Business Advisory Committee

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) is an Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA).  The BAC will act as a conduit between the BMDA Board and the business community located within the ByWard Market District Operational Boundary.

BAC Member responsibilities are to:

• Receive market intelligence, feedback and guidance from ByWard Market commercial property owners and businesses regarding marketing, communications, programming, safety, operations and other related issues;

• Provide that information to the BMDA Board to inform decision making and enhance the commercial environment in the ByWard Market;

• Represent the best interests of ByWard Market businesses to the BMDA Board;

• Empower the ByWard Market business community to explore and propose viable local ideas and solutions for district improvement;

• Encourage stewardship through business participation in district promotions, events, safety and security initiatives, and through contribution to overall aesthetic and experience-based offerings. 

The Committee’s mandate is to be advisory in nature, with the ultimate decision-making authority residing with the BMDA Board.

The Business Advisory Committee is comprised of a minimum of six (6), and a maximum of ten (10) business or commercial property owners with business(es) and/or property asset(s) located within the ByWard Market District Operational Boundary. 

The inaugural Chair of the BAC will be selected by the ByWard Market Strategic Alignment Initiative Working Group and will serve a two (2) year term. 

Subsequent Chairs will be decided by BAC Members by majority vote and recommended to the BMDA Board for appointment to the BMDA Board of Directors.

The Chair of the Business Advisory Committee is a voting member of the BMDA Board. The Chair presides at BAC meetings, and reports BAC concerns and recommendations as a standing agenda item at each regular BMDA Board meeting.   The Chair will further represent the interests of the BAC in all communications to the BMDA Board and members of its Executive. The Chair may only serve a single three (3) year term in the position but may serve again at the discretion of the BAC Members after a one (1) year break.

BAC Members will serve a maximum term of three (3) years. Members may not serve consecutive terms but may reapply to the BAC for consideration after a one (1) year break.

The inaugural five (5) BAC Members will be recruited through an open call for candidates managed by the BMDA working collaboratively with the BAC Chair. Future BAC Members will apply through an open call, as prescribed in the Recruitment section below. Two (2) of the five (5) inaugural BAC Members will serve a two (2) year term while the remaining three (3) inaugural BAC Members will serve three (3) year terms to ensure BAC Member continuity. As a reminder, the sixth inaugural BAC Member is the Chair and will be appointed by the ByWard Market Strategic Alignment Initiative Working Group and will serve a two (2) year term.

Members of the Business Advisory Committee must demonstrate adherence to the following eligibility criteria: 

• Be the owner and/or corporation-appointed representative of a business and/or commercial property within the ByWard Market District Operational Boundary; OR

• Be a commercial tenant of a property located within the ByWard Market District Operational Boundary; and

• Be at least 18 years of age;

• Not be a child, parent, spouse/partner, family member or directly/indirectly related to a BMDA Board member or City Council member; and

• Not be an employee of the City of Ottawa, its agencies or corporations (or their subsidiaries).

Prospective BAC Members will be evaluated based on the following competencies: 

• Brings energy and enthusiasm to support the fulfillment of the BMDA’s overall revitalization objectives;

• Has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the ByWard Market and an appreciation for its historic and symbolic significance to Ottawa;

• Willing to prepare for meetings and learn the mandate, processes and policies of the BMDA and BAC;

• Commits to attending monthly BAC meetings;

• Possesses unique skill sets (e.g., events management, public relations, finance, marketing, legal, etc.) or experiences of particular value to the BAC;

• Demonstrates leadership and stewardship through district involvement;

• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills (i.e., working well as part of a team, contributing reasoned opinions, and accepting and supporting decisions reached by the Committee); and

• Has the ability to set aside personal interests and work toward the success of the BMDA in the delivery of its mandate and the overall betterment of the ByWard Market.

Proficiency in English and French and previous board/committee experience are assets but not required.

BAC meetings will take place on a monthly basis. Quorum is considered the majority of BAC Members at any given time. 

Meetings may occur virtually or in person. Meetings are not required to be public.