More than 300 Atlantic Canadians, expats, friends and colleagues gathered at the National Arts Centre for the official launch of ECC Ottawa, East Coast Connected’s newest chapter.

As a steady flow of people filled the room, traditional Cape Breton session music provided the backdrop for politicians, public servants and young professionals to network and reconnect with their East Coast roots. Representatives from ECC’s three official provincial sponsors - Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick - were met with enthusiastic smiles and constant reminders that Ottawa isn’t all that far away from Atlantic Canada.

With a near capacity crowd looking on, Monique Collette, President of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) delivered an inspiring key note address and Max Keeping, retired CTV Ottawa news anchor, delighted the crowd as Master of Ceremonies. ECC President Jay Dingwall also addressed the crowd with a call to action and a commitment to the prosperity of the Atlantic Provinces. “We’ve worked with some great partners including our provincial partners,” Dingwall said, “and we’ve become a catalyst for repatriation, business opportunities as well as the connection with the arts and Atlantic Canadian culture.”

To wrap up the speeches, Newfoundland native Curtis McGrath, Chair of ECC Ottawa, thanked all the volunteers, dignitaries, provincial representatives and sponsors who helped make the evening the start of many successful ECC Ottawa events in the National Capital Region. "As the organization grows, East Coast Connected will provide programs and service that add value to Atlantic Canadians living in Ottawa," said McGrath, "We plan to hold networking events and provide mentoring opportunities. We will also organize events aimed at fostering dialogue on social and economic issues related to Atlantic Canada."

Honourary co-hosts Mike Allen, Conservative MP, Tobique – Mactaquac (NS), Scott Brison, Liberal MP, Kings – Hants (NS) and Jack Harris, NDP MP, St. John’s East (NFLD) showed their support and agreed that East Coasters are well positioned to encourage progress through collaboration at home and abroad.

Later that evening in an interview with CPAC, Mike Allen mentioned the importance of ECC Ottawa’s efforts towards Atlantic Canadian progress. “When it comes to the betterment of Atlantic Canada, I think we all agree that the region benefits if we all benefit,” Mr. Allen said “ and we all want to try to do as much as we can and encourage as many people and businesses to come in.”

In the same segment, Scott Brison stressed that ECC’s efforts can go beyond regional boundaries. “We should really start harnessing the power of the Atlantic Canadian diaspora here in Ottawa, across Canada and around the world to make a huge difference.” Jack Harris also commented that economic progress in Atlantic Canada remains non-partisan and is contingent upon East Coasters in Ottawa staying connected with their roots. “It works both ways,” Mr Harris said, “and that’s not something that parties are divided upon.”

Other notable attendees included the Honourable Victor Boudreau, Minister of Business New Brunswick, The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, NS Senior Representative In Ottawa Bill Casey and CBC's Laurie Graham.

ECC Ottawa has quickly established itself as a community hub, strengthening the bonds of Atlantic Canadians living in Ottawa. Based on the success of this launch, ECC Ottawa will continue the organization’s mandate to promote the exchange of knowledge, capital, and creativity to and from the region. As with the Toronto chapter, it will serve as a forum for business, political and community leaders to advance issues important to Atlantic Canada.

If you are based in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, would like to be more involved and would like to find out about future events, please contact us by e-mail at Ottawa@eastcoastconnected.ca.

^{Photos by: Jeffery Meyer}