Statement from Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, on the Election of the Federal Government 

On behalf of the Ottawa Board of Trade, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s newly elected Members of Parliament. This election marks a significant moment in our nation's history—a moment of opportunity, and transformation which demands urgent action. As the voice of business and a key advocate for the National Capital Region, we look forward to working collaboratively with all members of this new federal government. 

We are particularly inspired by the opportunity to align our city’s dynamic economic potential with national policy priorities. Ottawa is more than the seat of government; it is a thriving hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent. As we welcome Canada’s newly elected Members of Parliament—who will now spend several days a week in our city as part of their official duties—we invite them to see Ottawa not just as a place of work, but as a community they are now part of. With the right vision and investment, Ottawa can—and must—be at the heart of a bold new economic future for Canada.

With the unique composition of the new parliament, we call on members to embrace collaboration like never before to usher in the stability and economic resilience that Canadians need. To this end, we ask that you work especially closely on the following priorities:   

• Trade Diversification
  Strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness by reducing over-reliance on the U.S. and opening new markets for Canadian businesses. 

• Housing Affordability
  Take bold, coordinated action to address the housing crisis by increasing supply and supporting affordability for all Canadians. 

• Infrastructure and Transit Investment
  Commit to long-term, reliable funding for critical infrastructure, including broadband, transit, and climate-resilient projects. 

• Business Growth and SME Support
  Reduce the small business tax rate, streamline regulations, expand access to capital, and foster an innovation-friendly environment that attracts global investment. 

• Downtown Revitalization
  Partner with us to reimagine Ottawa’s core, addressing the impacts of hybrid work and encouraging mixed-use development through targeted federal support. 

• Industry Diversification
  Leverage Ottawa’s defence and tech ecosystem to create a Global Defence Innovation Cluster, to diversify public sector dependence and unlock new growth potential. 

• Mental Health and Public Safety
  Invest in mental health and urban safety strategies that support healthy, resilient communities. 

This election is not only about government—it’s about governance. About building trust. About long-term planning. And about empowering cities like Ottawa to become catalysts for national prosperity. The Ottawa Board of Trade is committed to working alongside this new government to drive forward a future-ready, globally competitive, and inclusive economy. 

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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 more information, visit www.ottawabot.ca.