Daily Digest — Ottawa (2026-02-09)

Big diplomatic shock: On Feb. 9, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social he will block the opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge (Windsor, Ont. ↔ Detroit, Mich.) until the U.S. is “compensated,” even asking for at least half-ownership. The Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority says major construction is complete and testing is underway ahead of this year’s opening; about one-third of U.S.–Canada trade passes through the Detroit–Windsor corridor.

Relief — but winter isn’t done: Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell says the coldest air (from the North Pole/Siberia) is behind Ontario and single-digit above-freezing days are likely through Family Day weekend and the next 10 days. Temperatures still dipped to wind-chill lows near -33°C in Toronto and -34°C in Ottawa over the weekend, and Farnell warns more snow and a long, drawn-out winter are likely into late February and March.

Government airs Super Bowl ad, won’t say price: The Ford government debuted a one-minute "Protect Ontario" commercial during the Super Bowl to tout its economic plan, but would not disclose the cost — critics called it self-promotion. Opposition MPPs like Stephanie Bowman and the auditor general have previously flagged the government’s rising ad spending (it hit $111.9 million last year) as lacking a clear public-service purpose.

Good news for renters: Rentals.ca and Urbanation report average asking rents fell 2% year-over-year to $2,057 in January — a 31-month low and the 16th straight monthly decline. Toronto dropped to $2,495 (-4.6%), Vancouver to $2,630 (-9.2%); the report notes average listing size shrank to 857 sq ft and condo rents fell 5.7% to $2,093.

Laurentian faculty strike ends: A majority of faculty, librarians and counsellors at Laurentian University voted to ratify a new collective agreement, ending a three-week strike that began on Jan. 19. Union president Fabrice Colin called the deal "a small step toward fairness" but said differences with other Ontario universities remain; classes and labs had been suspended during the work stoppage.

Province-wide police probe ordered: Ontario’s inspector general of policing, Ryan Teschner, launched an inspection under the Community Safety and Policing Act focused on five areas (supervision, vetting, IT access, evidence/property management, substance abuse/fitness). The move follows York Region’s Feb. 5 Project South charges against seven active Toronto officers and one retired officer — alleged crimes include bribery, drug trafficking and theft — and 19 other suspects were also arrested.

Students race concrete toboggans: About 20 university teams met at Boler Mountain (London, Ont.) for the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race; UBC Okanagan won the King of the Hill. Toboggans must weigh under ~160 kg and feature concrete runners, roll cages and steering/brakes; races include a drag, a slalom and a final bracket.

Tories want lower tax withholdings on GM severance: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Kyle Seeback and MP Arpan Khanna asked Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne to reduce withholding taxes on lump-sum severance for more than 1,000 GM CAMI workers laid off in Ingersoll. The letter argues high withholding could deny workers "tens of thousands" when they need cash now and criticizes Ottawa’s recent auto strategy as inadequate for affected workers.