• Consideration for a BMDA licence is contingent upon submission of a complete application below.

• Applicants shall reside, and be legally entitled to work, in Canada.

• Applicants shall comply with all applicable federal, provincial, municipal laws and any other applicable laws and regulations to which their business may be subject. It is up to the vendor to know and comply with the Provincial and Federal sales tax requirements.

• Vendors must provide the BMDA with a Certificate of Insurance that shows proof of insurance for public liability in the amount of not less than 2 million inclusive per occurrence and annual aggregate. Such Certificate of Insurance shall name the ByWard Market District Authority and the City of Ottawa as additional insureds. 

  • Please note: insurance is not required to apply but will be required before any stand permits may be issued.

• Applicants shall meet the criteria requirements for their respective vendor category.

Please review our Operating Procedures and Code of Conduct. These documents outline your obligations as a vendor and you will be agreeing to meet those obligations during the licensing process.

The BMDA uses the Marketspread.com management tool. Interested vendors will need to create a profile (video guide) if they have not previously done so.

• Once you have created your business profile you can use the below ‘Click here to Apply’ button below to complete our licence application

• Please be aware that the application will ask for some documentation, so you should have the below ready before you begin, if applicable:

  • Property Information (Lot, Concession numbers, GPS coordinates)

  • Any relevant certifications (organic standards, Fair Trade, etc.)

  • Copy of your insurance certificate, if available.

  • Credit/Debit card details. NOTE: you will only be charged the licence fee if you are accepted into the BMDA program. Declined vendors will pay no costs.

• After you submit your application, the BMDA begin the review process and may reach out if we are missing any details.

• If approved:

  • licence fees will be charged using the payment details provided during your application.

  • You will receive our vendor handbook and some welcome documents and be ready to start vending once we have a certificate of valid insurance.

• All declined vendors will be provided a written response and, if possible, provided with an explanation for being declined.

The BMDA is committed to supporting historically marginalized and underrepresented groups as well as entrepreneurs who are starting out or building up their businesses.

Our public markets are a place for everyone and we are pleased to offer the following subsidies, please select any that apply to you during your application submission:

• New Farmer Subsidy - The BMDA offers new farmers a free vending space at our markets as a low-barrier entry point to develop. This subsidy aims to establish thriving agricultural businesses that foster creative and sustainable production models that focus on quality rather than on price alone.

• BIPOC Farmers' Initiative - Recognizing the disproportionate impact of institutional and systemic racism on BIPOC communities both historically and currently in Canadian agriculture, BMDA’s goal is to help remove barriers that prevent Black, Indigenous and People of Colour - farmers, growers, gatherers, hunters and fishers from participating in our markets and accessing clientele in Ottawa.

  The BIPOC Farmers' Initiative (BFI) aims to provide access and support for vendors of Black and Indigenous descent as well as People of Colour including those who identify as trans, disabled, queer, have marginalized religious identities or share lived experiences as first-generation farmers or makers by offering a free seasonal market stand in our markets.

• Parkdale Food Center Youth Program Participant - Applicants have their licence fee waived and receive their first three vending dates free of charge.

• Chef Ric’s Food Services Training Program - Graduates of Chef Ric’s program have their licence fee waived and receive their first three vending dates free of charge.

• Chnge Mker Innovation Hub - Participants the Incubator program have their licence fee waived and receive their first three vending dates free of charge.

• Indigenous Producers - Recognizing the legacy of oppression and systemic racism that has targeted Canada's Indigenous Peoples, the BMDA strives to help remove barriers that prevent Indigenous people from participating in Ottawa's Public Markets Program and accessing clientele in Ottawa.

  This goal is highlighted by the recognition that Ottawa exists on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.

  In order to support/foster access and opportunity and amplify Indigenous voices, foodways and traditions, BMDA will be offering free vending spaces to Indigenous producers, this does not extend to our retail categories (importers, wholesalers).

  If you or someone you know is an Indigenous maker, baker, artisan, or grower, forager, fisher, farmer, creator, we encourage you to apply and share the news so that together we can create a more diverse and representative market experience for everyone!