Welcoming Ottawa Week 2026 is underway, offering more than 50 free events across Ottawa and Lanark-Renfrew counties from June 22 to 30.
The series, now in its twelfth year, officially launched Monday with a breakfast reception co-hosted by the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP) and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, according to the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership.
This year's edition coincides with Ottawa's 200th anniversary and carries the theme "200 Years: One Ottawa – Many Stories." A panel discussion at the launch featured immigrants sharing their experiences of settlement, belonging and leadership in the community.
Ambassadors Awards recognize five residents
A highlight of the launch was the Welcoming Ottawa Ambassadors Award, which honours residents who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of newcomers. Immigrants nominate the recipients each year for exceptional kindness, generosity and support.
Five local residents received the 2026 awards, presented by Mayor Sutcliffe during the launch event. Their stories are featured on the Welcoming Ottawa Week website.
The launch also recognized two outgoing OLIP leaders. Kelli Toner, Executive Director of the South-east Ottawa Community Health Centre and Co-Chair of OLIP's Health and Well-Being Sector Table, was honoured for her work ensuring healthcare and social systems respond to newcomers' everyday needs.
Saint-Phard Desir, former Executive Director of CESOC and a member of the OLIP Executive Committee, was recognized for bridging grassroots community realities with high-level systemic planning.
A call for structural change
OLIP Executive Director Magdalene Cooman congratulated the award recipients, noting that many Ottawa residents show the same spirit of welcome every day. She thanked community members, settlement organizations and partners for their ongoing efforts.
Reflecting on recent cuts to settlement funding and migration challenges facing the sector, Cooman urged broader change.
"Individual hospitality is a beautiful spark. However, to keep everyone warm, we must build a systemic, structural fire." — Magdalene Cooman, OLIP Executive Director, at the Welcoming Ottawa Week launch
Cooman added that the city's infrastructure, strategies and shared visions must be woven into the fabric of Ottawa so newcomers do not wait years to feel they fully belong.
Nine days of programming
The 2026 program includes cultural celebrations, community fairs, sports tournaments, career development workshops, entrepreneurship events, wellness activities, family programming and guided neighbourhood tours. Many events are offered in English, French and other languages.
The full schedule is available on the Welcoming Ottawa Week calendar.
The first Welcoming Ottawa Week was held in June 2013, when the Ottawa mayor proclaimed the last week of June each year would celebrate residents' welcome to newcomers. The federal government recognized the initiative as a best practice in building a welcoming city in 2014, and the model has since been replicated in several Canadian cities.
The series expanded to neighbouring communities in Lanark-Renfrew in 2022.
OLIP is a partnership of more than 80 organizations working across five sectors to build Ottawa's capacity to attract and integrate immigrants. It was co-founded by the City of Ottawa and Local Agencies Serving Immigrants in October 2009, and is funded primarily by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
