Prince Albert’s Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre received a major boost this week with a $100,000 legacy donation from Cornerstone Insurance and the Longworth family—an investment city officials say will leave a lasting mark on community recreation for decades to come. The contribution, announced by the City of Prince Albert, secures naming rights for the new facility’s reception area and represents one of the most significant gifts to date through the ongoing Play It Forward campaign. The fundraising initiative is designed to support the construction of the multi-use leisure centre, which will offer swimming, skating, and a range of year-round…
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.
HAMILTON — Ontario is moving ahead with plans to redevelop a long-vacant parcel of land in Hamilton’s North End, clearing the way for up to 642 new homes through a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) that provincial officials say will accelerate construction near transit and support workers amid economic uncertainty. The decision, announced Tuesday, applies to 405 James Street North — widely known as the Jamesville site — located steps from the West Harbour GO Station. The land has sat empty since 2019 after the previous townhouse complex was demolished, leaving the future of the property in limbo for years. In…
The Ontario government is broadening access to culturally appropriate long-term care by extending a specialized placement model to 30 additional homes, aiming to better align services with residents’ religious, ethnic and linguistic needs. The move will see all 59 provincially recognized cultural long-term care homes operate under the model, which the province says will improve quality of life while continuing to prioritize crisis applicants with the greatest needs. Announced Wednesday, the expansion builds on a pilot launched in April 2025 at 29 homes serving specific cultural communities. The Ministry of Long-Term Care reports that the test phase improved access to…
The Ontario Science Centre will relocate to a temporary home at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre by summer 2026, ensuring the institution can continue delivering programs, supporting staff and contributing to the city’s tourism economy while its new permanent facility is built at Ontario Place. The province announced the move Tuesday, positioning the interim site as a key step in maintaining public access to one of Ontario’s most recognized cultural institutions. The waterfront location will host exhibitions, workshops and community programming across an expansive footprint, injecting new activity into a high-traffic area between Union Station and Ontario Place. “By establishing the Ontario…
WINNIPEG — The University of Winnipeg has turned to one of its most experienced academic leaders to steer the institution through an important period of change, appointing Dr. Jino Distasio as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor effective December 12, 2025. The Board of Regents announced the appointment Friday, positioning Distasio — a longtime professor, administrator, and community advocate — to lead the university while a national search gets underway for a permanent president. His appointment comes at a time when the institution is preparing for strategic planning, ongoing enrolment pressures across the sector, and continued efforts to strengthen research and community…
THOROLD, Ont. — The Ontario government is putting $2.25 million toward commercializing forest-based biocoal, marking a significant push to develop new markets for low-carbon fuels and strengthen the province’s forestry sector amid ongoing U.S. trade pressures. Announced Monday, the funding comes through the Forest Biomass Program and supports CHAR Technologies as it advances production of biocoal, a pelletized fuel made from mill by-products and underused wood. The provincial investment aims to unlock new supply chains, create additional revenue streams for forest-dependent communities, and help heavy industry adopt cleaner energy sources. In unveiling the funding, the government framed the move as…
Ontario is widening access to French-language government services, adding six newly expanded designated areas under the French Language Services Act (FLSA) in a move the province says will strengthen support for more Francophone residents. The Ministry of Francophone Affairs announced Tuesday that the updated designations will require provincial agencies and partner organizations in the affected communities to offer services in French once implementation is complete. The expansion covers roughly 6,300 additional square kilometres and aligns designated zones with current municipal boundaries. “The expansion of government services in French in six communities across Ontario will help thousands more Francophone residents access…
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is urging residents to update their vaccinations and take basic preventive measures as influenza activity rises across the province in the lead-up to the busy holiday season. In a statement released Monday, Dr. Kieran Moore said Ontario is entering the peak period for respiratory viruses, a time when colder weather and increased indoor gatherings heighten the risk of transmission. While COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain at relatively low levels, influenza cases are climbing steadily and are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks. “With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s important to…
The Ontario government is moving ahead with a key link in its signature highway expansion program, issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to design a 9.1-kilometre extension of Highway 410 that will connect directly to the planned Highway 413 corridor. The step marks a significant milestone in the province’s multi-billion-dollar plan to relieve gridlock across the Greater Toronto Area and support long-term economic growth. Announced Monday in Caledon, the proposed Highway 410 extension would run from Countryside Drive north to Highway 413, and from Highway 413 west to Highway 10. Once completed, it would provide drivers a direct connection between…
The Ontario government is advancing plans for a new Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters in Toronto, awarding a key contract that brings the project closer to construction. The province says the purpose-built complex will strengthen its ability to coordinate rapid, provincewide responses to floods, wildfires and other emergencies—demands that have grown sharply in recent years. Announced Monday, the headquarters will be built on a 17-acre site at 111 Disco Road in Etobicoke, strategically located near Toronto Pearson Airport and major 400-series highways. The facility will also become the future home of Ontario Corps, the volunteer unit that supports emergency operations…