Ottawa Daily Digest — March 26, 2026

Heartbreaking return: the bodies of Air Canada pilots Mackenzie Gunther (24) and Capt. Antoine Forest (30) were repatriated to Canada after the LaGuardia runway collision on Sunday; about 40 people were treated for injuries and the NTSB is still investigating. This means airlines, unions and communities are mourning — hundreds of colleagues lined up in Montreal and Ottawa, and Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has apologized as the airline works to reunite passengers with belongings.

Home-care boost as bed goal slips: Ontario is adding $1.1 billion to home health care as Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s 2026 budget projects a $13.8-billion deficit and admits the target of 58,000 new long-term care beds by 2028 is unlikely (about 26,000 beds are open/under construction/approved as of February). The $6-billion total home-care plan over coming years aims to hire nurses and personal support workers so more people can be cared for at home — a shift that could ease hospital and nursing-home backlogs, especially in Toronto where the province is down ~700 beds.

Housing targets fall again: Ontario’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 looks out of reach as private forecasts cut 2025–2028 starts from 315,000 to 276,900, with 2026 new-starts now expected around 64,800. The government is trying incentives like a one-year HST waiver on new builds (costing about $1.4 billion) to nudge buyers and builders, but construction activity remains soft.

LCBO changes hit public revenue: Ontario is spending $200 million to lower LCBO markups and cut taxes for local producers, but revenue is down — the 2025–26 LCBO take is $1.7 billion (below the $1.9B forecast) and alcohol-related tax receipts drop to $262 million from $593 million in 2023–24. Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy says modernization and changing drinking habits explain the shift, while critics warn the move cuts funding used for services like health care.

Downtown land unlocked: the government will repeal part of the 2002 SkyDome Act that governs a bus-parking lot at 305 Bremner Blvd., just south of the Rogers Centre, allowing new regulations and potential redevelopment or sale. Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy calls it "housekeeping" to free up a prime parcel, but officials haven’t announced a specific plan yet.

Cherry blossom watch: Toronto’s High Park sakura are still in brown-bud stage in mid-March, with peak bloom usually arriving in late April or early May (peak is about 70% in flower and lasts 4–10 days). Officials urge patience, remind visitors the park will be vehicle-free at peak, and ask people to protect trees and wildlife (tiny turtle hatchlings may appear!), so everyone can enjoy the short window safely.

Toronto police demand suspect turn in: police are searching for the person who fatally stabbed 27-year-old Ahmed Hassan Asif after responding around 9:35 p.m. Wednesday near Gamble Ave. and Donlands Ave.; a white vehicle tied to the probe has been seized and officers say the killer fled. Det. Sgt. Sajeev Nair warned, "We are coming for you," and investigators are canvassing neighbours and footage — this is Toronto’s fifth homicide of 2026.

OPP seek ID-fraud suspect across provinces: Nottawasaga OPP say a victim’s personal info was used to make fake ID reported Nov. 27, 2025, then used to open a credit card in New Tecumseth and, on Dec. 1, 2025, to buy a luxury vehicle in Surrey, B.C. Police haven’t identified the suspect and ask anyone who recognizes the person to contact them.

Who will play Canada in Toronto? Italy vs. Northern Ireland is a headline semifinal in UEFA’s World Cup playoff on Thursday; winners of Italy/Northern Ireland and Wales/Bosnia will meet, and that final’s winner will play Canada at Toronto Stadium on June 12. Sixteen teams in four paths (A–D) are fighting for four spots — big games ahead for fans tuning in.

Rangers officially out: the New York Rangers (28–35–9) were eliminated from playoff contention after a 4–3 loss in Toronto, marking another disappointing finish despite moves like hiring coach Mike Sullivan and relying on goalie Igor Shesterkin. Captain J.T. Miller and centre Mika Zibanejad (32 goals this season) said it hurts, and GM Chris Drury likely faces tough post-season decisions.

Bigger deficit, delayed balance: Ontario’s 2026 budget raises the 2026–27 deficit to $13.8 billion, delays balancing the books and pushes a $6.1-billion deficit into 2027–28, while total spending rises to $244.2 billion (health $101.2B, education $40.8B). Measures include a three-year small-business tax cut (from 3.2% to 2.2%), a $3-billion reserve, a one-year HST waiver on new homes, and redirecting $4 billion into an investment fund for AI, life sciences and other sectors — but critics call it a budget of broken promises.