Ottawa Board of Trade meeting in a large conference room with large bright windows

Advocacy & Policy Achievements

The Results of OBOT’s Advocacy, Collaboration, and Leadership

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.

2024

OBOT’s 2024 achievements reflect our ongoing and deep dedication to advocating for business, community prosperity, economic development, membership value, governance, and organizational excellence, laying a strong foundation for continued leadership in Canada’s Capital Region.

Engaged in multiple policy submissions at all levels of government, reinforcing the importance of business-led growth, creating a competitive and predictable business environment, downtown transformation, and infrastructure investment.
Contributed to the Ontario and Canadian Chamber advocacy agendas through campaigns and comprehensive reports on key issues, conferences, and events including advocacy days, annual meetings, economic forums, and policy debates.
Hosted and participated in several roundtables and keynote sessions with provincial and federal ministers — including Premier Doug Ford — contributing to economic and innovation policy development.
Led Ottawa’s participation in the Canadian Global Cities Council “Day on the Hill”, advocating for infrastructure investment in Canada’s largest metro regions, the elimination of interprovincial trade barriers, and continuation of trade accelerator programs.

Released the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda: A Living Capital in partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute, Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, the City of Ottawa, BOMA Ottawa, and the National Capital Commission. The agenda outlines bold goals, including attracting 40,000 new residents, creating 50,000 new jobs, a $500M catalytic fund, and the activation of Sparks Street, ByWard Market, a Business Incubation District, and an Arts & Culture Corridor.
Confirmed a three-year leadership commitment to shepherd the implementation of the Action Agenda through the City’s new Downtown Vibrancy Office, including ongoing communications leadership and stakeholder engagement.
Developed and shared SME-focused resources to increase digital adoption, highlight funding and revenue opportunities, and promote #BuyLocalOttawa and #myOttawa/#monOttawa, with the purpose of advancing community wealth building.

Launched a new membership model designed to better align with business needs and position the membership for growth, inclusion, and impact.
Introduced Ottawa Unlimited, a legacy partnership with Invest Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism, aimed at growing the local economy by showcasing Ottawa’s opportunities and unlocking its global business potential.
Introduced the Pillar Partner Program, a transformative advocacy initiative that aligns business leadership with Ottawa’s high-growth economic opportunities.
Demonstrated radical collaboration by aligning agendas with key partners, including Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa, the Gatineau Chamber, RGA, OCOBIA, BOMA, Ottawa’s post-secondary institutions, and all levels of government. This collaboration was reflected in several major initiatives, including the Downtown Advisory Council, Good Neighbours Initiative, Hire Local, and the Tourism Development Council.

Hosted a full calendar of 28 high-impact events that informed, inspired, and recognized leadership in our business community.
Celebrated Ottawa’s business community through the Forty Under 40 Awards to recognize the top young business leaders in the region, the Best Places to Work Awards, and the Best Ottawa Business Awards — our city’s biggest celebration of local businesses.
Raised over $26,000 for our next generation of leaders through the Ottawa Network for Education’s JA program at our Forty Under 40 Gala and annual Networking Golf Tournament.
Organized the Ottawa City Building Summit to advance policy and placemaking discussions that engage our top business and community leaders from across all sectors to work together to design an inclusive and sustainable future for Ottawa.
Facilitated the building of trust relationships among private and public sector leaders with networking events and thought-provoking conversations at Business After 5, the Mayor’s Breakfast, Women, Wit & Wisdom, the Welch Business Growth Survey Launch, and the Federal Post-Budget Breakfast.

Refreshed our Strategic Plan with a strong focus on partnership, policy impact, and enhancing the membership value proposition.
Invested in operational improvements, including increased staff capacity, digital systems, and outreach, in support of a best-in-class member experience.
Renewed Board and CEO commitment to governance excellence through ongoing leadership development, transparent planning, and policy oversight.
Continued engagement with city-wide volunteer leaders through our Board and Board Committees, Advocacy & Economic Development Committees, Advisory and Policy Councils, and Ambassador Corps.

Shared key messages and campaigns through newsletters, social platforms, blog posts, and media coverage across print, radio, and television.
Published two editions of CAPITAL Magazine in partnership with TAAG, showcasing Ottawa’s economy, business leadership, and future potential.
Launched Ottawa Business Matters, in partnership with Rogers TV, a storytelling platform focused on business insight and civic leadership in the nation’s capital.

2023

OBOT’s 2023 achievements highlight our strong focus on downtown revitalization, housing affordability, advocacy, partnership building, community leadership, and strengthening Ottawa’s economic future through collaboration, engagement, and member support.

Issued a call to action declaring downtown Ottawa transformation a top priority and launched Build Up Ottawa to create a roadmap for the downtown core’s renewal.
Joined the Mayor’s Economic Partners Council to support economic recovery and growth with leading stakeholder organizations.
Hosted a housing affordability roundtable for Eastern Ontario with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, influencing the policy brief Home Stretched: Tackling Ontario’s Housing Affordability Crisis Through Innovative Solutions and Partnerships.
Continued work with the Canadian Global Cities Council to address economic growth, downtown revitalization, and interprovincial trade barriers.
Partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber Network to release six comprehensive policy briefs, including Mind the Gap, Sharing Prosperity, and Unlocking the Potential of Public Procurement in Ontario.
Participated in policy debates, advocacy campaigns, and conferences through collaboration with the OCC and Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC).
Joined the CCC and over 280 industry associations in urging the federal government to extend the CEBA repayment deadline.

Hosted a Downtown Summit with key stakeholders to shape the vision of a modern, inclusive, and sustainable downtown Ottawa.
Convened meetings and discussions with the Downtown Revitalization Taskforce and contributed to the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Plan.
Supported initiatives to boost local economic growth, including Hire Local and Ottawa’s post-secondary consortium.
Promoted Ottawa businesses and increased visibility through the #BuyLocalOttawa campaign and the Fansaves member-to-member marketplace.

Engaged deeply with regional and local partners, including Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, United Way of Eastern Ontario, OCOBIA, the Gatineau Chamber, RGA, and political leaders at all levels.
Worked with Constitution Square, Canderel, and community partners on the Ottawa is Open for Business event, raising $18,000 for Shepherds of Good Hope.
Provided coordination and alignment with volunteer leaders through the Board of Directors, Advocacy, Economic Development, CEO, SME, EDI, and Ambassadors Corps councils and committees.

Hosted high-impact events, including the City Building Summit, Talent Summit, Post-Budget Breakfast, Ottawa’s Economic Outlook, CEO Talk, Ottawa Business Growth Survey, Women, Wit & Wisdom, and Mayor’s Breakfast Series.
Celebrated Ottawa’s business achievements through the Forty Under 40 Awards and the Best Ottawa Business Awards.
Raised over $26,000 for future leaders through the Ottawa Network for Education’s JA program via the Forty Under 40 Gala and the annual Networking Golf Tournament.

Shared information, resources, and promoted member businesses through OBOT’s website, newsletters, and social media platforms.
Published two editions of CAPITAL Magazine with TAAG, highlighting Ottawa’s business leadership and local economic opportunities.
Represented Ottawa businesses at numerous high-level meetings, presentations, roundtables, and interviews, contributing business perspectives on downtown revitalization, housing affordability, and economic policy.

2022

OBOT’s 2022 achievements reflect a year of strong advocacy, recovery-focused programs, and community leadership. We prioritized supporting businesses through pandemic recovery, advancing downtown revitalization, strengthening partnerships, and celebrating Ottawa’s resilient business community.

Launched Build Up Ottawa, a municipal and provincial elections initiative providing candidate interviews, events, and a Mayoral Debate at Carleton University in partnership with United Way East Ontario and the Ottawa and District Labour Council.
Advocated to all levels of government for the Downtown Ottawa Business Relief Fund, securing up to $15,000 in support for businesses impacted by the February 2022 demonstrations.
Engaged with policymakers through letters, calls, and meetings to advocate for transparent, evidence-based decision-making on pandemic relief and recovery initiatives.
Continued work with the Canadian Global Cities Council and chambers across Canada to advance issues of economic growth, downtown revitalization, and the removal of interprovincial trade barriers.
Contributed to Ontario and Canadian Chamber of Commerce agendas through policy briefs, advocacy campaigns, annual meetings, and the Advocacy Day series.

Distributed 317,755 rapid antigen tests to over 2,000 Ottawa businesses in partnership with Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, Health Canada, the Ministry of Health, the Canadian and Ontario Chambers of Commerce, and local businesses TCC Canada and Trexity.
Partnered with Ottawa Tourism to develop a comprehensive workforce confidence program, including webinars, training, and resources such as the POST Promise initiative.
Supported the Mayor’s Economic Partners Council with key stakeholders including Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, OCCBIA, and RGA.
Supported local workforce initiatives such as Hire Local, a consortium of Ottawa’s four post-secondary institutions and civic partners.

Maintained strong engagement with partners including Gatineau Chamber of Commerce, RGA, Invest Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, OCCBIA, and political leaders across jurisdictional levels.
Facilitated ongoing volunteer leadership through the Board of Directors and several committees and councils, including Advocacy, Economic Development, CEO, SME, EDI, and Ambassadors Corps.
Represented Ottawa’s business interests at meetings, roundtables, and events, including the City of Ottawa’s Economic Recovery and Rebound Plan and dialogues with Ottawa Tourism.

Hosted flagship events such as the Best Ottawa Business Awards, City Building Summit, Talent Summit, Post-Budget Breakfast, and monthly Mayor’s Breakfasts.
Celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Forty Under 40 Awards with a milestone series of events, including an Alumni party at BDO and the annual Gala.
Organized networking and community events at member businesses, including 5 Connections at 5, Business After 5, and a Holiday Cocktail event.
Hosted a sold-out golf tournament with 250+ business and community leaders, raising funds for the Ottawa Network for Education’s JA program.

Promoted member visibility and shared resources through OBOT’s website, newsletters, and social media channels.
Published two editions of CAPITAL Magazine in partnership with the gordongroup, highlighting Ottawa’s business leadership and unique economic value proposition.
Continued #BuyLocalOttawa campaigns and supported member-to-member engagement through Fansaves.