Hour 2 of Ottawa Now for Tues. March 3rd, 2026

For a second straight year, the Algonquin College Board of Governors has approved a significant series of programming cuts. This time, 30 programs have been halted. Monday’s judgement day comes as the Ottawa-based post-secondary institution continues to grapple with funding shortfalls and a decline in International enrollment. The vote was originally scheduled for last Monday, but was abruptly delayed after the Ontario government lifted the tuition freeze and announced new funding measures. Last hour, we chatted with Aarushi Aarushi, a student with Algonquin’s Horticulture Project that is understandably frustrated by the decision. In Hour 2, Kristy Cameron picks up the conversation with Judy Puritt, the first Vice-President of OPSEU Local 415. They represent roughly 900 of Algonquin’s faculty members. Meantime, could Artificial Intelligence help reduce the number of E.R. mental health visits? Researchers at CHEO are looking into it. We dig deeper with Dr. Kathleen Pajer, the Director of the CHEO Research Institute’s Precision Child and Youth Mental Health Collaboratory. Plus, how crappy is your daily commute? We continue Monday’s transit talk with Jo Guertin, an OC Transpo bus rider who is also a public servant.