Business Competitiveness - Unlocking Growth

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.  

The region generates over $82 billion in annual GDP, fueled by a diverse mix of the public sector, a strong technology sector and a resilient tourism industry. Notably, Ottawa is home to more than 1,800 tech companies employing over 63,000 individuals. The city ranks as the 4th best startup ecosystem in Canada and 67th globally (StartupBlink, 2024). 

Global success stories like Shopify, Assent, and Kinaxis originated and scaled here, underscoring the city’s capacity to nurture high-growth ventures. Ottawa’s strategic advantages, including access to the federal government, leading research facilities, and international markets, provide a distinct competitive edge. Furthermore, its exceptional quality of life, consistently ranking high globally for safety, green spaces, and work-life balance (Numbeo, 2024), makes it a magnet for top-tier talent.  

For Ottawa to transform its numerous startups into globally competitive scale-ups and enhance productivity, we must remove barriers to growth, invest in SME digital adoption of tools and specifically artificial intelligence, and we must help them access capital and export to new markets.  

Let’s unlock growth in Ottawa to ensure our full economic potential, significantly improve national productivity, and establish Ottawa as a leading G7 economy.

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