OTTAWA’S NEXT ERA. Ottawa is entering one of the most defining periods in its modern history. For more than 200 years, this city has evolved alongside the country it serves, at times quietly, at times decisively, but always with purpose. Today, as cities everywhere compete for talent, investment, and global relevance, Ottawa is not simply reflecting on its past; it is beginning to shape a more ambitious future. The stories in this issue capture that momentum: a capital built on prosperity, a city planning boldly for what comes next, and a community determined to protect the qualities that make Ottawa not just successful, but deeply livable.
At the heart of this edition is a simple idea: Ottawa’s past is not just something to celebrate; it is something to build on. Feature 1, “Ottawa: From Scrappy Lumber Town to Silicon Valley North and Beyond,” revisits the moments, industries, and institutions that helped shape Ottawa as a national centre of influence. From its earliest foundations to the systems and sectors that power it today, the city’s growth has never been accidental. It has been driven by ambition, public purpose, and generations of people who believed Ottawa could play a larger role on the national stage.
That same forward-looking energy carries through Feature 2, “Team Yes Takes on City Building.” The future of Ottawa will depend on how well we connect growth, mobility, innovation, housing, and quality of life into a shared vision for the capital. Downtown renewal, transportation, defence, tech, and long-term infrastructure are not isolated conversations; they are part of the same city-building agenda. The leaders and visionaries featured here are shaping a capital that is more connected, more competitive, and more resilient in an increasingly complex world.
Of course, prosperity alone does not define a great capital city. Ottawa’s quality of life remains one of its top strengths, and this issue also celebrates the cultural energy and community spirit that continue to define the region. Feature 3, “Ottawa: The Livable,” highlights local initiatives, from advancing the arts to ending youth homelessness, that make Ottawa a place where people can truly thrive. Its recent ranking as The Globe and Mail’s most liveable city in Canada only reinforces what many residents already know.
That evolution is increasingly visible not only in major projects and policy conversations, but in the life of the city itself. Our Sector Profile, “Ottawa Lights Up After Dark,” explores how new venues, leadership, and investment are reshaping the capital after dark, from the launch of a world-class Live Nation Entertainment venue to the work of the city’s first Nightlife Commissioner. A more dynamic entertainment scene is emerging: one that supports tourism, strengthens local business, attracts talent, and brings people together in new ways. A vibrant nightlife is not an afterthought in city-building; it is part of the cultural and economic fabric of a truly world-class capital.
Together, these stories point to a larger truth: Ottawa is not standing still. It is evolving into a more globally connected, culturally vibrant, and economically resilient capital city. The last 200 years built the Ottawa we inherited. The next 200 will be defined by what we choose to build together.
Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade
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