A look at the gifts presented to visiting dignitaries, departing bureaucrats at Ottawa City Hall

The sign outside City Hall in Ottawa (CTV News Ottawa)

A glass vase, cuff links and a portfolio were among the gifts given to retiring and departing City of Ottawa staff last year, while dignitaries visiting City Hall received leather black mittens, a leather passport holder or a glass bowl.

The City of Ottawa’s Protocol Office spent $5,849 on 77 gifts in 2025, compared to $3,070 on 34 gifts in 2024 and $7,392 on 148 gifts in 2023. The Protocol Office plans and executes official ceremonies, high-profile visits, courtesy calls and events in the city and at City Hall, and oversees gifts for visitors and departing staff.

Dr. Vera Etches received a $142 large glass vase from Brad Coping as a farewell gift when she departed as Ottawa’s medical officer of health in January 2025, while former OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar received a glass pitcher with two tall glasses from Brad Coping worth $228.

Departing city employees received either a portfolio or a travel mug as a parting gift, according to the registry.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin received a silver bowl and leather box worth $289 during his visit to Ottawa in November. Ontario Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont also received a silver bowl worth $289 during a visit to Ottawa City Hall last year.

Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Deputy High Commissioners received either a pair of leather black mittens, a leather passport holder or a glass bowl during courtesy calls to City Hall. The city handed out 12 pairs of gloves and 12 passport holders last year.

Four mayors from the Abruzzo region of Italy received cuff links worth $54 each when they made a courtesy call to City Hall in May 2025.

When Ottawa tennis star Gaby Dabrowski received a Key to the City of Ottawa in July 2025, she was also gifted a Lisa Cresky sculpture worth $300.

In December 2025, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe gave Premier Doug Ford a pair of leather mittens worth $33.

Other gifts on the list included a travel mug for Santa, Mrs. Claus and two elf volunteers who worked the Mayor’s Christmas celebration, costing $94.

The Protocol Office also donated several food baskets ($60.20) or gift baskets ($75.31) as fundraisers or door prizes for tournaments and events in Ottawa.

In 2024, the city presented outgoing emergency and protective services general manager Kim Ayotte a rotating clock with $216.75 when he retired. When former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited City Hall in April 2024, he was presented a hand carved wood bowl worth $120.

In 2023, the Protocol Office presented an Art Tulip Plate, a leather passport holder or black mittens to dignitaries during courtesy calls at City Hall.

Events at Ottawa City Hall

The Protocol Office spent $213,918 on hosting events at Ottawa City Hall last year, down from $214,484 in 2024 and $327,889 in 2022. The office spent $167,000 on events in 2023.

The expense disclosure shows the Protocol Office hosted 37 events last year, up from 30 events in 2024. There were 55 events hosted by the Protocol Office in 2022.

The Mayor’s Community BBQ was the most expensive event for the Protocol Office last year, costing $40,700. The report shows there was $54,066 in total sponsorship for the event.

The Trick or Treat with the Mayor at Ottawa City Hall in October cost $38,495, with $22,137 in sponsorship. The Mayor’s Canada Day Celebration for Seniors cost $33,879, with sponsorships totalling $54,678.

The Order of Ottawa reception in November cost the city $29,515, while the Key to the City reception for Dabrowski cost $23,229.

According to the city, $1,680 was spent for several Santa Claus parades last year, including the Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade, the Manotick Santa Claus Parade, the Riverside South Toy Mountain Parade, the Orleans Parade of Lights and the Osgoode Village Parade of Lights. The city spent $2,430 for the Help Santa Toy Parade.

The city spent $4,492 for the city’s float in the Capital Pride Parade last August, which was cancelled shortly after it began.

In 2024, the city spent $25,884 for the Key to the City ceremony for Rachel Homan and her curling team, and $24,583 for the Order of Ottawa ceremony.

In 2023, the Protocol Office spent $1,113 for a luncheon with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

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