FAQ

Mission Statement

The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) will steward the ByWard Market District to enhance its economic, cultural, and social vibrancy, honouring its heritage, and driving transformative community engagement.

What is the BMDA?

The following FAQs have been developed for visitors, residents, and businesses to the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) boundary to help better understand the authority's responsibility.

  • The BMDA is a Municipal Services Corporation, established by the City of Ottawa with the following mandate:  

    • Maintain the ByWard Market District streetscape and public realm spaces to a level of service higher than the City of Ottawa Level of Service Maintenance Quality Standard. 
       

    • Enhance the resident and visitor experience within the District. 
       

    • Host special events and activities of both city-wide and national significance and promote the ByWard Market district and Parkdale Market experience to residents and visitors. 
       

    • Advocate for initiatives that improve community safety and well-being within the ByWard Market District Operational Boundary and Parkdale Market Operational Boundary. 
       

    • Advocate for investment within the ByWard Market District Operational Boundary and Parkdale Market Operational Boundary in accordance with the City of Ottawa’s ByWard Market Public Realm Plan or other area objectives as determined by the Member (City Council) or the Board. 
       

    • Support and advocating for property, small business and entrepreneurial interests within the ByWard Market District Operational Boundary and Parkdale Market Operational Boundary, including the availability, accessibility and promotion of local foods, producers, goods, artisans and creators through the public markets. 
       

    • Embed in all initiatives a focus on climate change adaptation, the advancement of social equity, inclusion and diversity, and celebrating and promoting the cultural and built heritage tradition of the ByWard Market and Parkdale neighbourhoods. 
       

    • Establish a growth-based model that is both viable and financially and operationally sustainable and which represents community needs and such other complementary purposes consistent with these objectives. 

  • The BMDA is a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) and not-for-profit corporation working in partnership with the City of Ottawa to elevate service standards within the BMDA’s operating boundary of the ByWard Market District. The BMDA is also responsible for maintaining the service standards of the public realm of the Parkdale Public Market’s operating boundary (excluding Parkdale Park).  

    The City of Ottawa and the BMDA rely on a service agreement to determine service responsibilities and standards in the ByWard Market District. The agreement, finalized in May 2024, also states BMDA's opportunities and limitations regarding its operations. 
     

  • A Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) is an organization whose shares are owned by a municipality or by a municipality along with other public-sector entities. MSCs can only offer systems, services, or products that the municipality itself cannot, or is not equipped to provide. Additionally, MSCs need permission from the municipality to operate within its geographical boundaries.

  • The BMDA is guided by a mission to provide an enhanced business, resident, and visitor experience in the ByWard Market District area. The BMDA’s core mandate is to work in stride with the City of Ottawa services to enhance the overall condition of the district operations. Ultimately, the work of the BMDA will create the conditions for residents' enjoyment, business success, and visitor discovery.  

    Visitor Discovery

    Through a series of marquee activations and community-organized events, the BMDA brings vibrancy and excitement to the area. Our marquee events include Cinco de Mayo, Tulip Festival, Canada Day, ByWard Barket, Harvest Market, Day of the Dead, as well as our recurring events like Cinq à Sept: ByWard Concert Series, York Street Market, ByWard Night Market, and Salsa Sundays. 

    You can also reach the BMDA team through info@bmda.ca OR by calling 613.244.4410. 

    Business Success

    The BMDA established the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to support district economic growth. This Committee comprises area property and business owners and will focus on providing input into area operations and flagging new opportunities and remedies.  

    The BMDA wants to connect with as many property and business owners as possible. If you have any questions or need clarifications, please contact Jeanne Matthiss, Manager of Business Integration, at jeanne@bmda.ca. 

    Vendor Success

    The BMDA is in the process of establishing the Public Market Working Group (PMWG) to support the vibrancy and evolution of its public market network. The PMWG will act as a conduit between the BMDA Board and the public market’s small business community located within the ByWard Public Market and the Parkdale Public Market's respective Operational Boundary. If you have any questions or need clarifications, please contact General Manager, Melanie Anderson at melanie@bmda.ca. 

  • For businesses in the ByWard Market District, the BMDA operates and supports:  

    • The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) 

    • Downtown Ottawa Community Safety Table 

    • District Beautification Program 

    • District Marketing and Promotional Support 

    Regarding the Public Market, the BMDA permits and supports the following programs:  

    Other programs and services also facilitated by the BMDA in the ByWard Market District include: 

    • The OTTAWA Sign Illumination Program 

    • Gallery 55 

    • Commercial Leasing at 55 ByWard Market Square, and 70 Clarence Street

  • The BMDA’s members are Ottawa City Council, with representation from every ward. This broad membership ensures that the interests of all residents are reflected in our work. We’re committed to making the ByWard Market a vibrant, inclusive space for everyone—residents and visitors alike.

  • The BMDA is not a Business Improvement Area (BIA) and operates differently. Unlike BIAs, we do not receive funding through a levy on local businesses. This allows us to serve the entire district equitably—residents, visitors, and businesses alike. While we wholeheartedly support the success of the businesses that bring energy and economic vitality to the area—including contributing to one of the highest commercial tax bases in the city—our role is to ensure the ByWard Market District remains a vibrant, inclusive destination with something for everyone.

  • The ByWard Market District is Ottawa’s number one tourist attraction and is the premier destination for shopping, dining, arts, entertainment, and professional services for residents and visitors. The ByWard Market area averages 50,000 visitors per weekend in the summer months and is home to both a local public market and over 600 independent businesses.  

    This district is also the primary tourist destination in the National Capital Region, welcoming over 18 million visitors per year and some 1.5 million per month. It serves the highest concentration of hotels in the city, including nearly 6000 rooms, in addition to close proximity to major conference centres and the Capital's most iconic attractions, such as Parliament Hill and the National Gallery of Canada.

    The ByWard Market District boasts the second-highest tax base in Ottawa with over $500 million in property value. Nearly 20% of all properties are owned by the National Capital Commission (NCC), a Federal Crown corporation, and from a conservation standpoint, the Market District boasts over 10% of all heritage designations, while having one of the highest concentrations of heritage architecture in Ottawa. 

    Read more about the history here.

  • There are a number of public and private parking locations for visitors, including:

    • ByWard Market Municipal Lot - 70 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 9B8

    • Dalhousie Street Municipal Lot - 141 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P9

    • Indigo - 93 George St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5W5

    • Parksafe - 116 York St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5T5

    • Blue P - 280 St. Patrick St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5K5

    • Downtown Parking - 255 Dalhousie St., Ottawa, ON K1N 7E3

    • Capital Parking - 186 St. Patrick St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5J8

    • Precise ParkLink - 385 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON K1N 5J9

    • Capital Parking - 38 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 9K1

    • 700 Sussex Building - 700 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON K1N 1K4

    • Downtown Parking - 110 Parent St., Ottawa, ON K1N 7B4

    • Andaz Hotel (Indigo lot OT442) - 321 Dalhousie St., Ottawa, ON K1N 7G1

    Additional parking can be found here.

  • The effort to support and improve community safety and well-being involve numerous stakeholders. Below are some of the ongoing approaches the BMDA and its partners are engaging in to help support the mental health and drug crisis that is impacting cities across Canada.  

    • Neighbourhood Operations Centre (NOC)
      A central element of the CORE strategy is the Neighbourhood Operations Centre (NOC), located at 50 Rideau Street. Fully operational, the NOC acts as a vital coordination hub to enhance police presence and provide a collaborative space to work with our local partners  

    • Market Safe Patrols
      Over the busy summer months and on events of significance Ottawa Police Service (OPS) provide additional patrols throughout the ByWard District to support the local businesses and provide coordination of emergency services.  

    • Night Ambassadors

    • Community Engagement Team
      The Community Engagement Team works with residents in areas such as Lowertown, the ByWard Market and the downtown core. In its first six months alone, the team engaged in nearly 6,000 interactions with residents, tirelessly working to identify needs and connect individuals with the services they require. 

    • Block Leaders Program

      Ottawa Inner City Health has launched a program designed to rebuild a sense of community among shelter residents and provide the beginning stages of employment to those overcoming challenges. The Block Leaders provide a point of contact for community members and vulnerable people within the ByWard Market. 

    • Private Security

      The BMDA employs private security to patrol the historic Market Hall building and its immediate surrounding area. Many district businesses also employ private security to support lost / theft prevention programs. 


    Among the BMDA’s top safety priorities is establishing and maintaining a safer ByWard Market environment in which businesses can safely operate and visitors can safely enjoy. To assist in achieving this objective, the BMDA participates in the Downtown Ottawa Community Safety Roundtable. This committee includes area stakeholders and service delivery partners and focuses on identifying specific actions toward improving the perception and reputation of the area and attracting more customers and businesses. 

  • We strive to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to all our organizational actions and decisions. Our corporate strategy focuses on creating an environment where individuals from all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives feel welcome, respected, and valued for their contributions.

ByWard Market District

ByWard Public Market

  • A public market is a space where vendors, often local producers, artisans, and small businesses, sell goods directly to consumers. Typically found in open-air or covered settings, public markets offer a variety of fresh produce, prepared foods, handmade crafts, and other products. They serve as community hubs, fostering local economies and providing access to fresh, locally sourced items.

    Public markets promote social interaction, cultural exchange, and support for small-scale producers.

    Learn more about Public Markets here.

  • The ByWard Market has evolved into a “Public Market” This means from May to November you can experience artisan, crafter, and food markets which offer a diverse array of products and experiences.

    Some of the common items and features you might find: 

    • Handmade Jewelry: Unique pieces made from various materials such as silver, gold, beads, and natural stones. 

    • Pottery and Ceramics: Handmade bowls, mugs, plates, and decorative items. 

    • Textiles and Clothing: Handwoven fabrics, knitted items, scarves, hats, and custom-designed clothing. 

    • Woodwork: Furniture, cutting boards, bowls, and decorative wooden items. 

    • Art and Prints: Paintings, prints, photographs, and other forms of visual art. 

    • Home Decor: Candles, soaps, natural skincare products, and other handmade home accessories. 

    • Leather Goods: Belts, wallets, bags, and other leather accessories. 

    • Toys and Games: Handmade children's toys, puzzles, and board games. 

    • Metalwork: Sculptures, decorative items, and functional pieces like knives or tools. 

    • Glasswork: Stained glass, blown glass art, and decorative glass items. 

    Food and Beverage Offerings 

    • Fresh Produce: Canadian grown fruits and vegetables. 

    • Baked Goods: Freshly baked bread, pastries, cookies, and cakes. 

    • Gourmet Foods: Artisanal cheeses, cured meats, honey, jams, and preserves. 

    • Prepared Foods: Ready-to-eat meals, such as sandwiches, salads, and ethnic foods. 

    • Beverages: Freshly squeezed juices, coffee, tea, craft beers, and local wines. 

    • Confectionery: Handmade chocolates, candies, and sweets. 

    • Spices and Condiments: Unique spice blends, sauces, oils, and vinegars. 

    • Street Food: Food trucks or stalls offering a variety of dishes from different cuisines. 

    Experiences and Activities 

    • Live Music: Local bands or solo musicians performing. 

    • Workshops: Demonstrations or classes on crafts, cooking, or other skills. 

    • Children's Activities: Face painting, crafts, and games. 

    • Community Events: Seasonal celebrations, themed markets, and cultural events. 

    • Local Organizations: Booths for community groups, charities, and local services. 
       

  • The agricultural sector in Canada is undergoing significant transformation, with the loss of approximately seven small farms daily. Economic challenges and succession planning add to these difficulties, further contributing to the decline. Consumer behavior also plays a crucial role in shaping farming operations. In response, farmers are adapting their strategies by altering their sales methods, including engaging with wholesalers and adjusting their market attendance to optimize efficiency and sustainability. 

    In 2021, Canada had 153.7 million acres of farmland, down 8% from 2001. For example, in the "golden horseshoe" around Toronto, 85% of urban settlement from 1971-2011 was on former arable land. The urban expansion of the City of Ottawa has also impacted arable land in the region.  

    Despite the average farm size increasing, the number of farms dropped by 23% between 2001 and 2021. Farmland prices have quadrupled over 20 years due to consolidation, investor acquisition, strong commodity prices, low interest rates, and urban housing demand, rising from $862 per acre in 2001 to $3,947 in 2021. In 2023, the average per-acre value of cultivated farmland increased by 11.5% from 2022. The farm population has significantly declined, from 1 in 14 Canadians in 1971 to 1 in 61 in 2021, a 62.2% decrease to 590,710 people. 

    Learn more about the Canadian Farming industry by consulting this report.  

  • The ByWard Public Market hopes to achieve a thriving produce marketplace by offering farmers the opportunity to vend free of charge.  

    This initiative aims to support locally grown agriculture by providing a cost-free platform for farmers to sell their fresh, high-quality produce directly to the community. By removing financial barriers, we hope to encourage a diverse range of vendors, ensuring that customers have access to a wide variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other farm products.  

    The BMDA strives to promote healthy eating and support sustainable, local farming practices through this initiative.  

  • It's easy!

    Apply online here: Become a vendor.

BMDA Boundary Map

Annual Report

Please click the link below to download our annual report presented to Ottawa City Council on June 25, 2025. Watch the BMDA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Rogerstv or YouTube.

Industry Partners