Why Ottawa?

Reflections on Bringing Tuktu to Ottawa, Ontario

Launching in a new city always comes with some uncertainty, especially when you are starting without an established network. When Tuktu began preparing to expand into Ottawa, the goal was simple: spend five weeks meeting people, building relationships, and hopefully finding 15 to 20 reliable, community-minded individuals interested in becoming Tuktu providers. By the end of that period, however, we actually received around 200 applications, completed dozens of interviews, begun onboarding local providers, and connected with a range of community organizations, hospitals, care homes, and potential partners across Ottawa.

One of the things that stood out most about Ottawa was how connected people were to their communities. We met people involved in cultural communities, newcomer communities, LGBTQ+ communities, neighbourhood groups, and other local networks. Many were looking not only for flexible work, but also for meaningful ways to support older adults, families, and neighbours who could use an extra hand. This all aligns closely with Tuktu’s “neighbours helping neighbours” model. Many people need support with everyday tasks such as companionship, errands, transportation, household help, or regular check-ins, while others living nearby have the time, skills, and experience to provide that support.

Our time in Ottawa reinforced the importance of community-based support for people balancing multiple responsibilities. Many adults are managing careers, raising children, and supporting aging parents at the same time. Even when family members live relatively close by, providing regular day-to-day support can be difficult. When someone in a neighbourhood needs support and another person nearby is able to provide it, that relationship remains rooted in the community. Our tech helps with matching, scheduling, communication, and administration, but the service itself is ultimately based on people building trusted relationships with one another.

Ottawa is still a new market for Tuktu, so the current focus is on continuing to onboard providers, strengthen local partnerships, and make more people aware that services are available. Longer term, the goal is to continue expanding the same community-based model into other parts of Ontario and, eventually, across Canada. For our team, those first five weeks in Ottawa were an encouraging introduction to the city, and we look forward to more successes!