The City of Ottawa and its Nightlife Commissioner Mathieu Grondin are building a team as part of their goal to improve Ottawa’s post-6 p.m. “nightlife economy” and change the capital’s image.
Online public applications are now open for the new volunteer nightlife council, which will meet at least four times each year to advise the commissioner on questions such as where Ottawa could cut red tape, how nightlife could be more safe and what needs aren’t being met.
Grondin, who was hired in June from a role promoting Montreal’s nightlife, said its six to 12 public members could be business owners, people who work in nightlife jobs, event promoters, members of non-governmental organizations and even people who just like to go out.
First and foremost, “You’ve got to love nightlife,” he said, “and if you have a particular community you’re a part of, that you want to be the voice of, that’s a good sign maybe you should apply.”
There will also be six seats set aside for economic and cultural organizations.
Grondin emphasized the role will be a two-way street: members can “amplify” the work of the nightlife office and come back with the feedback coming from their communities. It won’t be able to direct city staff or make binding decisions for the city.
Applications to sit on the council must be submitted by Oct. 11. The final list of council members will be announced at the end of October or beginning of November, according to Grondin.
The development of this council was approved last year as part of a nightlife action plan to develop and promote “more vibrant, diverse, inclusive, viable, safe, and well-managed nightlife” across the sprawling city between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Besides creating the commissioner and council, the plan calls for a nightlife safety plan, for more accessible, do-it-yourself, free and all-ages events and to try to get a new entertainment space for 1,500 to 2,000 people.