Ottawa , February 5, 2007 – After 175 years, the Rideau Canal has entered the digital age. With the premiere of Route Canal, a new weekly podcast series, one of eastern Ontario ’s most popular recreational attractions is now a multimedia experience.

Route Canal is a weekly audio show about the canal that focuses on people, seasonal activities and, as the waterway marks its 175 anniversary in 2007, the history of the canal as well. Content of the show varies with the season, and the winter episodes will, of course, concentrate on the Skateway and Winterlude activities and events.

“The Rideau Canal is such an important part of life in Ottawa and eastern Ontario ,” said series host John McKay. “Our first season will help listeners make a little bit more of their winter recreation.”

Those who download the show from PodcastProducer.ca over the next few weeks can expect to hear weekly updates on ice conditions, weather forecasts, Winterlude events and celebrations marking Rideau 175. Shows will also feature interviews with local historians about the canal’s rich past and points of interest along the Skateway, adding an extra dimension to that afternoon glide down the world’s longest skating rink.

“The canal played a pivotal role in the history of communities stretching from Ottawa to Kingston ,” said David Rutherford, the show’s field reporter. “We’ll be talking to local historians about some of the places and events that many people pass by every day, without a second thought.”

A podcast is a radio show that is posted to the web. People can listen to it on their computers and download it to their MP3 players or cell phones. They can also subscribe to the series for free so that new episodes are downloaded to their computers automatically. The show is posted each Monday and is available by going to PodcastProducer.ca and clicking on the Route Canal icon.

The podcast is hosted by John McKay, a freelance audio/video producer and former community television producer. David Rutherford is a former radio reporter and news editor for radio stations in Windsor and Detroit . Craig Steenburgh, the show’s announcer, is a former on-air radio broadcaster for stations in Ottawa and Smiths Falls . All three are partners in PodcastProducer.ca in Ottawa .