TOGETHER, LET’S BUILD FOR PEOPLE, FOR BUSINESS,

FOR GROWTH . . . FOR ONE OTTAWA.

This fall we all have an important role and responsibility to fulfill as we contemplate who will lead our city for the next four years. The results of the municipal election on October 24, 2022 will impact business and community success and set the direction for our collective future. To that end, the Ottawa Board of Trade, as an independent, nonpartisan and member driven organization has launched the #BuildUpOttawa initiative; setting a pro-growth agenda that will create an affordable, inclusive, and sustainable city.

The last two years of change and challenge has revealed many lessons that can be leveraged as we grow forward. Business success drives community prosperity. And vice versa. Health drives the economy. And vice versa. And we can accomplish much when we prioritize progress over perfection. We have an opportunity as individuals, as businesses and as a community to grow, learn, and plan for a better future. One that requires the highest level of collaboration, innovation, and strategic investments.

In this municipal election, we are seeking leaders who are committed to economic growth and who will create an environment that leverages the ingenuity and success of business to drive community prosperity.

A thriving world class business community = a strong and vibrant city for all.

In the coming weeks, it our intention to do three things.

Share a growth focused platform and look for alignment with all the candidates.

Engage candidates and the voting public in a discussion about our key priorities.

Cultivate a spirit of collaboration and progress that we can build on.

In the end, we hope that together we will elect candidates that demonstrate they are future thinking visionaries, have a deep understanding of the city-wide priorities that will make us competitive in a global economy and are committed to radical collaboration, working with all of council, the city staff team, economic partners and every level of government.

In the last few months, we have been engaged with members, business and community leaders and stakeholders to identify five priorities that would form the basis of our build up Ottawa agenda and drive the conversations with our candidates.

BUILD FOR GROWTH. Support innovative infrastructure. From finishing the LRT to supporting more direct flights at our airport to investing in high impact world class projects. Smart planning for infrastructure supports our climate and inclusivity goals while making the city more attractive to private sector investment, visitors and talent.

BUILD MORE HOMES. Increase the accessibility and affordability of homes. First by streamlining development approval processes, removing barriers, and incentivizing strategic city building to increase inventory and positively impact the market pricing of homes. Second by advocating for adequate funding to build housing that addresses the growing demands for people and families who require social support.

BUILD BUSINESS CONFIDENCE. Commit to moderate and pre-set tax increases to help businesses address rising costs and inspire business confidence, innovation, and predictability. Focus on efficiency, service excellence and economic development investments for long term, sustainable growth. Many local businesses are recovering and adjusting to our new economic realities. It is imperative they know our city intends to create a competitive business environment. Their success is our success.

BUILD BETTER HEALTH. Advocate for and support the New Campus Development at the Ottawa Hospital, a state-of-the-art healthcare facility to ensure our growing population is well served and healthy while attracting businesses and residents seeking amenities. Building a healthy, resilient city is an economic imperative. Time is of the essence.

BUILD SMALL BUSINESS. Advocate for and support policies and programs that directly impact businesses in the hardest hit sectors, and diverse businesses, those owned by women, Indigenous, racialized entrepreneurs, people with disabilities and those who are part of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Small businesses are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. They are the heart of our culture and our economy. The entrepreneurial spirit must be protected.

It is our hope that you can see the future of our capital city in these highlights and that you will GET INVOLVED in creating our future.

Encourage residents and business leaders to #BuildUpOttawa and ask candidates about their key priorities to keep Ottawa growing.

Stay connected and informed through our website buildupottawa.ca and our newsletters. You will see our message through your favourite outlets and we hope you can join us on September 23rd for the All Candidates Meet & Greet, where you can network with candidates and business leaders and also learn about some of our high impact projects and industries. Stay tuned for details about a mayoral debate and save the date for the evening of October 12th.

Please consider sharing our agenda within your network. We are making it easy with tools such as social shareables, a poster that can be displayed at your business or workplace. We even have the frame for your face in your social profiles.

Lastly, we ask you to stand up for Ottawa and exercise your democratic right by making an informed vote on October 24, 2022. Encourage others to do the same. And engage in the build up Ottawa agenda leading up to and post election day.

Now is the time to be bold and build up Ottawa as a model of leadership for generations to come and for the world to see. We must seize this opportunity to create a vision and work together to build an affordable, inclusive, resilient and sustainable city.

We wish to acknowledge all the candidates for their commitment to our city and willingness to serve as a member of city council. This is a courageous choice, and we are dedicated to working closely with these community leaders to ensure Ottawa reaches its full potential as the best capital city in the world.

Finally, we would like to thank the members of our elections task force:

Rick Chase, Erin Benjamin, Ian Sherman, Ruby Williams, Jennifer McAndrew,

Megan Cornell, Ashley Brambles and Michael Qaqish.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORK

Join the conversation about what is important for our city to reach its full potential and share this important message with your networks and on your social platforms.

TAG AND CALL ON

Municipal candidates to ask them how they are going to #BuildUpOttawa

UPCOMING EVENTS

ALL CANDIDATES MEET & GREET

Friday, September 23, 2022

7:30 - 9:30am

Reserve your spot HERE.

MAYORAL DEBATE

Details coming soon.