In this series of short profiles, Capital Current introduces key persons of influence in the city to the community.
Who is He?
Born and raised in Montreal, Mathieu Grondin was hired 15 months ago as Ottawa’s first Nightlife Commissioner. The City of Ottawa says he’s also the first person to hold this type of position in Canada.
What’s his background?
Before being hired as Ottawa’s first “Night Mayor,” Grondin had a 20-year acting career in TV film and theatre that began early at age five.
In 2017, he founded MTL 24/24 a non-profit organization promoting and destigmatizing nightlife in Montreal. In 2020, MTL 24/24 established A Night Council, a consultation group for Montreal’s night owls to discuss events to promote Quebec’s nightlife as well as to develop projects to build a sense of community at night.
Grondin now lives in Gatineau and his mandate is to implement Ottawa’s Nightlife Economy Action Plan, adopted by City Council in 2023. To implement that, he has created an Ottawa Nightlife Office.
What do people say about him?
Ottawa Citizen columnist Bruce Deachman says Grondin understands the nightlife scene extremely well. “He was doing similar work in Montreal,” Deachman said. Early on in his new Ottawa position, “he seemed to be a big proponent of bars and clubs being able to stay open and serve alcohol much later than currently permitted.”
Grondin has gained popularity on social media, though many people at first criticized him for not being that visible. Hundreds commented under a Reddit post questioning what he had done as the “Night Mayor,” said a CBC article. Some expected Grondin to create more events and kickstart new projects, said a CTV article.
“I am not organizing parties, I am not opening new clubs and I am not the official emcee of Ottawa either,” Grondin told OttaTalk.
Instead, Deachman says Grondin’s role is to work behind the scenes and be the liaison between city hall and stakeholders. One recent initiative his office has supported is Metcalfe Plaza, a six-week pilot project to bring an empty downtown lot alive with music, culture and food.
Metcalfe Plaza is officially the project of the local BIA, but Grondin’s office has been advertising it on the Ottawa At Night website, along with other events such as the NCC’S BikeNight.
What’s something people don’t know about him?
Grondin has always been passionate about music. He began deejaying electronic music at 16 and still performs in his free time under the name Grondini.
