Empress Avenue, even though it is entirely in Chinatown, is named for an English, not a Chinese, empress.
Queen Victoria became the Empress of India in 1876. But, naming this avenue Empress is not a tribute to Queen Victoria becoming the first monarch of the British Raj.
The bylaw that named it Empress Avenue dates from 1906, well after Britain had taken control of the Indian subcontinent.The street was named Victoria before its change to Empress.
But, it was really because Queen, Victoria, and another Victoria were all other Ottawa street names. It seems she's a popular choice, but it can get confusing if doubles start to emerge. By alternating between Victoria’s many titles, she can be commemorated over and over again, and no one has to come with new street names.
Empress Avenue runs from Somerset Street to Albert Street, but is oddly separated by a cliff after Primrose Avenue so that traffic cannot pass through the entire street. A staircase allows pedestrians to move freely along the avenue. St. Vincent Hospital is adjacent to Empress Avenue, though it doesn't seem like it has much use for the street.