Economic Recovery & Growth

The Ottawa Board of Trade is committed to advancing women as a key economic driver for our region. COVID-19 has highlighted and intensified the systemic issues keeping us from achieving gender equality. Now is the time to triple down on our efforts to grow our ability to attract women as business and community leaders for the sake of our economy, our families and creating sustainable prosperity in our communities and our country.

Ontario Chamber Release - Tackling the She-Cession Critical to Canada’s Economic Recovery

Ontario Chamber: The She-Covery Report

As our economy recovers, immigrants, international students and individuals on temporary visas will be a vital source of talent. Who can you hire and for how long?

Learn 6 hiring MYTHS and 6 myth-busting FACTS about hiring immigrants, international students and foreign workers.

It's easier than you think.

You're a click away from finding funding and tax relief assistance: 

City of Ottawa Property Tax Relief

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

BDC – Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by COVID-19

Export Development Canada (EDC) Programs

EDC – Supports Canadian Exporters Through COVID-19

EDC Solutions – ENG

Export Guarantee Program

Credit Insurance

Canadian Direct Investment Abroad (CDIA)

Account Performance Security Guarantee (ASPG)

APSG List

Canada’s Economic Response Package: Support for Canadians and Businesses

Supporting Canadian Businesses Through the Canada Account

Helping Businesses Keep Their Workers

Flexibility for Businesses Filing Taxes

Ensuring Businesses have Access to Credit

Supporting Financial Market Liquidity

Digital Main Street

If you have a bricks and mortar business and were hit hard by COVID-19, Digital Main Street can help—especially if you are looking for ways to promote yourself and sell online.

Digital Main Street (DMS) connects main street businesses to the most innovative, affordable digital providers.

Not only will you receive a free digital "how to" guide to help you grow your business, you can also:

— Get an online store built for you, for free.

— Learn digital skills and apply for a $2,500 grant for your business.

— Access free workshops and training on topics relevant to your learning needs and learning curves.

— Get free, dedicated support from a team who will help you complete your assessments, review recommendations, and activate free and easy tools.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and would love the support of a local team that can help you understand what digital products and services are available and most affordable for you, take a look at what free support and grant money are available to you.

Get started with Digital Main Street

Find great opportunities and dynamic jobs with the Student Work Placement Program
Find student work placements in STEM or business - Canada.ca

Looking for new talent?

Ottawa Board of Trade - Magnet Job Board

Invest Ottawa - Investir Ottawa

Our Restaurants

Funding & Programs

Business Reopening Workshop - Restaurants and Food Services (Indoor Dining)

Local small businesses are the heart of our community. They provide jobs and access to essential services. They are at high risk on the frontline of this war against COVID. Now it is our turn to support them at every possible opportunity.

Make a difference with the City of Ottawa Buy Local Campaign

The tourism industry is one of the top cultural and economic driver in our community. Tourism businesses and organizations have been the first and hardest hit during the pandemic and will be the last to recover as mass gatherings and travel remain highly restricted. Have some fun while supporting our local economy.

Ottawa has so much to offer and now is the time to rediscover the beauty, culture and entertainment in our own backyard by becoming a hometown tourist.

Plan your next weekend getaway or staycation with the help of Ottawa Tourism.

Follow the Ottawa Insider and find out what’s happening here.

The Recovery Activation Program (RAP) is an online workshop program that connects businesses with industry experts for training, mentoring and support. Learn about how your business can access digital modernization, technological hardware, structural and regulatory alignment, digital restructure financing, as well as marketing and sales support.

This program is completely free for businesses of any size across Ontario. Sign up for the Recovery Activation Program (RAP)

The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is a dynamic, hands-on workshop geared to provide companies with access to Canada’s top exporting advisors, resources and contacts, giving them the training and support they need to become successful international traders in their specific business sector. 

Registration is currently open for the cohort of Fall 2020. Click here for more information.

Where you’ll find the latest information, tools and resources businesses need to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canadian Business Resilience Network

People Outside Safely Together (POST)

Aide pour un retour en société (Après)

The POST Promise is a commitment by thousands of businesses across Canada to implement and practise five key steps to workplace safety and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Businesses that make the POST Promise will be able to use and prominently display the POST Promise logo, now a nationally recognized symbol. Make the POST Promise today.

Download POST Promise tip sheets for:

• Preventing Stigma
• Reopening Business
• Screening Tool
• Agriculture
• Airline and Groundcrew
• Construction
• Correction Facilities
• Daycare
• Delivery Couriers
• Emergency and Patient Intake
• First Responder
• Food Processing
• Long Term Care
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Retail
• Restaurants
• Transportation
• Work Camp

Be COVID Wise | Ottawa Public Health