The Built Heritage Committee today approved asking the City to submit the nomination of the ByWard Market as a National Historic Site for its 200th anniversary, which happens in 2027. The designation, through the National Program of Historical Commemoration supported by Parks Canada, recognizes a place, person, or event that has national historical significance. The ByWard Market meets all criteria for designation.
The ByWard Market is Ottawa’s oldest commercial area and the site of one of the city’s first public markets. It led to the first permanent European settlement of Bytown, which would become Canada’s capital. It remains a key gathering spot. Its buildings are 40 years of age and older, boasting a range of design, materials, workmanship and settings that have been maintained for almost 200 years. Many buildings have evolved over time to respond to new uses, tenants and changing demands, which reflects the evolution of economic, social and cultural activity in the area.
