The Somerset Street Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA) brings together local businesses and commercial property owners to support a stronger, more vibrant Chinatown.
Established in 1989, the BIA works in partnership with the City of Ottawa, local businesses, property owners and community partners to strengthen the district, improve the public realm, promote Chinatown and advocate on issues that affect the neighbourhood.
As a Business Improvement Area, the organization is governed by a Board of Management and funded primarily through a levy on commercial properties within the designated BIA boundary.
Our role extends beyond economic development. We also help preserve Chinatown’s cultural identity, celebrate multiculturalism and strengthen connections between businesses, residents and the wider community.
The BIA delivers programs, services and advocacy that support businesses, improve the neighbourhood and help preserve the unique identity of Ottawa’s Chinatown.
The Ottawa Chinatown BIA is governed by a volunteer Board of Management made up primarily of local business and property representatives, together with a representative from Ottawa City Council.
The Board provides oversight of the organization, establishes priorities, reviews budgets and helps guide the BIA’s programs, projects and advocacy work.
Peter So
Chair
John Sproull
Vice Chair
Beibei Chang
Interim Treasurer
Terry Cheng
Secretary
Lisa Ding
Director
John Maiorino
Director
Peter Yeung
Director
Ken Kwan
Director
Kristen Mikkelsen
Director
Mui Manh Ha
Director
Ariel Troster
City Councillor
Business Contact:
Yukang Li
Executive Director
2026 BIA Meetings
All board meetings run from 11:30 to 12:30.
The Annual General Meeting usually runs from 18:00 - 20:00.
Board Meeting: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Board Meeting: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Board Meeting: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Board Meeting: Thursday, September 17, 2026
AGM: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Board Meeting: Thursday, December 10, 2026
If you would like to attend a meeting, please email us at least one week before the meeting to register.
Contact the BIA
Somerset Street Chinatown BIA
PO Box: 717B Somerset Street W.
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 6P7
The realtors listed on this page have experience with transactions in Chinatown or serve clients in the area. They are included as a resource for prospective businesses and property seekers. Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the Ottawa Chinatown BIA.
The realtors listed on this page have experience with transactions in Chinatown or serve clients in the area. They are included as a resource for prospective businesses and property seekers. Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the Ottawa Chinatown BIA.
The realtors listed on this page have experience with transactions in Chinatown or serve clients in the area. They are included as a resource for prospective businesses and property seekers. Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the Ottawa Chinatown BIA.
PREFERRED REALTOR
David Wen
Upside Realty
Languges:
english | mandarin | Ukrainian | Russian | French | Persian/Farsi | Arabic | Hindi | Malayalam | Punjabi
The realtors listed on this page have experience with transactions in Chinatown or serve clients in the area. They are included as a resource for prospective businesses and property seekers. Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the Ottawa Chinatown BIA.
Chinatown BIA
Add a Business
Know a business that should be included in the Ottawa Chinatown directory? Submit the information below.
Submissions are reviewed before they are published.
