At the Ottawa Board of Trade, our role is to ensure Ottawa’s business community has a strong voice in the decisions that shape our economy, at every level of government.
That means bringing the experience and priorities of our members directly to decision-makers and advocating for the environment Ottawa businesses need to invest, grow, and compete.
This week, OBOT shared a formal submission as part of the federal government’s pre-budget consultations, putting Ottawa’s economic priorities directly on the national agenda at a critical moment for Canadian competitiveness.
The choices governments make now will shape where businesses invest, where jobs are created, and whether Canadian companies have the conditions they need to compete and grow. Ottawa has a particular stake in getting those choices right. Our region is growing quickly and has nationally significant strengths in technology, AI, cybersecurity, defence, research, and talent – but infrastructure and investment are not keeping pace with that growth.
A More Competitive Canada: An Ottawa Business Perspective calls on Budget 2026 to focus on four priorities:
- Improve investment conditions and fund infrastructure for growth.
- Move from AI research leadership to widespread business adoption.
- Build an employer-driven talent and skills system.
- Modernize federal procurement and turn defence spending into Canadian growth.
These are national priorities viewed through an Ottawa lens, and areas where our region can help Canada deliver. From commercializing Canadian technology and accelerating AI adoption, to building the talent pipeline and turning defence investment into Canadian companies, jobs and exports, Ottawa has an important role to play in Canada’s economic future.
This submission is part of a broader advocacy agenda OBOT is advancing across governments, championing Ottawa’s economic priorities and pushing for the policies and investments our businesses, our city, and our region need to grow.