Across Canada, virtual assistants (VAs) are transforming how businesses scale, save time, and operate more efficiently. Yet here in Ottawa, adoption has lagged behind cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and it's costing us.
According to recent data, VA usage among small- to medium-sized businesses in Ottawa is 24% lower than the national average. For local entrepreneurs juggling admin tasks, delayed responses, and missed growth opportunities, this gap directly translates into financial losses.
In this blog, we’re busting seven common myths about virtual assistants that might be holding your business back. Each one comes with a real-world cost but also a chance to unlock smarter, leaner ways of working.
Reality: Today’s virtual assistants are more adaptable and specialized than ever. Many Canadian VAs have experience with local industries whether it’s government, tech, tourism, or bilingual service environments.
Case in Point: An Ottawa-based SaaS startup recently hired a VA with knowledge of the local tech ecosystem. In less than 60 days, they streamlined lead generation and customer onboarding tasks that had previously overwhelmed the in-house team.
The Cost of This Myth: When you assume a VA won’t “get” your business, you risk missing out on targeted support that aligns with Ottawa’s unique business landscape.
Reality: Reputable VAs operate under strict NDAs and use secure platforms for communication and data management. Many even specialize in working with regulated industries like healthcare and finance.
Best Practice: Use tools like LastPass, encrypted email, and project management platforms with tiered access. Combine this with proper vetting and written confidentiality agreements.
The Cost of This Myth: Holding back sensitive tasks creates a bottleneck you end up doing everything yourself, slowing growth and risking burnout.
Reality: Today’s VAs go far beyond scheduling and inbox management. You’ll find VAs skilled in SEO, graphic design, CRM management, email marketing, bookkeeping and more.
In Ottawa: VAs are actively supporting consultants, real estate professionals, and even tourism operators with project management, social media content, and customer experience workflows.
The Cost of This Myth: Underutilizing a VA means you’re paying for support but not getting the full value of what they can actually do.
Reality: Virtual assistants offer flexible pricing models hourly, retainer, or task-based that are far more affordable than hiring full-time staff.
Quick Math: An in-house admin might cost $50,000+ annually. A VA working 10–20 hours/month? Often under $1,000, no benefits, office space, or equipment needed.
The Cost of This Myth: By doing low-value tasks yourself to “save money,” you’re actually diverting time away from higher-revenue activities.
Reality: With tools like Zoom, Slack, and Asana, location matters less than ever. The vast majority of administrative, creative, and operational tasks can be handled remotely — often more efficiently.
Hybrid Option: Many businesses use a part-time local assistant for physical tasks and a VA for everything else. It's the best of both worlds.
The Cost of This Myth: Insisting on in-person help limits your talent pool and increases overhead.
Reality: Modern onboarding is built for speed. Experienced VAs can hit the ground running with clear documentation and tools like Loom (for screen recordings) and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
Pro Tip: Invest 2–3 hours upfront documenting a few key processes — and save dozens of hours long-term.
The Cost of This Myth: Thinking short-term creates long-term inefficiency. You stay stuck in the weeds instead of building something scalable.
Reality: Delegation doesn’t equal loss of control — it actually enhances it. VAs often bring systems and tools that improve transparency and tracking.
Tools like: ClickUp, Trello, or Hubstaff allow you to monitor progress without micromanaging.
The Cost of This Myth: Refusing to let go leads to decision fatigue, poor time management, and — eventually — burnout.
Ready to rethink how your business operates?
Here’s how to get started:
Ottawa entrepreneurs who embrace virtual support are gaining a competitive edge — and you can too.
You don’t have to do it all alone and you definitely don’t have to figure it out from scratch. Whether you're running a busy consultancy, scaling a startup, or juggling client work and admin, myVAdesk.com connects busy professionals from Ottawa and all across north America with experienced, full-time, reliable virtual assistants who actually get your business.
Explore flexible support options at myvadesk.com and find out how much time (and sanity) you can save this month.