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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Progress

 

Data

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

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!

Contact Us

Sandy Smallwood

Sandy Smallwood

Chair, ByWard Market District Authority

Wendy Stephenson

City Manager, City of Ottawa

Erin Benjamin

Erin Benjamin

CEO, Canadian Live Music Association

Sueling Ching

President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade

Bryce Conrad

CEO, Hydro Ottawa

Michael Crockatt

President & CEO, Ottawa Tourism

Stéphan Déry

Stéphan Déry

CEO Canada Lands Company Limited

Hugh Gorman

Hugh Gorman

CEO, Colonnade Bridgeport

Stéphane Giguère

Stéphane Giguère

CEO, Ottawa Community Housing

Shawn Hamilton

Shawn Hamilton

Principal, Proveras

Kate Harrison

Kate Harrison

Vice Chair, Summa Strategies

Brendan McGuinty

Chair, Ottawa Board of Trade

Tobi Nussbaum

CEO, National Capital Commission

Scott Phelan

Scott Phelan

Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Ontario Premier

Symbol of the Government of Canada - Symbole du Gouvernement du Canada

Mark Quinlan

Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Melissa Reeves

COO, Linebox Studio

Ville de Gatineau

Ville de Gatineau

Sonya Shorey

CEO, Invest Ottawa

Eric Stubbs

Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Services

Dennise Taylor-Gilhen

Dennise Taylor-Gilhen

President & CEO, United Way

Stephen Willis

Senior Principal, Stantec