Hour 2 of Ottawa Now for Wed. September 17th, 2025

Back in August, Ontario’s Premier organized a study to look into the viability of digging a tunnel under Highway 401 and through the GTA. More specifically, a tunnel from Brampton to Mississauga in the West End, and one from Scarborough to Markham in the East End. But now, Ford is ramping up the intensity of this idea, encouraging Canada’s Prime Minister to back his vision. Is this an efficient solution to traffic congestion? And even if it is, can this province afford the price tag? Kristy Cameron digs deeper with Matti Siemiatycki, a Professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto. Meantime, the Bank of Canada has opted to cut the key lending rate by 25 basis points, as trade disruptions slow down worldwide economic growth. Today, we sit at 2.5 percent. Fares Elsabbagh, the owner of Ottawa General Contractors, explains how this approach will impact the company’s bottom-line. Plus, a Canadian music star from Napanee has cracked open her new wine brand. Does the fact that it’s being made in California make things a little ‘complicated’? CFRA’s Chris Holski chimes in with his two cents.