This is OttaTalk, the official City of Ottawa podcast series where City staff and residents discuss City programs, projects and initiatives. We’ll cover topics that affect your everyday life. Things like emergency services, garbage collection and nightlife in Ottawa. Why do we have a three-item garbage limit? What’s a typical day like for an Ottawa Paramedic? What does a Nightlife Commissioner do? We have the questions and the answers on OttaTalk.
For now, you can look for us to post a new episode each month.
Ottawa City Clerk Caitlin Salter-MacDonald reveals the intricate planning and people behind municipal elections in this interview.
30 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
How can we Party Safer, Ottawa?
Today, we sit down with Ottawa Public Health to talk about partying safely – and why it’s so important. Whether you’re dancing at the club or grilling at a backyard bash, look out for yourself and others. On the latest episode of OttaTalk, Public Health Nurses Élisabeth Bélanger Hardy and Megan Francoeur share the tips that everyone should know before, during, and after a night out, party or event. Listen now to learn more about partying safer and the supports available for you, y...
26 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
How are you protecting your family from fire?
Fire Prevention Officers Leanne Labbee and Andrew Watson join host Shirley to reveal home fire hazards and essential safety strategies in this informative interview.
19 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
What are we watching tonight, Ottawa?
OttaTalk hosts Mike and Erin interview Ottawa Film Commissioner Sandrine Pechels de Sardos about the city's thriving $90-million film industry and its local economic impact.
31 Mar 2026
Is there going to be a flood this spring?
Host Jim Lethbridge, Area Manager for Emergency Planning and Response, discusses the City of Ottawa's Spring Freshet Taskforce and its flood preparedness efforts.
27 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT
Was Ottawa in 1826 just like the Wild West?
Host [Host Name] interviews City Archivist Paul Henry about Ottawa's rough-and-tumble beginnings in 1826, revealing surprising Wild West parallels.
19 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT
What's new at my recreation centre?
Chantal Laporte, Program Manager with Recreation, Culture and Facility Services, discusses how the new My Rec Pass makes fitness affordable and accessible for everyone in this interview.
19 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT
How do we keep Ottawa moving?
Mike explores Ottawa's Transit Operations Control Centre, the central hub coordinating rail, bus, Para Transpo, and security, revealing how the city's transit system operates continuously.
28 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
When is my plow coming?
Richard Leight, a Zone Supervisor, discusses Ottawa's snow removal operations, explaining how the city monitors road conditions and manages winter parking bans in this interview episode.
15 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
How much is all this going to cost?
Cyril Rogers, Ottawa's Chief Financial Officer, explains Ottawa's budget process and how public feedback shapes the city's financial planning in this interview.
23 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
What has the Zoning By-law ever done for me, anyway?
Program Manager Carol Ruddy explains Ottawa's new Zoning By-law, simplifying 600 provisions to 26, which aims to create more affordable housing options in Ottawa; hosts Mike and Chloé conduct the interview.
21 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT
How can we resolve homelessness?
Host Sébastien and Shirley interview Kale Brown, Director of Housing and Homelessness at the City of Ottawa, about resolving homelessness and its impact on residents.
15 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Why is By-law knocking on my door?
Jonathan Walden, Ottawa's Public Information Officer, explains to hosts Valérie and Tom how By-law officers protect residents and what their daily work involves in this interview episode.
10 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT
What do we do with all the rainwater?
Connor Renouf, Outreach Coordinator, discusses managing rainwater on properties to prevent basement flooding, including actions, rebates, and city initiatives, in an interview with the OttaTalk hosts.
13 May 2025TRANSCRIPT
Who ya gonna call? Paramedics!
Chief Pierre Poirier discusses Ottawa's paramedics, specialized units, and the Medical Priority Dispatch System with hosts Marlene and Tom in an interview.
8 Apr 2025TRANSCRIPT
Why do we have a three-item garbage limit?
In our latest podcast episode we OttaTalk about garbage and recycling. That’s right, we’re only two episodes into our first season, and we’re already talking trash. We’ll discuss the City’s three-item garbage limit with Rachael Jones, Program Manager for Long Term Planning with Solid Waste Services. We’ll get an update on illegal dumping, learn what’s coming up next for garbage and recycling in Ottawa, and answer the question: “what’s the deal with common pads?” Today’s hosts are ...
11 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT
Where are we going tonight, Ottawa?
Today, in our historic, first-ever episode, we OttaTalk about the City’s Nightlife Economy Action Plan. We’ll talk with Mathieu Grondin, Ottawa’s Nightlife Commissioner and ask him about the plan, the Nightlife Council and find out what, exactly does a Nightlife Commissioner do? Today’s hosts are Mike and Valérie! Links for this episode are: Nightlife Economy Action Plan Nightlife Council Business Improvement Areas SoundCloud Feedback Tell us what ...
Inside a recent episode
What happens behind the ballot box?
Published 31 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] What does it take to run a citywide election of this magnitude? It's quite the undertaking. I think maybe I'll start with a few numbers. So there are over 800,000 eligible electors in this municipal election. And this means we need over 600 voting places and need to hire over 5,000 election workers to make this happen. That's a lot of voting places, eh, Tom? Yes, yes. As you might imagine from those numbers, organizing and administering an election of this size and scale requires a dedicated group of staff. So we have a dedicated team in the elections office that works all year round, every year, to help make the election happen. […]
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