Hour 1 of Ottawa Now for Wed. August 5th, 2026

It’s one of the most debated rules on our roads – right turns on red lights. While drivers love the convenience, safety advocates say it puts pedestrians and cyclists directly in the crosshairs of a serious collision. Beacon Hill-Cyrville councillor Tim Tierney joined Andrew Pinsent earlier today. Ahead of the incoming September traffic to Downtown Ottawa, and the return of the 4-day model for public servants, Tierney says we need to re-examine this debate. Should we unban these turns or not? We check in with Chris Hircock, the co-founder of Vision Zero Ottawa. It’s an organization committed to advancing a transportation system where no loss of life or serious injury is considered acceptable. Meantime, after decades of banning smoking in public spaces, smoking appears to be making a comeback. High-profile stars – ranging from Dua Lipa, to Charli XCX, and even Jeremy Allen White – are frequently photographed with cigarettes. So how can we fight back? Dr. Alykhan Abdulla, a family doctor based in Manotick, pays us a visit. But first, we bring you up to speed on today’s top headlines.