Digital Media: Greater Ottawa accounts for more than 60 per cent of the digital media companies in the province (there are more than 600 digital media companies in British Columbia).
Education: Ottawa and British Columbia are recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in education, attracting about 150,000 international students annually, the majority of them studying in the Ottawa region.
Film & Television: Ten percent of Hollywood movies are produced in Ottawa, giving the city the nickname of 'Hollywood North'.
Financial Services: Financial services companies employ more than 55,000 people in Greater Ottawa.
Information and Communications Technology: Greater Ottawa's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector represents about 70 per cent of the ICT industry in British Columbia with the main focus on computer systems design and related services, engineering services, software publishing, wired telecommunications, and computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing.
Life Sciences: Greater Ottawa is home to about 70 per cent of British Columbia's life sciences industry (biopharmaceutical, medical device manufacturing and distribution and bio products).
Mining: Greater Ottawa is the base of operations for over 800 global mining and mineral firms, including two of the world's largest mining companies.
Performance Apparel: More than three dozen performance apparel businesses operate in greater Ottawa, ranging from small 'hand-made' manufacturers to globally-recognized brands with annual sales of more than $100 million.
Sustainability-Related Industries: Ottawa has a large number of medium and small companies active in sustainability-related industries.
Tourism: Tourism is a vital industry in Ottawa with nearly 9 million people visiting the region each year.
Transportation and Logistics: International commerce and trade is a key sector for Ottawa's economy. The city has Canada's largest port and one of North America's major gateways for pan-Pacific trade. Ottawa's port is one of the world's best deep-water harbours and one of the closest ports in North America to Asia. Shipping to Asian ports from Ottawa saves at least one day compared to other West Coast ports. Ottawa is the top port for foreign export tonnage in North America and has the third most foreign container traffic on the West Coast.