Global coal demand is nearing a turning point, with growth expected to stall and edge lower by the end of the decade as renewables, natural gas and nuclear power gain ground, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA’s latest annual market assessment, Coal 2025, released Wednesday, forecasts that worldwide coal demand will rise modestly in the near term before flattening and slipping slightly by 2030. The report provides outlooks for demand, supply and trade through the end of the decade, alongside analysis of investment trends, costs and pricing. In 2025, global coal demand is…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a business correspondent for Wire Service Canada, reporting on corporate developments, market trends, and economic news with clarity and accuracy. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has covered stories ranging from financial results and trade agreements to emerging innovations, offering readers both local insight and global context. Known for his balanced and engaging reporting style, Sam is committed to delivering reliable, relevant, and timely business news that helps audiences make informed decisions.
The Village of Sayward and the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) are seeking additional provincial assistance to address ongoing water quality challenges stemming from a landslide in the Newcastle Creek watershed, underscoring the growing infrastructure and climate resilience pressures facing small communities across British Columbia. In an update issued Tuesday, local officials said they are working with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) to secure support for a comprehensive geotechnical assessment following the landslide that occurred on Oct. 23, 2025. The slide has continued to affect turbidity levels in water drawn from Newcastle Creek, a key source of…
The Alberta Court of Appeal has ruled that the mandatory Oath of Allegiance required for admission to the provincial bar is unconstitutional, a decision that civil liberties advocates say removes a long-standing barrier for prospective lawyers whose religious or cultural beliefs conflict with swearing loyalty to the Crown. In a decision released Tuesday in Wirring v Law Society of Alberta, the court found that the oath infringes section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects freedom of religion, and that the infringement could not be justified under section 1. The ruling declares the requirement invalid, clearing…
The Ontario government is committing up to $500,000 to support early planning for the redevelopment and renovation of Geraldton District Hospital, a move aimed at improving access to health-care services for residents of Greenstone and surrounding northern communities. The funding will allow the hospital to undertake planning work to modernize and reconfigure approximately 9,300 square feet on its first floor, enabling the expansion of programs and services to better meet local needs. The investment forms part of the province’s broader strategy to strengthen Ontario’s health-care system through nearly $60 billion in spending on more than 50 major hospital projects over…
TORONTO — Olivia and Noah have once again claimed the top spots as Ontario’s most popular baby names, extending a streak that reflects parents’ continued preference for familiar and enduring choices. New data released by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement shows the two names leading provincial rankings for 2024, reinforcing trends that have remained remarkably consistent over the past decade. Olivia secured its place as the most popular name for baby girls in Ontario for the 16th consecutive year, while Noah ranked first among boys’ names for the sixth year in a row. The annual…
Hitachi Energy is investing $30 million to upgrade and expand newly acquired facilities in Stoney Creek and Cambridge, a move the Ontario government says will help reinforce the province’s energy supply chain and support long-term economic growth as electricity demand rises. The investment will sustain 155 existing jobs and create 30 new positions, bringing total employment supported by the project to 185. Provincial officials say the expansion aligns with Ontario’s broader push to modernize and expand electricity generation, transmission, and servicing capacity as population growth, electrification, and industrial investment place increasing strain on the grid . Speaking at an announcement…
The Ontario government is investing an additional $4 million to help municipalities protect residents and businesses from the risks associated with old and inactive oil and gas wells, expanding efforts to improve emergency preparedness across southwestern Ontario. Announced December 16 by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the new funding will support nine municipalities as part of Ontario’s $23.6 million Legacy Oil and Gas Wells Action Plan. The initiative is aimed at strengthening local emergency response capacity, enhancing public safety and reducing the risks posed by legacy wells that remain scattered across private lands in the region. “Today’s announcement is yet…
Cambridge, Ont. — The City of Cambridge has received a $10,000 sponsorship from GrandBridge Energy to support the purchase of fitness equipment for the new Cambridge Recreation Complex, a major municipal project slated to open in late 2026. The contribution was formally presented to city council on Monday evening and will be directed toward outfitting the complex’s fitness area with modern equipment designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities. City officials say the sponsorship will help ensure the facility opens with accessible, community-focused amenities that align with long-term health and wellness goals. The Cambridge Recreation Complex represents one…
Patrick Gately’s latest poetry collection, An Angel’s Sunrise, enters the market with a reflective examination of life’s deeper motivations, offering readers a contemplative counterpoint to the material priorities that often dominate modern society. Published this month by Irish-based imprint The Manuscript Publisher, the book continues Gately’s exploration of time, meaning and personal growth, themes that have shaped his recent literary output. At its core, An Angel’s Sunrise considers the idea that human lives are shaped not only by visible choices and circumstances, but also by unseen influences that guide people through moments of challenge and change. Gately frames the collection…
Kitchener City Council approved a range of housing, sustainability and governance initiatives at its December 15, 2025 meeting, marking a significant step in the municipality’s efforts to address affordability pressures, modernize operations and strengthen community engagement. The most consequential decision was council’s approval of the Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP), a new incentive framework designed to expand housing supply and improve affordability across the city. Supported by $6.21 million in federal funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund, the CIP introduces two grant programs aimed at encouraging the development of diverse and affordable housing forms. The Additional…