A Market Marathon, not a Quick Trip

By Zachary Dayler

The Municipal Service Corporation, Ottawa Markets, has the licensing authority over the vending activities in both the ByWard and Parkdale Market areas - outlined in Bylaw 2021-331. The Operating Procedure within this ByLaw sets out the new rules and guidelines for vending. The aim, over time, is that Ottawa Markets and our team will be able to refresh, rebuild, and reignite our Public Markets and create a sense of rediscovery at Parkdale, but especially in ByWard.  

At the core of the operating procedures that govern the vending areas is the concept of a Farmers First Policy. Beyond curating a tremendous public market experience, we cannot lose sight of where the markets began. Both ByWard and Parkdale were the grocery stores of Ottawa! Well before food networks and systems changed. Today, the farming sector is under considerable strain. Over the last 35 years, Ontario has lost over 2.8 million acres of farmland to non-farmland uses, equal to 18%. In 2016 it was estimated that we were losing 175 acres a day. (Ontario Farmers) 

As a Market Authority, we set aside particular privileges for Farmers, including free vending for those under two years of operation, and preferential placement, while maintaining some of the most competitive vendor rates. Unfortunately, years of lost farmland and changed commercial behaviour, grocery store expansions or bulk wholesale have significantly impacted the ByWard and Parkdale markets. In a recent review of proximity to grocery stores, residents in the Lowertown area have high to very high access within a 5km radius of the ByWard Market.

Map Prepared by Espac Nue, McGill University, 2021

Attempts to modernize have led to issues, some good and some bad. However, the most significant impact is the culmination of "inconsistency". The challenging nature of our 7-day market "concept" has led to the decades-long issues of farmer vs wholesale - primarily the issue of where the product comes from and, if you dig deeper, it is about labour. Complicating the case in modern times is the idea of being able to vend seven days a week, seasonally outdoors. A romantic vision in modern times - but worth striving for, no!?  

The pandemic hit, leading to a drastic change and unpredictable lockdowns and government regulations for over two years. During this time, Ottawa Markets also underwent a significant change. Many vendors on the market retired, shifted business models, or shifted to one of the other 23 single day markets that operate in the City.

The shifting businesses models and other compounding influences do not change that Ottawa Markets is charged with reinvigorating a 7-day a week public market experience! Name most any medium/gig City, they all have their "market/public" spaces, and we need that too. We have a few of them in Ottawa, from Lansdowne, the NEW library, eventually LeBreton, and of course Zibi. So we should as the Capital - these places are of historical significance! It also means we must learn to adapt and grow, not try to replicate success or failure. Ottawa Markets is endeavouring to do this. At the core, we want always to be home to farmers and local produce in all its forms, but we also want to make sure that we can provide a consistent experience to customers and visitors of our market spaces. You should want to come and shop because of the product and the expertise from clear signage, excellent and informative customer service, and exceptional local and Canadian products. In many respects, this is what we should be about as a City - it could become one of the main reasons people come to explore Ottawa!

Over the 2022 season, Ottawa Markets is takings strides. As the corporation that issues vending licences, we are piloting a new concept at Parkdale and ByWard while working to rebuild a consistent Canadian only produce experience that acknowledges the markets' landscape.

At both ByWard and Parkdale Market, Ottawans will access a fresh array of Canadian produce from regional and local farmers seven days a week. Our new hybrid model will prioritize local while providing service seven days and various other products from the Quebec, Toronto, and Niagara regions. You will also see local farms and micro-processors at Parkdale Night Markets, ByWard Night Market and York St. Farmers Market. In their initial start-up years, these markets aim to support new and existing farms such as Rutabaga Ranch, Vintage Soil, Harmony Farms, and microprocessors and crafters of all things local. We hope that by encouraging and supporting these farms and groups, they will perhaps consider how they can grow their model to support seven days or be ready when that larger conversation arises about food networks and building better local supply chains. 

Both ByWard and Parkdale Market have existed through a series of challenges that have helped make them what it is or was. Over the years, issues have been well documented, from the idea of price-fixing to selling American or Mexican products as Canadian. While these are the tales or stories of decades past that form mythology over place and space, it is not how we will rebuild a positive, consistent, and welcoming experience.

In 2022 Ottawa Markets has decided to significantly limit who will be able to operate in our space. Under the hybrid model, we have limited wholesale licenses at Parkdale and ByWard. These licenses will be limited to provide better control over products while also working to build and support local. Ottawa Markets will always reserve space for Farms to sell; we even offer FREE CSA pickups for farms; we also want to help connect farmer products with licensed sellers or one of the many excellent restaurants around our markets.

There is also much more that goes into operating a seven days public market experience. It is about the atmosphere, the fun, the businesses surrounding it, and the discovery. The markets should be places we want to be. As we rebuild these spaces, Ottawa Markets will also be welcoming back busking seven days a week. We have also launched a new activation program that will see unique events such as Carivibe, Ooh Sneaker and Vintage Festival, Day of the Dead Festival, and even a Vegan Snack Market! Also on offer is Gallery 55, an event space showcasing education exhibits from the embassy and groups across Ottawa.

We are working on rebuilding and regrowing, and we hope you will be part of it while also getting out there and exploring and supporting Ottawa.

To building back the tradition of our historic markets!