Here’s What The Nightlife Commissioner Has Done

In May 2023, Council approved the Nightlife Economy Action Plan.

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This is a part of a report to city finance committee and was excerpted courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

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The four-year plan addresses the economic challenges and opportunities of Ottawa’s nightlife through a series of ten recommended actions that support the development and delivery of nightlife infrastructure, amenities, and experiences, and bring valuable economic and social benefits and cultural energy to the city. All recommendations are planned for implementation during the current Term of Council and create a foundation for the growth and development of the nightlife economy in Ottawa. This report provides an update on each of the recommended actions and identifies several initiatives completed and in progress.

Completed:

• Established the Nightlife Commissioner Office and hired Ottawa’s first Nightlife Commissioner;

• Created the Nightlife Council composed of six economic development and cultural industries organizations and 12 at-large members selected from over 500 on-line applicants;

• Collaborated with Ottawa Tourism to develop nightlife specific content for ottawatourism.ca to promote nightlife businesses and experiences to residents and visitors;

• Established the Instagram account @ottnightnuit to provide updates on Nightlife Commissioner Office activities, share interesting statistics from the Nightlife Economy Action Plan, and promote nightlife venues and events; and

• Engaged with City colleagues to ensure a nightlife lens is applied to projects such as the Special Events and Licensing By-law review and provided subject matter expertise to inform pending report recommendations to Council that will, if approved, significantly reduce administrative burden for the City and venue operators and event producers seeking an All-Night Dance Event License.

Underway:

• Supporting the delivery of the “Canada After Dark” forum, a 2-day event bringing together national and local city officials, industry leaders, and subject matter experts to discuss best practices for growth and management of nightlife across Canada, as part of Capital Music Week (May 20-25);5

• Supporting several organizations and entrepreneurs working to establish new nightlife attractions and experiences including live performance venues, events, and public realm activations;

• Developing a nightlife safety plan, with input from Ottawa Public Health and other organizations and reflecting international nightlife best practices, to be delivered in Q3 2025 and to include an awareness campaign emphasizing messaging to post-secondary students and young adults; and

• Developing a branded website for delivery in Q2 2025 to promote nightlife venues, attractions, and experiences and host a resource centre for nightlife businesses, organizations, and participants that will include tools related to the nightlife safety plan, information on City processes (permits, licenses), etc.

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