Happy Holidays from your Ottawa Board of Trade

Dear Members,

 

Thank you for your continued support for the Ottawa Board of Trade as the voice of business and key economic partners in Ottawa. On behalf of our board of directors, and our staff-volunteer team, we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous holiday season.

 

It has been a whirlwind year, starting with COVID and a convoy, engaging in both a provincial and municipal election and continuing to pull levers that drive business success, economic growth, and community prosperity.

 

Together, we are navigating our continued health crisis, and issues related to affordability and climate action as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion. Based on the lessons we have learned these last three years – collaboration is key, health equals economy and progress over perfection, Meanwhile, we are called on to mitigate the influences of a global economy including an unthinkable war. Thank you to all of you who have stepped up to support our friends in Ukraine.

 

We are all weathering the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat. Entrepreneurs, employees, and executives have been impacted differently and each of us has a role and responsibility to play in our collective wellbeing. To that end, we encourage you to do what you can to contribute; be that following the recommendations of health officials, self-care, creating healthy workplaces, buying local, promoting local, hiring local, supporting local charities, and simply spreading messages of hope and positivity. Kindness to all.

 

This year, we recognized the best in business success and leadership excellence. We announced new investments like the Nokia expansion and expanded flights with Porter. And we welcomed the recent announcement of the federal government to establish a return to office plan. Economic partners continue to work together and make exciting announcements like the Ottawa Tourism Destination Stewardship Plan. We have a new city council under the leadership of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe who have all committed to a collaborative approach to governing. Opportunity abounds.

 

The Ottawa Board of Trade will be there for our community in 2023, advocating at all levels of government, driving an economic growth agenda, and promoting radical collaboration among business and community leaders. We are so grateful for the innovation and resilience of our local businesses and acknowledge your contribution to building up Ottawa for everyone.

 

Finally, special thanks to our members and volunteers who make our work possible by being members, engaging in our programs and volunteering on our committees. You are the heart and the future of our nation’s capital. Cheers to your success in 2023!

 

Yours in prosperity,

Sueling