Ottawa has extraordinary assets. We are Canada’s capital, home to world class research institutions, innovative businesses, a growing defence and technology economy, vibrant communities, and people whose ideas and ambitions extend far beyond our borders.
From our rural communities and neighbourhood main streets to our research labs, major employers and national institutions, Ottawa has the essentials of a world class city.
And we have an extraordinary opportunity to build on them.
As our city grows, so does the opportunity to create more places to live, better ways to move, more jobs and investment, and a capital city experience that reflects who we are and what we can become.
The decisions made by the next mayor and council will shape how Ottawa realizes that potential.
This is the thinking behind More Ottawa, the Ottawa Board of Trade’s non-partisan municipal election campaign built around three priorities: Build for Growth. Compete to Win. Elevate the Capital.
These priorities reflect what we have heard through our engagement with members, policy councils, business and community leaders, alongside our research and ongoing economic development work.
They are business priorities, but they are also city building priorities. They affect where people live, how they move, where businesses invest and the opportunities available to the next generation.
Realizing Ottawa’s full potential will take more than good ideas and ambitious plans. It will take leadership that sets a clear direction, makes decisions, brings partners together and turns opportunities into measurable results. Leadership that looks beyond the next budget or election cycle, embraces innovation and recognizes that Ottawa’s success depends on working together across governments, sectors and communities.
Build for Growth
Ottawa is growing, and we have an opportunity to build a city that grows well.
That means creating more homes, supporting complete communities, and ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with the people and businesses that depend on it.
Housing, transportation, energy, water and other essential infrastructure are connected. So are the decisions that determine how quickly and effectively we build them.
We need predictable approvals, coordinated infrastructure investment and transportation networks that make it easy for people to get to work, customers to reach businesses, and goods to move across our city.
When we get these fundamentals right, we create the conditions for stronger neighbourhoods, thriving businesses, and a better quality of life.
Compete to Win
Ottawa is positioned to contribute to some of Canada’s most important economic opportunities.
Our strengths in defence and security, technology, research, health sciences, and tourism give us a foundation for new investment, innovation, and job creation.
We have entrepreneurs creating new businesses, established employers reaching global markets, and institutions attracting people and ideas from around the world.
Municipal government has an important role in supporting this growth.
Ottawa can create a more competitive business environment through clear processes, predictable timelines, responsive services and better coordination across governments.
We must also recognize that Ottawa’s economic future extends beyond our municipal boundaries.
Collaboration across the National Capital Region, with provincial and federal governments, businesses, and institutions, can help advance opportunities that no single organization or government can deliver alone.
And competitiveness requires follow through.
The next mayor and council will have an opportunity to establish clear, measurable priorities and report publicly on progress. Residents and businesses should be able to understand what is being done, what has been delivered, and what comes next.
Elevate the Capital
Ottawa is more than a place to work and do business. It is Canada’s capital, a destination for visitors from across the country and around the world, and a place that hundreds of thousands of people are proud to call home.
Our downtown is central to that identity.
A vibrant downtown supports jobs, tourism, culture, local businesses, and investment. It connects our communities and helps shape how Canadians and international visitors experience their capital.
We have an opportunity to create a downtown with more people living in the core, more active public spaces, thriving cultural destinations, and more reasons to visit throughout the year.
That means continuing to improve safety, cleanliness, and the public realm, while supporting the investment and partnerships that bring new life to our city centre.
This is a shared responsibility involving the City of Ottawa, provincial and federal government, the National Capital Commission, businesses, and community partners.
And its benefits extend across Ottawa. A vibrant, welcoming, and successful downtown contributes to the economic strength and identity of our entire city.
From Ambition to Action
Ottawa’s future will be shaped by more than the priorities we identify. It will also depend on how we work together to deliver them.
The Ottawa Board of Trade believes that strong businesses and strong communities go hand in hand. Our members create jobs, invest in neighbourhoods, support community organizations, and contribute to the experiences that make Ottawa a great place to live.
Through our advocacy, partnerships, and economic development work, we bring business experience and expertise to the decisions that shape our city’s future.
We believe the leadership conversation should extend beyond what candidates propose to accomplish. It should also explore how they intend to deliver, who they will work with, how they will overcome barriers, and how progress will be measured.
These are questions worth asking throughout the October 26 municipal election and beyond. They are also central to the Ottawa Board of Trade’s ongoing work with governments, businesses, and community partners.
The election is an opportunity to understand the priorities and proposals of those seeking to lead our city. Beyond election day, the work of city building continues.
That is why More Ottawa is about more than one election. It is part of the Ottawa Board of Trade’s ongoing commitment to advancing our city’s economic future and contributing to an informed public conversation about the opportunities ahead.
Discover More Ottawa
At MoreOttawa.ca, you can explore our business and city building priorities, learn about the decisions shaping Ottawa’s future, and discover opportunities to participate in the conversation.
We invite you to explore the priorities, share them with your networks, and learn more about the Ottawa Board of Trade’s work with businesses and community partners across the city.
Ottawa has the people, the assets, and the opportunity to build an extraordinary future.
More ambition. More action. More Ottawa.
Visit MoreOttawa.ca.
About the Author
Sueling Ching is President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, an independent, non-partisan organization representing and connecting businesses across Canada’s Capital region.
