Ottawa 2020

Economic Strategy

5.4 Strategic Direction 4: Strengthen industry clusters and entrepreneurship

Local economic activities of the federal government together with the export-oriented industry clusters determine the performance of the Ottawa economy. Our industry clusters drive economic prosperity because exports bring wealth into the city. This money circulates through the local economy, helping create the quality of life that we value.

Since 1999, business, government and community leaders, working through The Ottawa Partnership (TOP) have achieved substantial progress in fostering strong economic foundations that fuel the growth and resilience of the export-oriented industry clusters. However, a high performing regional economy must continually renew itself to maintain its position in the global market and its capacity for growth.

The economy has changed significantly in the last three years; the technology recovery presents both challenges and opportunities. To maintain its competitive position, Ottawa must increase its capacity for innovation and the competitiveness of its economic foundations.

It is essential that Ottawa continue to strengthen its major industry clusters, and increase synergy and collaboration between related businesses, education, training and research institutions to achieve competitiveness, innovation and prosperity. The cluster industry workgroups must be revitalized and expanded.

Building the industry clusters does not detract from Ottawa's commitment to supporting its market sector. Indeed, the vitality of cluster enterprises fuels the local economy. It would be an advantage to increase linkages between the market sector and the industry clusters. This Strategy proposes to facilitate the start-up, growth and expansion of local businesses by increasing entrepreneurial capacity and by connecting them to the new economy and technology.

Next: 5.4.1 Industry clusters