Friday, 09 January 2026
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Hello Ottawa

In Today’s Edition

→  1,927 Federal jobs in five departments will be cut, says Parliamentary Budget Officer

→ Four days and four nights of Ottawa activities

→  Deals of the Day on beer from Perth Brewery, Canadian-made 2026 planners from Sutherland House, womenswear from Beddome, and a goose down duvet from QE Home

Correction

Yesterday we wrote about philanthropist Bruce McKean being an early investor in his daughter and daughter’s boyfriend’s local start-up. That start-up was obviously Shopify, not Spotify like we wrote. We apologize for what we can only attribute to be some kind of psychosis. 

– Martha and Darren

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

  • 13

  • – The number of required studies that will be removed from new developments in the City, according to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe says 13 studies – including wind studies and shadow analyses – will be dropped, and 13 others will be narrowed with the aim of simplifying developments.

  • Ottawa Construction News

  •  

OTTAWAN OF THE DAY

  • Jean Broadfoot

  • The Carlington resident turned 103 yesterday. ‘I don’t know how to feel. Hey, I just go along with it,’ she said.

  • Dave Charbonneau at CTV
     

QUOTE

  • “

  • The very oddly written message sent out on social media last night by the Sens. The background is that goaltender Linus Ullmark is on leave from the team on a personal matter, players are very unhappy with the Sens performance lately — they lost 8-1 last night — and an unknown person made a now-deleted post on Twitter accusing several — also unnamed — players of cheating on their wives. The truth is, nobody knows nothing.

  •  – Barry Petchesky at Defector
     

  • SPORTS

  • 🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators 2 – Colorado Avalanche 8, yesterday

  • 🏒 OHL Ottawa 67s 2 – North Bay Battalion 4, yesterday

  • 🏒 CHL Les Olympiques de Gatineau 1 – St John Sea Dogs 5, yesterday

  • PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN

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    WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

    No meetings Monday

    Meetings and agendas

    WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

    💸  1,927 Federal jobs in five departments will be cut, says Parliamentary Budget Officer. Documents released to the Parliamentary Budget Office show that the Federal government anticipates 1,927 cuts in the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for the Quebec Regions, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Correctional Service of Canada, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans by 2029/2030. – Matteo Cimellaro in the Ottawa Citizen


    ⛸️ The Rideau Canal Skateway is closed, temporarily, due to warmer weather. The Skateway closed yesterday and is expected to remain closed over the weekend.  – National Capital Commission 


    💸   The Ottawa Carleton District School Board budget is worse than expected, says the provincially appointed supervisor. Bob Plamondon, who replaced the elected trustees last year, says the Board is $14.4 million short this year. Before the trustees were replaced, they budgeted a shortfall of $10 million.  – Arthur White-Crummey at CBC 

    THE DAILY POLL

    Do you use a daytimer/agenda?

    🔘 Yes, I rely on it

    🔘 Yes, and I constantly forget to use it

    🔘 No, not necessary

    🔘 No. It was in my old daytimer to buy one but I forgot to look

    🔘 I prefer to live life unscheduled by the tyranny of a notebook


    • Previously in ottawan polls:

    • We asked, ‘Have you taken advantage of the weekly free evening at the National Gallery?’

      • 4% Yes, often

      • 14% Yes, at least once

      • 45% No, but I'd like to

      • 27% No, and I don’t want to

      • 10% I did but it's so crowded and haven’t gone back


    • Commentary

    ▪️ “We don’t go on free evenings because we are members of the Gallery and can visit for ‘free’ (well, discounting the membership fee) anytime we wish.”

    ▪️ “Would like to go but I don’t drive and I really do not want to take public transportation at night.”

    ▪️ “I liked the free night so much I got a membership so I could go when it was quieter.”

    ▪️ “I just took in the winter special exhibit Thursday afternoon. Not crowded and a great viewing.”

    ▪️ “I love art! My kids keep me busy though, and the free evening often conflicts with their activities.”

    ▪️ “If it were during the day I definitely would ...”

    ▪️ “Great initiative, although somehow the Gallery can’t figure out bike parking in winter — and there’s all that space there! They used to have some in the parking garage, but then that became staff-only :/”

    ▪️ “I try to go when weather is bad or in the middle of an exhibit’s stay. I don’t like crowds, but they can be just as bad during paid hours. 🤷‍♀️”

    ▪️ “Great gallery that many more people should visit.”

    ▪️ “I have hesitated because being handicapped.I’m concerned about parking.”

    ▪️ “Thursdays are free evenings at a lot of other Ottawa museums, too!”

    ▪️ “A free evening is nice but I’m more likely to go on a quiet afternoon.”


    ▪️ “I’m a member but I’d like to take my sister and think the free weekly evening would be perfect for that.”​​​

    HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

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    Newbridge Networks T-Shirt

    Newbridge Networks was founded by Welsh-Canadian entrepreneur Sir Terry Matthews in 1986.

    Help support the ottawan by buying one of our historic logo t-shirts.

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    THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR

    Is there an event we should know about?
    Please use our easy event submission form

    ✳️ Means change from previous edition

    FRIDAY

    Cinema

    Gigs

    SATURDAY

    • Local independent game design and development studio Face-Off Games successfully crowdfunded their inaugural Hockey Hardware game in 2024, and it was then released in Canada and the USA in 2025. On Saturday they’ll be selling the game at Aberdeen Pavilion as 613Flea returns for a new year of vintage events. (Lansdowne Park) 

    • For the first time in Ottawa, enjoy a live bonfire, traditional music, and a joyful community indoor gathering of Lohri Celebration 2026 at Mosaic Convention Centre (Hunt Club / South Keys) 

    • Bring the family to an evening of drama, excitement, and the outrageous physicality of pro wrestling at New Year’s Wrestleution 14 (Centretown)

    • Feelgood rock ‘n’ roll, galaxy themed songs, and even spacesuits. Find them all at Saw Centre as Runaway to Planet Halla brings some of Ottawa's best bands to the stage: Runaway Kit, Still Life and Street, GRFN. (Downtown) 

    Cinema

    Gigs

    • Mounfou releases his sixth studio album Therapy Sessions 2. Rainbow Bistro

    • Music for the Dead of Winter. LIVE on Elgin

    • Bob Wiseman, Lynn Miles. Robo Lounge

    • Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening. Hard Rock Ottawa

    • Benjamin Dakota Rogers and Zachary Lucky. Red Bird

    • Punk Rock Interruption: Positive Charge, Sugar Bomb!. Sunshine Overload, Ociosa. House of TARG

    • Ottawa Battle of the Bands 2026 begins with The Space Between, The New Hires, and Derecho Party competing at Moose McGuire's 3320 McCarthy Road (Hunt Club) 1 

    • Cassette Lounge Bar’s Comedy Nite is hosted by Melanie Paige. 

    • The West Coast Swing/Hustle Social Dance Party is FREE if it's your first time. No experience, partner, or registration required.  (Heron Park) 

    • Budding comic book authors can join Éric Péladeau at the OPL St. Laurent branch for an interpretive writing workshop. Ages 9 and up. (Vanier) 

    • Broadway Across Canada’s touring production of the madcap murder mystery Clue continues at National Arts Centre. the ottawan was invited to the show on Tuesday night, and came away with renewed admiration for the physical demands of performing a live comedy on stage. Come for the giggles, and stay for the comedic genius of Adam Brett as Wadsworth the butler. 

    • The action and excitement plays out at Centre Slush Puppie until Sunday in Skate Canada’s 2026 Canadian National Skating Championships (Gatineau).  

    • 🆓 Justin Gow plays the Orléans Brewing Co. taproom (Orléans)  

    SUNDAY

    • You’ll need a reservation to enjoy the Soca Kitchen Seafood Fiesta Buffet. Available from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the buffet costs $39.99 per person. (Vanier)  

    • Tonight, ‘Be a Noob who listens or a Noob who jams’ at Noob Night: An Open Jazz Jam for Listeners and Jammers. (Centretown) 

    • Broadway Across Canada’s touring production of the madcap murder mystery Clue ends its run at National Arts Centre with matinée and evening performances today. the ottawan was invited to the show on Tuesday night, and came away with renewed admiration for the physical demands of a live comedy on stage. Come for the giggles, and stay for the comedic genius of Adam Brett as Wadsworth the butler. 

    • Dance Quality Ballroom Fitness presents the DQBF Afternoon Social, three hours of social dancing. $10 per person (Old Ottawa East) 

    • It’s your final chance to take in Retro - Popular Music in Canada From the '60s, '70s, and '80s, running at the Canadian Museum of History until Sunday January 18. (Gatineau)  

    Cinema

    Gigs

    • The Sunday Night Revue. Irene’s Pub

    • Jon Letts. Avant-Garde Bar

    • Perry & The Wobbly Pops. Art House

    • Legendary Sunday Afternoon Blues Jam. The Laff

    • The Roo’s Blues Jam. Atomic Rooster

    • Roxanne. Atomic Rooster

    MONDAY

    • Absolute beginners are welcome to take their first tentative steps on the dance floor at Jose Sandoval Dance’s Beginner Group Classes. No partner required. (Lowertown) 

    • Silent Book Club invites introverts to gather at Beyond the Pale Brewing Co’s City Centre location for (maybe) saying hello, ordering something delicious from the bar, and settling down for quiet reading time together. 

    • Are you seated comfortably? Ottawa Storytellers present an evening of story telling at the Barley Mow (Westboro). Suggested donation $10 per person

    Cinema

    Gigs

    • CG5: Too Many Songs Canada Tour (all-ages). Bronson Centre

    • The 5-Star Monday Band. The Laff

    • Karaoke Mondays. Atomic Rooster

    JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

    MADE IN CANADA DEALS OF THE DAY

    Bag a special price on a BC-crafted, Prestige White Goose Down Duvet in the QE Home sale.

     

    All-Canadian 2026 planners in your choice of blue or black are on sale at Sutherland House. 

     

    There is still time to save on Canadian-made, classic pieces by Beddome in the Boxing Day sale.Use the code BOXING20 to save 20-50%

     

    Perth Brewery’s Full Steam Ahead copper steam beer is 15% off from today until January 31.

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    BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

    • A fundraiser has been launched for the couple who owned the Douglas Trading Post, which was destroyed by fire last weekend. The couple had bought the then Douglas Tavern, operating since 1880, only in 2021.

    • Natasha O’Neil at CityNews

    RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

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    THE END

    the ottawan is written and edited every working weekday by Martha and Darren.

    Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email to us at hello@theottawan.com. We read every single comment.

    		 Martha and Darren in action

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