A New Leader for a Changing Ottawa Job Market
Ottawa's labour market is in the middle of a significant shake-up, and Altis Human Resources is putting a new leader in charge to navigate it. Erin Campbell has been named CEO of Altis, one of the capital's most prominent staffing and recruitment firms, at a time when two major forces — sweeping federal public service layoffs and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence — are rewriting the rules of work.
Campbell's appointment signals that Altis is preparing to adapt, not just survive, in what may be the most disruptive hiring environment the firm has seen.
The Twin Pressures Facing Ottawa's Workforce
For a city where the federal government is the single largest employer, Ottawa feels every shift in public service hiring acutely. Recent rounds of civil service cuts have sent thousands of workers into an already competitive job market, and that pressure is landing squarely on recruitment firms like Altis.
At the same time, AI tools are beginning to automate tasks that were once the bread and butter of contract and administrative roles — exactly the kinds of positions Altis has long specialized in placing. The combination of government downsizing and AI disruption means fewer traditional roles to fill, and a growing need to reskill displaced workers for jobs that didn't exist five years ago.
Who Is Erin Campbell?
Campbell brings deep experience in human resources and workforce strategy to the CEO chair. Her background positions her to tackle the dual challenge head-on: helping Altis' clients think differently about talent acquisition while supporting the wave of federal workers now looking for their next opportunity in the private sector.
For a firm with roots in Ottawa's public-sector-adjacent economy, that pivot isn't optional — it's existential.
What This Means for Ottawa's Tech and Professional Services Scene
Altis isn't just a staffing agency; it's a barometer for Ottawa's broader professional services economy. When demand for contract workers shifts, Altis feels it first. Campbell's challenge will be steering the firm toward higher-value services — think workforce consulting, AI literacy training, and executive search — while managing the short-term turbulence of a contracting public sector.
For Ottawa businesses and workers alike, the firm's direction under Campbell will be worth watching. If Altis can successfully reposition itself as a partner for the AI era, it could become a key player in helping Ottawa workers transition into the new economy rather than being left behind by it.
The Bigger Picture
Ottawa has long leaned on the stability of government employment as an economic anchor. But that anchor is dragging. As the federal workforce shrinks and automation accelerates, the city's talent ecosystem needs firms willing to lead the conversation about what comes next.
Erin Campbell stepping into the CEO role at Altis is a signal that at least one major player is ready to have that conversation.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
