New 'night ambassadors' coming to ByWard Market (CBC)
June 9, 2025 - CBC Ottawa
The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) will be running a "night ambassador" program this year, one it says will improve safety in the downtown Ottawa hotspot and enhance visitors' experiences.
Starting June 27, four ambassadors will be on standby to help visitors find safe rides home and to intervene and de-escalate when they see potential conflicts arise.
They'll also be able to provide people with first aid, phone chargers and water.
"It's a safety program and also a well-being and caring program," said nightlife commissioner Mathieu Grondin. "I want people who may have had bad experiences here to come back and know that there's going to be people watching their backs for them."
The pilot program is funded with $35,000 from Ottawa's nightlife office and run by the BMDA.
The night ambassadors will be in the market on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. The project will run until early November, according to a city press release.
