Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is defending his beloved "Good morning Ottawa" social media tradition after one particular post set the internet ablaze — and not in the warm, fuzzy way he intended.
Fisher Park Photo Sparks Online Backlash
A recent photo in Sutcliffe's long-running "Good morning" series showed a soggy, mud-soaked Fisher Park in what many Ottawans described as a deeply uninspiring — some went so far as saying "hellscape" — state. The image quickly made the rounds online, drawing laughs, eye-rolls, and a fair bit of affectionate ribbing from residents who know all too well what Ottawa looks like during the grey slush of late March.
For his part, Sutcliffe pushed back gently, noting that the reaction to his morning posts has been "generally positive over the years." Fair enough — anyone who's followed the series knows it's meant to celebrate the city in all its moods, even the muddy ones. Spring in Ottawa is beautiful... eventually.
A South Korean Submarine Is Heading to Ottawa
In perhaps the most unexpected headline of the week, a South Korean submarine is reportedly making its way toward Canada. The story is among the top national security and defence pieces the Ottawa Citizen is tracking today, adding an international dimension to Friday's news cycle that few expected to be discussing over their morning coffee.
Details on the submarine's purpose and itinerary are still emerging, but it's the kind of story that underscores Ottawa's role as the political and diplomatic hub of the country — even the most far-flung global developments tend to land, in some way, on the capital's doorstep.
Why Are Hospital 50/50 Jackpots Getting So Massive?
If you've noticed that hospital lottery jackpots seem to be ballooning to record-breaking sizes lately, you're not imagining things. Ottawa-area hospitals have been among those running these wildly popular fundraising draws, and the jackpots have grown dramatically in recent years.
The Ottawa Citizen is taking a closer look at why these prizes have swelled to eye-watering sums — and what it means for hospital fundraising more broadly. For many Ottawa residents, buying a ticket has become almost a civic ritual, a way to support local healthcare while dreaming of a windfall. The combination of good cause and big prize is proving to be a powerful draw.
Your Friday Briefing
It's been a busy news week in Ottawa. From mayoral social media controversies to international military movements and the quirky economics of charity lotteries, the Ottawa Citizen's newsroom has been tracking a wide range of stories that reflect both the hyperlocal and the surprisingly global nature of life in the capital.
As the city heads into the weekend, expect the usual late-March mix: slushy sidewalks, cautiously optimistic Sens fans, and at least one more round of "is it actually spring yet?" conversations at coffee shops across the city.
We'll keep you posted.
Source: Ottawa Citizen. Original article published March 27, 2026.
