June15

Media Release

October 4 , 2006

First Ottawa's Vital Signs Report a Revealing Portrait of Life in our Community

(Ottawa) – The Community Foundation of Ottawa launched its first annual report card on the health of the community this morning at the Ottawa Congress Centre. Ottawa’s Vital Signs (OVS) measures the city’s quality of life in 11 key areas, including: the Gap between Rich and Poor; Safety; Health and Wellness; Learning; Housing; Getting Started in the Community; Arts and Culture; Environment; Work; Belonging and Leadership; and Getting Around.

“Ottawa’s Vital Signs is going to be an invaluable tool for the Community Foundation of Ottawa to increase the effectiveness of our grantmaking, and to help us inform our donors and the community about local issues and opportunities,” said Barbara McInnes, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. A compilation of data from numerous research sources, the OVS report will identify significant trends and issues in the community and present them in a reader-friendly, accessible format. “None of this data is new,” said Ms. McInnes. “What the report provides is a blend of perceptions and facts offering a unique snapshot of Ottawa’s wellness and liveability.”

“This first Ottawa’s Vital Signs report confirms one thing we already knew,” said Ms. McInnes. “We’re very fortunate to be living in a healthy, vibrant community … and we appreciate it. People in Ottawa generally rated their quality of life as good. For the most part we enjoy good health, a strong economy and a high level of education and employment.” The OVS report does not paint an entirely rosy picture, however, pointing to particular areas that require attention and some level of improvement.

Key findings in the report include:

Ottawa is one of the wealthiest Canadian cities, but the gap between rich and poor is steadily widening. Currently, the highest income earners in the capital are making 12 times more than those in the lowest income bracket.
Food Bank and emergency shelter usage is steadily rising in the city. In 2005, more than 15,000 children required sustenance from the Ottawa Food Bank.
Immigration to Ottawa is growing at a record pace. However, new immigrants to the city face such challenges as high unemployment due to language issues and difficulties gaining recognition of previous work experience and credentials earned in other countries.
Ottawa residents attain high levels of education and our students consistently score high marks on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.
While the average cost of renting or purchasing a home is lower than in Toronto, close to 15% of Ottawa households spend more than 30% of their income on housing. In fact, such payments absorbed 46% of their income.
Voter turnout for the municipal election in 2003 declined sharply from 47% in 2000 to 33% in 2003. Turnout for the provincial election in the same year was 58%, while the federal election garnered 76% of voters in 2006.

The Ottawa’s Vital Signs report will be published every autumn by the Community Foundation of Ottawa. For an extended version of the OVS report with links to original data, CLICK HERE.

The Community Foundation of Ottawa is a public, non-profit organization created by and for the people of Ottawa. It connects donors who care with causes that matter and serves as a trusted resource for addressing issues and leveraging opportunities in the community. It attracts and manages a growing endowment, the invested earnings of which provide grants to charitable organizations.