All About Ottawa-Gatineau
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is located in the Ottawa Valley in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario. Ottawa lies on the southern banks of the Ottawa River, a major waterway forming the local boundary between the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
The 2021 Census shows the population of Ottawa to be 964,743 residents and a metropolitan population of 1,488,307.
Gatineau is located in the province of Quebec, on the northern bank of the Ottawa River, immediately across from the City of Ottawa. Gatineau is the fourth largest city in Quebec (after Montreal, Quebec City and Laval). The population of Gatineau is 353,293 (2021 census).
The capital of Canada is sited on the south bank of the Ottawa River, opposite the French-speaking city of Hull across the water in the neighbouring province of Quebec. Its main landmark is the 302ft (92m) high Peace Tower. The tower surmounts the imposing Parliament Buildings, which stand in Gothic splendor at the junction of the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau rivers. Ottawa is a city of pomp and pageantry with a harmonious blend of French and English culture. The city has a network of waterways and canals that link it to Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay. The historic Rideau Canal is used for boating in summer, and for ice sculpting and skating in winter, by locals and visitors alike. Ottawa has numerous top class museums and galleries, and the National Arts Center, which houses an opera company, theatres, studios and restaurants.
Government
Ottawa is governed by a 24-member city council consisting of 23 councillors each representing one ward and the mayor. As a single tier municipality, Ottawa has the responsibility of all the municipal services including fire, ambulance, police, parks, roads, sidewalks, public transit, drinking water, storm water, sanitary sewage and solid waste.
Gatineau City Councillor is comprised of a Mayor and 18 Councillors who each represent a district in the city.
Emergency Services
Call 911 if you require fire, police, or an ambulance!
Health 811 Ontario
Phone: 811 or visit: Website
Health 811 Ontario is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day 7 days per week. This is a qualified health professional, who can assess your symptoms and help you decide your best first step. They can help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to a clinic, contact a community service or go to a hospital emergency room.
You can also chat with a health professional through their online chat option.
Things to See
and DO
City of
Ottawa
City of
Gatineau
Service Centre - Ottawa
City of Ottawa Client Service Centre
Phone: 3-1-1
Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday – 7am to 7pm
(24hrs for urgent issues)
The City of Ottawa provides residents with one convenient point of access to a wide range of municipal services through their seven Service Centres. The City of Ottawa is on call to answer your questions with one easy number: 3-1-1.
Recreation
City of Ottawa Parks and Recreation
The City of Ottawa operates numerous Recreation and Parks facilities throughout the City offering a variety of programs and activities which might be of interest to you. For more information, please visit: Recreation and Parks
Gatineau Sports, Culture and Recreation
Gatineau offers a wealth of sporting activities, cultural events and recreational activities. The Culture and Recreation program guide, published three times a year, is a great introduction to the city as it lists all the upcoming events, programs, activities and facilities. You can view the newest guide online at Culture and Recreation program.
Area Attractions
Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC)
1233 Wellington Street West
Ottawa, ON
Phone: 613-236 5196
Website: http://www.gctc.ca/
Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward
Ottawa, ON
Phone: 613-233-8948
Website: www.ottawalittletheatre.com
The Ottawa Little Theatre has been producing plays in Ottawa since 1913. The theatre is a comfortable 510-seat auditorium. This is a non-professional community theatre. Eight productions running 18 evenings each are presented, one per month from September through May. Summer Theatre presents a popular and entertaining musical each year, also running 18 nights.
National Arts Centre
53 Elgin Street
Ottawa, ON
Phone: 613-990-1985
Website: www.nac-cna.ca
The National Arts Centre is home to the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Opera, Ballet, English Theatre, Dance and a number of other community programming/events.
National Gallery of Canada
380 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON Phone: 613-990-1985
The National Gallery of Canada, founded in 1880, is home to the world's largest collection of Canadian art (including major works by Inuit artists) as well as excellent European and American collections.
Canada's finest collection of art beckons from a showcase of glittering glass and magnificent stone. A stunning landmark on Ottawa's skyline, the National Gallery of Canada invites you to discover its treasures. The National Gallery of Canada, a visual arts museum of international stature, holds its collections of art in trust for all Canadians.
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Place
Ottawa, ON
Phone: 819-776-7000
The Canadian War Museum houses the most comprehensive military collection in Canada, providing a chronicle of Canadian military activities over the past three centuries. The War Museum also holds the second largest publicly owned art collection in the country, with almost 11,000 works. Life-size displays of artefacts and an extensive collection of war medals are just a few of the museum's attractions.
Royal Canadian Mint
320 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A0G8
Phone: 613-993-8990
The Royal Canadian Mint is more than just a respected part of the Canadian experience – it’s an iconic brand honouring national achievements and themes since 1908. As an interesting and educational destination that’s open daily – 12 months a year – visitors are invited to tour the Mint's Ottawa manufacturing facility where the precise art and craft of coin-making is revealed. The Mint’s on-site boutique also features a large selection of unique gifts, collectibles and souvenirs. For quality, craftsmanship and innovation, the Royal Canadian Mint is one of the world's most respected manufacturers.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Victoria Memorial Museum BLD
240 Mcleod St Website
Ottawa, ON
Phone: 613-566-4700
The Canadian Museum of Nature with its five million specimens, including dinosaurs, exotic animals and precious gems, showcases natural history at its best. Six large exhibit halls plus audio-visual shows, lectures and a children's discovery area provide fascinating glimpses into the world around us. The museum is also home to the Viola MacMillan Mineral Gallery with its breathtaking mineral displays and authentic reconstructed gold mine.
Heritage Attractions
Parliament Hill
The heart of Ottawa and the Canadian government is Parliament Hill. Built between 1859 and 1927 on a tree-covered promontory overlooking the Ottawa River, the Parliament Buildings are magnificent neo-Gothic (Centre Block) and Gothic structures with copper covered roofs. Visitors can tour the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Library of Parliament in the Centre Block. The best view of the region can be obtained from the observation deck of the Peace Tower. On the lawn facing the Centre Block is the Centennial Flame, lit in 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.
Changing the Guard
Phone: 613-993-1811 or 1-800 465-1867
During the summer, Parliament Hill hosts the daily changing the Guard ceremony, a military tradition dating back to the 19th century. It’s a colourful Canadian tradition. June to August. Performed daily (weather permitting) from 10am to 10:30am.
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal, which winds its way 202 kilometres (125.5 miles) from Ottawa to Kingston, is one of the most popular attractions for residents and visitors alike. It is a system of natural lakes and rivers made navigable by locks, dams and canal cuts.
Originally constructed for defense and trading purposes, the Canal is today used for leisure and pleasure. During the winter, the Ottawa portion of the canal is transformed into the world's longest (7.8 kilometre/4.5 mile) skating rink. During the summer, the canal provides a haven for hundreds of boating enthusiasts and, for those on shore, a constantly changing panorama of boats of all shapes, sizes and vintages.
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON Phone: 1-800-465-6890/613-993-8200
Rideau Hall, originally built in 1838, is the official residence and workplace of Canada’s Governor General. Set on 79 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds just minutes from downtown Ottawa, Rideau Hall is accessible to the public throughout the year. During the winter, Rideau Hall is open for guided tours (by reservation only) and public skating on the historic rink. Summertime visitors can enjoy the colourful Ceremonial Guard, guided tours of the historic residence, its grounds and gardens, and free outdoor concerts. The park-like setting is idyllic for picnics, and children will enjoy hands-on activities and guides in period costume.
Lansdowne Park
1015 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON K1S 3W7
Phone: 613-580-2429
Lansdowne Park is a 40-acre urban park which contains the TD Place Stadium and Arena complex, the Aberdeen Pavilion and the Horticulture Building. Located along the Rideau Canal.
