Economic Development Office

Ottawa's blend of natural beauty, vibrant communities and great quality of life has long made it one of the most attractive places to work and live in Canada. And with a healthy economy that is supported by such diverse sectors as technology, tourism, government and agriculture, it has also become a role model for cities around the world in establishing creative and stimulating economic initiatives.

The City’s Economic Development Office works with its partners and key business organizations to make our community even more innovative and competitive by encouraging and fostering local industry, creating the necessary infrastructure to stimulate growth and aggressively promoting investments in our businesses.

The City's economic development partnerships and initiatives include:

  • Forming The Ottawa Partnership (TOP) - a group of community leaders from the public and private sectors who provide strategic advice to the City of Ottawa on growing and sustaining the local economy.
  • Supporting the efforts of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) in the delivery of core programs and specific projects and initiatives such as entrepreneurship training and continuing education programs.
  • Strengthening the rural economy in partnership with rural tourism operators and agri-food business partners on specific rural sector initiatives
  • Continuing initiatives to provide Broadband access to every resident of the City.
  • Engaging in a comprehensive strategy to increase two-way communication with the local business community through such means as the City’s Business Advisory Committee, business outreach and visitation programs and small business forums.
  • Strengthening Ottawa’s export market sector through leadership, management and the support of initiatives such as the Ottawa-Gatineau Film Office, Ottawa-Congress Centre expansion and Team Ottawa-Gatineau.

A look Ahead

The City of Ottawa will continue to foster economic prosperity by:

  • Implementing the Ottawa 20/20 Economic Strategy which outlines specific priority actions to better position Ottawa for innovation, competitiveness and prosperity in the export, local market and rural sectors of the economy.

    For further details, see the Ottawa 20/20 Economic Strategy

  • Implementing the Ottawa 20/20 Talent Plan, Ottawa’s strategy to link employers to a skilled workforce and to improve workforce infrastructure.

    For further details, see the Ottawa 20/20 Talent Plan

  • Continuing to pursue objectives identified in the Ottawa 20/20 Broadband Plan which includes extending broadband connectivity to unserviced areas and to integrate a telecommunications strategy into the City’s planning and development.

    For further details, see the Ottawa 20/20 Broadband Plan

For more information, please contact:

Economic Development and Strategic Planning Branch
Planning, Transit and the Environment Department
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1

Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 16663
Fax: 613-560-6028

E-mail: businessaffaires@ottawa.ca

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