Ottawa's Screen Industry Is Having a Moment
Ottawa's film and screen industry closed out 2025 on a high note, and the city's film commissioner isn't slowing down. With momentum on her side, she's set her sights on a handful of priorities she believes will take Ottawa's production economy to the next level — and at the top of that list is something the capital has long needed: a proper soundstage.
For years, Ottawa has punched above its weight as a filming destination. Its mix of historic architecture, modern government buildings, scenic waterways, and four distinct seasons has drawn productions from across Canada and beyond. But without a purpose-built soundstage, the city has consistently lost out on larger, studio-scale projects that require controlled interior shooting environments.
Why a Soundstage Changes the Game
A soundstage isn't just a building — it's a signal. When cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Hamilton invested in dedicated production infrastructure, they saw an immediate uptick in the size and frequency of productions choosing their region. A soundstage tells studios and streamers that Ottawa is serious, that it has the physical infrastructure to support large crews, complex sets, and multi-week shoots.
For Ottawa, the economic ripple effects would be significant. Film and television productions are notorious economic multipliers: they fill hotels, hire local tradespeople, use local caterers, and rent equipment from area suppliers. Every production dollar tends to circulate widely through a city's economy. With a soundstage in place, Ottawa could compete for the kind of projects that currently bypass it in favour of larger production hubs.
Building on a Successful Year
The push for new infrastructure comes on the heels of what the film commissioner has described as a successful 2025 for Ottawa's screen sector. That momentum matters — it's far easier to make the case for investment when the industry is already demonstrating its value to city stakeholders and elected officials.
The film commissioner's other priorities are expected to complement the soundstage push, focusing on growing the economic footprint of productions already choosing Ottawa and deepening ties with the local creative talent pool. Ottawa has a growing community of writers, directors, crew members, and performers who would benefit enormously from more productions shooting in their own backyard.
Ottawa's Creative Economy Is Watching
For Ottawa's broader creative and tech sectors, the film commissioner's vision aligns with a larger conversation about diversifying the capital's economic identity beyond government and software. Screen production sits at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and skilled trades — exactly the kind of industry that cities want more of.
If the soundstage priority moves from wish list to reality, it could mark a genuine turning point for Ottawa's position on the Canadian production map. The city has the talent, the locations, and now — if advocates get their way — the infrastructure ambition to match.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
