Politics

Sunset at Parliament Hill.

In addition to being the capital of Canada, Ottawa is politically diverse with regard to local politics. Most of the city traditionally supports the Liberal Party, although only some parts of the city are consistent Liberal strongholds. Perhaps the safest areas for the Liberals are the ones dominated by francophones, especially in Vanier and central Gloucester. Central Ottawa is usually more left-leaning, and the New Democratic Party can win ridings there as government unions and activist groups are fairly strong. Some of Ottawa's suburbs are swing areas, notably central Nepean and, despite its francophone population, Orléans. The southern and western parts of the old city of Ottawa are generally moderate or slightly left of centre but periodically swing to the Conservative Party. The farther one goes from the city centre - into suburban fringes like Kanata and Barrhaven and rural areas - the voters tend to be increasingly conservative, both fiscally and socially. This is especially true in the former Townships of West Carleton, Goulbourn, Rideau and Osgoode, which are more in line with the staunchly conservative areas in the surrounding counties. However not all rural areas support the Conservative Party. Rural parts of the former township of Cumberland, with a large number of francophones, traditionally support the Liberal Party, though their support has recently weakened.

Ottawa became the legislative capital of the Northwest Territories when it reverted to 1870 constitutional status, after Alberta, and Saskatchewan were carved out in 1905. From 1905 to 1951 almost all of the council members were civil servants living in Ottawa. From 1951 to 1967 the territory alternated legislative sessions with various Northwest Territories communities. Ottawa only held legislative sessions of the council. Fort Smith, Northwest Territories became the administrative centre and officially housed the civil service from 1911 to 1967.

Demographics

Map of Ottawa showing the francophone concentrations

According to 2001 census data, there were 774,072 people, 310,132 households, and 210,875 families residing in the city. The population density was 278.6 people per square kilometre (721.6/sq mi).

Ottawa has the second lowest crime rate in Ontario.

City of Ottawa - Demographics (from 2001 Census)
Population	774,072 (Ottawa-Gatineau metropolitan area 1,063,664)
Age structure	0-14 years: 18.9% 15-64 years: 69.6% 65+ years: 11.5%
Median age:	Total: 36.7 years Male: 35.7 years Female: 37.6 years
Population growth rate:	1.3%
Birth rate:	12.4 births / 1,000 population
Death rate:	6 deaths / 1,000 population
Net migration rate:	6.6 migrant(s) / 1,000 population
Total fertility rate:	1.79 children born / woman
HIV/AIDS	People living with HIV/AIDS: 2,600 Adult prevalence rate:0.3%
Name:	Noun: Ottawan(s) Adjective: Ottawan or Ottawa
Citizenship:	Canadian: 93.5% Other: 6.5%
Immigration Status:	Non-immigrant: 77.1% Ontario-born: 56.6% Other Canadian: 20.5% Immigrant: 21.8%
Ethnic Origin (Total adds to greater than 100% due to multiple responses)	Canadian 34.7% English 23.5% French 21.2% Irish 20.9% Scottish 18.2% German 7.3% Italian 4.4% Chinese 4.0% Polish 2.8% Dutch 2.6% Aboriginal: 1.1% Other: 30.9%
Religions:	Christian 74.7% Muslim 5.2% Jewish 1.5% Buddhist 1.2% Hindu 1.1% Sikh 0.3% Other 0/4% 15.7% No religious affiliation
First Languages:	English 63.6% French 15.1% Both English and French 0.9% Other 20.3% Note: almost every resident in Ottawa speaks English or French, but those who speak non-official languages speak the official languages as a second language.