If anyone has a good read on Ottawa, it’s Tobi Nussbaum.
Nussbaum is the CEO of the National Capital Commission, the Crown corporation responsible for federal lands in Ottawa-Gatineau. The NCC is behind many of the region’s main attractions, including the Rideau Canal.
But Nussbaum’s history with Ottawa goes back further than his time with the NCC. In addition to several positions with the federal government, he served as city councillor for Rideau-Rockliffe ward from 2014-2019.
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And, when he isn’t working on maintaining and improving the National Capital Region, he’s out enjoying it.
In this instalment of My Ottawa, Nussbaum tells us about his love for the outdoors, his go-tos for live entertainment and one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets.
What area of the city/region do you live in?
Lindenlea, a small but quaint neighbourhood off Beechwood Avenue whose claim to fame is one of the first planned neighbourhoods in Canada, dating back to 1918 – a good flex when I’m talking to urban planners!
What’s your favourite part of town?
When I first moved to Ottawa in my 20s, I lived in Sandy Hill on Daly Street. I still love its eclectic nature, proximity to the University of Ottawa, the Rideau Canal, the ByWard Market and Strathcona Park where we’d spend summer weekends playing informal frisbee golf (don’t tell bylaw how we’d quench our thirst).
Where do you get your hair cut?
I am a regular at Victoria Barbershop on O’Connor Street. You know the adage: the less hair one has, the more often one needs to get it cut.
Where do you go shopping?
The ByWard Market and the Rideau Centre – conveniently situated for me between work and home.
What activity do you like to do?
Biking, running, cross-country skiing and pretty much any racquet sport that one can play.
Where do you like to eat?
I like to mix it up and explore different places in different neighbourhoods. Of course, in summer, each and every NCC bistro, partner tavern and restaurant (check out Maison Charron in Jacques Cartier Park which opened last year and has one of the best views of Ottawa).
Where do you go for live music or entertainment?
The NAC is my anchor for music and performing arts, complemented by Red Bird, the Bronson Centre, the Great Canadian Theatre Company and, soon, History Ottawa. And, of course, our many festivals in the summer months from Music and Beyond to the Ottawa Jazz Festival.
If you were to play tour guide for a first-time visitor to Ottawa, where would you take them?
I’d start with the National Art Gallery and Kìwekì Point, walk over the new Pìdàban pedestrian bridge to Major’s Hill Park, head down to the locks (and East Wharf, coming summer 2026!), and finish on a patio in the NCC’s Courtyards behind Sussex Drive in the ByWard Market.
What’s one thing about Ottawa that you think is a best-kept secret?
The walk to the Chaudière Falls viewing area via the bulkheads behind the War Museum and along NCC’s Pangishimo Park – great views of the beauty of nature and the power of industry in one short excursion.
What Ottawa personality, past or present, do you most admire?
Douglas Fullerton was chairman of the NCC in the early 1970s. He started the Rideau Canal Skateway, expanded our river path system, initiated Sunday bike days and was generally a great visionary. I’m sorry I never met him but am inspired by his example and grateful for his legacy.
