The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) presented its first full annual report to Ottawa City Council this week, offering a picture of progress and persistent challenges in one of the city’s most iconic and dynamic neighbourhoods.
Vice Chair Suzanne Valiquet and Executive Director Zachary Dayler highlighted a strong rebound in foot traffic, with more than 22 million visits recorded over the past year, marking a return to pre-pandemic numbers. “People go to ByWard to see something different,” Valiquet said. “It has that magic.”
The BMDA, now one year into its operations, says its focus has been on “setting the foundation for success” in a complex urban environment. That has included beautification projects such as heritage-style light poles, tree wells, and 76 floral planters throughout the Market, along with improving amenities like public washroom access, adding 11 more hours of availability. Dayler acknowledged, however, that more public washrooms are still needed throughout the city.
Renewal, Resilience, and Reporting
A significant investment—$11 million from government funding, plus another $10 million earmarked for the renewal of William Street, has helped drive improvements, with the revamped William Street expected to be completed by 2027 to coincide with the Market’s 200th anniversary.
Safety in the Market has also seen some progress. Valiquet said the district “feels safer” thanks to an increased police presence, and the BMDA noted the launch of new Market Patrols, with trained patrollers now active in the area. Encouragingly, Dayler said that while crime remains a concern, increased incident reporting is helping build a more accurate picture of the challenges businesses face.
Still, some councillors urged caution. Councillor Stéphanie Plante noted that many businesses are hiring private security and power-washing sidewalks daily, suggesting that appearances may not reflect deeper issues. “Look under the hood—things are not that great,” she warned.
Parkdale Market Sees Growth, Too
The BMDA also oversees Parkdale Market, which welcomed over 250,000 visitors and hosted 102 vendors over 182 days last year. New infrastructure improvements, such as garage doors and structural upgrades, have helped vendors operate more efficiently, and a full-time coordinator has been hired to support programming and events.
Prepared food offerings at the market are growing, Dayler added, reflecting changing tastes and consumer habits.
Public Space, Private Challenges
The presentation made clear that the BMDA views the Market as a public space meant to serve all: residents, tourists, businesses, and visitors. But challenges remain. Councillor Jeff Leiper pressed the BMDA on finances and transparency, asking about city subsidies and rent structures. Dayler said the organization currently receives $800,000 in operational funding and is exploring the idea of implementing a levy on nearby properties to help sustain future operations. Occupancy rates in market rentals remain above 90 percent, and a 2.5% annual rent increase is standard—though leases vary.
Other councillors raised issues around wayfinding and signage, especially for public washrooms and the upcoming 200th anniversary. At present, there is no signage promoting the bicentennial, nor clear directions to washroom facilities—something the BMDA acknowledged as a gap.
On the issue of transit, Councillor Glen Gower asked how BMDA is working with OC Transpo to encourage public transportation to its 191 days of programming. Dayler responded that the organization is open to collaborating more with the transit agency.
Looking Ahead
Despite bureaucratic hurdles—Dayler noted the organization undergoes three audits per year—the BMDA says it is laying the groundwork for long-term success. With Engage Ottawa consultations underway and key infrastructure projects in progress, the team is optimistic.
