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This is Ottawa

This is Ottawa

Written by: CBC
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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

Copyright © CBC 2026 Politics & Government
Episodes
  • ‘Transit is a dumpster fire’: will more money fix it?

    ‘Transit is a dumpster fire’: will more money fix it?
    Oct 19 2026

    Mayoral candidates have referred to Ottawa’s transit as a ‘dumpster fire’. But will more money extinguish its problems? And should commuters have to pay higher fares or higher taxes to help fix things? For the finale of our ‘blind date’ series, we go for coffee with an outgoing city councillor and a transit advocate.
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    16 mins
  • What’s university dorm life like?

    What’s university dorm life like?
    Oct 12 2026

    There are about nine thousand students living in college and university residences in Ottawa. So what’s dorm life like? And how much has changed in nearly three decades since host Robyn Bresnahan lived in residence at Carleton University? In this encore episode, she knocks on her former dorm room door to find out.

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    22 mins
  • Is the Byward Market safe? A cop and a former addict weigh in

    Is the Byward Market safe? A cop and a former addict weigh in
    Oct 5 2026

    The historic heart of Ottawa has a problem. Many voters have told us they feel the Byward Market has become less safe. There are fears about open drug use, crime and homelessness. So what can be done? In part two of our “blind date” municipal series, we set up a conversation between a police officer and a former drug addict turned outreach worker.
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    20 mins
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