Your Ottawa Board of Trade
We are the voice of business in Ottawa, representing enterprises of all sizes and from across all sectors since 1857.
As a key economic development partner in the National Capital Region, OBOT advocates for collaborative and sustainable community prosperity, supports businesses at every stage of growth, and champions Ottawa as the best place to live, work, learn, play, visit and invest.
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In the News
Update from the Ottawa Board of Trade – Q2 2025
Dear members, As the summer unfolds, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you, your families, and employees for a season filled with connection, exploration, and renewal. This season is also the perfect time to rediscover the incredible assets we have right here at home. Supporting local businesses and promoting our city and country…
Op-Ed: Ottawa-Gatineau Poised for a New Era of Seamless Cross-Border Business
The Ottawa Board of Trade and the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce applaud the federal government’s landmark decision to remove federal barriers to interprovincial trade. This bold step is a game-changer for our region, setting the stage for even closer economic integration and unlocking new opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Ottawa River. For…
Op-Ed: Capitalizing on the Capital: Ottawa Has Defence Hub Potential
This op-ed was originally published by Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, and Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, in the June 24, 2025 edition of The Hill Times. Canada has a critical window of opportunity: for the first time in decades, there is clear political and public…
Ottawa Businesses Under Pressure: Local Entrepreneurs Absorb Rising Costs to Prioritize Customers and Community Growth
New data from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab Q2 2025 Insights shows that local businesses in Ottawa are under growing financial pressure: 52% are concerned about inflation 89% are worried about rising input and supply costs Yet only 23% plan to raise prices over the next three months Local entrepreneurs are prioritizing…
Announcement: A Warm Welcome to our New Board of Directors for 2025/2026
Last night, the Ottawa Board of Trade proudly hosted our 168th Annual General Meeting and reception at the NCC River House. We came together to celebrate our members, reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together over the past year, and share what’s next for OBOT. A new Board of Directors for 2025/2026 was also elected…
Statement on the Redevelopment of 110 O’Connor
The Ottawa Board of Trade welcomes the redevelopment of 110 O’Connor as a critical step in the transformation of downtown Ottawa. This project aligns with our Downtown Ottawa Action Plan, which calls for increasing residential density and building a people-centered urban core. Transforming former office buildings into housing-including affordable housing and mixed-use developments like business,…