FAQ

What is the ByWard Market District Authority?

The following FAQs have been developed for businesses in the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) district to help them better understand the authority.

  • The BMDA is a Municipal Services Corporation, independent in its own way, but is a corporation of the City of Ottawa with the mandate of:

    • Maintaining 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.

    • Enhancing the resident and visitor experience through public realm enhancements, installations, animations, branding, and pageantry.

    • Support and advocate for business interests within the ByWard Market District, including promoting local foods, producers, artisans and creators through the public markets.

    • Hosting special events and activities of both city-wide and national significance.

    • Advocating for investment within the ByWard Market District 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

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

  • Businesses should begin seeing positive changes in the coming months. Among the BMDA’s top priorities is establishing and maintaining a safer ByWard Market environment in which businesses can safely operate and visitors can safely enjoy. Towards achieving this objective, the BMDA’s new Community Safety and Well-being Committee will be convened shortly. This

    Committee will include area stakeholders and service delivery partners and will focus on identifying specific actions toward improving the perception and reputation of the area and attracting more customers and businesses.

  • At its core and guided by a mission to provide an enhanced business, resident, and visitor experience in the District (attached map), the BDMA’s core mandate will be to deliver a more coordinated approach to district operations.

    Ultimately, as businesses located in the District, your needs and concerns can now be addressed more effectively. To start, the BMDA Board of Directors will establish a Business

    Advisory Committee (BAC). This Committee will be comprised of area property and business owners and will focus on providing critical input into area operations and flagging new opportunities and remedies. Recruitment will begin in September of 2023.

  • If you have any questions or need clarifications, please contact Executive Director Zach Dayler (zach@bmda.ca) or Manager of Business Integration, Jeanne Matthiss (jeanne@bmda.ca).

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

BMDA Boundary Map