Author: Sophie Mitchell

The Ontario government is opening provincewide consultations for its 2026 budget, launching an outreach effort officials say will help shape the next phase of the province’s economic and fiscal strategy. The initiative, announced Friday, invites workers, families and business groups to share their priorities as the government develops a plan focused on competitiveness, resilience and long-term growth. The consultations build on measures outlined in the 2025 Fall Economic Statement and mark the earliest stage of the annual budget cycle. With global economic uncertainty continuing to weigh on provincial planning, the government says public feedback will play a central role in…

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has confirmed its board leadership for the coming year, reappointing Chair Mark Baker and electing Vice-Chair Mark Vonesch during its inaugural meeting on November 19. The annual selection of board leadership, mandated under provincial legislation, sets the tone for regional governance as the district continues to navigate priorities tied to community resilience, service delivery and reconciliation with First Nations. Baker, who serves as Mayor of Sayward, will enter his fourth consecutive term as Chair. His reappointment reflects strong board support during a period marked by increasing regional collaboration and evolving service expectations across Vancouver Island’s…

Ontario has secured a $3.2-billion investment from Norwegian manufacturer Vianode to build a large-scale synthetic graphite facility in St. Thomas, marking the company’s first entry into the North American market and adding new momentum to the province’s growing electric-vehicle and clean-technology manufacturing corridor. The project, announced Wednesday, will create nearly 300 jobs in its initial phase and as many as 1,000 positions once fully operational. The province is framing the deal as a major step in its plan to bolster industrial resiliency, strengthen domestic supply chains and compete for global investment amid ongoing trade uncertainty. “Today’s announcement is a historic…

Charlottetown is preparing for a major tourism and economic lift as the Charlottetown Christmas Festival returns for its 2025–26 season, promising expanded programming, enhanced décor, and new attractions aimed at drawing visitors throughout the holiday period. Running from November 21, 2025, to January 2, 2026, the six-week festival is expected to generate strong activity for retailers, hospitality operators, artisan vendors and event partners across the city. Organized by Discover Charlottetown in partnership with the City of Charlottetown, Founders’ Food Hall & Market and a range of community organizations, the festival has grown into one of Atlantic Canada’s most recognizable holiday…

The Ontario government is moving ahead with sweeping procurement changes aimed at prioritizing goods and services produced in the province, a shift officials say will shield local businesses and workers from global trade uncertainty while anchoring long-term economic growth. The government is set to introduce the Buy Ontario Act, 2025, legislation that would require public-sector organizations — including ministries, agencies, municipalities, and their contractors — to give preference first to Ontario-made products and services, and then to Canadian alternatives. The rules would apply across the province’s more than $30-billion annual procurement portfolio and support Ontario’s broader $220-billion infrastructure plan. The…

IEA report shows improvement in primary energy intensity but warns progress still lags COP28 targets Global progress on energy efficiency is set to accelerate in 2025, marking a welcome shift after several years of sluggish improvement, according to new analysis released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The findings point to renewed momentum in government policy action as countries attempt to bolster energy security, reduce emissions, and improve economic competitiveness. In its annual Energy Efficiency 2025 update published on November 20, the IEA reports that global primary energy intensity — the main metric used to assess energy efficiency — is…

Channell and Clarke to Lead Senior Team into 2026 Olympic Push CALGARY — Canada’s national skeleton program is accelerating into the 2025–26 Olympic season with a newly named roster, an expanding talent pipeline, and renewed confidence in a team-first, high-performance culture. Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) confirmed its senior and development lineups just days before competition begins, setting the tone for a season the organization describes as pivotal to rebuilding the sport’s national presence and competitiveness on the world stage. Two-time Olympian Jane Channell and reigning world champion Hallie Clarke will anchor the Senior Skeleton Team as the athletes begin their…

Ontario is strengthening its economic ties with the State of Maryland through a renewed and expanded Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at boosting cooperation across key high-growth sectors, including life sciences, information technology and clean energy. The agreement, announced Wednesday, is part of the province’s broader strategy to position Ontario as the most resilient and competitive economy in the G7. Provincial officials say the renewed MOU will deepen cross-border collaboration at a time when global economic uncertainty is prompting governments to diversify partnerships and remove barriers to trade. The agreement builds on an existing MOU signed in 2020 and is…

Ontario is expanding its suite of energy efficiency programs with new rebates for households and increased incentives for industrial, municipal, institutional, and health-care organizations—measures the government says will help lower energy bills, reduce demand on the electricity grid, and support economic competitiveness across the province. Announced in North York, the latest updates form part of Ontario’s 12-year, $10.9-billion Energy Efficiency Framework, the largest investment in energy-efficiency programming in Canadian history. The initiatives also align with Energy for Generations, Ontario’s first integrated energy plan, designed to support affordability while meeting rising electricity demand. “With electricity demand rising, keeping more money in…

The International Energy Agency (IEA) will publish its flagship Energy Efficiency 2025 report on Thursday, 20 November, offering governments and industry a timely assessment of how efficiency improvements can help strengthen energy security, cut emissions, and support global economic resilience. The report, which will be released at 7 a.m. Paris time, arrives as countries continue to grapple with volatile energy markets and rising policy pressure to accelerate the transition toward cleaner systems. Energy Efficiency 2025 is the latest installment of the IEA’s annual analysis tracking global trends in energy intensity, demand, investment, and technological progress. According to the agency, this…