Graeme Hussey, President of Cahdco, and Neil Malhotra, Vice President of Claridge Homes, are Co-Chairs for the Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force created by Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, to develop short- and long-term ideas and solutions to revitalize downtown Ottawa following the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the announcement here.

The Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force is composed of knowledgeable and experienced community leaders and stakeholders including affordable housing advocates, Indigenous housing proponents, not-for-profit and for-profit housing developers, sustainability advocates, local business improvement area representatives, local tourism representatives, and officials from the City of Ottawa and the Government of Canada.

The Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force is focused on reimagining downtown Ottawa and developing new and innovative ideas for its successful future. The Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force will study and provide solutions to build new housing, with a major focus on developing new affordable and social housing in the area, reinvigorating local businesses by catalyzing the return of pedestrians and tourists, and creating a more sustainable environment for residents with new green space, active transportation infrastructure, and community space that promotes Indigenous reconciliation.

The Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force will first meet in early August and will continue to meet on a regular basis over the next several months to develop innovative solutions to bring more people back to Ottawa’s downtown.