--- title: "NCC Considers Artificial Freezing for Rideau Canal" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/ncc-considers-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ncc-considers-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/ncc-considers-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ncc-considers-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal" category: "Climate" published: "2026-11-13T19:45:49.504Z" source_reported: "2026-11-13T18:26:46.000Z" updated: "2026-11-13T19:45:49.504Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-11-13T19:41:30.111Z" --- # NCC Considers Artificial Freezing for Rideau Canal *Plan aims to extend skating season amid climate change concerns.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. One outlet provided a full report; 29 others provided digests, limiting corroboration. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The full report clearly separates fact from comment and provides specific details. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate to the information presented. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The National Capital Commission (NCC) is considering artificially freezing a 900-metre section of the Rideau Canal. - This proposal is a response to climate change impacting natural ice conditions. - A feasibility study suggests using refrigeration pipes embedded in concrete. - The NCC CEO stated this could triple the number of skating days, with potential installation in the early 2030s. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is evaluating the possibility of artificially freezing a portion of the Rideau Canal. This consideration stems from the increasing unreliability of natural ice conditions, attributed to climate change. A feasibility study has recommended the installation of refrigeration pipes within a concrete slab to maintain ice quality. The proposed section for artificial freezing spans approximately 900 metres, extending from the Corktown Footbridge to the National Arts Centre. According to the NCC CEO, Tobi Nussbaum, this measure could potentially triple the number of days the canal is open for skating. The earliest this system could be operational is the early 2030s. ## Disagreement on details Reports differ on the specific role of Tobi Nussbaum. CBC News identifies him as the CEO of the National Capital Commission. Digests from Narcity, Battlefords NOW, meadowlakeNOW, CFJC Today Kamloops, Medicine Hat News, and Ckpg Today refer to him as the NCC chief operating executive officer. ## What the coverage left out No right-rated outlet ran this story. The full report from CBC News stated that the cost of the system would be expensive and beyond what the NCC could afford on its own, but did not provide an estimate. None of the left or centre-rated digests mentioned the potential cost or the specific recommendation of using refrigeration pipes embedded in a concrete slab, details present in the full CBC News report. ## Who covered it Shares of the 29 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 76% (22) - Centre: 24% (7) - Right: 0% (0) 1 of 30 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-13T19:41:30.111Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 27 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-14T02:30:15.031Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports highlighted the NCC's consideration of artificial freezing for the Rideau Canal due to climate change. They noted the proposal involves a 900-metre section and could triple skating days, with a potential earliest installation in the early 2030s. CBC News, which provided a full report, quoted NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum stating the commission is 'seriously mulling' the plan and that it is 'really, really important' to offer skating options. These reports also mentioned a study predicting fewer than 20 skating days by the 2050s without emission reductions and noted that the canal has relied on nature since 1971. Some digests also included Nussbaum's title as chief operating executive officer. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the NCC's consideration of artificially freezing a part of the Rideau Canal in response to climate change. They mentioned the feasibility study's recommendation for refrigeration pipes and the potential to triple skating days. Digests from these outlets often cited Tobi Nussbaum, identified as the NCC chief operating executive officer, telling CBC News about the commission's plans and the feasibility study. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 17 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 12 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Narcity](https://narcity.com/ottawa/rideau-canal-could-get-artificial-freezing) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/canada/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal/article_9b3e582f-0f1c-505d-a060-18ef5c018ef8.html) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Coast Reporter](https://coastreporter.net/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015146) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Midland Today](https://midlandtoday.ca/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Collingwood Today](https://collingwoodtoday.ca/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Newmarket Today](https://newmarkettoday.ca/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Thorold Today](https://thoroldtoday.ca/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Elora Fergus Today](https://elorafergustoday.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/11/13/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015146) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/11/13/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Guelph Today](https://guelphtoday.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/11/13/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [ElliotLakeToday.com](https://elliotlaketoday.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [CambridgeToday.ca](https://cambridgetoday.ca/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/news/national-news/2026/11/13/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Timmins Today](https://timminstoday.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/11/13/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [burlingtontoday.com](https://burlingtontoday.com/national-news/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal-13015139) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [The Lethbridge Herald](https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/national-news/2026/11/13/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/2026/11/13/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/canada/national-capital-commission-considering-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal/article_036c72ef-f624-5b63-8050-566ebe514492.html) — National Capital Commission considering artificial freezing for Rideau Canal - [Radio-Canada](https://ici.radio-canada.ca/article/info/2300138/ouverture-canal-rideau-patinoire-refrigeration) — The Partially Refrigerated Rideau Canal Rink? - [CBC News](https://cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rideau-canal-skateway-ottawa-artificial-freezing-refrigeration-9.7419107) — NCC mulling refrigerating downtown end of Rideau Canal ## Questions **What is the National Capital Commission considering for the Rideau Canal?** The National Capital Commission is considering artificially freezing a 900-metre section of the Rideau Canal. This is in response to climate change making natural ice conditions less reliable for skating. **How would the artificial freezing system work?** A feasibility study suggests using refrigeration pipes embedded in a concrete slab. This method is similar to what is used for refrigerated outdoor rinks to maintain consistent ice temperatures. **When could this artificial freezing system be in place?** The earliest that such a system could be installed is estimated to be in the early 2030s. This timeline allows for further planning and implementation of the proposed technology. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/ncc-considers-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "NCC Considers Artificial Freezing for Rideau Canal", https://mediabias.news/climate/ncc-considers-artificial-freezing-for-rideau-canal