The Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa/Conseil des organismes du patrimoine d’Ottawa (CHOO/COPO) is an umbrella organization serving cultural heritage organizations in the greater Ottawa area. CHOO/COPO plays a leading role in developing and sustaining Ottawa’s heritage sector and ensuring local residents have access to heritage. To achieve its objectives, CHOO/COPO works closely with museums, archives, historical and genealogical societies, cultural communities, heritage buildings and sites as well as a range of heritage scholars, supporters and advocates.

Our Mission

Providing a voice, leadership, tools and exchange to serve a broad variety of organizations, workers, volunteers and other stakeholders promoting heritage in and around the city of Ottawa.

In support of this mission, some of the programs and services which CHOO/COPO provides include:

• Special events such as Colonel By Day and Heritage Day
   

• Training workshops through the Strengthening the Business Foundations Program (supported by the Canadian Cultural Investment fund)
   

• Ottawagraphy.ca, a platform for members to present online content
   

• Peer Exchange Sessions, in which members discuss issues facing the heritage sector
   

• Advocacy on behalf of members with various levels of government
   

• Our award-winning weekly newsletter, This Week in Heritage