Ontario Providing Support for Downtown
Ottawa Businesses
The Ontario government is providing up to $11.5 million to local businesses in Ottawa impacted by the nearly four-week long occupation near Parliament Hill in January and February 2022. This funding will also help Ottawa restore consumer confidence and welcome people back to the nation’s capital.

The funding includes a $10-million grant, which will be administered by Invest Ottawa, to help get money into the hands of businesses quickly. Eligible Ottawa businesses can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help pay for non-deferrable operating expenses incurred during the blockade. More information on the application process and eligibility criteria will be available soon on the Invest Ottawa website.

The government is also investing $1.5 million in Ottawa Tourism, helping Ottawa reinforce its brand as a world-class city while encouraging visitor and tourism spending in the National Capital Region. Ottawa Tourism will launch a campaign that inspires consumer confidence and encourages tourists and visitors to come to Ottawa to enjoy the peak spring and summer seasons.
ICYMI: 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.
ICYMI: 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.
Mayor's Breakfast with Chargé d'Affaires Bukvych

Join Mayor Jim Watson, the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal for the Mayor's Breakfast on Friday, March 25 for an in-person Mayor's Breakfast!
 
Start your morning with a cup of coffee, breakfast and network and connect with colleagues in the business community. At 8:00AM, Mayor Jim Watson will give his update from City Hall, followed by a presentation by Andrii Bukvych, Chargé d'Affaires at the Ukrainian Embassy
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Special Thanks to our Community Partners!