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Daily Ottawa Apr 20 - Apr 20, 2026

Spring Floods, Hockey Playoffs & Controversial Jets — Your Ottawa Update

20 articles 1 month ago 174

🌊 Environment & Weather

  1. Flood fears are on the rise! Water levels on the Ottawa River are expected to peak today, with emergency officials warning that 164 homes are at risk of flooding and 41 streets are already closed. Prepare for a soggy spring, folks!
  2. Rain, rain, please go away! Major flooding levels are predicted as the Ottawa River expects to swell this week. It’s a reminder to homeowners near the river to keep an eye on those levels—better safe than soggy!

🏒 Sports

  1. Can the Senators strike back? After a rocky start in Game 1, the Ottawa Senators are itching for redemption as they face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2. Buckle up, fans; it’s time to grab that popcorn!
  2. Farewell, 67's — it wasn’t meant to be. The Ottawa 67's have reflected on their season after being eliminated from the OHL playoffs. While the end is bittersweet, fans are still proud of the thrill ride this season brought!

⚖️ Politics

  1. Out with the jet! The Ford government has made a quick decision to sell a controversial $28.5 million private jet after a wave of public backlash. What does this mean for taxpayers? Less fluff, more funds—hopefully!
  2. A call for justice? A former Ontario councillor is seeking to have a sexual misconduct report expunged, claiming the allegations were withdrawn. This is a tale of redemption or a debate over accountability in local politics.

👮 Crime & Safety

  1. Inmates on the loose? The Ontario Solicitor General is facing scrutiny for a significant number of mistakenly released inmates—over 150 since 2021! Who’s keeping an eye on who in our jails?
  2. Strange bedfellows—drugs and dogs! A drug lab raid in Hamilton uncovered an illegal dog breeding operation. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time!

🎉 Feel-Good Stories

  1. Tragedy strikes in Mulmur. A tragic two-car crash resulted in the death of a six-year-old boy and injuries to several others. The community is mourning, reminding us of the fragility of life and the need for road safety.
  2. Fish under the influence? A study has found traces of opioids in freshwater fish in Ontario. This raises some concerns about our water system and what we consume—so let's keep an eye on what’s swimming in our lakes!

Each of these stories shapes our community, reminding us to stay informed, engaged, and compassionate. Catch you tomorrow!

Source Articles (20)

Pedestrian killed in crash near Belleville

A Belleville, Ont., man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle on Old Highway 2 on Saturday evening, Ontario Provincial Police say.

General Apr 20, 2026
Water levels on Ottawa River expected to peak as spring flood concerns grow

Water levels on Ottawa River expected to peak as spring flood concerns grow

Dozens of homes and streets are at risk of flooding as water levels on the Ottawa River are predicted to rise this morning by roughly 30 centimeters.

Canada Apr 20, 2026
Solicitor general’s office notified when inmates are improperly released in Ontario

Solicitor general’s office notified when inmates are improperly released in Ontario

Jails run by the Ford government have released more than 150 inmates by mistake in the past five years, something the solicitor general vowed to 'get to the bottom' of.

Politics Apr 20, 2026

Why is downtown Ottawa parking such a gong show?

Demand for downtown parking exceeds supply on certain weekday mornings. To score a spot, some commuters have a strategy. Robyn Bresnahan hung out in some downtown parking garages to hear why commuters feel the cost and stress of parking downtown is still worth it.

General Apr 20, 2026

Boomer, the African lion who escaped in Maniwaki nearly 20 years ago, dies

Boomer, the African lion who made headlines 18 years ago and caused a stir in the Maniwaki, Que., area with his daring escape, was euthanized earlier this month at the Greater Vancouver Zoo after suffering from kidney failure.

General Apr 20, 2026

'There's no guidance': Quebec daycares say new secularism law causing fear, uncertainty

Adopted earlier this month, Bill 9 bans workers in publicly funded daycares from wearing religious symbols on the job. Many daycare operators say they’re still in the dark about how the law is supposed to work.

General Apr 20, 2026

Ford to speak after backtracking on $28.9M private jet

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is set to speak with reporters Monday after backtracking on the province's decision to buy a private jet the opposition has dubbed the "gravy plane."

General Apr 20, 2026

Ottawa River expected to peak this week at major flooding levels

The Ottawa River is expected to stop rising for now in the Ottawa-Gatineau area by the middle of the week, according to the latest forecasts. Fort-Coulonge, Que., has declared a state of emergency.

General Apr 20, 2026
Ford government acknowledges backlash forcing it to sell premier’s jet

Ford government acknowledges backlash forcing it to sell premier’s jet

The premier's office originally said the government purchased the pre-owned Challenger 650 last week to transport Premier Doug Ford across the country and into the United States.

Politics Apr 20, 2026

Military enrolment rebounds, but Canadian Forces still thousands short of 2017 target

A surge in military recruiting pushed regular force enrolment to its highest level in decades, with reserves also beating targets. Yet the Canadian Armed Forces are still thousands below 2017 goals. Faster processing and better pay are helping, but training limits and attrition continue to blunt momentum.

General Apr 20, 2026
$25K reward offered in search for Lambton College shooting suspect

$25K reward offered in search for Lambton College shooting suspect

Police in Sarnia, Ont., are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted in connection with a fatal triple shooting at Lambton College.

Crime Apr 20, 2026
Boy killed, multiple hurt following 2-car crash in Mulmur, Ont.

Boy killed, multiple hurt following 2-car crash in Mulmur, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police said around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, crews were called to the intersection of County Road 17 and 19 in Mulmur, which is just north of Orangeville.

Canada Apr 20, 2026

How the PWHL is trying to discourage teams from tanking

The Gold Plan, adopted by the PWHL when it launched in 2024, forces teams to try to win after being eliminated from playoff contention. Each win earns the team draft order points toward securing the top pick at the entry draft.

General Apr 20, 2026

Ottawa Senators aim to get even with Hurricanes in Game 2

The Ottawa Senators are hoping to notch a win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday before their Stanley Cup playoff series returns to home ice on Thursday. David Fraser reports.

General Apr 20, 2026

Ottawa 67's reflect on season after OHL playoffs elimination

The Ottawa 67's are now out of the OHL playoffs after losing to the Barrie Colts on Saturday. CBC’s Sannah Choi reports on how the team is looking back at the season.

General Apr 20, 2026
Former Ontario councillor demands sexual misconduct report expunged after new details emerge

Former Ontario councillor demands sexual misconduct report expunged after new details emerge

Former Brampton Coun. Gurpreet Dhillon was accused of sexual misconduct in early 2020. He says the complainant in that case has since withdrawn her allegation.

Politics Apr 20, 2026
Ontario’s solicitor general blames jail, courts staff for accidentally releasing inmates

Ontario’s solicitor general blames jail, courts staff for accidentally releasing inmates

Michael Kerzner now says it is the fault of staff at jails and courts when inmates are improperly released and sometimes lost for months at a time.

Canada Apr 20, 2026
Police find dog breeding operation during drug lab raid in Hamilton, Ont.

Police find dog breeding operation during drug lab raid in Hamilton, Ont.

Police in Hamilton, Ont., say three people are facing charges after a raid at a dispensary also led to the discovery of an illegal dog breeding operation.

Crime Apr 20, 2026
Traces of fentanyl, other drugs found in some Ontario fish, study shows

Traces of fentanyl, other drugs found in some Ontario fish, study shows

Researchers said while wastewater treatment plants do a good job at treating water, they were not designed to deal with the 'complexity' of compounds like fentanyl.

Environment Apr 20, 2026
Barnes on Game 1 film: ‘We needed to see that’

Barnes on Game 1 film: ‘We needed to see that’

It wasn't an easy watch, but Scottie Barnes says it was a necessary one.

Sports Apr 20, 2026