A more connected Canada means more opportunity for Ottawa
OTTAWA – Alberta’s vote to remain in Canada is a welcome reminder of how much our communities stand to gain by working together. For Ottawa’s business community, that connection has practical value: access to customers, suppliers, talent, and partners across the country.
As we mark Small Business Week, that opportunity is especially relevant to the entrepreneurs who create jobs and invest in our communities. For a small business in Ottawa, a more connected Canada can mean a new customer in Alberta, a supplier in Quebec, or a partnership that makes expansion possible. Making those connections easier is one meaningful way to support the businesses we celebrate this week.
From energy and technology to professional services and tourism, stronger relationships between our regions can help businesses grow, bring new ideas to market, and create jobs in both communities.
Making it easier to do business across provincial boundaries helps turn that potential into results. More consistent requirements, simpler recognition of professional qualifications, and better transportation and digital connections can help companies reach new markets and access the expertise they need.
Here in Ottawa–Gatineau, collaboration across a provincial border is part of building our regional economy. That same ambition should guide how we connect with the rest of Canada.
This is central to the Ottawa Board of Trade’s work: bringing business leaders together and advocating for the infrastructure, investment, and conditions that help our members succeed. A stronger domestic market gives Ottawa businesses more room to grow and a stronger foundation from which to compete globally.
Working together strengthens our prosperity, our ability to shape our own economic future, and the quality of life we want for our communities. There is opportunity in every part of this country. Let’s make it easier to build on it together.
Sueling Ching
President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade