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Illustration of a free-standing podcast microphone shaped like a book, with its cable artistically forming the silhouette of the Parliament Buildings. Overlaid text reads “Capital Stories.”

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 experts, 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.

Season 2

A new episode of Capital Stories will be released every Thursday in November on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Stay tuned for more!

Photo of Tobi Nussbaum with guest Bruce Devine. Over the image is an illustration of a free-standing podcast microphone shaped like a book, with its cable artistically forming a skate.

Each winter, the NCC transforms the Rideau Canal into the world’s largest skating rink, a signature destination that brings joy to skaters of all ages. As climate change threatens one of Canada’s most iconic winter experiences, the NCC is rethinking how to keep the Rideau Canal Skateway open for generations to come. 

 In this episode, we go behind the scenes, exploring the Skateway’s history, the ice-making process, the growing challenges, and the creative solutions implemented so far. 

 Can innovation and adaptation keep this beloved tradition alive? Tune in to find out.

Listen on 
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guest
Bruce Devine, Senior Manager, Ontario Urban Lands, NCC

Length 
18 min 

Published on
December 11, 2025

Get the transcript 
Capital Stories – Preserving the Rideau Canal Skateway

A conversation on the same topic is also available in French. Listen to Préserver la patinoire du canal Rideau today!

Photo of conservation officers. Over the image is an illustration of a free-standing podcast microphone shaped like a book, with its cable artistically forming a first aid kit and a forest.

From wildlife rescues to trail patrols, NCC conservation officers are on the front lines every day. They play a key role in environmental stewardship and public safety across the Capital Region’s vast network of parks and green spaces.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes with members of the team, who keep over 1,000 square kilometres of NCC lands safe for everyone. Learn what a day in the field looks like, how conservation officers respond to emergencies, and what it takes to protect both nature and visitors in places like Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt.

Tune in to find out more.

Listen on 
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guests
Diane Barbarie and Christopher Myles, Senior Conservation Officers, NCC

Length 
17 min 

Published on
November 27, 2025

Get the transcript 
Capital Stories – Into the Wild with Conservation Officers

A conversation on the same topic is also available in French. Listen to Au cœur de la nature avec les agents de conservation today!

Photo of Tobi Nussbaum sitting with a guest in front of the Ottawa River. Over the image is an illustration of a free-standing podcast microphone shaped like a book, with its cable artistically forming buildings.

Stretching along both sides of the Ottawa River, the core area is the symbolic and geographic heart of the National Capital Region. It is home to Parliament Hill, national museums, cultural landmarks, and vibrant public spaces.

In this episode, we explore how the NCC will guide the evolution of central federal lands over the next 20 years. From bold design moves to sustainability and accessibility, this long-term vision reimagines how people will live, work and experience the Capital’s most iconic spaces.

Tune in to find out what’s changing, what’s possible, and how public input is helping to shape the future of Ottawa-Gatineau.

Listen on 
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guest
Patrick Bunting, Senior Planner, Urban Design, NCC

Length 
21 min 

Published on
November 20, 2025

Get the transcript 
Capital Stories – Shaping the Heart of the Nation’s Capital

A conversation on the same topic is also available in French. Listen to Façonner le cœur de la capitale du pays today!

Photo of Tobi Nussbaum sitting with a guest in the Rideau Hall greenhouse. Over the image is an illustration of a free-standing podcast microphone shaped like a book, with its cable artistically forming the shape of plants.

Rideau Hall isn’t just home to Canada’s governors general. It’s also home to towering evergreens, ceremonial trees planted by world leaders, and greenhouses that quietly support the country’s most important events.

In this episode, we explore the only official residence open to the public, where the NCC’s horticulture team keeps 32 hectares thriving through Ottawa’s four seasons. From rare orchids to vegetable gardens, we dig into the challenges of maintaining this living landmark and discover what’s next for its aging greenhouses.

Tune in to find out how the grounds stay vibrant year-round and what surprises grow behind the scenes.

Listen on 
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guest
Kathleen Minkowski, Supervisor, Gardens & Greenhouses, NCC

Length 
12 min 

Published on
November 13, 2025

Get the transcript 
Capital Stories – Inside Rideau Hall’s Greenhouses

A conversation on the same topic is also available in French. Listen to Dans les serres de Rideau Hall today!

Photo of Tobi Nussbaum sitting with guests on the dock at the NCC River House - over the image is an illustration of a free-standing podcast microphone shaped like a book, with its cable artistically forming the shape of a swimmer.

For decades, the NCC has worked to reconnect the Capital with its waterways. Today, that vision is coming to life through vibrant new public spaces along the Ottawa River, Rideau Canal and beyond.

In this episode, we explore how shoreline animation is transforming the way people experience the region’s waterfronts. From bistros and rentals to beaches and docks, these projects create welcoming and accessible destinations for everyone to enjoy.

Tune in to find out how the NCC is investing in shoreline infrastructure, expanding public access and turning toward the water in the National Capital Region.

Listen on 
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guest
Nathalie Roy-Patenaude, Director, Real Estate Management, NCC

Length 
14 min 

Published on
November 6, 2025

Get the transcript 
Capital Stories – Bringing the Capital’s Shorelines to Life

A conversation on the same topic is also available in French. Listen to Animer les berges de la capitale today!

Season 1

Photo of Tobi Nussbaum sitting with two guests over an illustration of a free-standing podcast microphone shaped like a book, with its cable artistically forming the silhouette of a forest and buildings. Overlaid text reads “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 we dive into 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? These are a few of the questions that will set the scene for a great conversation with our historian and experts and showcase that the NCC transcends mere historical significance; it thrives today due to the collective efforts of its staff and experts.

Listen on
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guests

  • Heather Thomson, Heritage Program Manager, NCC
  • Barry Padolsky, Heritage Architect

Length
60 min

Published on
November 7, 2024

Get the transcript

A conversation on the same topic is also available in French. Listen to Capital Stories – Episode 1 (D’hier à aujourd’hui) today!

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, Tobi and his guest meet at Mer Bleue to talk about the challenges and the importance of the 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, Tobi and his guest meet at Mer Bleue to talk about the challenges and the importance of the Greenbelt.

Listen on
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guest
Alexander Stone, Biologist, NCC

Length
28 min

Published on
November 14, 2024

Get the transcript

Tobi Nussbaum sitting and talking with guests Catherine Verreault and Rachel Paquette. Overlaid text reads “The Lungs of the Capital: Gatineau Park.”

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, Tobi 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!

Listen on
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guests

  • Catherine Verreault, Director of Quebec Urban Lands and Gatineau Park, NCC
  • Rachel Paquette, Program Officer, Nature Interpretation, NCC

Length
27 min

Published on
November 21, 2024

Get the transcript

Tobi Nussbaum sitting and talking with guests Anita Tenasco, Cristina Wood and Gary Meus. Overlaid text reads “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.

Listen on
YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Guests

  • Anita Tenasco, Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Algonquin College
  • Cristina Wood, Ph.D. candidate, York University
  • Gary Meus, senior landscape architect, National Capital Commission

Length
47 min

Published on
November 28, 2024

Get the transcript

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