OTTAWA

OVERVIEW

Ottawa is Canada’s federal seat of government boasting numerous national associations, historic sites, and museums. It is also a hub of industry, research, and higher education, renowned as the most technology-intensive economy in all of Canada and second in North America. The National Capital Region's natural beauty has long instilled in its residents an enthusiasm for the great outdoors. Ottawans are proud to support the performing arts with their festivals, celebrations, and love for the finer things in life.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Ottawa is the most technology intensive city in Canada, with 11.3% of its workforce, equating to approximately 77,000 people, employed in information and communications technology (ICT). Ottawa is a leader in autonomous vehicles, communications technology, digital media, fintech, govtech, 5G, photonics and SaaS.

International tech giants and up-and-coming local start-ups alike call the city home.

The research & development community is supported by 65 government research labs and fueled by graduates from STEM programs at six local post-secondary institutions. Ottawa based incubators and research facilities include the Centre of Excellence In Next Generation Networks, the National Research Council of Canada, the Communications Research and Innovation Network, and the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre.

Engineering

Canada’s capital is home to 74,500 engineers and scientists—the highest concentration of any city in Canada and the second highest in North America. And with 27,000 students enrolled in STEM programs across the city, that ranking is secure. Home to two universities, two colleges, the seat of Government and the National Research Council, Ottawa provides ample resources for education and research.

The STEM Complex of the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Engineering, which opened in 2018, has an entire floor of prototyping and manufacturing facilities, as well as collaborative spaces.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Ottawa was established in 1942 and is the largest and most active of all IEEE Canada sections, with 18 IEEE chapters, 2,000 members, four affinity groups and three student branches.

Additional engineering research is conducted by the city’s community of leading Canadian and international technology companies.

Clean Tech

Canada’s Capital boasts the country’s largest concentration of cleantech researchers, scientists and engineers. Over 240 cleantech companies have teamed with federal government and university research labs and the city’s thriving technology sector to create a robust cleantech ecosystem that’s making waves in areas including smart grids, energy storage and energy management.

Ottawa is home to over 65 research and development centres, 9 cleantech sector-related associations, and 6 government and post-secondary research institutes which focus on cleantech.

Canmet Energy, Canada’s leading research and technology organization in the field of clean energy, also has a thriving research centre in Ottawa.

Defence, Security & Aerospace

As Canada’s national capital, Ottawa is the hub for the aerospace, defence and security sector, employing approximately 10,000 people in the city. Headquarters of the Department of National Defence, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Communications Security Establishment Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority are all located in Ottawa.

Major firms also have operations located in Ottawa, including 190 defence, security & aerospace sector companies.

Automotive Manufacturing

As part of Ontario's greater automotive industry, Ottawa significantly contributes to some impressive statistics. 200+ companies are developing connected and autonomous vehicle technologies in Ontario.

Some of the world's top manufacturers operate assembly plants in Ontario.