🏛️ Government & Politics
- Ontario’s health ministry paid McKinsey $2,090,500 in 2025–26. Public accounts show the Ministry of Health listed the payment under “other payments” with no scope given; the expense was disclosed as the Ford government pressed for savings on a $91-billion health budget. 2. 36-year-old Nakeem Jamar Johnson arrested in Manitoba on an attempted-murder warrant. Peel Regional Police say the suspect wanted in a Feb. 3, 2022 Brampton shooting was arrested Sept. 22 in Cross Lake, Man., after warrants and multi-site searches in May 2023 seized five firearms and roughly 10 kg of methamphetamine. ↗
💼 Economy & Business
- Rogers completed a $4.35-billion purchase of Kilmer’s 25% MLSE stake. The deal gives Rogers 100% of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, including the Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC and Argonauts; Rogers plans a new Rogers Sports unit and aims to sell minority stakes by H1 2027. 2. Minimum wages rise in five provinces; Ontario moves to $17.95 an hour. The increases (25–40 cents) also lift P.E.I. to $17.30, Nova Scotia to $17, Manitoba to $16.40 and Saskatchewan to $15.70. ↗
🏈 Sports
- Easton Cowan credited with the game-winner as Maple Leafs beat the Islanders. The 21-year-old winger, fresh off a Calder Cup run with the Toronto Marlies (eight goals, 10 assists in 22 AHL playoff games), set up Toronto’s opener and scored the eventual winner in a 2–1 victory. 2. Raptors sign Jamal Shead to a three-year, US$24-million extension. Agent posts and reports say the deal keeps Shead in Toronto through 2029–30 after his 2025–26 season with 6.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. ↗
📰 Also Today
- Sutcliffe vows to give Ottawa parents a head start in swimming lessons, calling the current system a "Hunger Games" for parents. ↗
- Quebec voters say health care is a major issue in the upcoming provincial election. ↗
- Ottawa Votes 2026 panel discusses candidate endorsements and special advance voting. ↗
- Guide published: everything you need to know to vote in Ottawa's municipal election. ↗
- Belleville police investigate antisemitic flyers less than two weeks after synagogue attack. ↗
- Alto high-speed rail project flagged by watchdog for potentially higher costs. ↗
- Blanket exercise teaching Ottawans Indigenous history runs locally. ↗
- Police urge vigilance after relocation of a high-risk sex offender; some residents reacted vigilante-style. ↗
- Two stabbings reported early Thursday near Rideau and Dalhousie streets. ↗
- Ontario minimum wage just increased by 35 cents, per report. ↗
- Canadian websites took down articles written by a suspected fake, AI-generated persona. ↗
- Rising city-service costs put local festivals at risk, ahead of the mayoral campaign. ↗
- Residential school survivors honoured on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. ↗