Living & Working in Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada's capital city and a major hub for government employment, technology, and defence. The city offers a high quality of life, excellent public services, and a bilingual (English-French) environment.
Ottawa's tech sector ("Silicon Valley North") includes Shopify's headquarters and major operations from Nokia, BlackBerry QNX, and hundreds of startups. Government employment provides stability and excellent benefits.
The city is increasingly diverse, with growing Arab, Chinese, South Asian, and African communities. Ottawa-Gatineau (the cross-border metro area) offers the option of living in Quebec for lower costs while working in Ontario.
Cost of Living
Top Employers
Government of Canada
Government
Shopify
Technology
Nokia
Telecommunications
The Ottawa Hospital
Healthcare
Settlement Resources
Coordinating body connecting newcomers with employment, settlement, and community services.
Employment services for skilled immigrants including mentoring and sector-specific programs.
Newcomer-Friendly Neighbourhoods
Bayshore / Carling
Diverse area with Somali and Middle Eastern communities. Affordable with good transit.
Avg. rent: $1,600/mo
Orleans
Bilingual suburban community popular with families. Mix of francophone and newcomer populations.
Avg. rent: $1,700/mo
Browse by Category in Ottawa
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak French to work in Ottawa?
Not necessarily. While French is an asset (especially for government jobs), many tech, healthcare, and private sector roles are English-only. Bilingual candidates have a significant advantage for federal government positions.
Is Ottawa good for tech workers?
Yes — Ottawa has one of Canada's strongest tech ecosystems, anchored by Shopify, Nokia, and a thriving startup scene. The city ranks among the top Canadian cities for tech talent.