Author: Sophie Mitchell

Province Commits Up to $353 Million to Support Transition from City of Toronto Move forms part of Ontario’s broader New Deal for Toronto aimed at reducing congestion and supporting municipal infrastructure TORONTO — The Ontario government will officially assume ownership and maintenance responsibility for Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway (DVP) in fall 2027, marking a significant milestone in the province’s broader infrastructure and transportation strategy under the New Deal for Toronto. The provincial government announced June 4 that it will provide up to $353 million to the City of Toronto to support the continued operation and maintenance of…

Environmental Group Says Federal Delays Threaten Pollinator’s Survival Amid Industrial Agriculture Pressures SAN FRANCISCO — The Center for Food Safety has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), alleging the federal agency violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to make a timely determination on whether the imperiled Iowa skipper butterfly should receive federal protection. The legal complaint, filed Wednesday, accuses the agency of missing statutory deadlines by more than two years, despite earlier findings that the species may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The environmental advocacy organization argues that the continued delay…

Province Introduces Tougher Enforcement Measures Under Ticket Sales Act TORONTO — The Ontario government is moving to strengthen enforcement against illegal ticket resellers by increasing administrative financial penalties and expanding public disclosure measures aimed at businesses and individuals accused of violating provincial ticket resale laws. The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement announced Thursday that new enforcement measures under the Ticket Sales Act, 2017, will come into effect on June 10, 2026. The changes are part of the province’s broader consumer protection agenda and are intended to curb inflated resale prices for tickets to concerts, sporting events…

New Brunswick commission emphasizes compassion and trauma-informed responses as financial exploitation cases rise SAINT JOHN — Financial fraud and abuse targeting older adults often leave behind more than monetary losses, according to the Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB) of New Brunswick, which is using this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) campaign to highlight the emotional and psychological damage caused by financial exploitation. The commission announced a series of awareness initiatives this month centred around the theme “Hidden Harms of Fraud,” aimed at encouraging more compassionate conversations around fraud victims and reducing the stigma often associated with financial…

City says it will assess long-term financial impacts before deciding on participation CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — The City of Cambridge says it is taking a cautious approach to a newly announced housing infrastructure funding proposal from the federal and provincial governments, emphasizing the need to protect local taxpayers while supporting future growth and housing affordability. The announcement, made jointly by the Governments of Canada and Ontario, outlines proposed investments connected to municipal development charge reductions aimed at accelerating housing construction and improving affordability across the province. Municipal development charges are fees collected from developers to help fund infrastructure required to support…

Dairy Producers Call for Science-Based Measures and Adequate Resources Industry says food safety remains unaffected as livestock sector prepares for response ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is calling for close coordination between livestock producers and government agencies after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the return of the New World screwworm to the United States, marking the pest’s reappearance decades after it was eradicated from the country. The dairy industry organization said producers have spent more than a year preparing for the possibility of the parasite’s return through collaboration with federal agencies and broader agricultural stakeholders.…

Proceedings to Examine Circumstances Surrounding Deaths at Four Ontario Correctional Facilities Inquest Expected to Hear From 18 Witnesses Over 10 Days TORONTO — Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled a joint inquest into the deaths of four men who died while in custody at correctional facilities across the province between 2019 and 2022. Dr. Kenneth Peckham, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central West Region; Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner for the West Region, Hamilton Office; Dr. Jennifer M. Dmetrichuk, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Toronto East Region; and Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, Regional Supervising Coroner for the West…

Colorado-Based Festival Returns for Third Year With National and Regional Heavy Metal Acts Denver’s only dedicated power metal festival, Mile High Power Fest (MHPF), will return on Aug. 15, 2026, with organizers announcing a lineup featuring established touring acts alongside emerging regional bands as the event continues to expand its footprint within North America’s heavy metal scene. The festival, organized by Denver-based BiteSize Productions, will once again take place at The Oriental Theater and marks the third edition of the event. Organizers said the festival remains focused on supporting underground music communities while attracting broader audiences to the western United…

New report examines lives lost, evolving risks and the need for coordinated action across B.C.’s Fraser Health region SURREY, B.C. — A decade after British Columbia declared toxic drug poisonings a public health emergency, Fraser Health has released a new report reflecting on the scale of the crisis, the progress made in prevention and treatment, and the significant challenges that remain across the region. The report, issued by Fraser Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer, outlines how the health authority’s response has evolved since 2016 and examines the social, economic and systemic factors that continue to drive toxic drug poisonings and…

Province Backs Transit-Oriented Development Expected to Deliver 1,700 Rental Homes Near Scarborough GO Station Building Ontario Fund Partnership Revives Previously Stalled Scarborough Junction Project The Ontario government is investing up to $178 million through the Building Ontario Fund (BOF) to support the construction of approximately 1,700 new rental homes in Scarborough, including a target of 340 affordable units with below-market rents. Announced by the Ministry of Finance on June 3, the investment will help advance the Scarborough Junction project, a large-scale transit-connected community planned on underused land near the Scarborough GO Station. The broader development is expected to eventually include…