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Daily Ottawa Aug 20 - Aug 20, 2026

Thunderstorm Clears, Education Talks & OPP Probe — Ottawa Thursday

26 articles 1 week ago 86

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. Ontario education minister says he’s ‘very optimistic’ as talks begin with teachers’ unions. Education minister on Thursday told reporters existing teacher contracts expire at the end of August and schools are scheduled to return around Labour Day, and he said he expects the upcoming school year to start and finish without disruption.

  2. Several municipal seats remain uncontested with nominations closing Friday, Ontario observers warn. The story notes nominations close Friday afternoon and highlights rural trends where some councils were acclaimed in 2018, citing York University’s Zachary Spicer and Association of Municipalities of Ontario president Robin Jones.

  3. Thunderstorm warning for the Ottawa area has ended, Environment Canada says. Environment Canada lifted the thunderstorm warning for the Ottawa area on Wednesday, according to the agency’s alert.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. OPP joins investigation into alleged fraud at London Health Sciences Centre; tip line opened. The OPP said Thursday it is assisting a probe that began in October 2024 and has set up a dedicated tip line at 1-844-677-9413 after the hospital reported alleged fraudulent activity dating 2013–2024 and filed three lawsuits totalling $80 million.

  2. Three people charged after OPP seize $1.28 million in drugs, firearms and stolen vehicles. Ontario Provincial Police said its April-initiated probe led to July 17 search warrants at two London homes and the seizure of more than $1.28 million in illicit drugs, firearms, stolen vehicles, currency and offence-related property.

🏈 Sports

  1. Toronto Tempo’s sellout home games and Vancouver appearances signal national reach. Tempo president Teresa Resch cited a sold-out crowd of 15,892 for a July WNBA game in Vancouver and noted every Tempo home game at Toronto’s Coca-Cola Coliseum has sold out during the team’s inaugural season.

  2. Jamaal Magloire headlines Canada Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2026. The class announced includes former NBA player Jamaal Magloire, coach Dave Smart and Olympian Miranda Ayim, with enshrinement scheduled at a ceremony in St. Stephen, N.B.; the announcement was first published Aug. 20, 2026.

📰 Also Today

  • Court of Appeal upholds 729-day conditional sentence for Jason Munroe, tied to a June 17, 2022 Whitby home invasion.
  • Para Transpo to run a late-night weekend pilot, transit agency announced a pilot project.
  • City reviewing a 1,500-unit development proposed with no residential parking, application under review.
  • Neskantaga First Nation evacuated again after septic damage at nursing station, chief Gary Quisess declared a state of emergency.
  • Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski eliminated at Cincinnati Open, reported tennis results.
  • Ottawa golfer wins back-to-back Canadian PGA titles, local winner reported.
  • Indigenous and church leaders break ground on a new affordable rental building, ground-breaking reported.
  • Parents demand protective bollards after car hit a schoolyard, parents called for safety measures.
  • Province unveils 35 new or expanded schools amid education contract talks, provincial announcement.
  • BTS returns to Toronto for sold-out Rogers Stadium shows for about 100,000 fans, concerts set for Saturday and Sunday.
  • Ottawa-born dancer brings queer cultural celebration home, profile published.
  • Quebec mosques on alert after rise in vandalism and anti-Muslim rhetoric, reported increase in incidents.
  • Review asks whether Mayor Mark Sutcliffe kept promises made four years ago, evaluation published.
  • Explainer: why lithium-ion battery fires are so dangerous, technical safety piece.
  • OSEG CEO voices disappointment over Redblacks’ losing streak, CEO comment published.
  • Multi-vehicle crash closed both directions of Highway 401 near Gananoque, OPP reported the closure.
  • Nova Scotia premier asks provinces to return U.S. alcohol to shelves during trade deal talks, request reported.
  • Piper continues performing after an unprovoked knife attack, human-interest follow-up published.
  • 61-year-old woman charged after allegedly assaulting two boys at a Windsor lemonade stand on Aug. 3, charges reported.
  • (Duplicate ID) See above.

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Source Articles (26)

Thunderstorm warning ends for Ottawa area Wednesday: Environment Canada

Environment Canada had issued yellow severe thunderstorm warnings for several parts of Ottawa.

General Aug 20, 2026

Unprovoked knife attack won't keep this piper down

Kevin Murison was busking in downtown Ottawa on Saturday when a man assaulted him with a knife, slashing his thumb and his instrument. The bagpiper says he won't be silenced.

General Aug 20, 2026

Carney asking provinces to return U.S. booze to shelves as trade deal being finalized, N.S. premier says

General Aug 20, 2026

Multi-vehicle crash closes eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 401 near Gananoque: OPP

Highway 401 was closed in both directions Wednesday night near Gananoque, Ont., following a collision involving several vehicles, according to Ontario Provincial Police.

General Aug 20, 2026

OSEG CEO shares disappointment in Redblacks losing streak

The Ottawa Redblacks now have the longest losing streak of any CFL team in the modern era. Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group CEO Mark Goudie pleads with fans to stick with the team as it rebuilds.

General Aug 20, 2026

Why lithium-ion battery fires are so dangerous

Fires can be more aggressive based on how charged the battery is, which firefighters often have no way of knowing. The batteries can explode and become projectiles while crews are responding. And Toronto Fire has had to expand its decontamination process to get carcinogens off its gear, because the standard protocol isn’t good enough.

General Aug 20, 2026

Has Mark Sutcliffe kept the promises he made 4 years ago?

As the incumbent mayor runs for re-election, CBC looks at whether he followed through on more than 170 commitments he made during his first campaign.

General Aug 20, 2026

Surge in vandalism, anti-Muslim rhetoric prompts vigilance at Quebec mosques

Quebec City’s Islamic Cultural Centre issued a safety reminder to its members following a number of incidents of vandalism and online harrasment impacting Muslim communities in the province this past year.

General Aug 20, 2026

This Ottawa-born dancer created a queer ‘celebration of culture.’ Now he’s bringing it home

Ottawa-born Iranian-Canadian dancer Artin Avaznia is bringing Underground Pride — his immersive, queer nightlife event — back to the city where he first learned to dance, with a special tribute to late Jamaican-Canadian drag artist, Michelle Ross.

General Aug 20, 2026

Province unveils 35 new, expanded schools as contract negotiations continue with Ontario education unions

Thirty-five new and expanded schools will be welcoming in students across Ontario at the start of the school year as contract negotiations continue with education unions, said Education Minister Paul Calandra.

General Aug 20, 2026

Parents call for protective bollards after car crashes into schoolyard

Concerned parents are calling for extra safety measures at an Ottawa elementary school after a vehicle crashed through a fence and into the schoolyard earlier this month.

General Aug 20, 2026

Indigenous, church leaders break ground on new affordable rental building

Indigenous and church leaders in Ottawa are looking forward to seeing the new Odayanhaway, or little village, popping up near Carlingwood later this decade.

General Aug 20, 2026
OPP joining probe into alleged fraud at London, Ont. hospital

OPP joining probe into alleged fraud at London, Ont. hospital

Last July, hospital officials said an investigation found fraudulent activity between 2013 and 2024 and alleged previous team members knew about the practices and failed to act.

Canada Aug 20, 2026

Ottawa golfer wins back-to-back Canadian PGA titles

After winning the Canadian PGA Championship, Craig Stefureak became the second-ever golfer to win back-to-back tournaments and the first-ever Indigenous golfer to win the title. He spoke to Ottawa Morning’s Giacomo Panico about the win.

General Aug 20, 2026
3 charged after OPP seize $1.28M in illicit drugs, firearms and stolen vehicles

3 charged after OPP seize $1.28M in illicit drugs, firearms and stolen vehicles

Three London, Ont., residents are facing charges in connection to a drug trafficking probe on Walpole Island First Nation near the Canada-U.S. border.

Crime Aug 20, 2026
‘It feels like a homecoming’: BTS Army takes over Toronto ahead of stadium shows

‘It feels like a homecoming’: BTS Army takes over Toronto ahead of stadium shows

The fan club, BTS Army Toronto, is gearing up for BTS’s much-anticipated return to Toronto for the first time in more than a decade.

Entertainment Aug 20, 2026

Canada's Auger-Aliassime, Dabrowski fall at Cincinnati Open

Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime dropped a 6-3, 6-4 decision to American Frances Tiafoe in fourth-round play at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday night.

General Aug 20, 2026
As deadline looms for Ontario municipal elections candidates, some seats uncontested

As deadline looms for Ontario municipal elections candidates, some seats uncontested

With the window to run in this year's Ontario municipal elections about to close, observers and advocates are paying attention those who have and haven't signed up.

Politics Aug 20, 2026

1,500-unit development with no residential parking under city review

City of Ottawa staff are reviewing a proposal for a five-building, 1,500-unit development in Orléans that would have no residential parking spots available.

General Aug 20, 2026

Para Transpo to run late-night pilot project on weekends

Para Transpo is extending its hours until 2 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays starting Sept. 4 for one year.

General Aug 20, 2026
Education minister ‘very optimistic’ Ontario teacher negotiations won’t bring disruption

Education minister ‘very optimistic’ Ontario teacher negotiations won’t bring disruption

Education contracts will expire at the end of August, but they've already faltered over technical disagreements between the government about which issues should be negotiated.

Canada Aug 20, 2026
Vancouver games show Tempo’s Canada-wide reach

Vancouver games show Tempo’s Canada-wide reach

Teresa Resch is preparing herself for a full-circle moment. 

Sports Aug 20, 2026
Kids running lemonade stand assaulted, woman facing charges: Windsor police

Kids running lemonade stand assaulted, woman facing charges: Windsor police

Two boys, ages eight and 13, had set up a lemonade stand near the intersection when a woman approached 'and became hostile toward them,' police said.

Crime Aug 20, 2026
Magloire headlines Canada’s basketball Hall class

Magloire headlines Canada’s basketball Hall class

The Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame's class of 2026, which includes former NBA player Jamaal Magloire, former Carleton Ravens men's head coach Dave Smart and Olympic flag-bearer Miranda Ayim, was set to be inducted Thursday night.

Sports Aug 20, 2026
‘It’s heartbreaking,’ says Ontario First Nation amid 2nd evacuation this summer

‘It’s heartbreaking,’ says Ontario First Nation amid 2nd evacuation this summer

Neskantaga First Nation had to be evacuated again after a flood at the community's only nursing station, the northern Ontario community's chief said. 

Canada Aug 20, 2026
Court of Appeal upholds sentence for man who shot at armed intruders during Whitby home invasion

Court of Appeal upholds sentence for man who shot at armed intruders during Whitby home invasion

The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a conditional sentence for a Whitby man convicted of shooting at armed intruders fleeing a home invasion.

Crime Aug 20, 2026