Canada has been shaped by people who came from all over the world to build this country. WOW offers a platform for us to celebrate this history and the future it will help…

Alex Munter, Chair of the OLIP Council and President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre
The work and expertise that OLIP brings to our community is so important as it helps us to build bridges and break down silos.  I look forward to our continued work together. 

Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa
The OLIP Council is committed to leadership.  In only a few years, we have a common vision and priorities, and are up to the task of implementing the Ottawa Immigration Strategy.

Salimatou Diallo
OLIP Council Vice Chair, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
The WOW seminar on immigrant women’s nutrition and health was a step in the right direction towards closing the gap between academic researchers and service providers.

Josephine Etowa
Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa
My nomination is an indication that our hard work in building Canada is recognized. All we do is to serve the community in return for embracing us when we needed it.  

Mehdi Mahdavi
Ottawa Immigrant Entrepreneurship Awards Nominee
All the WOW events that I went to were great – WOW does give a sense of a community trying to improve its attraction and retention!

Caroline Andrew
Professor, University of Ottawa
We are very pleased to have done the “Opportunity Cost of Not Investing in Interpretation” report – it is so important to have clarity on these challenges and…

Hindia Mohamoud, Director, OLIP
I was happy to see integration to Algonquin territory and indigenous culture related programming in 2014 WOW. Please continue to involve local Aboriginal organisations and…

Linda Manning
WOW 2014 participant, Senior Fellow, University of Ottawa
I’m really impressed with the level of energy and commitment around the Health and Wellbeing table and look forward to continuing collaboration between OLIP and OPH.

Marcela Tapia
Ottawa Public Health
The Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre is so happy to have joined the OLIP Health and Wellbeing Sector Table. It is clear that OLIP cares about immigrants and refugees and…

Wendy Tang, Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre

Ian Faris, President and CEO, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce

November 14, 2017

Ian Faris is responsible for the Ottawa Chamber’s overall operations, including advocacy activities with governments, stakeholder relations, policy, research, the development of member services and he acts as the spokesperson for the organization. He is responsible for the implementation of strategic priorities and activities identified and mandated by the Ottawa Chamber Board and its governance organizations. He is also a co-managing director of Ottawa Business Events, the partnership event company, producing events for the Ottawa Chamber and Ottawa Business Journal.

Prior to joining the Ottawa Chamber, Ian was President and CEO of a national trade industry association and a senior executive with an international public affairs consulting firm in Ottawa, specializing in government relations and strategic communications. In addition, Ian has enjoyed successful careers in the corporate sector and as an advisor to two federal cabinet ministers.

On behalf of the Ottawa Chamber, Ian is a member of the Boards of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Ottawa Business Events, Ottawa Employment Hub and Ottawa Tourism Development Committee.

Ian is also the Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation. Born in British Columbia, Ian graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston and is a recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.