Business

• Information on renewing business licences and obtaining necessary permits for ongoing operations.
• Ottawa’s Right of Way and Café Seating patios are regulated.
• Planning a special event? Learn more about the legislation governing events by accessing the City’s Outdoor Special Event Guidelines and Resources.
• The City of Ottawa offers services to help entrepreneurs and new business owners. To learn more, check out this news article!
• BizPaL provides a one-stop tool for identifying the permits and licences required when starting and operating a business.
• The City’s Musician and Artist Loading Permit gives frequent live music venues the ability to provide special short-term parking privileges to vehicles loading music and/or artistic equipment in or out of the permit holding venue.

• The City has various programs and services to help businesses grow and thrive, including funding opportunities and local business support organizations.
• The Business Ambassador Service provides resources to business owners who are starting and operating a new food establishment business.
• Locate Ottawa provides a wide range of demographic, consumer, labour and business information and an interactive map to help find commercial properties.
• The City’s Tariff Toolkit provides information on how tariffs affect the local economy and strategies to help businesses mitigate their impacts.

• The Nightlife Economy Action Plan aims to develop and promote nightlife activities and experiences across the city.
• The Nightlife Council supports the Nightlife Commissioner Office in growing Ottawa’s nightlife economy.
• The Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan provides a framework to guide Ottawa’s economic growth and diversification.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) offers several resources to support businesses, particularly those involved in the alcohol, gaming, and cannabis sectors:

• Licensing and Permits
  • Liquor Licence Applications: Information on how to apply for various types of liquor licences, including new applications, renewals, and transfers.
  • Cannabis Retail Store Authorization: Guidance on obtaining authorization to operate a cannabis retail store in Ontario.
  • Gaming Registrations: Details on how to register for gaming-related activities, including charitable gaming, casinos, and internet gaming.
• Compliance and Regulations
  • Compliance Guides: Comprehensive guides to help businesses understand and comply with AGCO regulations for liquor, gaming, and cannabis.
  • Inspections and Audits: Information on AGCO’s inspection and audit processes to ensure businesses are adhering to regulatory requirements.
• Invest Ottawa’s Small Business Centre offers several programs and services to support new and existing businesses.
• The Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas is the unified voice of Ottawa’s 18 Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), local non-profit organizations that carry out improvements and promote economic development within their designated areas.
• The Ottawa Board of Trade is the voice of business in the National Capital Region.
• The National Capital Commission is the federal Crown corporation dedicated to ensuring the Canada’s Capital is a dynamic and inspiring source of pride for all Canadians.
  • NCC Permits: Permits are required for events, land access and drone use on and surrounding NCC sites, venues and parks.
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: The NCC provides opportunities to sponsor their programs.

• Ontario Small Business Support Grant: Eligible businesses can apply for financial support through various grants, including the Ontario Small Business Support Grant.
• Ottawa Community Loan Fund provides accessible financing to fuel innovation and expand opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs.
• The Business Development Bank of Canada offers advice and financing solutions which may be available to support your business.

• Eastern Ontario Training Board provides information about Ottawa’s labour market training and assistance in finding new employees.

• Ottawa Tourism is a not-for-profit, membership based, destination development organization that promotes the city on the regional, national and international stage to increase visitation and enhance economic impact for the tourism industry.
• The Ottawa Festival Network helps festivals, fairs, and special events build capacity and deliver memorable experiences for residents and visitors.
• The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition is a member-based non-profit that plays a lead role in the economic, cultural, and social prosperity of Ottawa and the surrounding region by creating a thriving and inclusive music ecosystem.
• The Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association fosters a positive business climate for Ontario’s hospitality industry, while providing value-added services to its members. Ottawa is home to a well connected and growing OHRMA chapter.
• Arts Ottawa supports and advocates for artists and the arts in Ottawa

• Le Regroupement des gens d’affaires (RGA) de la Capitale nationale supports business owners, entrepreneurs, and managers conducting business in French in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais by providing advice, recommendations, and advocacy on local issues.
• Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité de l’Ontario promotes economic development and employability in Ontario’s francophone communities to ensure they remain productive and sustainable.
• Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario connects the Franco-Ontarian business community and supports its members with tools and services for business development, government relations, and networking.
• Le Conseil Économique et Social d’Ottawa-Carleton (CÉSOC) is a non-profit organization supports new and existing Francophone businesses and newcomers in Eastern Ontario.