbs, Fire Chief Paul Hutt and Paramedic Chief Pierre Poirier, as well as key community partners, to present the City’s Public Safety Action Plan. The Action Plan is a strategy to build on key investments contained in the 2026 Draft Budget to make Ottawa an even safer city for everyone. 

The Action Plan reinforces the City’s commitment to deliver high-impact services, including hiring more police and first responders, creating safer public spaces, and strengthening community-based prevention programs. 

Ottawa Police Service 

To improve community safety and response times, the Action Plan calls for increased investment in the Ottawa Police Service (OPS). Key initiatives include: 

• Funding for 21 new sworn officers and four special constables. This builds on the addition of 49 sworn officers and 10 special constables since 2023. 

• The continued implementation of the District Revitalization Project, which will provide tailored policing supports in neighborhoods across Ottawa, creating more officer presence and stronger local engagement. The program’s first phase began in May 2024 and will continue during 2026 with a full rollout of frontline policing resources in January 2027.   

• Boosting uniformed police presence throughout the city by increasing members of the Neighborhood Resource Teams, Community Policing Officers and Traffic Enforcement Officers. For example, in mid-December, 14 additional officers will begin proactive work in the downtown core. As well, new district traffic officers will be established in the South, East and West Districts. 

• Investing $187.7 million to build a new OPS South Facility in Barrhaven, scheduled to open in 2027. 

• Introducing body-worn cameras for officers on the Crisis Intervention Team and some frontline sergeants, with service-wide adoption in 2026 and 2027. 

• Continued support for the service’s new mounted unit, helicopter program and Parliamentary District initiatives that were recently established with Provincial/Federal funding.   

• The City will work closely with OPS on a multi-year strategy to ensure the police service has sustainable funding to follow through on its strategic plans. 

Other emergency services 

The plan aims to increase staffing at the Ottawa Paramedic Service and better equip Ottawa Fire Services to respond to emergencies, including: 

• Hiring 23 new full-time paramedics. This is in addition to the 118 paramedic staff added to the Ottawa Paramedic Service since 2023. 

• Continuing efforts to reduce Level Zero events. Recent investments in staffing and diversion programs have already contributed to a 79 per cent reduction in Level Zero events (instances where no ambulances are available) in 2024. 

• $3.6 million to purchase new self-contained breathing devices for Ottawa Fire Services. 

Expanding ANCHOR 

Building on the successful pilot project for an alternative response to mental health and substance use calls, the Public Safety Action Plan: 

• Invests $700,000 to accelerate the expansion of the Alternate Neighbourhood Crisis Response (ANCHOR) program. The new service received 4,464 calls during its first year and responded to 92 per cent without police intervention. 

Infrastructure upgrades and community programs 

The Public Safety Action Plan also targets safety through smart infrastructure and revitalization efforts contained in Draft Budget 2026. 

• $500,000 annually for two years from the Municipal Accommodation Tax to fund private security measures in the ByWard Market. 

• $400,000 to improve safety at the Rideau-Sussex pedestrian underpass near the Senate of Canada. 

• $500,000 for new streetlights citywide. 

• The Centretown Safety and Revitalization Action Plan, which promotes vibrant street life and safer sidewalks and crossings, will expand to Somerset Street. 

• The plan calls for continued support for citywide, low-cost seasonal traffic calming measures to improve road safety. 

Quotes 

“There’s nothing more important than the safety of our residents. Through the Public Safety Action Plan, we’re hiring more police officers and paramedics than ever before. We’re expanding the ANCHOR program and also providing more security in the ByWard Market. We’re strengthening community partnerships. Our residents deserve to feel safe, at home and throughout our city, and we’re working hard to improve public safety.” 

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City of Ottawa 

“The ANCHOR project is expanding the ways people in Ottawa can get help during a crisis. By calling 2-1-1, residents now have the option to connect with trained community responders as well as traditional emergency services. Our experienced community navigators have supported and referred over 52 per cent of ANCHOR callers without the need to dispatch a team.” 

John Hoyles, Executive Director, Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario 

“Getting the right support to people when they need it most can change the course of someone’s life — and make a lasting difference for their family and community. The ANCHOR model has proven its impact here in Centretown and holds real promise for neighbourhoods across Ottawa.” 

Michelle Hurtubise, Chief Executive Officer, Centretown Community Health Centre 

"The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) deeply values the City’s partnership and continued commitment to enhancing safety and the overall visitor experience in the area. Investments of this type achieve greater impact when approached collaboratively, allowing the BMDA to align resources in ways that meaningfully support residents, visitors, and businesses in our neighbourhood." 

Sandy Smallwood, Chair, BMDA Board of Directors 

“We greatly appreciate Mayor Sutcliffe and the City for its forward‑thinking plan and investments in public safety. This commitment further strengthens Ottawa’s downtown core, ensuring an inclusive environment where businesses thrive, culture flourishes, and where everyone feels welcomed. As our city approaches its 200th anniversary, this leadership provides vital momentum towards building an even more vibrant capital for all.”  

Andrew Peck, Executive Director, Downtown Rideau BIA