CJRO Radio News - October 13th, 2026

Hello! This is Manuela Dascal and you are listening to the CJRO Radio local news.

Ontario Municipal Elections are two weeks away. In Ottawa there are two remaining in-person opportunities for electors to cast their ballot on Advance Voting Day, October 16th and on Voting Day, October 26th, 2026. Eligible electors will have the opportunity to vote for their choice of Mayor, City Councillor, and School Board Trustee. 

The Ottawa candidates for Mayor will meet on Oct 14th on  CTV for a debate and on October 15th, and October 19th during two community organized debates. 

On October 15th, a debate, featuring the leading candidates for Mayor - Mark Sutcliffe, Jeff Leiper, Alex Lawson and Neil Saravanamuttoo will be held under the sponsorship of local community associations, including the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association. The focus of the debate will be on “Leadership for a liveable Ottawa”. Residents are invited to submit questions ahead of time for the candidates. These should be sent to electiondebate@glebeca.ca The debate will be livestreamed and posted at rogerstv.com/liveableottawa .

On October 19th, the Ottawa candidates for Mayor will have the opportunity to express their standings and solutions in a debate on housing and homelessness at the University of Ottawa. This debate is organized by the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), and the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services (CRECS). 

For anyone interested in questioning the candidates about housing and homelessness in Ottawa, please submit your questions to localnewscjro@gmail.com  The event is sold out but a CJRO Radio representative will be present at the debate. 

The 2026 Municipal Elections in Russell and Casselman will be conducted exclusively by Internet and telephone voting. Electors may cast their ballot using one of the following methods: internet, telephone, or internet and telephone at one of the Voter Help Centers. 

Residents should receive  a “Voter Information Letter” by mail. The letter will include your unique voter PIN and instructions on how to vote.

Electors may vote from 9:00 a.m. on October 21, 2026, until 8:00 p.m. on October 26, 2026 (Voting Day). Residents will find more election information on russell.ca . 

Russell Township, together with the Russell Healthcare Taskforce and community partners, is looking to improve access to healthcare services for residents. To help guide these efforts, residents are invited to complete a short healthcare survey which they can find on the Russell Township website.

Residents’ feedback will help inform future healthcare planning and ensure community needs are heard and considered. The deadline to complete the survey is November 8, 2026.

On Saturday, October 17th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Russell Township Library - Embrun Branch, everyone will have the opportunity to meet local author Monique Marion, at the launch of her book: “Ma vie—Une étoile filante“. Through memories, anecdotes, and memorable moments, she shares a life journey rich in experiences, challenges, and small joys. Everyone is welcome. Drop by anytime during the event. Books will be available for purchase. 

On Friday, October 30th, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. the Cumberland Lions Club will co-host a Halloween Dinner and Dance with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 554. The event will take place at Maple Hall (2552 Old Montréal Road)

Anyone interested to attend is invited to put on their favourite costume and join in for a spooky evening of delicious food, music, and dancing with friends and neighbours.

The food will be catered by Peter’s Kitchen and Catering, DJ Terry Tunes will provide the music, and the Cumberland Lions Club will tend the bar. A ticket’s price is $100 and tickets are available online. https://ticketscandy.com/e/halloween-dinner-dance-souper-et-danse-dhalloween-20719

Starting in August 2026, the Cumberland Lions Club had launched the Save Maple Hall Campaign aiming to raise approximately $80,000 for essential work required to protect, maintain and preserve the Maple Hall for continued community use. 

The Maple Hall was built in 1902 and has since been an important gathering place and a treasured part of Cumberland’s heritage and community life. The Cumberland Lions Club has served the community since 1967 and has operated and maintained the hall for several decades.

The Cumberland Lions Club is pleased to announce that, as of October 6, 2026, the Save Maple Hall Campaign had raised

$12,218 representing more than 15 per cent of its fundraising goal.

A Save Maple Hall Committee was formed to review the actions and strategies taken since the campaign began, and so far several initiatives and fundraising activities have been organized.

Furthermore, the Cumberland Lions Club continues to work

closely with the City of Ottawa staff. 

In last week’s press release the Club expressed its appreciation to residents of Cumberland and the surrounding communities, local businesses, media partners, community organizations and associations, Club members, and all donors who have supported the campaign so far.

The Club statement ended by underlining the importance of preserving the Maple Hall as it will help ensure that it can continue to welcome community events, celebrations and local

initiatives for years to come.

That wraps up our local news. If you have any questions, stories or news to share, contact us at the following email address localnewscjro@gmail.com. I also invite you to visit our website at cjroradio.com   for the latest news.