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 their customers’ interests, even though it’s taking a toll on their own profits.
The Ottawa Board of Trade believes that by ensuring projects move faster with predictable and clearly communicated timelines, governments can lower business costs, provide certainty that attracts investment, and support a stronger, more resilient regional economy.
As consumers, let’s continue to buy local and support our businesses. Ottawa is well-positioned to achieve significant economic prosperity as Canada’s capital - it combines the influence of national institutions and global diplomacy with a vibrant innovation economy and a highly educated, bilingual workforce – a critical asset in today's interconnected world.
Read the Business Data Lab’s full Q2 2025 Insights here:
Passionate about unlocking growth in Ottawa to ensure our full economic potential? We invite you to shape business competitiveness in Ottawa by becoming an OBOT Pillar Partner and joining our Policy Council today.