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Why is the federal government Ottawa’s largest employer?

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Know the reason why Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the Canadian capital — Ottawa Examining why Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the Canadian capital.

The federal government is Ottawa’s largest employer primarily because the city serves as the national capital of Canada.1

Following Queen Victoria’s selection of Ottawa as the capital in 1857, the city evolved into a major administrative centre. While Ottawa was initially identified with the lumber industry, its role as the seat of government led to a steady expansion of civil service jobs, particularly in response to significant historical events such as the two World Wars, the introduction of income tax, and the Great Depression.2

Today, as the site of key federal institutions—including the Parliament Buildings, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Bank of Canada—the federal government maintains a vast administrative presence across the National Capital Region, necessitating a large workforce to support its operations.21