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A Bold Vision for Downtown Ottawa: Champions to Lead Transformation Amid Economic Uncertainty

Ottawa, ON, March 11, 2025 – As economic and political uncertainty continues to challenge cities across Canada, the Ottawa Board of Trade (OBOT) is stepping up with a bold initiative to secure the future of the city’s downtown core. Building on the momentum of the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda, the newly established Downtown Ottawa Champions Table will bring together influential leaders from the private and public sectors to drive transformation and economic resilience.

 

Ottawa’s downtown has faced unprecedented challenges, first from the pandemic and then from evolving workplace strategies, including the federal government’s shift away from traditional office space and pending reductions in the workforce. These shifts have left office towers underutilized, weakened small businesses, and raised concerns about the city’s economic vitality. However, with crisis comes opportunity. The Champions Table is committed to reshaping the city core into a more diverse, resilient, and vibrant cultural and economic hub than ever before.

 

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by a growing public awareness of downtown’s significance to Ottawa’s overall economic health. Recent polling indicates strong support for revitalization efforts, highlighting the critical role of a thriving city core in attracting investment, fostering innovation, and maintaining Ottawa’s status as a global capital.

 

Champions Table: Driving Action and Change

This non-political group of ambassadors will focus on inspiring confidence, fostering collaboration, and accelerating the transformation of downtown Ottawa. Their mandate includes securing investments, aligning strategies, and advocating for policies that will drive long-term success. The Champions Table will work closely with elected officials, business and community leaders to implement the action agenda. The Champions Table currently includes:

  • Rosemary Thompson, Chair, ByWard Market
  • Stephan Dery, President & CEO, Canada Lands Company
  • Erin Benjamin, President & CEO, Canadian Live Music Association
  • Wendy Stephanson, City Manager, City of Ottawa
  • Hugh Gorman, CEO, Colonnade BridgePort
  • Bryce Conrad, President & CEO, Hydro Ottawa
  • Sonya Shorey, President & CEO, Invest Ottawa
  • Melissa Reeves, COO, Linebox Studio
  • Tobi Nussbaum, President & CEO, National Capital Commission
  • Sean Webster, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier of Ontario and Head of the Ontario Regional Office in Ottawa
  • Shawn Hamilton, Principal, Proveras Commercial Realty
  • Brendan McGuinty, Chair, Ottawa Board of Trade
  • Sueling Ching, President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade
  • Stéphane Giguère, President & CEO, Ottawa Community Housing
  • Eric Stubbs, Chief, Ottawa Police Services
  • Michael Crockatt, President & CEO, Ottawa Tourism
  • Stephen Willis, Senior Principal, Stantec
  • Kate Harrison, Vice Chair, Summa Strategies
  • Dennise Taylor-Gilhen, Interim President & CEO, United Way of Eastern Ontario

Additional leaders may be invited to ensure diverse representation and expertise in the ongoing transformation.

 

Progress and Investments in Downtown Ottawa

Since the launch of the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda in May 2024, significant strides have been made to reposition the downtown core for growth and resilience:

  • Major Investments: Revitalization projects such as the ByWard Market renewal, the planned NCC/Live Nation venue, and the future home of the Ottawa Senators at LeBreton Flats are set to reinvigorate the area.
  • Policy and Planning: The Ontario government’s $20 million commitment to downtown Ottawa, which includes the creation of a Downtown Vibrancy Office, is a major win for the city’s economic strategy.
  • Transit Solutions: The provincial agreement to take over the LRT system addresses a critical challenge in ensuring seamless and efficient mobility in the downtown core.
  • Strengthening Business and Community Ties: A coalition of organizations—including the new Downtown BIA, Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, BOMA, and the NCC—are aligning their strategies to support the downtown action agenda.
  • Enhanced Public Safety: Recent federal funding of $50 million for the Ottawa Police will further enhance safety measures, particularly around Parliament Hill, ensuring a secure environment for residents and visitors alike. This investment underscores the federal government's commitment to supporting Ottawa's growth and stability.

 

A Roadmap to 2034: Transforming Downtown Ottawa

The Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda lays out four key objectives to guide this transformation:

  1. Increase Downtown Population by 40,000 Residents – Encouraging mixed-use developments to create a more dynamic urban core.
  2. Attract 50,000 New Jobs – Diversifying Ottawa’s economic base beyond government and
  3. Invest $500 Million – Mobilizing public and private sector funding to drive
  4. Develop Key Anchor Projects – Establishing world-class public spaces, cultural institutions, and landmark

 

A Rallying Call for Action

With Ottawa poised to host major events and attract new business opportunities, the Champions Table is committed to making downtown the economic and cultural heart of the city. This initiative is not just about recovery, it’s about reinvention. A dynamic downtown benefits everyone, from small businesses to major employers, from residents to visitors. Ottawa is ready to lead the way in urban revitalization, and the time to act is now.

 

"This is a pivotal moment for Ottawa. The establishment of the Downtown Ottawa Champions Table signals our collective determination to create a downtown that is more diverse, vibrant, and economically resilient than ever before. We are mobilizing the right leaders, securing the right investments, and executing the right strategies to build a future we can all be proud of." – Sueling Ching, CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade

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About the Ottawa Board of Trade:

The Ottawa Board of Trade is the voice of business and a key economic partner in the National Capital Region. Our mission is to cultivate a thriving world class business community. One that drives affordable, inclusive, and sustainable city building. We are champions of Ottawa as the best place to live, work, play, learn, visit, and invest. For information, visit www.ottawabot.ca.

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