Ottawa Daily Digest — March 17, 2026

Big upset in Toronto: the New York Islanders beat the Maple Leafs 3-1 on March 17, 2026 — Calum Ritchie had a goal and an assist on two first-period power plays and Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves as New York improved to 39-24-5 and 9-3-0 in their last 12 games. Brayden Schenn scored his first goal since being acquired in the trade and rookie Matthew Schaefer moved within one point of 50 for a season among Islander rookie defencemen.

Bring-your-own-booze rules expanding in Ontario: starting this September people will be able to apply through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to bring and drink their own alcohol at some festivals, movie screenings and farmers’ markets, the Ford government says — municipalities must pass bylaws and set event rules, Premier Doug Ford framed it as a boost for local tourism.

Outrage after unescorted absences granted to convicted child killer: 65-year-old Darren Scott Ray, convicted in 1986 of sexually assaulting and murdering a 14-year-old, was granted up to three 72-hour unescorted temporary absences (one already taken), a Parole Board decision dated Jan. 5 says — Premier Doug Ford condemned it, saying Ray should "rot in jail," while police issued a community safety alert with strict conditions for his outings.

No charges for homeowner who shot alleged intruder: York Regional Police say a Vaughan resident who shot and injured an alleged home invader just before 1 a.m. won’t face charges because the gun was legally owned and properly stored; one suspect was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and charges against him are pending.

Raptors rookie could rejoin on road trip: Collin Murray-Boyles (rookie centre, 6'7") returned to full practice and was upgraded to day-to-day before a five-game road trip starting Wednesday in Chicago, the team says — he’s averaging 7.8 points, five rebounds and two assists this season and teammates hope his toughness helps the rotation.

Investigation clears Toronto officers in Umar Zameer case: an OPP probe found no evidence that Detective Constables Lisa Forbes, Antonio Correa and Scharnil Pais lied or colluded after jurors were asked to consider collusion in the death of Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup (July 2021); the report says assertions of wrongdoing were unsupported by evidence.

Ford admits FOI changes protect his personal phone records: Premier Doug Ford signaled his government will change Ontario’s freedom-of-information rules to exempt calls and texts on his personal phone, arguing cabinet conversations on personal devices should be shielded — critics say it’s a move to block transparency after courts found his phone is used for government business.

HOV lanes to open off-peak to solo drivers: the Ford government plans to allow single-occupant vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes outside rush hour, keeping rush-hour rules in place; Ontario currently has 237 km of HOV lanes with another 146 km planned, and the change could come by year-end, Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says.

$50,000 reward offered in 52-year-old cold case: OPP announced a $50,000 reward for information into the 1974 death of 14-year-old Karen Caughlin, who was last seen in the early hours of March 16, 1974 and whose body was found the next morning; investigators believe she was struck by a vehicle and moved, and they want tips about social gatherings or vehicle damage from that time.

CBSA dog finds 22.5 kg of raw meat at Pearson: detector dog Dharla sniffed out 22.5 kilograms of raw duck, pigeon, chicken and rabbit in a traveller’s luggage arriving from Egypt on March 8; the food had been declared so no penalties were applied, but the items were refused entry under Canadian Food Inspection Agency rules.

OPP warn of spoofed-phone fraud impersonating officers: the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment warns residents about scammers using spoofed numbers that look like police dispatch to say your SIN is compromised and instruct you to move money into Bitcoin ATMs — police remind the public they will never ask for money or cryptocurrency.

Government silent on legal bill to fight release of Ford’s phone records: since 2022 Ontario has fought disclosure of Premier Doug Ford’s cellphone records and despite losing in court the government won’t say how much taxpayers have paid; critics note other legal battles cost millions (e.g., $4.3 million on Bill 124) and want full accounting of time and money spent.