24 Sussex $5.7M, Women-majority Council & U of O Racism Allegations — Ottawa Wednesday

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. 24 Sussex restoration campaign has raised $5.7 million so far. The Rideau Hall Foundation says more than 4,000 donations have been made toward a $50-million goal to restore the derelict official residence at 24 Sussex Drive; the property has been vacant since 2015 and maintaining it currently costs about $150,000 a year.
2. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe faces five key challenges in his second term. The piece lists governance, housing, infrastructure, transit and climate adaptation as the top challenges Sutcliffe must address during his new term after the recent municipal election.
3. Former councillor Jeff Leiper reflects on an unsuccessful mayoral bid and next steps. Leiper discusses his campaign outcome and future plans following Ottawa’s recent mayoral race, speaking publicly about his loss and intended role in civic life.
4. Several newly elected school trustees won seats but remain sidelined. The article reports that some trustees who won election are still not seated or are facing procedural barriers after the October municipal vote in Ottawa.

🎨 Community & Culture

5. Ottawa elected a city council that is majority women for the first time. The city’s new council composition marks a historic shift after the municipal election, with more women elected than men to council seats.
6. Indigenous scholars at the University of Ottawa allege racism and poor treatment. The report details complaints from Indigenous students and scholars about discrimination and mistreatment at the university campus in Ottawa.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

7. Vaughan real-estate agent Mahyar Soldouzi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion. In downtown court, the 43-year-old admitted offering to pay Ryan Cribbie to use violence to recover an alleged debt; court heard the planned violence never occurred and Soldouzi has no prior record.
8. Halton regional police Sgt. David Joseph charged over 2025 Mississauga pursuit that injured a 26-year-old. Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit laid a dangerous-operation causing bodily harm charge related to a March 12, 2025 chase that ended near Winston Churchill Boulevard and Lakeshore Road East; Joseph is due in Milton court in November.

📰 Also Today

• Raptors beat Magic 129-99; Scottie Barnes scored 28.
• Writer describes reclaiming a stolen identity in a personal essay.
• 24 Sussex renovation drive nears $6 million, council of fundraisers unveiled.
• One killed, one badly hurt in crash in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
• Ontario environment minister says province should burn more garbage and build landfills.
• $40M Lotto Max ticket validated hours before expiry in Grey County.
• Cleveland-Cliffs CEO hopes to recall 175 laid-off Stelco workers before Christmas.
• Maple Leafs winger Kirill Marchenko out week-to-week with lower-body injury.
• Report finds wildfire-smoke deaths in Canada rose about 275%.
• Column: historic municipal wins for women are 'half the battle' in Ontario.
• Man who killed Brkti Berhe testifies he 'did not know what I was doing.'
• Parti Québécois pledges to abolish time change starting next year.
• Ontario matches federal capital-investment tax break, offering about $8 billion relief.
• Privacy commissioner investigates Navigate360 over Crime Stoppers data breach.
• Stelco owner says he could sell plant next year after becoming 'persona non grata' in Canada.
• New mayors in Cornwall and Kingston describe landslide and narrow victories.
• Quebec coroner's office outlines changes after Chloé Bélanger's death.
• Ontario announces $8B tax cut aimed at spurring business investment.
• Ontario pauses some funding for unemployed skills training, career colleges say.
• Province should burn more garbage, build more landfills, Ontario environment minister says.