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In 2027, The citizens of Ottawa will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market, one of Canada’s oldest and continuously operating civic markets.

This milestone, just eight years away, will undoubtedly be commemorated by tributes, festivities and revelry (for which the market is justly famous).

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Established by Col. John By, the British engineer responsible for building the Rideau Canal and the settlement called Bytown, the market is one of Ottawa’s iconic urban landmarks. Along with the canal and Parliament Buildings, the market defines Ottawa’s dual identity as a national capital and a living city. The ByWard Market is one of the capital’s premier tourist destinations.

Photo by C-73703 / Library and Archives Canada

In anticipating the upcoming Bytown Bicentennial jubilee, it is comforting to know that, notwithstanding the occasional devastating fire, the market’s architectural heritage is well protected through the Ontario Heritage Act.