Montreal transplant Stéphane Brutus finds a lot to love in 'livable' Ottawa – Ottawa Business Journal

In 2021, Stefan Brutus came to Ottawa and served as Dean of the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. Since then, he has made the capital his home, calling it the most “livable” city he has ever lived in.

In this episode of OBJ's My Ottawa Life series, Brutus talks about his love of tennis, fundraising for CHEO and where to find the best “island flavors” in town.

What part of the city/region do you live in?

Alta Vista

What kind of home do you own (condo, house, etc.)?

house

What type of pet do you have?

Two cats: Spiru and Chochuun

What kind of car do you drive?

A car? Fuji's single speed bike is my primary mode of transport.

What is your favorite part of the city?

Gleb

What is your favorite place in Ottawa?

My heart is torn between Margo Xpress, which serves Haitian food, and Ocho Rios, a truly typical Jamaican joint. Both bring true island flavor.

What's your favorite thing to do in Ottawa?

Cycling along the canal.

What is your favorite hobby?

It's easy: Tennis at the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club (OTLBC). 18 clay courts, a beach volleyball team, a swimming pool and a fine restaurant combine to create a truly unique vibe.

What is your favorite local charity or cause?

Regardless of the charity or cause, CHEO holds a special place in my heart. It's a world-class hospital, and Telfer students have raised more than $1 million for CHEO through a student club called CASCO. A lot of grads in health care work there too, so yeah, CHEO stands out to me.

What is your favorite festival?

Being from Montreal, I'm a bit of a festival snob and I can honestly say that Bluesfest was a real surprise for me.

If you were to play tour guide for a day to a first-time visitor to Ottawa, where would you take them?

Of course, the hill. To this day, every time I pass in front of the Parliament, I am afraid.

What is your favorite retailer in Ottawa?

I buy out of necessity and not for pleasure, so my retail experience doesn't have that kind of nuance.

What is your favorite live music or entertainment venue?

I'm relatively new to Ottawa, so there are many parts of the city I don't know, but for now, I am

Enjoy entertaining at Lansdowne.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Blues, reggae and anything you can tap your feet to.

Where do you get your hair cut?

Whichever hairdresser is closer, when I realize that the next day is the official event.

What do you like to do on weekends with family or friends?

GeeGee game. Honestly, varsity athletics put on a great show for the money! Everyone knows about the Panda game and it's awesome. However, a game of rugby, football or basketball is also great fun.

Which Ottawa personality, past or present, would you pick?

As Dean of Telfer, I have met many impressive Ottawans, and I would say Shirley Westein is Ottawa royalty. She is an amazing woman who has done so much for the city and continues to do so!

What would you do if you were on vacation in Ottawa?

Tennis Marathon at OTLBC!

What is your favorite event or conference in Ottawa?

One of Telfer's internal case competitions where hundreds of our students open real cases

from a local company in front of industry judges. They worked with Kinaxis and Giatec last year.

What do you like to do to pamper yourself in Ottawa?

Did I mention I play a lot of tennis?

What local business or attraction do you think is one of Ottawa's best-kept secrets?

Where I thrive is an amazing little boutique gym in the Glebe. Their owners, Sarah and Jamie,

both are Telfer alumni and have built a very special community there.

What is your favorite season to spend in Ottawa?

Summer is still…

What do you like most about Ottawa?

It is without a doubt the most “livable” city I have ever lived in.