Ottawa Daily Digest — Feb. 24, 2026

Surprise star in Toronto — Cason Wallace scored a game-high 27 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Toronto Raptors 116-107 on Feb. 24, 2026, giving OKC its third straight win (Thunder are 45-14). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out with an abdominal strain, Isaiah Joe added 22, and RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 21; a late Jamal Shead three tied it 101-101 before OKC answered with a 9-0 run.

Calls for action after deadly crashes — Indigenous leaders say five serious incidents hit northern Ontario highways over five days, including crashes that killed two people from Constance Lake First Nation and one from Naotkamegwanning. Chiefs are urging better infrastructure, tougher truck licensing and stronger winter maintenance as federal and provincial ministers (meeting Feb. 20, 2026) pledged coordinated steps and enforcement against risky trucking practices.

A strange commute — Two wild turkeys followed an Ottawa man near Prince of Wales Drive and Heron Road this past Thursday, captured on video by Jody Paul as the man kicked snow and later climbed into a passing car. The clips went to social media and left drivers having to steer around the birds, and the filmer says he hasn’t connected with the man to reassure him the post was meant in good fun.

Storm on the move — A fast snowstorm shut more than 500 km of highway northeast of Thunder Bay and is moving south toward Toronto, with Lake Superior’s north shore expected to get 15–25 cm and southern areas (including the GTA) facing about 5–10 cm tonight. Environment Canada issued special weather statements for Sault Ste. Marie, Barrie and the GTA, and areas like Owen Sound are bracing for more squalls tomorrow.

Ring of Fire project avoids federal impact assessment — The federal Impact Assessment Agency chose not to designate Wyloo’s Eagle’s Nest mine for a full impact assessment, saying other laws can address concerns despite protests from Neskantaga First Nation. The decision worried some leaders and MPP Sol Mamakwa, since the Ring of Fire sits ~5,000 km² about 500+ km north of Thunder Bay and nearby First Nations face long-term problems like a 31‑year boil-water advisory.

Dementia care boost for long-term homes — Ontario announced $9 million to start special behaviour units and emotion-focused dementia care in 17 long-term care homes (including two in Toronto), with the program planned to expand to 50 homes by 2027–28. The government says about 60% of residents in Ontario long-term care have dementia, and advocates called the move welcome for residents, families and staff.

Prince Andrew name under review in St. Catharines — St. Catharines council unanimously voted to begin public consultations on renaming Prince Andrew Court after Mayor Mat Siscoe moved the motion following Prince Andrew’s Feb. 19 arrest (he was released after 11 hours and remains under investigation). The review will include options, costs and a policy on renaming city assets, joining other Canadian municipalities that have removed the former prince’s name.

Speeding fan caught before gold-medal game — In Greater Sudbury an early-morning driver was clocked at 148 km/h in an 80 km/h zone (68 km/h over) just after 7 a.m.; they face charges for speeding, stunt driving and careless driving, their vehicle was impounded for 14 days and their licence suspended for 30 days. Police joked the driver was a bit too excited for the puck drop; the accused is due in court in May.

Fake Bell rep scam sends money to U.S. bank — Oxford Mills police got a Feb. 19 report of a tech-support scam where a caller pretending to be from Bell Canada tricked a resident into installing remote software and wiring supposed "overpayments" to a U.S. bank. OPP contacted the U.S. Secret Service and some funds are being recovered, though police didn’t say how much and no arrests have been announced.

Family health teams warn funding gap threatens primary care — Family health teams say Ontario’s plan to attach everyone to a primary care provider by 2029 is at risk because wages for nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants lag behind hospitals (NPs could earn ~$20,000 more; PAs ~$30,000). The Association of Family Health Teams asked for $430 million over five years (plus release of $115 million) to close the wage gap, while the province points to a $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan and says it’s investing heavily.

Canada moves to revoke citizenship of man tied to 2008 Mumbai attack — Immigration officials told Tahawwur Rana Hussain (who got Canadian citizenship in 2001) they plan to strip it because he allegedly lied about his residence when applying; he’s accused of aiding the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. RCMP found he spent years in Chicago rather than in Canada, he was extradited to India on April 10, 2025, and the case is now before Federal Court as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares a Feb. 26–Mar. 7 visit to India.

Company sued by province asks to speed up fraud case — Keel Digital Solutions, facing a $29.5 million Ontario lawsuit accusing it of submitting fraudulent data, asked to move the dispute to the Superior Court Commercial List to get a faster trial and protect its reputation. The company says the suit has forced at least 30 layoffs and could bankrupt the owners; the government says the case concerns compliance with funding agreements and an OPP forensic probe is ongoing, with a motion on the commercial list set for early March.

Ford still "discussing" whether to abolish elected trustees — Premier Doug Ford says a final decision hasn’t been made on removing elected school trustees as Education Minister Paul Calandra studies board overhauls; several boards (Toronto public and Catholic, Ottawa‑Carleton, Peel) are already under provincial supervision. Critics warn abolition could cut Indigenous and student representation, and boards like Bluewater have asked the ombudsman to review any move that would remove trustees.