Sutcliffe absent as candidates pitch new ideas at student mayoral debate

More than 300 students packed a Carleton University lecture hall to hear three of Ottawa’s leading mayoral candidates make their pitch on why they should lead the city . One candidate was noticeably missing.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe did not attend the student-focused mayoral debate, leaving an empty spot at the table alongside candidates Alex Lawson, Jeff Leiper and Neil Saravanamuttoo.

Sutcliffe’s campaign said a scheduling conflict prevented him from attending.

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“Mayor Sutcliffe is planning to participate in roughly 10-12 debates this election,” his campaign told the Citizen. “Unfortunately, he is not able to attend all debates that he is invited to, largely due to scheduling conflicts, as was the case for the student debate.”

The debate, organized by a coalition of student organizations from across Ottawa, was aimed specifically at issues affecting post-secondary students. Organizers advertised housing, transit, nightlife and city services among the main topics.

Sutcliffe’s absence drew attention before the first question was even asked.

“Where is Mark Sutcliffe?” Leiper asked during his opening statement, criticizing the incumbent mayor for missing the event.

Norah Bello, advocacy commissioner with the University of Ottawa Students’ Union, said she was disappointed when she learned Sutcliffe would not attend.

“I was a little bit disappointed to see that our current mayor doesn’t want to engage with students,” Bello said. “We make up a big portion of this population.”