Hour 2 of Ottawa Now for Thurs. September 10th, 2026

Gander, Newfoundland has become famous for its generosity and hospitality. In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, it welcomed thousands of stranded Americans whose flights were redirected. That harrowing tale sparked the famous musical ‘Come From Away’, and it also encapsulated the friendship shared between Canada and the United States. However, those friendships have been put to the test during President Trump’s trade war, and Canada’s love for America has become a bit strained since his return to power. Tomorrow marks 25 years since the World Trade Center was destroyed by hijacked airplanes – and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra is among the dignitaries heading to Newfoundland to mark the occasion. Ahead of his arrival, a crowd of Canadians voiced their displeasure, wondering why he was given an invite in the first place. Gander Mayor Percy Farwell has since pushed back on those critics, saying that September 11th is about basic humanity and not politics. Kristy Cameron picks the brain of Carlo Dade, a member of the Expert Group on Canada-USA Relations. Returning to local issues, as we discussed in Hour 1, the long-awaited LRT ride to Orleans is one step closer to becoming a reality. That being said, a lot of balls remain up in the air, and a lot of testing has to be done. We monitor the pulse of Orleans West-Innes councillor Laura Dudas in Hour 2. Then, we check in with our Reality Check Panel.