How did Ottawa remain important after Canada became a dominion in 1867?

Ottawa had been designated the capital of the Province of Canada by Queen Victoria in 1857, a decision made to resolve political rivalries between larger cities like Toronto, Montreal, Quebec city, and Kingston.1

When the Dominion of Canada was formed in 1867, Ottawa retained its status as the national capital. Its continued importance was driven by its role as a major administrative centre. Furthermore, its strategic location on the boundary between English-speaking Ontario and French-speaking Quebec helped solidify its identity as a bilingual capital city. While it initially functioned as an industrial hub focused on the timber trade, the city gradually evolved through the expansion of the civil service and, in the 20th century, through deliberate urban planning efforts to beautify the capital and establish the National Capital Region.12