Ottawa to deploy Night Ambassadors in ByWard Market this summer

A family takes a photo in front of the "Ottawa" sign in the ByWard Market on Victoria Day weekend. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)

Night Ambassadors will be spending summer nights in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, providing an additional pair of eyes on the streets in the popular tourist area late at night and early in the morning.

The City of Ottawa announced the launch of the Night Ambassadors pilot program, saying will “improve community safety and visitor outreach” between 9:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.  The ambassadors will be available to speak with visitors and work with late-night venues to identify needs and share program information.

The Night Ambassadors will be in the market on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m., between June 27 and early November. The ambassadors will patrol designated routes in pairs or be stationed at a central kiosk to support visitors.

The city says, “providing additional eyes on the street,” the Night Ambassadors will “enhance community and safety wellbeing” by practicing bystander intervention and de-escalation, helping patrons and employees find a safe ride home and connecting people with emergency and social services.

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The program is being funded thanks to a $35,000 grant from the City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Office. According to the job posting, the salary for the ByWard Market Night Ambassador is $25 an hour.

“The ByWard Market Night Ambassador Program is a pilot community safety and visitor outreach initiative driven by the City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Commissioner, executed by the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA),” the job posting on the ByWard Market District Authority said. “The program, inspired by similar initiatives in Montreal and Vancouver, the Night Ambassador team will support a safe, inclusive, and welcoming evening environment for visitors, residents, and venue operators.”

The city says the Night Ambassadors will be part of a “visible, on-the-ground team” offering support, including promoting consent and respectful nightlife, “offering a calm, approachable presence in high-energy settings,” and assisting “intoxicated or vulnerable individuals.”

According to the job posting, the key responsibilities include “de-escalate disruptive or unsafe situations using non-violent communication,” engaging patrons in “conversations regarding consent, bystander intervention and harm reduction,” and “offer supports, such as phone charging, navigation, and access to information.”

The employment contract for the Night Ambassadors will run from June to November, with training in June and shifts starting ahead of Canada Day.