The current trade war means many of us have sworn off American products and travel, but celebrity contractor Bryan Baeumler, who is appearing at the 2025 Ottawa Fall Home Show, has a different perspective on relationships with our southern neighbour.
Baeumler, an Oakville, Ont., native, is headlining the main stage at the show, running Oct. 2-5 at the EY Centre. A perennially popular presenter at home shows here and in other centres, he also recently launched with his wife, Sarah, Building Baeumler, a new series on Home Network (formerly HGTV). It tracks the couple’s ambitious makeover of a mid-century hotel in the Florida Keys.
The show also digs into the couple’s life, including the tensions and conflicts that can surface when family (the couple still has children at home), business and the big risks of a challenging project are as deeply intertwined as they are in this case.
Baeumler says he’s had some negative feedback about his latest project being in Florida.
“We’ve got the odd comment, ‘You’re a traitor. You’re doing business and spending time in the U.S.,’ and they say this in a vehicle made overseas, drinking a Tim Hortons coffee where all the profits go to Brazil (the corporation is partly owned by a Brazilian private investment firm) … and sitting in a Walmart parking lot where they’re buying everything from Asia and the U.S.”
While he terms the whole elbows-up attitude “amazing” and says we should be proud to be Canadian, he also asks why we’re not investing more money offshore and buying offshore businesses, so the money is eventually repatriated to Canada.
“I think it’s very small minded for people to say, ‘Hide under a bush and only drink maple syrup.’”
As for those who forswear ever setting foot in Florida, widely considered a hotbed of intolerance and right-wing politics, he asks, “If a town starts doing something weird and all the normal people leave, who’s left to hold down the fort?”
“We’re Canadian,” concludes Baeumler. “We’ll always be Canadian. But, like a lot of Canadians, we explore the world, we share what Canada is about, we repatriate investments made offshore. I think more people should do that… You can’t hide under a bush; it doesn’t serve anyone.”
Along with the Florida project, the new series follows the Baeumlers as they consider an expansion of their presence in the Bahamas, where a multi-year endeavour to revitalize an abandoned beachfront resort was the subject of the TV series Island of Bryan. That expansion, involving partners and 600 acres, would be a legacy project, he says, one that would not be completed in his and Sarah’s lifetimes and calls up the question, “Are we going to do this huge development … or do we move on, do something different? This is a really reflective season, and a planning season, and an exploratory season.”
Along with Baeumler, this fall’s home show sees a host of other speakers on the main stage, including Amsted Design-Build on unlocking the potential of your property, Ottawa General Contractors’ Nick Karrandjas speaking about what changes to Ottawa’s zoning bylaws will mean for residents, Bethel Mcmaster from INTEGRAcare addressing healthy aging at home and caregiver respite, and Contractor Ryan (Ryan Branton) leading a Q&A panel taking audience questions on home improvement.
Once again, All Things Home’s Anita Murray will host the stage and introduce the daily speakers — as well as give a presentation herself on the trends in award-worthy local homes to inspire your next project.
What else is on tap at the 2025 Ottawa Fall Home Show
This year is shaping up to be one of the biggest fall shows so far, says show manager Chris Cigos (the spring 2025 show was the largest show on record for Ottawa).
“Since the pandemic, we’ve seen such a surge in the size of the show and the quality of exhibitors… I think it’s going back to what we missed during the pandemic — the face-to-face interaction — and I think that’s what’s translated into the shows.”
This fall’s event has a bit of everything, he says, including more than 200 exhibitors representing the local renovation and construction industry, heating and cooling experts, flooring companies, closet services, and more.
Cigos is seeing more exhibitors in some categories, including hot tubs and furniture. “More solar companies are coming out — that’s a category that saw a boom at the spring show but that’s continuing to the fall show.”
Among other special features, he mentions the kids’ activity area sponsored by the CHEO Foundation and a raffle in support of the foundation along with the return of the Perth Brewery Lounge where you can sit back and relax with a cold one.
Once again, the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association will have a large display spotlighting the 200+ finalists in this fall’s Housing Design Awards. GOHBA’s redesigned booth and the volunteers manning it are a chance for you to view the work of local companies, find inspiration for your next project, and get leads for local builders and renovators. While you’re there, don’t forget to vote for your favourite project for the All Things Home People’s Choice Award.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa also returns, with a sampling of the gently used home furnishings and decor available at its ReStore retail outlets.
The show runs Thursday, Oct. 2, to Sunday, Oct. 5, at varying times at the EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and youth, and free for children 12 and under. You can get half-price adult tickets through an arrangement with All Things Home here. There is also a discount for tickets purchased online. Parking is $10, but admission to the show is free for anyone taking public transit to the EY Centre (proof of payment required).
For more details, including the stage schedule and show specials, visit ottawafallhomeshow.com.
