Government of Canada invests up to $20 million to support downtown Ottawa businesses

Many businesses in Ottawa's downtown core were unable to operate safely due to serious concerns caused by the blockades, which has resulted in significant financial losses for local businesses. The federal government, announced an up to $20-million investment to provide non-repayable contributions to Ottawa businesses who have suffered losses due to these demonstrations.

Small businesses will be able to apply for non-repayable contributions of up to $10,000 for non-deferrable operational costs not covered by other federal programs.

Invest Ottawa, a not-for-profit organization, will be collaborating with key partners in the region, including the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas, to deliver this support so that businesses who were unable to operate at normal levels can access support quickly. More information on the application process and eligibility criteria will be available on the Invest Ottawa website in the coming weeks.
Council approves further actions to support downtown residents and businesses

Ottawa City Council passed several motions to support downtown residents and businesses affected by the demonstration. They included:

  • Exploring deferral of interim 2022 property taxes for affected businesses in areas impacted by the demonstration.
  • Providing a total of $450,000 to affected Business Improvement Areas, Business Associations and the Ottawa Markets Corporation to support business resumption, encourage customer visitation, and highlight main street vibrancy.
  • Approving a funding contribution of $50,000 to the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition to deliver an expanded City Sounds outdoor concert series in 2022 to support ongoing economic recovery in the areas impacted by the demonstration.
  • Expanding no-charge transit to include service on O-Train Line 1 as of Friday, February 25 and continuing until 30 days after the City’s State of Emergency ends.
  • Approving free parking at City-owned lots at 210 Gloucester Street, 234-250 Slater Street, 422 Slater Street, 70 Clarence Street, 142 Clarence Street and 110 Laurier Avenue West. The free parking would be in effect from Friday, February 25 through Thursday, March 31.
  • Requesting the provincial government match the federal government’s business relief program funding to cover fixed costs and sales shortfalls during the demonstration and urging both levels of government to cover lost income of employees during this period.
  • Declaring Monday, March 14 as a second Valentine's Day in Ottawa to promote downtown businesses.
National Capital Region Virtual Business Crews
REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON

Looking for a new way to expand your network? Join our new Business Crews and meet smart matches in our region weekly for four weeks! This initiative is designed to support your business goals, build your network and create lasting relationships with professionals. Based on past Business Crews programs, 3 out of 4 participants reported concluding a business deal with second, third and even fourth-degree connections of those they had met in their crew.

Deadline to register is March 3, 2022.
Networking facilitated by proud OBOT member sponsor Rhapsody Strategies
You're invited! Join the 2022 Run for Women Ottawa

Calling all Ottawa business leaders! Your Ottawa Board of Trade invites you to join our team for the 2022 Run for Women in support of women’s mental health at The Royal. Our actions today will make a world of difference for women in our community living with mental illness. Help The Royal Close the Gender Gaps in Mental Health. Your support will help expand access to gender-specific mental health research and care for women in Ottawa.
Take the EmployerOne Survey Today

Attention Business Owners and HR Managers! Ottawa Employment Hub has extended the deadline to complete the annual EmployerOne Survey until February 25th! It is quick and easy to complete and your insights will impact workforce development initiatives in the National Capital Region.
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KEY RESOURCES WITH THE CLICK OF A BUTTON!

Our OBOT team works closely with stakeholders locally, regionally and nationally to bring our local businesses the best information, events, resources and support. Get all the details through the RESOURCES tab on your OBOT members only portal. Not sure where to start? Simply login to your account to get started!

  • Check out our How-To Guides to help you maximize your membership and market your business by sharing your News Releases, Job Postings, and Events with fellow members.
  • Learn more about OBOT! Check out our Strategic Plan to see what's happening with your Ottawa Board of Trade.
  • Maximize your membership! Explore your member checklist to ensure you're making the most of membership with OBOT.

Attend a Maximize Your Membership - Membership 101 session with Kassondra Walters, OBOT's Manager, Membership Experience, to learn more about the benefits of membership!
Our mission is to cultivate a thriving world class
business community.

And we need you! We recently hosted the President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber, Rocco Rossi, as our keynote at our AGM (please watch it!) He inspired us to launch "The Power of One" campaign. He shares a story of why policy matters to each and every one of us. We are approaching a time of immense opportunity to influence important change and your Board of Trade is at the ready. However, the voice of business is only as strong as its membership. So this is the ask!

Please invite one business in your network to be a member today. Invite them to have a say in the future of Ottawa. Send them this membership investment link. In return, we would like to thank you by offering you a 10% referral rebate. That's it. So simple. We want to grow our membership so that we can increase our impact and make Ottawa the best capital city in the world.
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Special Thanks to our Community Partners!