Ottawa, June 17, 2025 – Welcoming Ottawa Week (WOW) 2025 officially launched yesterday with a breakfast reception co-hosted by the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP) and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Now in its twelfth year, WOW will run from June 16 to 30 and features over 50 free events in English, French and other languages across Ottawa and Lanark-Renfrew counties that celebrate our growing diversity and inclusive spirit.
This year’s launch featured a timely panel discussion on the theme “Ottawa – The Canada We Want.” Panelists explored the city’s pivotal role in newcomer settlement and emphasized the need to strengthen our welcoming capacity amid shifting economic and political landscapes. Their reflections underscored Ottawa’s leadership in promoting capacity-based immigration planning and collaborative approaches to building resilient, inclusive communities.
A cornerstone of WOW is the Welcoming Ottawa Ambassadors Award, which honours residents who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of newcomers. Each year, immigrants nominate individuals who have shown exceptional kindness, generosity, and support. The 2025 recipients—five extraordinary local residents—were recognized by Mayor Sutcliffe during the launch. Their inspiring stories can be found on the WOW website.
“Welcoming Ottawa Week is more than a celebration—it’s a shared commitment to building a city where every resident belongs,” said Nyamulola Kambanji, Acting Co-Director of OLIP. “In a time of growing complexity and polarization, Ottawa is showing what’s possible when we act together with purpose. Through partnership, planning, and a spirit of welcome, we’re creating a stronger, more inclusive future—for everyone.”WOW is designed to build bridges between newcomers and long-time residents and to highlight the many cultures that make Ottawa thrive. From sports tournaments, food festivals, and guided neighbourhood tours to job fairs, film screenings, entrepreneurship talks, and hiking events, the 2025 program offers something for everyone. For the full schedule, please visit the WOW calendar.
Background
WOW is an annual series of free events and activities such as dialogues and town halls, cultural and celebratory activities, sporting events, documentary screenings, guided tours, storytelling sessions, book launches, food tastings, and other fun and engaging events intended to convey Ottawa’s genuine welcome and solidarity to newcomers.
The first WOW was held in June 2013 when the Ottawa Mayor proclaimed the last week of June of every year to be Welcoming Ottawa Week, a time when Ottawa residents would express their genuine welcome to newcomers.
In 2014, WOW was recognized by the federal government as a best practice initiative in forging a welcoming city. As a result of this recognition and thanks to the success and growth of WOW, the model has been replicated in several Canadian cities. In 2022, WOW expanded to neighboring communities in Lanark-Renfrew. The growth of WOW is testament to Ottawa’s increasing capacity and commitment to attract and integrate immigrants.
WOW is presented by Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP), a partnership of over 80 organizations working together across five sectors to build Ottawa’s capacity to attract and integrate immigrants. OLIP was co-founded by the City of Ottawa and Local Agencies Serving Immigrants (LASI), in October 2009. The Partnership is funded primarily by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
For interviews and more details please contact:
Jean-Pierre Niyitanga
Communications and Events Officer
jean-pierre@olip-plio.ca
613-367-5494
