In Capital Stories, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum and guests dive deeply into the ins and outs of our nation’s capital. Follow along as they explore Ottawa-Gatineau’s evolution from a quaint lumber town to the bustling, dynamic capital city we know today.
Through conversations with historians, urban planners, architects and others, this podcast series talks about all things past, present and future in Canada’s beautiful national capital.
Tune in to hear the stories that make our capital truly captivating.
The National Capital Commission explores the history, ice-making process, and innovative solutions for preserving the Rideau Canal Skateway amidst climate change challenges.
27 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Into the Wild
NCC Conservation Officers discuss their daily responsibilities, emergency responses, and strategies for protecting nature and visitors across the Capital Region's parks and green spaces.
20 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Shaping the Heart of the Nation’s Capital
The National Capital Commission outlines a 20-year vision for Ottawa-Gatineau's core federal lands, emphasizing design, sustainability, and public input to reshape iconic spaces.
13 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Inside Rideau Hall’s Greenhouses
Horticulture experts explore Rideau Hall's greenhouses, revealing the challenges of maintaining the landmark's vibrant grounds and the future plans for its aging facilities.
6 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Bringing the Capital’s Shorelines to Life
The National Capital Commission discusses shoreline animation projects that revitalize Ottawa's waterways by creating accessible public spaces and infrastructure for recreation.
28 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
The Capital’s Waterways
Once a backwater lumber town, Ottawa is now one of the greenest capitals in the world. As the federal planner, the NCC is at the forefront of projects that embrace the waterfront. Initiatives such as the NCC River House, Kìwekì Point and the rehabilitation of the Westboro Beach pavilion are recent examples of this turn toward the water.
In this episode, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum and his guests discuss how waterways have played—and continue to play—an essential role in the history of the National Capital Region.
Transcripts
Capital Stories – Episode 4 (The Capital’s Waterways) – English transcript (https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/capital-stories-episode-4-the-capitals-waterways-english-transcript)
Capital Stories – Episode 4 (The Capital’s Waterways) – French transcript (https://ccn-ncc.gc.ca/histoires-de-la-capitale-episode-4-les-cours-deau-de-la-capitale-transcription-francaise)
21 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
The Lungs of the Capital: Gatineau Park (episode in French)
(This episode is in French only. The English transcript is available)
The NCC is the proud steward of the Gatineau Park, the largest green space in the National Capital Region, covering 361 square kilometres, and the second-most visited park in Canada.
In this episode, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum and his guests
talk about the fine balance in managing a conservation park that boasts rich and unique biodiversity while also hosting thousands of people every year for summer and winter activities. Join us as we explore the challenges of protecting this natural treasure for future generations!
Transcripts
Capital Stories – Episode 3 (The Lungs of the Capital: Gatineau Park) – English transcript (https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/capital-stories-episode-3-the-lungs-of-the-capital-gatineau-park-english-transcript)
Capital Stories – Episode 3 (The Lungs of the Capital:
Gatineau Park) – French transcript
Watch this episode on YouTube (https://youtu.be/PJPg6ilwHjI).
14 Nov 2024
The Lungs of the Capital: Greenbelt
The NCC is the proud steward of the Greenbelt, a 20,000-hectare horseshoe-shaped green space south of Ottawa’s urban core.
The Greenbelt was created in the 1950s to protect the rural land bordering the Capital from urban sprawl. Today, it protects natural areas like forests, wetlands, streams and sand dunes. It also sustains biodiversity and brings many benefits to the community.
In this episode, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum and his guest meet at Mer Bleue to talk about the challenges and the importance of the Greenbelt.
Transcripts:
Capital Stories – Episode 2 (The Lungs of the Capital: Greenbelt) – English transcript (https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/capital-stories-episode-2-the-lungs-of-the-capital-greenbelt-english-transcript)
Histoires de la capitale – Épisode 2 (Les poumons de la capitale : la Ceinture de verdure) – Transcription française (https://ccn-ncc.gc.ca/histoires-de-la-capitale-episode-2-les-poumons-de-la-capitale-la-ceinture-de-verdure-transcription-francaise)
Watch this episode on YouTube (https://youtu.be/2WmBvzE5cqU?feature=shared).
7 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
Then and Now
For 125 years, the NCC’s story has been one of continuity and evolution, shaped by the endeavours of visionary leaders past and present. In this episode of Capital Stories, NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum and guests Heather Thomson and Barry Padolsky dive into key historical moments that helped create the capital we know today: the Todd Plan, the Holt Report and the work of Jacques Gréber.
What defines an inspiring capital? Is it the grandeur of its architecture, the beauty of its landscapes, the allure of its public spaces or something else entirely? Listen to find out!
Transcripts
Capital Stories – Episode 1 (Then and Now) – English transcript (https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/capital-stories-episode-1-then-and-now-english-transcript)
Capital Stories – Episode 1 (Then and Now) – French transcript (https://ccn-ncc.gc.ca/histoires-de-la-capitale-episode-1-then-and-now-transcription-francaise)
A conversation on the same topic is also available in French. Listen to Capital Stories – Episode 1 (D’hier à aujourd’hui) (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ncc-capital-stories/episodes/Then-and-Now-e2qjofo) today!
Watch this episode on YouTube (https://youtu.be/RPKesGW9Z54).
1 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
Teaser
In Capital Stories, National Capital Commission (NCC) CEO Tobi Nussbaum and guests dive deep into the ins and outs of our nation’s capital. Listen in as they explore Ottawa-Gatineau’s evolution from a quaint lumber town to the bustling, dynamic capital city we know today.
Through conversations with historians, urban planners, architects, and others, this podcast series talks about all things past, present and future in Canada’s beautiful national capital.
Tune in to hear the stories that make our capital truly captivating.
Podcast details and transcripts (https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/podcast)
Écouter le balado en français (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3V1zWZfQTKfCXLEZPobfxo?si=de7b058999ec4141)
Inside a recent episode
Preserving the Rideau Canal Skateway
Published 11 Dec 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] We do repair, we finish our all of our repair because coming end of October, Park in Canada wants the look now, lures the water for us to install all the big assets. The vehicle ramps, 35 staircases, 5 ui ramps, that sort of thing. The shell is a washroom, these skate rentals. We have a three week window to do all of that. After that, the water level raises to what we call it the ice level and we wait for starting to freeze a little bit. Once we have a good four or five inches, the ice crew can go on it and start watering it and build the ice and eventually we're close to the opening and then we deploy all the small equipment, over 200 benches, picking tables, parrots, you name it, maps and so forth. […]
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