Ottawa

Ottawa-specific coverage of local business news, including tourism, retail, transportation, city hall and more. Issues related to human resources and philanthropy are often featured.

OBJ In-Depth: On the road to reconciliation, local Indigenous tourism operators see uptick in business

Indigenous business owners offering cultural experiences are seeing a significant uptick in interest, particularly from domestic travellers, as Canadians seek Indigenous education and experience.

Experts say rate cut could spur demand as Ottawa home sales fall in May

New home listings soared in the capital last month, but demand failed to keep pace as sales declined from the previous year in what has been an “unsteady” spring housing market, the Ottawa Real Estate Board says.

Ottawa-Gatineau’s jobless rate rises to 5.5% in May as economy sheds 4,700 jobs

Ottawa-Gatineau’s unemployment rate jumped to 5.5 per cent in May, continuing an upward climb that has seen...

Retailers showing ‘renewed interest’ in downtown core, real estate veteran says

A new analysis of Ottawa’s commercial real estate market says the retail sector is gaining momentum as...

From hiding in a bathroom to leaving a legacy, Catherine Mensour reflects on 40 years in the talent biz

Catherine Mensour has never worked as an actor, but the local businesswoman sure felt like one when she opened her talent agency in Ottawa nearly 40 years ago.

KRP Properties converting Kanata North office tower to residential units

KRP Properties plans to convert a 10-storey office building near the Brookstreet Hotel into a residential complex...

My Ottawa: Stephen Beckta’s taste for local restos and why he misses Harley Finkelstein

In this instalment of My Ottawa, Stephen Beckta lets us in on his favourite places to eat (not including his own establishments), his go-to skiing spot and his “eclectic” choice in musicians.

More investors ‘kicking the tires’ in Ottawa’s office market, veteran broker says

A leading commercial real estate broker says Ottawa’s investment market is gradually gaining steam after a dismal...

Ten years of construction? We’re (mostly) ready, downtown businesses say

With a decade of construction ahead in a downtown core struggling to come back to life, business officials are cautiously optimistic they’re equipped to handle whatever comes their way.