Author: Sophie Mitchell

New agreement includes up to $52 million investment and wage increases TORONTO, April 17, 2026 — The Government of Ontario and the Association of Ontario Midwives have ratified a new three-year funding agreement that will increase compensation for midwives and expand access to services across the province. The agreement, announced Friday by the Ontario Ministry of Health, runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028 and includes a total investment of up to $52 million. The funding is aimed at strengthening Ontario’s midwifery workforce and improving patient access, particularly in underserved and Indigenous communities. Wage increases and operational funding…

Province invests over $560 million in integrated care model to address homelessness and substance use challenges Brampton facility part of broader strategy to enhance community safety and access to treatment The Ontario government has opened a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Brampton, marking a significant step in its ongoing effort to expand access to mental health and addiction services while addressing housing instability across the province. Announced by the Ministry of Health on April 17, 2026, the new hub is part of a broader $560 million investment to establish 29 HART Hubs across Ontario. The initiative…

Proposed legislation aims to retain more doctors and strengthen provincial health-care workforce The Ontario government is preparing to introduce legislation that would give priority access to medical residency positions to internationally trained doctors with strong ties to the province, a move aimed at addressing ongoing physician shortages and retaining more talent within its health-care system. Announced April 17 by the Ministry of Health, the proposal would create a dedicated pathway within the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) for international medical graduates (IMGs) who are from Ontario but studied medicine abroad. The change is intended to make it easier for these…

Investment Aims to Boost Public Safety, Support Jobs and Strengthen Water Infrastructure Projects Expected to Extend Dam Lifespans by Up to a Century MALLORYTOWN, Ont. — The Ontario government is investing $11.5 million to rehabilitate four aging dams across the province, a move aimed at strengthening public safety, supporting local economies and ensuring long-term reliability of critical water infrastructure. Announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources on April 17, the funding will support upgrades to dams in northern and rural communities, with construction scheduled over the next four years. The province says the work will extend the service life of…

New demand-response initiative targets large buildings to curb electricity use during peak periods STONEY CREEK — The Ontario government has launched a new energy-saving initiative aimed at reducing electricity demand during peak periods, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen grid reliability and lower costs for consumers and businesses. The Peak Performance program, announced Friday by the Ministry of Energy and Mines, will offer financial incentives to commercial and institutional building operators who reduce heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) usage during times of high demand. The province expects the program to deliver up to 100 megawatts of peak-demand…

New rail link aims to boost regional connectivity, tourism and economic growth STRATFORD, Ont. — The Ontario government will extend GO Transit rail service to Stratford beginning July 6, 2026, introducing a daily round trip along the Kitchener line in a move aimed at improving regional connectivity, easing congestion and supporting economic activity across southwestern Ontario. The expansion marks a significant step in the province’s broader transit strategy, which seeks to deliver faster and more reliable transportation options across both urban and rural communities. The new service will connect Stratford directly with Toronto, with stops in key corridors including Kitchener,…

Three-day melodic and power metal showcase to draw fans to The Cobalt and Rickshaw Theatre VANCOUVER — One of British Columbia’s most prominent niche music events is set to take the stage this week as Hyperspace Metalfest returns for its seventh edition, bringing a lineup of international and Canadian metal acts to venues across Vancouver from April 16 to 18. Positioned as a key gathering for fans of melodic and power metal, the festival will span two venues — The Cobalt on April 16 and 17, followed by a final night at the Rickshaw Theatre on April 18. This year’s…

Proposed levy increase aims to close $3.49M funding gap Prince Albert — City council in Prince Albert is set to review a proposed 2026 Property Tax Plan that would introduce modest tax increases as officials work to balance operating and capital budgets in the face of rising costs. The plan, scheduled for consideration at a council meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, outlines measures to address a funding requirement of $3,489,069. The shortfall reflects the financial pressures associated with maintaining municipal services, infrastructure investments, and reserve contributions. At the centre of the proposal is a 2.03% increase in the general…

Province aims to expand access, boost workforce readiness and ensure long-term sustainability BRANTFORD, Ont. — The Ontario government has announced a historic $57 million investment in Indigenous Institutes, marking the largest single funding commitment to Indigenous higher education in the province’s history. The move is designed to expand access to labour market-driven programs while establishing a more sustainable funding model for the sector. The funding forms part of the province’s broader $6.4 billion postsecondary education strategy and is expected to create hundreds of new student seats while stabilizing long-term operations at Indigenous Institutes across Ontario. “Indigenous youth are the fastest-growing group…

Proposed legislation aims to formalize long-standing practice and improve service delivery The Ontario government is moving to require its provincial Ombudsman to be fully bilingual, introducing proposed legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of French-language services and improving access for the province’s Francophone population. If passed, the amendment to the Ombudsman Act would make proficiency in both English and French a formal requirement for the role. The change is designed to better align the Ombudsman’s qualifications with existing responsibilities, particularly oversight of French-language service rights under provincial law. Ontario is home to more than 650,000 Francophones, the largest Francophone population in…