Ottawa approves nightlife plan, commissioner
On May 10, 2023, the City Council of the City of Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) approved that city’s first nightlife economy action plan.
Its goals are to:
- develop and promote nightlife activities and experiences between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and
- create a more vibrant, diverse, inclusive, viable, safe, and well-managed nightlife across Ottawa.
“Vibrant nightlife economies improve job creation, attract talent and investment, promote and contribute to economic growth, and foster tourism and city brand building,” the city states.
In 2019, Ottawa’s nightlife economy accounted for more than $1.5 billion in spending almost 30 per cent of the $5.5 billion spent during daytime.
In 2023, the action plan will:
- establish the framework for a nightlife commissioner office that will launch in 2024.
- promote citywide and neighborhood-by-neighborhood participation in the nightlife economy by residents, visitors, and businesses.
- consider changes to support the nightlife economy through reviews of City by-laws, policies, procedures, and services.
The nightlife commissioner office will deliver additional action plan recommendations.
Emmanuel Rey, Economic Development Officer for the City of Ottawa, tells 24HourNation that they will be starting quickly on the first recommendation, setting up a Nightlife Commissioner Office, a full-time role within the city.
Read also, “Having a night mayor is a goofy idea. Here’s why Ottawa needs it” from Ottawa Citizen.