Better Ottawa is a program of CitySHAPES, a not-for-profit focused on building better cities.

CitySHAPES is working to make cities better by sparking and implementing the change they need to become healthier, greener, and more vibrant cities where everyone can thrive.

We focus on bold climate action, housing affordability, sustainable transportation and municipal governance and transparency.

I'm Neil. I'm part of the ragtag group of the community volunteers working to hold Ottawa City Hall to account.

I'm the executive director of CitySHAPES, where we build better cities. I work mostly on local public interest issues in Ottawa.

You can follow me on two regular Substacks, Fix Your City and the 613, or on the Better Ottawa podcast.

I spent a career in public finance, at the Department of Finance Canada and as the G20 Global Infrastructure Hub's Chief Economist.

I'm a graduate of Carleton University and the London School of Economics, and have completed executive education at Harvard's Kennedy School.

I was honoured to recently receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal for distinguished service to Canada and the local community.

For all media inquiries, please contact info@betterottawa.ca

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Speaker Bio: Neil Saravanamuttoo is an economist, community organizer, husband and father to two daughters. He is the Executive Director of CitySHAPES and the lead of the Better Ottawa campaign. He is the former chief economist of the G20's Global Infrastructure Hub and executive in the Department of Finance Canada. He is the author of the 613 on Substack and the host of the Better Ottawa Municipal Panel podcast.