Ottawa Daily Digest — Jan 5, 2026

Murray‑Boyles breakout helps Raptors beat Hawks

• Toronto defeated Atlanta 118-100 on Monday. Rookie centre Collin Murray‑Boyles scored 17 points and added 7 rebounds and 7 assists filling in for injured starter Jakob Poeltl (lower back). Scottie Barnes posted a near triple‑double with 18 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Brandon Ingram had 19 points and 9 rebounds; seven Raptors reached double digits. Toronto is now 22-15; Atlanta fell to 17-21. Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu recorded double‑doubles for Atlanta.

Ford admits ‘bump’ as civil servants return to office full time

• Ontario’s plan requiring civil servants to work in‑office five days a week officially began Monday. Premier Doug Ford acknowledged a “bump” as the province searches for enough workspaces. Ford said there’s room for “the majority,” but the government has not disclosed how many spaces are needed, costs or locations.

Ford to remove Crown Royal from LCBO next month — ‘stock up’ warning

• Premier Ford confirmed he will strip Diageo’s Crown Royal from LCBO shelves next month in retaliation for Diageo’s announced August closure of its Amherstburg bottling plant. Diageo says U.S.-market bottling will move stateside and Canadian bottling to Valleyfield, Que. Ford urged consumers to “stock up.”

Rideau Canal fully open for skating — 7.8 km skateway

• The National Capital Commission says the full 7.8‑kilometre Rideau Canal skateway opened at 8 a.m. Monday. Patterson Creek remains closed for rehabilitation. A 3.4‑km section opened on New Year’s Eve; the canal had been largely closed in 2023 and barely opened in 2024 due to warm conditions.

Ontario court orders release of Ford’s personal phone records

• A panel of 3 judges sided with Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, throwing out the province’s bid to block release of government-related calls on Premier Ford’s personal cellphone. The access request was first filed by Global News more than 3 years ago; IPC rulings in late 2024 had already favoured disclosure.