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This is Ottawa

CBC
Ottawa
Rideau Canal
Rats
Mental Health
Elgin Street Diner
Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre
Ontario
Canada
Ottawa, Canada
Mark Sutcliffe
Lansdowne Park
Canada Day
City Council
Math Anxiety
Witchcraft
Ottawa Lynx
Education
Leech Therapy
Mello's Restaurant
New Beginnings

How are high rents impacting Ottawa businesses? What happens during an all-nighter at the Elgin Street Diner? Every week, host Robyn Bresnahan does a deep dive into a story you're curious about and the issues you want to understand in the city we call home. New episodes every Monday. Have an idea for an episode? Email: thisisottawa@cbc.ca

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes120Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for This is Ottawa

Latest Episodes

Estate sales used to be the domain of the boomer generation. But if you’ve been to one lately you’ll notice a shift in who’s there to shop. Robyn Bresnahan joins a long queue of Gen Z treasure hunters to find out why estate sales are having a moment.... more

What happens if you accidentally throw dog poop in the blue bin? Do our plastics get shipped overseas? Why can you throw things in the blue bin that weren’t previously allowed? Kids have a LOT of questions around recycling. We put them to the CEO of ... more

If kids want to recycle plastics at Ottawa schools, they’re out of luck. Blue bins were removed in September 2025. Robyn Bresnahan dives into why the program was trashed, the implications and whether recycling should be a public service rather than a... more

We’re the capital of Canada. Yet the limited number of direct flights in and out of YOW frustrates locals and visitors alike. Robyn Bresnahan finds out who holds the cards when it comes to getting more non-stop routes – and meets a television executi... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Allen Langdon
CEO for Circular Materials, leading Ottawa's recycling program
Circular Materials
Episode: BONUS: Kids ask questions to recycling CEO
Alan Langdon
CEO of Circular Materials
Circular Materials
Episode: Kicked to the curb – no blue bins in schools until 2031?
Valérie Leloux
Waste and recycling lead at EnviroCenter; founder of New Grocery
EnviroCenter / New Grocery
Episode: Kicked to the curb – no blue bins in schools until 2031?
Riley Brockington
River Ward Councillor
City of Ottawa
Episode: Kicked to the curb – no blue bins in schools until 2031?
John Fraser
MPP for Ottawa South; interim leader of Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario Liberal Party
Episode: Kicked to the curb – no blue bins in schools until 2031?
Valerie Lalu
Former teacher; educator on recycling
(mentioned)
Episode: Kicked to the curb – no blue bins in schools until 2031?
Robert Tinline
British High Commissioner to Canada
British High Commission
Episode: Why aren’t there more direct flights from YOW?
Chris Knight
President and CEO
Gusto TV
Episode: Why aren’t there more direct flights from YOW?
Joel Tekach
VP of Business Development and Marketing
Ottawa International Airport Authority
Episode: Why aren’t there more direct flights from YOW?

Host

Robyn Bresnahan
Host and interviewer shaping Ottawa-focused narratives with a local-sourced, narrative-driven approach.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 129 ratings
  • So informative

    I discovered this podcast because it was advertised on another CBC podcast I subscribe to. Fortunately, there’s 2 years of archived episodes and it has become a personal favourite. Just finished listening to “This is me in grade 9” and I am grateful my son finished high school decades ago!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    crazycatlady56
    Canada2 months ago
  • Love that it is local

    I really enjoy listening to this local show. I feel so smothered by news from elsewhere that it is refreshing to have something local.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CinderDaxWolf
    Canada7 months ago
  • So glad I discovered!

    Interesting subjects, a smart and warm host, excellent production, breezy format. Thanks for keeping me up to date on the city I used to live in and still love!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LotstoLearnCDA
    Canadaa year ago
  • Love the stories

    Great to learn things that I did not know about the city I have lived in for over 30 years. Entertaining and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DMOttawa
    Canadaa year ago
  • Regressive garbage

    I had unsubscribe after the most recent episode on the tree equity score. It continues a pattern of promoting a

    regressive racialist and ethnocentric view of Ottawans. It doesn’t have to be this way. They could’ve presented a different perspective. One that emphasizes our common humanity, but instead chose to label and divine people based on their immutable characteristics.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SargeantSpectacular
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Community-minded content with broad appeal to Ottawa residents and visitors seeking city insights.
Listeners praise its strong local focus and accessible storytelling.
Episodes are described as informative, with a good balance of depth and brevity, though some reviews note perceived bias in a few topics.
Production quality and host warmth are frequently highlighted as standout strengths.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ottawa’s next top dog: who’s running for Mayor?
Q: Is there risk of vote splitting among candidates?
Yes, especially between urban and suburban candidates, with concerns about how endorsements and regional support could pull votes away from one another.
Ottawa’s next top dog: who’s running for Mayor?
Q: What are the transit plans being discussed by candidates?
Candidates talk about improving bus reliability with dedicated lanes, reversing service cuts, wider funding for maintenance, and fare changes to encourage ridership, with specifics varying by candidate.
Ottawa’s next top dog: who’s running for Mayor?
Q: What are the rules around when the mayor can start campaigning?
The mayor must continue communicating city policies, and council cannot use city resources to promote or oppose candidacy, though appearing at events not explicitly campaigning can still give a slight edge.
Ottawa’s next top dog: who’s running for Mayor?
Q: What has he said is his motivation for running?
He said he wants to change what he sees as a city in worse shape than before, citing issues like housing, congestion, public safety, and transit as his drivers for running.
Own less. Borrow more. Ottawa’s lending economy is booming.
Q: Who funds or sustains these borrowing programs if not through fees alone?
Programs are sustained through memberships, donations, and engaging events like repair cafes, plus community partnerships.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This is Ottawa

What is This is Ottawa about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show covers a wide range of Ottawa-centric topics, from urban development and city planning to local culture, politics, and public services. Episodes frequently pair on-the-ground reporting with expert or community voices to unpack how policy, infrastructure, and local decisions affect residents and businesses. A notable strength is its ability to translate complex local issues into accessible, timely stories, often with a clear link to everyday life in the nation's capital. The format blends documentary-style storytelling with timely debates, and standout episodes highlight practical implications for livability, housing, transit, and public services.

What stands out: strong local focus, multi-voiced perspectives, and a balance of har... more

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Which podcasts are similar to This is Ottawa?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This is Ottawa:

1. The House
2. Cost of Living
3. The Current
4. At Issue
5. The Debaters

How many episodes of This is Ottawa are there?

This is Ottawa launched 2 years ago and published 120 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on This is Ottawa?

Recent guests on This is Ottawa include:

1. Allen Langdon
2. Alan Langdon
3. Valérie Leloux
4. Riley Brockington
5. John Fraser
6. Valerie Lalu
7. Robert Tinline
8. Chris Knight

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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