Which industries besides government provide jobs in the Ottawa region?

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Beyond the federal government, which serves as the region's major employer, Ottawa’s economy is significantly supported by a robust technology sector. This industry includes a variety of companies specializing in:1

  • Telecommunications
  • Software development
  • Defense and security
  • Biotechnology
  • Wireless technology1

The suburb of Kanata is particularly noted for its thriving information technology industry, which has been referred to as "Silicon Valley North".2

Additionally, the city serves as a hub for numerous commercial and financial associations, as well as various embassies and trade groups that maintain headquarters or offices within the capital. Historically, the region’s economy was rooted in the timber and lumber trade, though modern industrial activity has shifted significantly from those early origins.134