Ottawa’s Shawarma Reign: The Shawarma Capital of Canada

An Ottawa man, Peter MacLeod, is locked in a battle with Bank of Montreal over a financial fraud incident involving $30,000 sent to Italy. The bank insists MacLeod is responsible for the debt, while he asserts the bank should bear the loss.

After discovering the unauthorized transactions, MacLeod reported the incident to BMO and managed to recover $12,000. Despite this, the bank has pursued MacLeod for the remaining $18,000, leading to a year-long dispute.

On a lighter note, Ottawa City Council is considering proclaiming the city as the ‘Shawarma Capital of Canada’. This initiative, spearheaded by Councillor Laura Dudas, aims to celebrate the nearly 200 shawarma restaurants in Ottawa.

The city’s love for shawarma is a testament to its multicultural essence and the significant role small shawarma businesses play as employers and economic contributors.

The move to crown Ottawa as the Shawarma Capital has garnered support from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, highlighting the iconic status of shawarma in Ottawa’s culinary landscape.

The battle for the shawarma title is not new, with cities like Glendon, Alta., Montreal, and Halifax staking claims to food fame. Still, Ottawa remains confident in its shawarma supremacy.

Fun fact: In 2012, the Ottawa Citizen declared Ottawa the Shawarma Capital of the world, further solidifying the city’s reputation in the shawarma realm.