The Bells Corners BIA is non-partisan, not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board consisting of senior leaders from the business community located in this area. The BC-BIA’s leadership as well as our members actively participate in many boards, forums, and opportunities to engage and champion the area. As an organization, we are focused on co-creating a growing and vibrant Village in the Greenbelt.
Owners of business property within the highlighted areas, or commercial tenants of those properties, are members of the BIA. Businesses outside those regions and home-based businesses are not members.
Member businesses are charged a special levy on their rent/property taxes to contribute to the BIA, which then carries out street beautification and public events on their behalf to promote Bells Corners as a business or shopping area.
Get to know the
Bells Corners BIA
Our agenda reflects the priorities of our members, which is to advance the prosperity and economic competitiveness of Bells Corners by building partnerships to create a dynamic and sustainable area that is the place to invest, work, learn, connect, and play. We are committed to energizing a dynamic business environment that benefits and enhances all aspects of our growing community including public safety, transit and transportation, investment, growth, sustainability, livability and education and training.
The BC-BIA engages all three levels of government on behalf of our members and we produce surveys, research, strategic and placemaking events with the goal of contributing to the positive growth of our community.
About Our Community
and Our Expertise
Our mission is to champion the business success of our members by promoting Bells Corners as a vibrant and healthy commercial, retail, residential and entertainment district, and attracting more people to live, shop, work, and gather.
The word “member,” in the daily business of the Bells Corners BIA, means people – a dedicated team of business owners. Much of our mandate is realized through our dedicated eight member board of management, comprised of members who volunteer their time and expertise.
Our Board is united under a common vision: to ensure that the Bells Corners community grows, prospers and succeeds as a vibrant, positive area.
The Ottawa Chamber of Commerce brings together businesses for networking opportunities and advocacy.
Invest Ottawa services include seminars and mentorship for local businesses
Search Spacelist for properties in Bells Corners available for lease or purchase
Search MLS for commercial properties for lease in Bells Corners
Search MLS for commercial properties for sale in Bells Corners
Federal Online Filing + Annual Return
Incorporate federally online
Canada Business Corporations Act
The Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) is the legislation for federal incorporation.
The legislation covering incorporation provincially in Ontario
Legislation covering partnership businesses not incorporated.
Ward and Councillor
Bells Corners is in Ward 8 — College Ward.
The Councillor Laine Johnson laine.johnson@ottawa.ca
Member of Parliment
Bells Corners is in the Constituency of Nepean
The MP is Chandra Arya — Chandra.Arya@parl.gc.ca — Constituency Phone # (613) 825-5505
Member of Provincial Parliment
Bells Corners is in the Riding of Nepean
The MPP is Lisa MacLeod — lisa@lisamacleod.com — Community Office # (613) 823-2116
Canada Business Ontario — Starting a Business Guide
If you are starting a business, our start-up guide will give you an overview of your options and the steps you need to complete in order to operate in Ontario.
Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39.
Businesses that Require a Municipal Licence
Some business require a municipal license to operate in Ottawa.
In recognition of the significance of Remembrance Day most retail businesses are required to close until 12:30 p.m. on November 11th each year.
Government of Canada – Job Bank For Employers
Post your job for free to thousands of job seekers and receive a list of potential candidates matching your job requirements.
Hire a young person through Employment Services, Youth Job Connection or Youth Job Connection Summer.
A Guide to the Employment Standards Act
Know your rights and obligations under the Employment Standards Act. This guide details minimum wage, hours of work, termination of employment, public holidays, pregnancy and parental leave, severance pay, vacation and more.
Summary of Ontario Employment Law
A summary of specific laws and rules governing the employment relationship by Torkin Manes LLP
Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act
The Occupational Health and Safety Act sets out the rights and duties of all parties in the workplace, as well as the procedures for dealing with workplace hazards and for enforcement as needed..
Posters Required in the Workplace
Download posters and find out what you must post in the workplace by law.
Get money to help pay for training of existing and new employees
Find out how to hire and train an apprentice and how it benefits you as an employer.
Graduated Apprenticeship Grant for Employers
Get money for training apprentices in over 100 eligible trades and from underrepresented groups
How to participate
Please accept our invitation to get involved with the BIA’s activities and events, as well as events organized throughout the neighbourhood. Volunteers are always needed, and your perspectives, ideas, and feedback are essential and welcomed.
Your input can make a difference in shaping the BIA’s future, even if it’s not through a board position until the next election.
Stay connected through this site, our Facebook page, and watch your mail in January for notice of our next all-member AGM. Thanks for helping to make Bells Corners a great place!
Bells Corners is a suburban community in west Ottawa that us older than Canada itself. The location was selected because it was the midway point between the town of Bytown (now Ottawa) and the military settlement at Richmond. A road west led to the Hazeldean neighbourhood in neighbouring Goulbourn Township.
In 1832 the commercial strip consisted of several taverns and shops that catered to both the locals and travelers.
In 1841 the Carleton County Agricultural Society began holding its annual exhibition in Bells Corners an annual event that continued for 54 years before it was eventually moved to Richmond and continues to this day as the Richmond Fair.
In 1850 Bells Corners had a population of 70 and became a part of Nepean Township.
In 1870 a fire destroyed most of Bells Corners. Started August 17, 1970 by workers burning bush for the Central Canada Railroad near Amonte soon lost control of the fire. It was a windy day and there had been no rain for several months so the fire spread quickly destroying not only Bells Corners and Carleton County but reached as far as Rochesterville (now Little Italy) and would likely have destroyed Ottawa if not for the decision dig a channel and then flood the area by opening the St Louis Dam. The flood created a 270 meter wide moat that protected Ottawa from the fire but Bells Corners was not as lucky. The oldest building in Bells Corners today– Hartlin’s Hotel– was built in 1870 after the fire.
The transformation from a rural community to suburban neighbourhood began in the 1950s with the development of Lynwood Village. Lloyd Francis and Donald Sim brought in Bill Teron in 1958 to build an entire subdivision and by 1960 four hundred families were living in Lynwood Village.
Development in Lynwood Village continued in stages until 1966. Today there are 1700 homes.
Development in west Bells Corners known as Westcliffe Estates began in 1969. The first homes were built by Assaly Construction with subsequent homes being built by Minto and Campeau. The community grew to 2000 homes by 1986.
The third major development in Bells Corners was Bellwood Estates which is a mobile home park consisting of 256 homes that was opened by Ken Hughes in 1959.
Currently the home of the East India Company, the building at 1993 Robertson Rd was built in 1870 by David Hartin a farmer and businessman in 19th-century Goulbourn Township. Originally the building was a hotel strategically located at the junction of Robertson Road and Old Richmond. Over the years the building has been home to a bank and several different restaurants — in 2014 it was designated a heritage building by the City of Ottawa. The building is the oldest building in Bells Corners.
To get started as a vendor, please complete this short form. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
The fee is $25 per Sunday, payable to Bells Corners BIA.
Be prepared to bring everything you need for your display. We set up at 10:30am and run until teardown at 4:00pm.
Keep it family friendly! Displays intended for a 19+ audience won’t be allowed.
