Bundle up, Ottawa: cold, clear, and a Senators game tonight

Morning, Ottawa. Bundle up for this one. It's zero out there, but with the wind it feels closer to minus four, and it's notably colder than the last few days, so the toque and the good mitts are not optional. The sky is partly cloudy and the UV is basically nothing, which means you won't need sunscreen but you will want to clock the sunset: it goes down at 4:36 this afternoon, so if you're planning anything outdoors after work, aim for the early part of the evening or bring a headlamp for the walk home.

For getting around, nothing in today's material flags a closure or disruption, so the usual commute applies. Give yourself a little extra time on the bridges and the stretches where the cold slows everyone down, and leave a bit of room on the O-Train platform if you're catching it.

A few local stories worth knowing before you hit the office. Budget 2026 is reinvesting in parts of the public service that were cut last year, according to one economist, which will be good news for a lot of you across the river and downtown. On the other side of that coin, public servants are being told there are no guaranteed job offers as cuts to Indigenous Services loom, and Canada's Army is cutting reserve jobs and training even as federal defence spending climbs. Heavy stuff for a Thursday, so take it as you will. Lighter news from Carleton: Eric Sprott's $10 million gift is funding an entrepreneurship degree with no math prerequisites.

On the food front, it's a bittersweet one. Chahaya Malaysia, the Glebe-born spot that's been around for 41 years, closes for good this Sunday, so if you've got a favourite dish there, this is the week to go say goodbye. If you're in Centretown and craving something warm, Zen Bowl is bringing Shanghai soup dumplings and pan-fried buns to the neighbourhood, which is exactly the kind of lunch that fights off a cold snap. And if you're planning a date night, Riviera has seating options worth looking at.

Tonight the marquee is hockey: the Colorado Avalanche visit the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre, puck drop at 7:00. If you'd rather stay in the entertainment district, The Great Canadian Roadtrip is on at the Hard Rock Cafe and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa at 7:00, and Laugh Together, The Comedy Show is at Algonquin Commons Theatre at 7:30. For live music, Thea May is at Rum Runners at 8:00. With the temperature where it is, all of these are indoor options, which is a relief.

This evening is all about picking your vibe, whether that's a hockey crowd, a laugh, or a set at Rum Runners. Dress warm, leave a little early, and enjoy the night. See you out there, neighbour.