Welcome to Capital Connect, your source for business insights, community updates, and opportunities shaping Ottawa’s economic future. Want even more access? Ottawa Board of Trade members receive early access to events, exclusive resources, and additional benefits designed to help businesses connect, grow, and lead in a separate, member-exclusive newsletter. | | | | |
A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude | | |
I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the people and businesses who make Ottawa such an extraordinary community.
Every day, I am inspired by the ambition, determination, and generosity of those who invest in our city, create opportunities, support one another, and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant capital.
At the Ottawa Board of Trade, we are grateful for the trust, partnership and shared commitment of our members, partners and broader business community. What we accomplish together matters, and so does the spirit in which we do it.
This Thanksgiving, I hope you make time to celebrate the people, connections and opportunities that enrich your life.
Thank you for all you do to make Ottawa a place where people and businesses can thrive.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sueling Ching
President & CEO
Ottawa Board of Trade
Please note that the Ottawa Board of Trade office will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026.
| | | | |
Trade Uncertainty, Rising Confidence, and New Opportunities for Ottawa Businesses | | |
Ottawa businesses are operating in a difficult trade environment, but they are not standing still. New research from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce shows that business confidence across Ontario has improved since late 2025, even as tariffs, trade disruption and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on investment and growth. Across the province, 34% of businesses are confident in Ontario’s economic outlook, up from 23% in late 2025, while 51% are confident in their own organization’s outlook.
For Ottawa, one of the most important signals is the emphasis on diversification. Across Eastern Ontario, including Greater Ottawa, 48% of businesses surveyed are diversifying suppliers or markets beyond the United States and Mexico, the highest share among Ontario regions and above the provincial rate of 38%. Regional confidence is also stronger than the provincial average: 40% of Eastern Ontario respondents are confident in Ontario’s economic outlook and half are confident in their own organization.
That confidence exists alongside continued pressure. 56% of Eastern Ontario respondents say trade uncertainty is negatively affecting investment plans, while 31% are responding to U.S. trade policies by increasing prices.
The picture is clear: businesses are cautious, but they are adapting. For Ottawa, that creates an important opportunity. Our strengths in technology, defence and security, professional services, research and innovation position local businesses to pursue new customers, supply relationships and procurement opportunities in Canada and internationally.
But adaptation alone is not enough. Governments must continue to create the conditions that give businesses confidence to invest, including greater trade certainty, stronger market intelligence and export supports, competitive tax and investment conditions, more strategic procurement, and fewer interprovincial trade and labour mobility barriers.
The message from businesses is not that uncertainty has disappeared. It is that they are finding ways forward. And Ottawa has an opportunity to turn that resilience into growth.
| | | | |
A Capital City Worthy of Canada | | |
Ottawa deserves a downtown that matches its ambition.
Downtown is more than a business district. It's the heart of Canada's capital - a place where people work, live, gather, visit, and experience the city.
A stronger downtown means more activity, more residents, more investment, more culture, and a safer, more welcoming core.
Downtown is where Ottawa comes together. It deserves to match the city's ambition.
Explore our municipal election priorities ahead of October 26:
| | | | |
Key Takeaways from the Ottawa Board of Trade Mayoral Debate | | |
Ottawa’s economic future was front and centre at the Ottawa Board of Trade Mayoral Debate last Thursday evening.
The debate brought the top-polling mayoral candidates together for a focused conversation about the decisions that will shape Ottawa’s competitiveness, growth, and quality of life in the years ahead.
From fiscal responsibility and the future of City Hall to housing, transit, infrastructure, public safety, downtown revitalization, and support for local businesses, candidates shared their perspectives on some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our city.
The discussion also reinforced a central theme of our More Ottawa campaign: Ottawa has tremendous potential, but realizing it will require greater ambition, stronger collaboration, and action on the fundamentals that allow people, businesses, and communities to thrive.
Our Mayoral Debate recap takes a closer look at the key themes and takeaways from the debate, and what they could mean for Ottawa’s economic future.
| | | | |
Ottawa Has the Assets to Win. Now We Need to Build on Them. | | |
At Ottawa’s Next Chapter: An Economic Leaders Panel on October 6, leaders from General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, Ottawa Tourism, and Colonnade BridgePort joined David Coletto of Abacus Data to talk about what Ottawa is doing well and what we need to do next.
One question captured the evening: Do we live off Ottawa’s advantages - or do we build on them?
The conversation pointed to three immediate opportunities:
- Make it easier to move. Reliable transit connects people to jobs, visitors to experiences, and neighbourhoods to opportunity.
- Turn policy into delivery. Ottawa has made progress on housing and development policy. The next step is faster, more predictable execution.
- Build on downtown momentum. A more vibrant, connected and welcoming core strengthens the entire city.
The larger message was equally important: business priorities and resident priorities are more aligned than we sometimes think. Better mobility, more housing, great public spaces and a stronger downtown improve both economic competitiveness and quality of life. “Let’s think in abundance terms and not in scarcity.” - David Coletto
Take Part in Ottawa’s Future
Explore the priorities. See where candidates stand. Share the campaign. Vote.
MoreOttawa.ca
If you own or lead a business, this is the work your Board of Trade does on your behalf.
Join the Ottawa Board of Trade. Add your voice. Share with your network.
| | | | |
A Shared Economic Agenda for the National Capital Region | | |
On September 28, the Ottawa Board of Trade brought together business, tourism, education, municipal, and community partners from across the National Capital Region (NCR) for a productive meeting with the NCR Caucus, focused on advancing Ottawa-Gatineau as one integrated economic region.
The shared economic agenda, Canada’s Capital Region: Economic Priorities 2027–2028, moves the region’s work from advocacy toward execution, organized around three shared economic missions: building a sovereign innovation and defence economy; building the talent base for the next economy, and creating an investment-ready, connected, and powered NCR.
Together, the priorities focus on converting the region’s considerable assets – including its talent, research institutions, technology and defence capabilities, infrastructure, tourism economy, and federal presence – into measurable economic outcomes, including business growth, commercialization, investment, exports, productivity, and high-value jobs.
The Ottawa Board of Trade will continue working with partners and the NCR Caucus to advance the priorities and build momentum toward a more connected, competitive, and prosperous Capital Region.
| | | | |
Mark Your Calendars:
Join Us at an Upcoming Event
| | Last Chance to Register for the More Ottawa Municipal Election Regional Roundtables | | October 13, 2026 | Virtual Roundtables | | |
Ottawa’s next chapter will be shaped by decisions made across every part of our city.
As part of our More Ottawa municipal election campaign, the Ottawa Board of Trade is bringing candidates together for a series of virtual Regional Roundtables focused on the priorities, opportunities, and challenges facing communities across Ottawa.
Moderated by Rick Chase, Vice President and Partner at Gifford Carr, the conversations will explore what it will take to accommodate growth, strengthen our economy, and improve quality of life. From downtown renewal and transportation connectivity to infrastructure readiness, innovation, rural economic development, and access to opportunity, each roundtable will focus on the priorities unique to its part of the city.
Join the conversation in your area:
-
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Central: Wards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
-
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - East: Wards 1, 2, 10, 11, 18, 19
-
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - West: Wards 4, 6, 7, 8, 23
-
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - South: Wards 3, 9, 22, 24
-
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Rural: Wards 1, 5, 19, 20, 21
These conversations will go beyond what candidates support to explore how they plan to deliver results, where greater collaboration is needed, and how progress should be measured through 2030.
| | Ottawa Small Business Summit 2026 | | October 19, 2026 | Bayview Yards | | |
Building a business takes vision, resilience, and hard work, but it also takes the right people, ideas, and connections.
Join the Ottawa Board of Trade, OCOBIA, and Invest Ottawa this Small Business Month for a day of practical learning, meaningful conversation, and connection. Hear candid lessons from local entrepreneurs, explore resources and government supports, join focused discussions on succession planning or building your client list, and take part in a hands-on AI workshop featuring tactical tools you can put to work in your business right away.
Come ready to learn, contribute, and connect. Leave with practical ideas, new relationships, and a clear next step for your business.
| | Business After 5: Manor Lounge Halloween Takeover | | October 20, 2026 | Manor Lounge | | |
Join the Ottawa Board of Trade on October 20 for a special Halloween edition of Business After 5 at Manor Lounge, where Ottawa’s business community will come together for an evening of connections, conversation, and a little friendly competition.
Manor Lounge will be fully decked out for the season, complete with Halloween décor and upbeat tunes throughout the evening. Between conversations, challenge your connections to kinetic games including bocce ball, foosball, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, and cornhole, or step up to Manor Lounge’s Darts Reimagined boards.
Dress to impress for our Best Dressed Costume Contest, cast your vote for your favourite look, strike a pose in the photo booth, and compete for fun prizes throughout the evening.
Bring your costume, bring your colleagues, and get ready for a frightfully fun night with Ottawa’s business community.
| | Mayor's Breakfast October 26 | | October 29, 2026 | Ottawa City Hall - Jean Pigott | | The Mayor's Breakfast returns after the 2026 Municipal Election on October 29! Join the Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal at one of our most popular events, bringing together the region's top business, community, and political leaders. This month's event will feature valuable networking opportunities, an update from the incoming Mayor of Ottawa, and a high-profile speaker addressing issues that are vital to our city, province and country. | | | | |
Sponsored by: Heart of Orléans | | | | |
Congratulations to the 2026 CEO of the Year - Michael Matta, Solink | | |
Congratulations to Michael Matta, CEO of Solink, on being named the 2026 CEO of the Year at the Best Ottawa Business Awards!
Under Michael’s leadership, Solink has grown into a global technology leader, helping businesses in more than 60 countries turn video and data into actionable business intelligence. His focus on innovation, customer experience, and sustained growth has helped Solink push the boundaries of physical security while strengthening Ottawa’s reputation as a hub for world-class technology.
Beyond Solink, Michael continues to contribute to Ottawa’s technology ecosystem by mentoring founders, supporting emerging talent, and helping build the next generation of innovative companies in our region.
On November 26, Ottawa’s business community will come together for one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year - the 2026 Best Ottawa Business Awards Gala.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and community, featuring an elegant reception, exceptional dining, inspiring stories, and recognition of the businesses and leaders making an impact across our city.
We look forward to celebrating Michael alongside this year’s outstanding recipients and the people who continue to move Ottawa forward.
| | | | |
Sponsored by: Rogers Centre Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, and Invest Ottawa | | | | |
A Growing Ottawa Demands Greater Ambition | | |
As our city grows, so does the opportunity to create more places to live, better ways to move, more jobs and investment, and a capital city experience that reflects who we are and what we can become.
In her latest blog for the Ottawa Business Journal, Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, makes the case for greater ambition, stronger collaboration, and a relentless focus on turning opportunity into action.
With Ottawa’s municipal election approaching, Sueling explores the priorities at the heart of our More Ottawa campaign: Build for Growth. Compete to Win. Elevate the Capital. From housing and infrastructure to investment, competitiveness, and downtown vibrancy, these are not only business priorities. They are city-building priorities that will shape Ottawa’s future.
Realizing Ottawa’s potential will require leadership that sets clear priorities, brings partners together, and delivers measurable results.
| | | | |
| |
