ByWard Market ramping up security this summer

Clarence Street and ByWard Market Square on a sunny day. March 29, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)

Visitors of the ByWard Market will notice extra security in the area ahead of the busiest parts of the tourism season.

Starting this weekend, the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) says it will be deploying two-person security teams on an interim basis to “strengthen safety and responsiveness in the area.”

“Their role is to maintain a visible presence throughout the district, identify issues as they arise, and connect people with the appropriate supports by escalating situations to partner organizations, such as ANCHOR 211, and emergency services,” the BMDA said in a news release.

The patrols will operate seven days a week for 20 hours a day from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m.

The BMDA says the plan is meant to serve as a temporary measure between now and mid-July when it will launch an enhanced program with additional safety measures.

The patrols are in addition to existing security guards in front of the 55 ByWard Market building.

More police officers have been deployed in the busiest parts of Ottawa this summer, including hot spots in the ByWard Market, as part of the Ottawa Police Service’s downtown core safety plan.

Police say the plan is meant to increase visibility of officers and community organizations to deter crime and improve perceptions of public safety.

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