---
title: "Ottawa's city contracts report: $26,875 for OC Transpo Instagram reels among $1.28 billion in first-half spending"
description: "Ottawa issued $1.28 billion in contracts between January and June 2026, including $26,875 to help produce Instagram reels for OC Transpo's account, according to CTV News Ottawa."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/ottawa-city-contracts-delegation-authority-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-02T20:47:34.723Z"
---

Ottawa issued $1.28 billion in contracts under its delegation of authority rules in the first six months of 2026, a biannual staff report headed for the finance and corporate services committee shows. CTV News Ottawa reported on the report November 2.

The report, which covers January 1 to June 30, will go to the committee on November 10, 2026.

## OC Transpo spending

Transit Services spent $26,875 on professional services to help produce Instagram reels for the OC Transpo account, CTV News Ottawa reports. The OC Transpo account includes reels showing new electric buses, bus-only lane signs along Baseline Road and Heron Road, a mural in Rideau Station and content about a free transit weekend in September.

Transit Services also spent $29,200 on an advertising campaign promoting free youth fares on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train over the summer and fall, according to CTV News Ottawa.

For Canada Day and Bluesfest, Transit Services spent $130,400 on security services for crowd control and $99,500 to develop crowd management plans for O-Train stations.

A $2.3 million contract went for SmartBug wireless monitoring systems being installed on LRT vehicle axle bearings to detect faults early. CTV News Ottawa reports OC Transpo had ordered all trains on O-Train Line 1 to be equipped with the devices.

## Other notable items

CTV News Ottawa reports these additional contracts:

- $93.4 million to MacEwen Petroleum for bulk diesel and gasoline supply on an as-needed basis, for up to six years
- $453,515 for 145 three-stream metal recycling receptacles for city parks and roads
- $1.5 million for waste diversion signs for the Solid Waste Services department
- $90,655 for market research to support a green bin public education campaign
- $37,320 for restoration and furniture installation in a 1920s caboose at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
- $799,920 for lawn bowling turf and lighting replacement at the Nepean Sportsplex
- $139,000 for advertising for the 2026 Downtown Ottawa Marketing Campaign
- $91,749 for a second downtown marketing advertising contract
- $99,890 for a nighttime economic impact study
- $40,000 for media training courses for city employees

## What residents can do

The finance and corporate services committee meets November 10, 2026. Residents who want to follow the discussion or read the full contracts report can find the agenda at the City of Ottawa's meetings site at [https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com/](https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com/).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/on/ottawa-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.