Today, Thursday, 2026-01-22

Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Ottawa is looking like a typical winter day with a mix of light snow and significant political news.

Weather

The current temperature is -3°C (feeling like -9°C) under mostly cloudy skies. Expect a high of -2°C and a low of -16°C. There is a 60% chance of flurries this morning, with risk of snow squalls in the afternoon potentially bringing 2 to 4 cm of accumulation. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly heading into the weekend.

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Top Local Headlines

• National Politics: Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet are meeting in Quebec City today for a planning forum focused on the economy and affordability.

• Infrastructure & Environment: First Nations chiefs are calling for answers from the federal government regarding a recent pipeline agreement with Alberta, citing concerns over the lack of provisions for fresh water protection.

• International Relations: The Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, is urging the government to move quickly on new collaboration deals following the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Beijing.

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Today's Events

• Resolution 2026: An arts event taking place at the Arts Court Theatre.

• Better Jobs Ontario Session: An in-person information session on career retraining is being held at the CERC in Kanata at 10:00 AM.

• Winter Festivities: Several community winter carnivals (like Carnaval St-Jean Bosco) are currently underway in the region.

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Transit & Traffic Alerts

• OC Transpo: O-Train Line 1 is operating with fewer trains and some single-car configurations due to maintenance issues; expect potential crowding during peak hours.

• Bank Street: Northbound lanes are reduced to one lane from Echo Drive to Wilton Crescent for construction.

• Hwy 417: Maintenance work will cause closures on various segments of Highway 417 starting tonight at 11:00 PM.

The Great Wealth Transfer: Why Most Executors Are Not Ready to Do the Job

 

The Great Wealth Transfer: Why Most Executors Are Not Ready to Do the Job

You’ve probably seen the headlines about the "Great Wealth Transfer." Economists estimate that over the next two decades, tens of trillions of dollars will pass from Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation down to Gen X and Millennials.

It’s billed as the largest economic shift in human history.

But the news articles usually focus on big concepts like how Millennials will invest in AI or how the housing market will change. They are missing the messiest, most stressful reality of this entire process.

Who is actually moving that money?

It’s almost never a team of high-priced lawyers or a slick wealth management firm. When a will is written, an Executor is named to handle the estate. Usually, it’s:

The responsible oldest daughter.
The trustworthy younger brother.
The best friend of 40 years.

People pick those they love and trust. But here is the trillion-dollar problem: Most of these people are simply not ready to do the job.

The "Honor" That Feels Like a Burden

Being named an executor is often viewed as an honor, but the reality is a complicated, high-liability part-time job that you have to perform while you are actively grieving.

We are about to hand the most complex financial logistics of the century to millions of well-meaning individuals with zero experience. Most people will only be an executor once. They don't know about probate court filings, final tax returns, locating hidden digital assets, or mediating family disputes.

The Risks of Being Unprepared

When a well-meaning but unprepared family member takes on this role, the consequences are real:

Assets lose value because they aren't secured or sold in time.
Tax mistakes lead to penalties that eat into the inheritance.
Family relationships explode under the pressure of delays.
The process drags on for years, trapping wealth in legal limbo.

As this massive wave of wealth approaches, we need to stop just focusing on the "trillions" and start focusing on the mechanics. If we don't better prepare the everyday people tasked with executing these wills, the "Great Wealth Transfer" is going to become the "Great Family Headache."

 Let’s talk about it in the comments 

Have you ever served as an executor? Was it harder than you thought it would be? Or, have you named someone in your will who might not be ready for the job?

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Tuesday, January 20, 2026

It is a bitterly cold Tuesday in Ottawa with significant snowfall impacting the region.

Weather Forecast

• Current: -22°C (feels like -27°C) and cloudy.

• Today's High: -12°C with light snow expected throughout the day.

• Tonight's Low: -22°C with continued light snow.

• Wind: Southwest at 6 mph.

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Top Local News

• Winter Disruptions: A snowstorm has led to several school bus cancellations across eastern Ontario. While city schools remain open, many rural routes are affected.

• Hintonburg Fire: Sadly, one person has died and 19 others have been displaced following an apartment fire in Hintonburg earlier this morning.

• Council Trial: The impaired driving trial for an Ottawa city councillor began today, drawing significant local attention.

• Immigration Milestone: PR status was approved for the family of the victims of the 2024 Barrhaven mass stabbing, allowing them to remain in Canada.

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Events Happening Today

• Family: Toddler Tuesdays at the National Arts Centre (Peter A. Herrndorf Place) at 10:00 AM.

• Entertainment: Board Game Night at the Vanier Sugar Shack from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

• Music: Shelley, Beethoven & Korngold featuring violinist Simone Lamsma at Southam Hall (NAC) at 8:00 PM.

• Nightlife: Dueling Pianos with Jeff Rogers and Mellow Dee at the National Arts Centre this evening.