Author: Sophie Mitchell

Ontario Coroner to Examine Circumstances Surrounding 2020 Death An inquest has been formally announced into the death of Derek Salonen, a 38-year-old man who died while in custody at a Toronto correctional facility in 2020, the Ministry of the Solicitor General said Monday. Oversight Process Aimed at Preventing Future Deaths The inquest, led by Dr. Jennifer M. Dmetrichuk, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central Region at the Toronto East Office, will examine the circumstances surrounding Salonen’s death. Officials say the proceeding is part of Ontario’s broader system of independent death investigations designed to improve public safety and institutional accountability. “Dr.…

Proposed legislation aims to accelerate project approvals while strengthening worker protections Government positions bill as next phase in economic competitiveness strategy The government of Ontario has introduced new legislation designed to reduce regulatory burdens, speed up project approvals and strengthen workforce protections, as part of its broader push to enhance economic resilience and competitiveness. Announced in Toronto on April 20, the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026—referred to as the POWER Act—marks the latest step in the province’s ongoing effort to streamline business processes while supporting workers entering high-demand sectors. Officials say the proposed legislation builds on earlier…

Province says new funding is accelerating patient connections and easing pressure on hospitals Pinecrest-Queensway clinic among 130 teams advancing province-wide care targets OTTAWA — The Ontario government is ramping up efforts to connect residents with primary care providers, highlighting new progress in Ottawa as part of a broader $3.4 billion investment aimed at achieving universal access by 2029. During a visit to the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre on Monday, Premier Doug Ford pointed to early results from the province’s Primary Care Action Plan, which is funding 130 teams across Ontario. The Ottawa-based centre received $1.15 million in the 2025–26 funding…

Nomination period begins May 1 as city prepares for October vote The City of Cambridge has officially launched preparations for its 2026 municipal election, opening candidate registration on May 1 ahead of the October 26 vote. Prospective candidates seeking elected office in the southwestern Ontario city will be required to book an appointment to file their nomination papers, with online scheduling available starting April 27 through the city’s website. The move marks the formal start of the election cycle, which municipal officials say is designed to ensure a structured and transparent process. Key dates and requirements outlined for candidates Nomination…

Public input sought during National Volunteer Week celebrations Residents invited to share experiences and ideas by May 13 The City of Cambridge is calling on residents to help shape the future of local volunteering through a newly launched public engagement survey, unveiled as part of this year’s National Volunteer Week. Announced Monday, the initiative aims to gather feedback on how volunteer programs can better reflect the needs, expectations and diversity of the community. City officials say the input will directly inform how volunteer opportunities are designed and delivered in the coming years. “This is an opportunity for our community to…

Ontario strengthens business communication during crises through Ontario Corps New agreement aims to improve rapid response and information flow during emergencies The Ontario government is expanding its emergency preparedness network by partnering with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, positioning the organization as a key communications link between the province and the business community during crises. The announcement, made April 20 by the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response, marks the latest step in building out Ontario Corps, a provincewide initiative designed to mobilize skilled professionals, volunteers and institutional partners in response to natural disasters and other emergencies. Through the agreement,…

Core Express Suspended as City Adjusts Transit Operations Prince Albert, Sask. — Commuters in Prince Albert Transit are facing temporary service adjustments as the city modifies bus schedules effective April 20, 2026. According to a transit update released Monday, two key routes — the All Day bus and the East Hill bus — are now operating on reduced, hourly service. The changes are part of a temporary adjustment, though officials have not specified how long the revised schedule will remain in place. Hourly Service Introduced for Key Routes Under the updated timetable, the All Day bus now departs from the…

Supply Shock Ripples Through Global Economy A sharp escalation in the Middle East conflict is sending shockwaves through global oil markets, cutting supply, dampening demand and complicating the outlook for the world economy, according to the latest monthly Oil Market Report from the International Energy Agency. The report finds that global oil supply fell by 10% in March to 97 million barrels per day, driven by attacks on energy infrastructure and a steep decline in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. Demand Weakens as Supply Constraints Bite The sudden drop in…

Limited-edition release uses bone-conduction technology as band previews Second To None Toronto indie rock outfit The Get Alongs is re-emerging with an unconventional rollout strategy for its latest single, “Come On,” offering both a sonic and experiential preview of its upcoming album Second To None, due June 19, 2026. The track, which became publicly available on April 17, marks the band’s first release since its debut LP and signals a more refined approach to songwriting and production. It also arrives packaged in a limited-edition format that stands out even in an industry known for experimentation: a lollipop that plays the…

Ontario coroner to examine circumstances surrounding 2020 custodial death Jury may issue recommendations to prevent similar incidents The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced that an inquest will be held into the death of Kevin Mulholland, a 51-year-old man who died while in custody at the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre in 2020. The proceeding is expected to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding his death and may result in recommendations aimed at improving safety and oversight within correctional facilities. Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner for the West Region based in Hamilton, formally confirmed the inquest on April 17. In…