Hour 2 of Ottawa Now for Fri. October 17th, 2025

The Ottawa Police Arson Squad has taken over the investigation of yet another suspicious fire at a magic mushroom dispensary. Previously, we saw this storyline play out on Bank Street, Preston Street, and one section of Rideau Street. On Thursday, across the road from the first Rideau Street fire, crews are back in action. When these shops aren’t mysteriously ablaze, they occupy a strange fine line between criminality and local business. So if they aren’t exactly legal, how do they manage to stay open? Kristy Cameron chats with Andrew Hathaway, a University of Guelph professor who specializes in Canadian drug policy. And on a totally different note, today is a party of a different variety, as one of the CFRA hosts has a birthday to celebrate! Any guesses as to who it might be? CFRA’s Chris Holski spoils the surprise in Hour 2.