Author: Sophie Mitchell

Proceedings scheduled to begin April 8 via video conference A coroner’s inquest has been scheduled into the death of a Northern Ontario mine worker who died after sustaining injuries at a surface mining site nearly seven years ago. Dr. Harry Mikael Voogjarv, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region based in Sudbury, announced that the inquest into the death of Mark Paul Joseph Beskorowany will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The proceedings will be conducted by video conference and are expected to last about seven days. Bonnie Goldberg will serve as the presiding officer for the…

New Whitby facility part of nearly $550M provincial investment to expand mental health and addiction services WHITBY, Ont. — The Ontario government has opened a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Whitby as part of a provincewide effort to expand access to mental health, addiction recovery and housing-related supports. The hub is one of 28 HART Hubs being developed across Ontario through an investment of nearly $550 million aimed at improving treatment access while addressing community safety concerns tied to homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use. Provincial officials say the new Whitby facility will offer integrated…

Province says changes would increase flexibility for workers, retailers and consumers while maintaining labour protections The Ontario government is proposing changes that would allow retail businesses across the province to open on Family Day and Victoria Day, a move it says will give consumers more convenience while providing workers and businesses greater flexibility. The proposal, announced Friday by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, would allow retailers to choose whether to open on the two statutory holidays while maintaining existing labour protections for employees. Under the plan, eligible retail workers who agree to work those days…

Province aims to strengthen disaster readiness with specialized rescue expertise and equipment The Ontario government is expanding its provincial emergency response network by welcoming Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR) as a partner in Ontario Corps, a program designed to mobilize trained volunteers and organizations to assist communities during emergencies and natural disasters. The announcement, made Friday in Sudbury by the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response, marks a new step in the province’s effort to build a coordinated network capable of deploying personnel, equipment and resources quickly when crises occur, particularly in rural and remote areas. Ontario officials say the addition…

$138 million investment secures 205 kilometres of track between North Bay and Washago The Ontario government has completed the acquisition of a key railway corridor in Northern Ontario, marking a major step toward restoring the long-awaited Northlander passenger rail service between Toronto and northeastern communities. The province announced Friday it had secured 205 kilometres of track between North Bay and Washago through a $138 million investment finalized in late February. The purchase provides Ontario with a dedicated rail corridor intended to improve the reliability and speed of passenger services while also supporting freight operations across the region. Provincial officials say…

Changes aim to strengthen data security, modernize privacy rules and align FOI policies nationwide Ontario is moving to modernize its cyber security and privacy framework, introducing legislative updates intended to strengthen protection for personal data, streamline access to public information and align the province’s policies more closely with those used in other Canadian jurisdictions. Announced Friday by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, the proposed changes would introduce enhanced cyber security requirements for a wide range of public sector institutions while updating Freedom of Information (FOI) rules that have remained largely unchanged since the late 1980s.…

Limited hours set from March 14 to March 31 as recruitment efforts continue SURREY, B.C. — The Emergency Department at Mission Memorial Hospital will temporarily operate on reduced hours from March 14 to March 31 as health officials work to stabilize physician staffing and maintain safe patient care. During the temporary adjustment period, the department will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Health officials say the change is intended to ensure patients continue receiving reliable emergency services while staffing gaps are addressed. Hospital administrators said the revised schedule reflects broader systemic pressures affecting health systems across the…

Ontario coroner to examine circumstances surrounding 23-year-old’s death in custody Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner will conduct a mandatory inquest into the death of Ethan Dawichuk, a 23-year-old man who died while in custody at the Toronto East Detention Centre in 2021. The announcement was made Thursday by Dr. Jennifer Dmetrichuk, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Toronto Region at the Toronto East Office. The inquest will review the circumstances surrounding Dawichuk’s death and determine whether any recommendations should be made to help prevent similar incidents in the future. “Dr. Jennifer Dmetrichuk, Regional Supervising Coroner, Toronto Region, Toronto East Office,…

Province invites organizations and businesses to apply for funding aimed at cultural and economic development The Government of Ontario has launched the 2026–2027 Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP), opening a new round of funding designed to support projects that strengthen French-speaking communities across the province. Announced Thursday in Toronto by the Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs, the program aims to help community organizations and businesses improve access to French-language services, promote Francophone culture and expand economic opportunities for French-speaking residents. Provincial officials say the initiative is part of a broader effort to reinforce the cultural and economic vitality of Ontario’s…

New facility adds 224 modern long-term care beds in Stouffville The Ontario government is marking the opening of the Mon Sheong Dr. Paul Woo Long-Term Care Centre in Stouffville, a new facility that will add 224 modern long-term care beds to the community and expand capacity for senior care in the region. The project is part of the province’s broader strategy to expand long-term care infrastructure while supporting employment and improving services for residents. The new home received a construction funding subsidy top-up from the provincial government and aligns with Ontario’s plan to expand access to long-term care as demand…