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With LRT extension around the corner, discussions are underway for new east-end government workspace, PSPC says
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he promise of light rail is in the air – but Orléans business leaders say that without a major east-end employer, the trains won’t be enough to keep the borough up to speed with the rest of Ottawa. The Orléans workforce is highly educated and predominantly bilingual, says the riding’s MP, Andrew Leslie. As such, many work for the federal govern-
ment and commute elsewhere, such as downtown or the new DND headquarters at the Carling Campus. While the standard of living in Orléans is good, Leslie says what’s missing are jobs that match the demographics of the ward – a challenge being tackled by the community’s business and political leaders, many of whom see a compelling case for the federal government to establish a larger east-end presence. Continues on page 24
DECEMBER 2018
Business leaders push feds to rise in the east
BY ROSA SABA
Welcome to OBOT Connect!
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a joint initiative of Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Board of Trade. This new publication takes an in-depth look at the trends and issues shaping businesses in various regions of the city, while providing highlights of Ottawa Board of Trade initiatives in the community.
Business for Breakfast A cannabis powerhouse in Cumberland’s backyard ALL PHOTOS BY MARK HOLLERON
DECEMBER 2018
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hile much attention has focused on Amazon’s new warehouse in east-end Ottawa, there is an even larger commercial development underway a few hundreds metres from Cumberland Village. HEXO Corp., formerly called Hydropothecary, is building a 1.3-million square foot facility in Massons-Angers, Que. The company has emerged as one of Canada’s hottest marijuana producers with a market capitalization of $1.15 billion. On Nov. 15, HEXO’s vice-president of corporate social responsibility,
Terry Lake, was the keynote speaker at a breakfast at the Camelot Golf & Country Club. Lake told attendees the company will eventually produce more than 100 tonnes of marijuana at the facility. Lake noted that HEXO has a stated goal of becoming the second-largest producer of licenced marijuana in Canada. HEXO is pursuing a “hub and spoke model” that will include cosmetics, edibles, vapes and beverages. HEXO has struck a joint venture with alcohol giant Molson Coors, which could start producing marijuana-infused beverages by late 2019.
DEC. 8 As Ottawa’s chambers of commerce merge into the new
SAVE THE DATE
Ottawa Board of Trade, members of the former Orléans chamber will remember their decades-old history and toast their future. They’ve planned a holiday party at OakWood’s multimillion-dollar design centre in Orléans. OCCO Kitchen, Stray Dog Brewing Company and Orléans Brewing Co. will be among the featured companies. Visit www.ottawabot.ca for more information.
Continued from page 23 “The vast majority of new jobs (in Orléans) are still created at the local level by small businesses,” Leslie says. “We need a federal building or federal jobs to be in Orléans because we have one of the highest concentrations of federal workers.” One of the issues caused by this imbalance is seen every day, says Jasmine Brown, executive director of the Heart of Orléans BIA. A study by the BIA’s Balance Orléans Task Force found around 80 per cent of rush hour traffic between Orléans and the rest of Ottawa is leaving Orléans for work. “It’s basically a bedroom community,” says Brown. “There’s no major employment hub.” The task force was established earlier in 2018. Now, the newly amalgamated Ottawa Board of Trade is addressing the same issues as part of its larger Capital Build Task Force, which Brown is also involved in. With funding for the second phase of Ottawa’s light rail line secured, including stops at Trim Road, Place d’Orléans, Jeanne d’Arc and Montreal Road at the Canotek Business Park, Brown says it’s time to mobilize and address the need for a major employer in Orléans. Yes, light rail may help relieve some pressure on the highway, says Doug Feltmate, chair of the BIA’s economic development group, but the imbalance won’t go away. Instead, the train will run full in one direction and close to empty the other way. “Building LRT will help, but it has to be done in conjunction with a further development plan,” says Feltmate. “You need a catalyst.”
BALANCING EAST AND WEST For many, that catalyst is a federal government presence, either an entire department or a workspace – the federal government has been experimenting with coworking-style workspaces meant to accommodate people from various departments. The Balance Orléans study found that there are less than 50 federal employees working in Orléans, compared to more than 13,000 in
the west end – and out of more than 130,000 overall in the National Capital Region. So, if many of those 130,000 employees live in Orléans, what has historically prevented the government from setting up shop in the east end? Broadly speaking, Shawn Hamilton – a senior vice-president at real estate brokerage firm CBRE, and a task force member – says Orléans has traditionally been residential. The development of a tech hub in the west created somewhat of a vacuum, he adds. In recent years, procurement officials have typically required any new government office space be within 600 metres of rapid transit. There’s currently development land available at Trim Road and elsewhere along the eastern part of the LRT line. Developers have plans ready for the east end, says Feltmate. But they’ve so far been unable to capture the attention of federal officials. “We’ve just never seen any interest in federal employment coming in this direction,” he says. “All the developers want is an opportunity to bid. And that’s been taken off the table.” Whether the eastern light-rail extension, scheduled to be completed in 2022, will bring the government to Orléans remains to be seen. Public Services and Procurement Canada says an east-end flexible government workspace is “being discussed.” Leslie says he’s “confident” the government will set up shop in Orléans, but doesn’t know when. “It will happen, but when and how ... I don’t yet know,” says Leslie. Feltmate is less sure – he says he’s seen previous promises, but no results. Nevertheless, members of the new task force say this year’s amalgamation of the city’s three chambers of commerce has the potential to amplify the voice of Orléans. “I think we are setting the stage for a long term balancing of east versus west,” says Hamilton. “We just need to take a few years now to change behaviors, educate people, and drive that development to the east end.”
TOP 10 reasons to join the Ottawa Board of Trade
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We’ll connect you to prominent, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS;
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We’ll connect you to opportunities that grow your business and RAISE YOUR PROFILE;
Skilled labour shortages, immigrants and hidden talent The 2018 Ottawa Business Growth Survey found that Ottawa businesses view immigrants as valuable to the local economy, but not necessarily to their own company. Among the findings: • 77% of businesses think that immigrants are an important source of skilled labour for Ottawa’s economy; • 46% of Ottawa businesses felt that immigrants were not an important pool of labour and skills for their own company.
Ottawa Business Growth Survey
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We’ll connect you to Board of Trade-led ADVOCACY INITIATIVES;
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We’ll connect you to membership-driven policy development, BOARD OF TRADE COMMITTEES and task forces;
Bank Street B.I.A
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We’ll connect you to RELEVANT INFORMATION, professional development and educational opportunities;
NOTICE TO MEMBERS: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ATTN: Business Owner, Manager, Property Owner
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We’ll connect you to a wealth of COST-SAVING PRODUCTS AND AFFINITY PROGRAMS;
The Bank Street B.I.A. Board of Management invites you to attend the 2018 AGM. Drinks and small bites to be served. Join us as we look at the year in review and the many exciting events and promotions we have coming up in 2019.
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We’ll connect you to GROUP INSURANCE through the chambers plan;
WHERE: Eggspectation 171 BANK STREET Second Floor
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We’ll connect you to ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES;
WHEN: November 28 6 PM to 8 PM
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We’ll connect you to a diverse range of business NETWORKING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES;
DECEMBER 2018
Organizations that hire immigrants see the benefits. Employers reported that hiring immigrants enhances innovation, productivity and profits for their company. Tapping into immigrant talent presents a tremendous economic advantage for Ottawa businesses and an opportunity to address talent needs. Learn more at http://bit.ly/OBOTimmigrants.
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A new economic vision for Ottawa East Results expected to be released in early 2019
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n what’s believed to be a first for Ottawa East, consulting firm Doyletech has undertaken a survey of stakeholders in Orléans and the surrounding area to draft a new economic development strategy for one of the city’s largest communities. Doyletech partner Rick Clayton says the firm’s mandate was to gather feedback, connect stakeholders and deliver hard proposals based on local input. The results are expected in early 2019. The process began in July with the former Orléans Chamber of Commerce. “Orléans needed some revitalization in terms of its economic development prospects,” says Clayton. “Our role was to try and build some consensus.” These ideas will be used to fill Doyletech’s economic development framework, which involves three action items: growing from within; attracting
3 STEPS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ORLÉANS Grow from within: Develop Orléans businesses and attract larger employers such as the federal government. Attract inbound investment: Market Orléans as a cluster with business offerings in sectors such as arts, entertainment, technology and health. Link to another cluster: Connect Orléans companies with larger clusters such as the autonomous vehicle hub in Kanata North.
inbound investment; and linking to another cluster by becoming suppliers or other partners. For example, during one of the three focus groups held with more than 150
Marketing the Shenkman Arts Centre alongside other entertainment and dining option could be used to bolster the Ottawa East brand. businesses and stakeholders, a community member mentioned the opportunity for Orléans to advance its expertise in autonomous underwater vehicle technology. Clayton says this could involve partnering with a technology cluster such as those in Kanata North. In terms of inbound investment, he says businesses in Orléans need to grow beyond serving the local community. Stakeholders also identified a lack of
branding for Orléans as a destination. For example, marketing Orléans’ dining and entertainment offerings such as the Shenkman Arts Centre could attract people from outside the area, Clayton says. The most important part of the project are the ideas from local stakeholders, says Clayton. He says the Ottawa Board of Trade will be able to use the feedback from Orléans businesses to help develop the Ottawa East economy. — Rosa Saba
CELEBRATE THE 2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS! December 6, 2018 | 4pm DECEMBER 2018
The Marshes Golf Club Ottawa Board of Trade Member $30 | Non-Member $40
The Employees’ Choice Awards (ECA) program honors organizations within Canada’s National Capital Region that recognize employees as their greatest asset.
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