Ottawa Infrastructure Forum 2026

Building the Capital Region Economy - Infrastructure for Growth, Livability, and Competitiveness.

Infrastructure is one of the defining drivers of economic competitiveness, productivity, investment attraction, and quality of life in modern cities.

 As Canada's capital region continues to grow, Ottawa faces a series of interconnected opportunities and challenges that will shape its future prosperity. Population growth, housing affordability, transportation capacity, downtown revitalization, public safety, and infrastructure investment are no longer separate issues. Together, they determine whether Ottawa can remain a competitive, vibrant, and attractive place to live, work, invest, and build a business.

The Ottawa Infrastructure Forum 2026 will convene leaders from business, government, development, transportation, planning, infrastructure, and community organizations to examine the investments, partnerships, and policy decisions required to support long-term growth and competitiveness across the National Capital Region. 

The Forum will focus on three critical pillars of city-building:

• Creating vibrant communities and destinations through placemaking
• Building transportation systems that support mobility and economic growth
• Delivering the housing and infrastructure needed for future generations

Together, these conversations will explore how Ottawa can position itself for sustained prosperity while enhancing quality of life for residents and businesses alike.

Agenda

• 7:30 a.m. - Registration & Networking Breakfast
• 8:30 a.m. - Opening Remarks & Leadership Perspectives
• 8:50 a.m. - Catalyst Keynote: Investing in Growth and Delivering Infrastructure
• 9:10 a.m - Panel One: Moving Within the City - The Future of Urban Mobility
  • Moderated by: Lampros Stougiannos, Partner, Dentons
  • Rick Leary, General Manager, OC Transpo
  • Stephanie McNeely, Associate Principal, Arup
  • Ron Tomlinson, CEO, Tomlinson Group
  • Rob Woodbridge, Co-Founder and COO, Trexity
• 9:55 a.m. - Networking Break 
• 10:25 a.m. - Panel Two: Housing and Growth-Enabling Infrastructure
  • Moderated by: Jennifer Stewart, Founder and CEO, Syntax Strategic
  • Jason Burggraaf, Executive Director, Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association
  • Hugh Gorman, CEO, Colonnade BridgePort
  • Chris MacKinnon, Vice President, Rohit Group 
  • Michelle Taggart, President, Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes
• 11:10 a.m. - Panel Three: Placemaking and Building a Vibrant Capital City
  • Moderated by: Lesley Pincombe, President and CEO, Rogers Centre Ottawa
  • Geneviève Dumas, General Manager, Fairmont Château Laurier
  • Mark Goudie, President and CEO, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group
  • Tobi Nussbaum, CEO, National Capital Commission
  • Ali Shafaee, Regional Vice President, Live Nation Canada
• 11:55 a.m. - Closing Remarks
• 12:00 p.m. - Networking Lunch