Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has announced a significant new investment in public safety, headlined by a $1 million pilot project to deploy private security guards in the historic ByWard Market. The initiative is designed to "fill the gaps" in security coverage and augment the existing police presence in the popular downtown district.
Details of the Public Safety Action Plan
The announcement was made on Thursday as Mayor Sutcliffe was joined by Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs, Ottawa Paramedic Chief Pierre Poirier, and Ottawa Fire Services Chief Paul Hutt at City Hall. The move is part of the mayor's newly unveiled public safety action plan, which follows similar campaign-style announcements on housing, youth homelessness, and primary care in recent months.
Many of the plan's components were previously included in the city's $5.2 billion budget last month. These previously announced investments include:
- Hiring 21 new sworn police officers and four special constables.
- Adding 23 new paramedics to the service.
- A $3.6 million investment in new self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters.
Addressing ByWard Market Concerns
The two-year, $1-million pilot for the ByWard Market responds directly to multiple requests from the tourism industry and small business community. The area has been grappling with an increase in open-air drug use and rising low-level crime, concerns that come as the city prepares for major celebrations.
The historic neighbourhood, a prime tourist destination, is slated for further investments leading up to the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown in 2025 and the ByWard Market's own bicentennial in 2027.
Mayor Sutcliffe emphasized that the city's investment will be "supplementary" and "complementary" to existing patrols, noting that many hotels, nightclubs, and businesses in the area already employ private security.
Integrated Policing and Security Strategy
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs highlighted the positive impact of the multi-agency Neighbourhood Operations Centre located in the Rideau Centre at 50 Rideau Street, which opened in June 2024. The Ottawa Police Service also runs its dedicated Market Safe program with officers posted to the area and has plans to expand the OPS mounted unit into the ByWard Market.
The new private security force is intended to work within this existing framework, providing additional eyes and ears during key service hours and at specific locations to enhance overall safety and security for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
