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Artwork for This is Ottawa

This is Ottawa

CBC
Ottawa
Rideau Canal
Rats
Mental Health
Elgin Street Diner
Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre
Canada
Ontario
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes117Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for This is Ottawa

Latest Episodes

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

On a hot summer’s night in 1940, a bus pulled up to Elmwood School in Rockcliffe. 23 British children disembarked without their parents. What happened in the years that followed, changed their lives forever. Robyn Bresnahan picks up the tale with the... more

The Dow’s Lake dock is back for another season of swimming. But a new survey suggests people are still hesitant to dive in. In this encore episode, Robyn Bresnahan spends a day on the water with a science professor to find out how clean the lake is -... more

Campaigning has started for Ottawa’s next municipal election and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has some competition. CBC Ottawa’s municipal affairs reporter Arthur White-Crummey takes us through the candidates so far. Plus we visit a popular dog park to chew ... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Janet Uren
Playwright who wrote Far From Home, based on Elmwood evacuee stories
Elmwood School play project
Episode: An Ottawa school saved these kids from the Blitz
Anna (student actress)
Student performer playing Polly Carton in the play within the episode
Elmwood School drama program
Episode: An Ottawa school saved these kids from the Blitz
Jan Carton
Polly Carton's daughter, discussing her mother's memories
Family of Polly Carton
Episode: An Ottawa school saved these kids from the Blitz
Sarah Carton
Polly Carton's daughter, discussing her mother's memories
Family of Polly Carton
Episode: An Ottawa school saved these kids from the Blitz
Sean Landsman
Science professor at Carleton University, fish ecology expert
Carleton University
Episode: How healthy is Dow’s Lake?
Olivia Richardson
Listener who suggested the fishing segment and appears on-site
Listener contributor
Episode: How healthy is Dow’s Lake?
Christian Sironin
Student summer visitor joined on the Arboretum stretch
Summer student
Episode: How healthy is Dow’s Lake?
Arthur White-Crummey
CBC Ottawa's municipal reporter
CBC Ottawa
Episode: Ottawa’s next top dog: who’s running for Mayor?
Felicity Howard
Founder/Co-manager, Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library
Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library
Episode: Own less. Borrow more. Ottawa’s lending economy is booming.

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 126 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
    Canadaa month 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.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#149
Canada/News

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. Front Burner
3. Cost of Living
4. The Current
5. The Sunday Magazine

How many episodes of This is Ottawa are there?

This is Ottawa launched 2 years ago and published 117 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. Janet Uren
2. Anna (student actress)
3. Jan Carton
4. Sarah Carton
5. Sean Landsman
6. Olivia Richardson
7. Christian Sironin
8. Arthur White-Crummey

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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