Daily Digest — Ottawa — March 23, 2026

Quick heads-up: the Toronto Raptors signed guard Markelle Fultz to a 10-day contract on Monday (March 23, 2026). Fultz, the No. 1 pick in 2017, last played in 2024–25 with the Sacramento Kings (2.7 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 8.8 minutes across 21 games) and has been averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 assists in six starts for Raptors 905; his NBA career totals are 10.4 points and 4.4 assists over 255 games.

Heads-up at Queen’s Park: Premier Doug Ford’s cellphone records are back in the spotlight as the government moves to retroactively change transparency laws to shield the premier, cabinet and staff from freedom-of-information requests. The move — announced as MPPs returned from a 14-week break — could nullify a court order to release Ford’s call logs; opposition figures including Marit Stiles, John Fraser and Mike Schreiner are pushing back and the NDP sought a Speaker Donna Skelly warrant.

Education shake-up coming: Ontario’s education minister Paul Calandra says “significant change” to school boards is coming soon but insists he won’t use the notwithstanding clause. Calandra has already taken direct control of eight boards (including Toronto and Peel), says all 72 boards will remain and that any legislation will be constitutionally vetted before being tabled.

Serious domestic incident in Phelps Township: a 60-year-old man faces multiple charges including two counts of arson, two counts of spousal assault and mischief after a Friday evening (about 5:20 p.m.) domestic call led to a house fire on North River Road. The victim escaped, the home was fully engulfed, the suspect surrendered and remains in custody ahead of a court appearance in North Bay; police aren’t naming the accused to protect the victim.

Blue Jays lock in leadership: Toronto extended GM Ross Atkins (five-year deal through 2031) and manager John Schneider (through 2028) after a 94-win season, an AL East title and a seven-game World Series loss in 2025. Schneider is 303–257 since July 2022 and the club opens the regular season Friday at Rogers Centre against the Athletics.

Crash in St. Catharines sends six to hospital: an SUV drove into a southbound GO Transit bus near North Service Road and YMCA Drive (off the QEW), injuring six people — five passengers and the driver — including a baby; there were 18 passengers on the bus. Niagara police charged a 56-year-old man from Omemee with impaired driving, suspended his licence and say he’ll appear in court later.

Legislature back in session: Ontario MPPs returned to Queen’s Park Monday for the first sitting since Dec. 11, with the budget due Thursday and big debates expected on the government’s FOI changes and cuts to OSAP grants. Opponents call the long winter break undemocratic and a protest over OSAP already led to a vandalized statue and two arrests.

Poll: most Ontarians think Doug Ford is falling short: an Ipsos poll for Global News (801 Ontarians, ±4.2 points) found the premier scores poorly on housing (26% approve), affordability (27%), debt (32%), corruption (34%), education (37%) and health care (36%), though he fares better on handling Donald Trump (49%) and interprovincial trade (53%). The same poll shows voting intentions similar to 2025: PCs 42%, Liberals 35%, NDP 18%, and 69% don’t expect Ford to step down before the next election.