Hour 3 of Ottawa Now for Wed. April 30th, 2025

Once upon a time, the Ontario Teachers’ College curriculum took 12 months to complete. Thanks to a surplus of teachers in the early-2010s, the Liberals opted to extend the program in 2011. It was reset to 2 years and divided into 4 semesters. Then, all of a sudden, the admission rates plummeted. They went from over 7,000 in 2011 to just 4,500 in 2021, according to the Ontario College of Teachers. In 2025, early-career unemployment is approaching ‘statistically negligible’ levels, and those numbers are expected to get even worse once we reach 2027. Experts say there is one main ingredient that is fueling today’s catastrophe: Burnout. Should the province turn back the clock and resurrect the 1-year curriculum? Kristy Cameron sifts through the textboard and tackles today’s Question of the Day. Plus, as the April showers move into May, residents in West Carleton and Gatineau are doing all they can to avoid serious flood damage. Constance Bay resident Paul Graveline pays us a visit in Hour 3, as a potential flood risk looms over his neighbourhood this weekend.