The first baby of 2026 for the Ottawa and western Quebec region arrived just moments after the clock struck midnight, bringing instant joy to a local family and hospital staff.
A New Year's Arrival
Dixabahen and Mehulkumar Patel became parents to a healthy baby boy at 12:23 a.m. on January 1, 2026. The birth took place at Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, marking the official first child of the new year for the National Capital Region.
The hospital shared the happy news in a release, celebrating the arrival of the newborn who entered the world a mere 23 minutes after the start of the year. This birth kicks off the annual tradition of honouring the first babies born in communities across Canada.
Celebrating New Life Amidst Nationwide News
The arrival of the Patel's son was a bright spot on a news day dominated by severe winter weather and other significant events across the country. As the family celebrated, Environment Canada had issued a wide range of weather advisories, including for blizzards, extreme cold, and fog, affecting a dozen provinces and territories.
Meanwhile, other Canadian regions also welcomed their own New Year's babies. Notably, the first reported children born in Quebec in 2026 were all girls, according to early reports. In British Columbia, the province's first child of the year was born in Kelowna.
A Tradition of Hope and New Beginnings
The birth of a New Year's baby is always a symbol of hope and fresh starts. For the staff at Montfort Hospital, it is a cherished annual event that brings a sense of unity and celebration to the start of the calendar.
While the Patel family begins their journey into parenthood, their story connects them to a nationwide tapestry of families who share the unique distinction of welcoming their children on the very first day of the year. The hospital has not released further details about the baby's name or measurements, focusing instead on the family's privacy and the joyous nature of the occasion.
