Ottawa has launched a transformative plan to reimagine and revitalize the city’s core by adding 40,000 new residents, creating 50,000 jobs, and attracting $500 million in catalytic projects to foster a diverse, resilient, and vibrant downtown.

About the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda

The state of Ottawa’s downtown is the single most significant shift in our local economic landscape to ever happen.

Improving it requires an action-oriented, collaborative, and multi-faceted approach, which led to the creation of the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda in 2023 by key stakeholders in the National Capital Region. This Agenda considers and elevates the unique strengths and challenges of our region to create achievable, measurable outcomes.

Supporting this mission, the Downtown Vibrancy Office drives new revitalization projects and investor confidence to make the city’s core more diverse, resilient, and vibrant for residents, businesses, and visitors. One thing we know for sure is that a thriving city core creates a prosperous region, and that Ottawa is not viable without a culturally dynamic, safe and economically vibrant downtown - where so many of our assets are located. We invite you to keep up to date on the Action Agenda’s progress below, and read relevant news and updates about downtown Ottawa’s revitalization.

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Progress

Each section below outlines progress and relevant news on a desired outcome of the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda.

Progress is determined by the measurable steps outlined in the Action Agenda and how they relate to developments in the city core that drive progress towards that area of focus.

Click on a desired outcome below to expand the section and see more details.

Creating affordable, walkable, and amenity-rich communities that offer residents easy access to essential services, vibrant public spaces, and diverse cultural and recreational opportunities, fostering a strong sense of connection and well-being throughout downtown Ottawa.

Progress

Encouraging coordinated public and private investment in infrastructure, public spaces, and placemaking to enhance Downtown Ottawa’s vibrancy, accessibility, and resilience, creating a thriving urban environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Progress

Fostering sustained employment growth and economic diversification in Downtown Ottawa by attracting diverse industries, supporting innovation, and creating quality jobs to build a resilient and competitive local economy.

Progress

Promoting a safe and secure Downtown Ottawa for workers, residents, visitors, and vulnerable populations through enhanced public safety, coordinated policing, and community partnerships that reduce crime and foster trust.

Progress

Browse the latest available data relative to Ottawa’s downtown core below.

89%

Say that visiting downtown fuels city services through tax revenue. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

91,000

Downtown Ottawa population as of December 2024. Data from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Dashboard.

82%

Head downtown for fun and entertainment. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

708

Food premise licenses in downtown Ottawa in 2024. Data from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Dashboard.

Patio/café permits in downtown Ottawa in 2024. Data from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Dashboard.

11.4%

Downtown Ottawa office vacancy rate as of June 2025. Data from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Dashboard.

76%

Visit downtown for arts and culture. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

74%

Feel that downtown is welcoming and inclusive to all. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

9.1%

Downtown Ottawa retail vacancy rate as of December 2024. Data from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Dashboard.

72%

Shop downtown. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

83%

Say that downtown offers dining options for every taste and budget. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

81%

Plan to eat downtown this year. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

72%

Explore cultural and historical sites downtown. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

$143,531,401

Commercial tax revenue in downtown Ottawa in 2024. Data from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Dashboard.

71%

Spend time with friends and family downtown. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

70%

Enjoy downtown’s public spaces. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

60%

Love the variety of dining options downtown. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

87%

Say that visiting downtown drives Ottawa’s economy. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

81%

Say that visiting downtown shapes Ottawa’s character. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

77%

Will visit the ByWard Market. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

74%

Will stroll the Rideau Canal. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

71%

Will shop at the Rideau Centre. Data from a July 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa.

The 2025 Abacus Data poll on resident views and experiences of downtown Ottawa surveyed 1,000 adult Ottawa and Gatineau residents and was in field from July 15 to 27, 2025.

Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda Champions

Thank you to our Downtown Champions, who are key stakeholders in this initiative and purveyors of change in driving the Action Agenda’s progress forward.

Have questions about the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda, ideas that can help, or news to share? Click the button below to get in touch!

Sandy Smallwood

Chair, ByWard Market District Authority

Wendy Stephenson

City Manager, City of Ottawa

Erin Benjamin

President & CEO, Canadian Live Music Association

Sueling Ching

President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade

Bryce Conrad

President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro Ottawa Group

Michael Crockatt

President & CEO, Ottawa Tourism

Stéphan Déry

CEO Canada Lands Company

Hugh Gorman

CEO, Colonnade Bridgeport

Stéphane Giguère

CEO, Ottawa Community Housing

Shawn Hamilton

Principal, Proveras

Kate Harrison

Vice Chair, Summa Strategies

Brendan McGuinty

Chair, Ottawa Board of Trade

Tobi Nussbaum

CEO, National Capital Commission

Scott Phelan

Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Ontario Premier

Mark Quinlan

Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Melissa Reeves

COO, Linebox Studio

Ville de Gatineau

Sonya Shorey

CEO, Invest Ottawa

Eric Stubbs

Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Services

Dennise Taylor-Gilhen

President & CEO, United Way

Stephen Willis

Senior Principal, Stantec

About the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda

Stay up to date

Progress

Make Downtown Ottawa More Desirable

Progress

Make Downtown Ottawa Resilient

Progress

Make Downtown Ottawa Robust

Progress

Make Downtown Ottawa Inclusive

Progress

Browse the latest available data relative to Ottawa’s downtown core below.

Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda Champions

Sandy Smallwood

Wendy Stephenson

Erin Benjamin

Sueling Ching

Bryce Conrad

Michael Crockatt

Stéphan Déry

Hugh Gorman

Stéphane Giguère

Shawn Hamilton

Kate Harrison

Brendan McGuinty

Tobi Nussbaum

Scott Phelan

Mark Quinlan

Melissa Reeves

Ville de Gatineau

Sonya Shorey

Eric Stubbs

Dennise Taylor-Gilhen

Stephen Willis