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Is Ottawa a Province? (A Canadian Answer!)

ByNina Clapperton Updated on

No, Ottawa is not a province.

Ottawa is a city in Canada.

Provinces in Canada are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

The capital of Canada is Ottawa, but it is located in the province of Ontario.

Ottawa Things to Do

Is Ottawa its own province?

No, Ottawa is not its own province.

As mentioned earlier, Ottawa is a city located in the province of Ontario.

The capital of Canada is Ottawa, but it is not its own province.

While Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, it is important to remember that it is not a province.

Provinces in Canada are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

When did Ottawa become a province?

Ottawa is not a province in Canada. It is a city.

Ottawa is, however, the capital city of Canada.

It became the capital city of Canada in 1857.

Prior to 1857, the capital city of Canada was Kingston.

Ottawa became the capital city of Canada because it is located centrally within the country and is easier to defend than Kingston.

So, while Ottawa did not become a province in 1857, it did become the capital of Canada at this time.

What region does Ottawa belong to?

Ottawa is located in the province of Ontario.

Ontario is one of the ten provinces in Canada.

The other provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

There are also three territories in Canada: Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.

So, Ottawa is located in the province of Ontario which is situated in the central region of Canada.

Wakefield's iconic red bridge in winter with a view of the river and the trees around it in Quebec

Where is Ottawa in Ontario?

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is located in the province of Ontario.

Ontario is situated in the central region of Canada.

The coordinates for Ottawa are 45.4215° N, 75.6972° W.

This means that Ottawa is located slightly to the southwest of the center of Ontario.

It lies on the border of the Ottawa River with Quebec.

To the north of Ottawa, are Gatineau and Hull – two Quebec cities.

To the south is the city of Perth, Ontario.

West of Ottawa is Arnprior and to the east is Clarence-Rockland.

So, Ottawa is located in the province of Ontario near the center of the province on the border of Quebec.

Are Toronto and Ottawa in the same province?

Yes, Toronto and Ottawa are both located in the province of Ontario.

However, there is a significant distance between them. The drive from Toronto to Ottawa takes 4.5 hours with no traffic.

Wrap Up: Is Ottawa a province?

Nope, Ottawa is a city located in the province of Ontario.

It is the capital city of Canada and has been since 1857.

While it is not a province, Ottawa is an important city within Canada and is definitely worth a visit!

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Ottawa Travel Planning Guide

🚑 Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?

100% YES! — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.

💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?

Yes – ish — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)

🚙💨 Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?

Yes — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.

📲 Do I need to know French in Ottawa?

Nope! — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)

🏩 What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?

For Ottawa hotels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

✈️ What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?

For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend Skyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.

🎫 Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?

Likely Not — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.

📍 Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Ottawa Things to Do. Nina has lived in 18 countries before deciding to settle in Ottawa, nearby Toronto where she grew up. She has spent years proving that Ottawa isn't the town "fun forgot" and helping locals and tourists alike find fun things to do. She helps over 60,000 people a month discover the amazing activities in Ottawa, Canada.