Long overshadowed by Toronto and Montreal, Ottawa has been quietly but decisively reinventing itself and is now asserting its own cosmopolitan edge, powered by talent, innovation and urban reinvestment. A globally respected new prime minister only adds to the swagger. Educational attainment remains Ottawa’s calling card – ranking #4 on the planet – with a quarter of residents born abroad and fueling growth in knowledge industries from cleantech to aerospace. More than 2,000 firms now operate in this ecosystem, with 2025 seeing fresh investment in AI, defense technology and life sciences around Kanata North and the downtown innovation district.
Momentum is building at the 207-acre, mixed-use LeBreton Flats on the western edge of downtown. The master-planned four-district area will include a long-awaited event center: The Ottawa Senators NHL team agreed to buy an 11-acre site in summer 2025. Residential projects along the LRT corridor continue to absorb growth, reflecting both rising immigration and a preference for central, transit-connected neighborhoods. Culture and leisure are equally ascendant. The weather cooperated for winter festivities on the Rideau Canal this past year – the first time in years as the climate warms – and the National Capital Commission rejuvenated Westboro Beach, restoring a beloved summer hub on the Ottawa River and polishing a #38 ranking for green space.