Capital Context

OTTAWA. CANADA’S CAPITAL city and Canada in One City. Rich in history, natural beauty, and international influence. Deep roots in culture, leadership, and technology. A magnet for artists, changemakers, and innovators. Ottawa’s lifestyle is unparalleled. World class education and health institutions, access to top sports and entertainment options and an international airport all form a strong foundation for growth and prosperity. Ottawa businesses and citizens have much to appreciate. And the best is yet to come. Ottawa has a once in a lifetime opportunity to be the city that gets it right. And our closeknit business and community leaders know how to get it done.

The Ottawa Board of Trade, our members and partners work closely with every level of government to ensure we maintain a competitive business environment. Business success and economic growth allows us to build a city that is equitable, healthy, and safe for all. Ottawa’s unique position as home to the federal government, a thriving diplomatic community, and numerous international organizations creates a rich ecosystem for government relations and shaping policies that drive prosperity.

The key to our success lies in our willingness to collectively act quickly, build our brand, calibrate our priorities, leverage our investments, and optimize our resources. Today we are facing many challenges, like large metropolitan areas across the country. Fortunately, Ottawa is coming from a position of strength and a tradition of success. We have many opportunities for investment. More than that we have exciting initiatives underway as shared in pages of this edition of Capital.

We are enjoying a renewed excitement and community pride for our beloved Senators hockey team since the arrival of new owner Michael Andlauer who easily shares his profound commitment to Ottawa, the fan base, and his vision of winning the Stanley Cup. Add to that partial ownership of local business leaders, the return of respected Ottawa leader, Cyril Leeder as President and CEO, the dedication of Ottawa born general manager, Pierre Dorion and the financial genius of COO, Erin Crowe and we have a team designed to win.

Ottawa continues to strengthen our global reputation as a prominent player in tech. The continued growth and diversification of the Ottawa tech sector is also enjoying new investments with companies at every stage, both local and international, driving innovation and providing global leadership in key areas. In addition to the innovation hubs at Bayview Yards, AreaX.0 and Hub 350, the ecosystem includes strong partnerships with education institutions, a concentration of companies in the Kanata North Tech Park as well as expansions throughout the city and region.

The ongoing commitment to our small business community as declared by our mayor and amplified during small business week remains strong. Ottawa entrepreneurs have demonstrated tremendous resilience and creativity. A strong network of business associations works to support Ottawa small businesses including several business improvement associations who focus on key neighborhoods that attract visitors and residents alike.

Finally, the transformation of the downtown as primarily a business and office district to a more diverse, resilient, and vibrant area is a key focus in our economic development plans and an opportunity to move the needle on climate action. Downtown Ottawa is the heart and soul of our city, our whole region, and our country. It is an asset for the visitor economy which is the front door to every other form of economic development including attracting talent and young leaders. The Ottawa Board of Trade is working with local business leaders, partners at every level of government and urban experts on a downtown Ottawa Action Plan to identify the next right steps.

Ottawa is at an inflection point, embracing a bright future through downtown transformation, passionate sports and entertainment leadership, and a thriving tech sector. These dynamic developments are building up Ottawa into a vibrant destination and ensuring a prosperous future for our Canadian capital. Our commitment to preserving history while forging a path into the future shows Ottawa is a city that is embracing its uniqueness. And we are sharing it with the world.