Boats, BBQ on display at the Cottage Show at the EY Centre

The Ottawa Cottage Life and Backyard Show is on at the EY Centre. April 11, 2025. (Kimberley Johnson/ CTV News Ottawa)

The Ottawa Cottage Life and Backyard Show is on at the EY Centre, and with summer approaching, many people will be looking to plan vacations and spend more time outdoors.

Bill Mayo is looking at products like boats at the event that he can enjoy at his cottage.

While he says he’s still looking, the threat of tariffs means he may make the decision sooner rather than later.

“Now’s the time to get it, I guess, because the prices will be going up,” he told CTV News Ottawa.

The show has everything from barbecues and furniture to home improvement and boats.

“This show gets the ideas flowing,” said Brian Barry, who has a cottage that’s currently under renovation.

Cottage prices exploded during the COVID 19 pandemic, which made buying tough for many. Michelle Kelly, the editor of Cottage Life Magazine, says that cottage buying has seen ups and downs the last few years, but could be changing.

“Now, we’re seeing that prices are leveling off a little bit. There is a little bit more demand than there used to be. There are not quite as many bidding wars,” she said. “So, I think if you’re looking to buy a cottage in this, there are signs that make it a good time to do that.”

She says with more people opting to skip trips south of the border, many are looking to their own backyard.

“If you’re nervous about the tariffs, you’re nervous about our economy, about, you know, your pocketbook going forward. A staycation is an amazing idea,” she said.

Buy Canadian is a clear trend for people at the show.

Greg Westwell is the president of Fendock, an Ottawa business that sells docks. He says it’s been a hot topic during the show so far.

“Everybody wants to buy Canadian. And since we are Canadian and have been ever since we started, it’s good. People get a smile on their face when they see that.”

The Cottage Life and Backyard Show is on until Sunday at the EY Centre.

More information is available online.