OBOT is pleased to share the latest update in our ongoing journey to revitalize Ottawa’s city core via the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda. Valuable data from an August 2025 public opinion poll on Resident Views and Experiences of Downtown Ottawa, conducted by Abacus Data, has now been added to the newly refreshed LivingCapitalOttawa.ca website, home of the Action Agenda. These insights show powerful support for downtown Ottawa’s vibrancy, opportunities, and cultural significance. When asking Ottawa residents what they thought of downtown, they told us:
They love it:
- 82% head downtown for fun and entertainment
- 76% come for arts and culture
- 74% feel it is welcoming and inclusive to all
They keep showing up:
- 71% spend time with friends/family downtown
- 72% explore cultural/historical sites
- 72% shop downtown
- 70% enjoy public spaces
They’re foodies:
- 81% plan to eat downtown this year
- 83% say downtown offers dining for every taste and budget
- 60% love the variety of dining options
They value our downtown:
- 89% say visiting fuels city services through tax revenue
- 87% say it drives Ottawa’s economy
- 81% say it shapes Ottawa’s character
They know where to go:
- 77% will visit the ByWard Market
- 74% will stroll the Rideau Canal
- 71% will shop at the Rideau Centre
LivingCapitalOttawa.ca highlights this new data, tracks live progress on the Action Agenda’s 60+ steps, shares the latest news relevant to downtown Ottawa, and provides comprehensive data on our city’s transformation. We encourage you to visit the site today.