The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) has announced the departure of Victoria Williston, who served as the executive director for only seven months. The board of the municipal corporation overseeing the downtown Ottawa heritage precinct stated that they have opted for a new direction and will not provide further details as it is an internal matter.
Victoria Williston, in a statement on LinkedIn, expressed pride in her accomplishments, such as launching the Carré ByWard Square live music venue and initiating the Night Ambassador Program. She emphasized the positive impact of her efforts on the district’s vibrancy and visitor engagement.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, a member of the BMDA board, indicated his support for the decision to remove Williston, citing the need for stronger leadership based on emerging challenges. Williston took on the role in January following the departure of Zachary Dayler in 2025, having previously served as the organization’s communications and marketing manager.
Concerns have been raised by market vendors regarding the BMDA’s decision-making processes, with complaints about the lack of consultation on key matters such as street closures for events. Business owners like Maxine Hill and Jill Anguaya highlighted the need for greater involvement of vendors in the BMDA’s decision-making processes to ensure their voices are heard and considered.