Hour 2 of Ottawa Now for Tues. February 17th, 2026

Over 24,000 federal public servants have received letters, notifying them that their jobs are at risk due to department-wide budget cuts. Brooklyn Holmes is one of many public servants who received those ultimatums. She outlines her fears and concerns in Hour 2. Meantime, Kingston MP Mark Gerretsen has launched a public campaign, calling for Alto to include Kingston in the proposed high-speed rail network. As of right now, the route’s Ontario-based stops feature Toronto, Ottawa, and Peterborough. Kristy Cameron chats with Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson, who offers his two cents on the idea. Plus, the Quebec government will soon be shifting responsibility for the upcoming Gatineau tram project. It would be transferred from the City of Gatineau to Mobilité Infra Québec, the agency that oversees transportation projects in the province. And with that announcement, the Mayor of Gatineau fears that the funding for this endeavour is now in jeopardy. Maude Marquis-Bissonnette pays us a visit.