TORONTO — Ontario has closed its fall legislative session after passing a dozen government bills the Ford government says will bolster the province’s competitiveness, strengthen key sectors and advance long-term economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty. Premier Doug Ford framed the fall sitting as a decisive period of action as the province responds to mounting economic pressures, including trade tensions triggered by U.S. tariffs. “As Ontario workers and businesses continue to face down the uncertainty and upheaval caused by President Trump’s tariffs, our government is focused on protecting our province by creating a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant…
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.
Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner will convene a six-day inquest early in the new year to examine the circumstances surrounding the 2017 death of Raymond Alliman, a 31-year-old man who died following an interaction with Ottawa police. The announcement, released Thursday by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, formally sets the timeline for a proceeding mandated under provincial law and expected to draw public attention to long-standing questions about police-involved deaths. Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, said a date has now been scheduled. “The inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday,…
Fraser Health is urging residents across the region to prioritize influenza immunization this fall as a new flu variant begins circulating in local communities. Health officials say the annual flu vaccine remains the strongest defence against infection and severe illness, even as the H3N2 variant emerges. In a statement, the health authority emphasized that the updated flu shot protects against multiple strains and is expected to provide at least partial coverage against the new variant. “Because of the new H3N2 variant showing up this flu season, people have asked if it’s worth it or not to get the flu vaccine…
Prince Albert families eager to get their children into swim lessons will see significantly expanded options this winter, as the City of Prince Albert prepares to open registration for a greatly enlarged session at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. The City confirmed this week that hundreds of new lesson spots will be made available between January and March, marking the largest aquatic program offering since the facility opened. According to a municipal news release, the City will publish its full list of winter course offerings online on December 12, giving parents several days to review schedules and plan ahead.…
The Ontario government has expanded its network of Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs with the opening of a new site in Sault Ste. Marie, part of a province-wide strategy to increase access to mental health, addictions, and social supports. The launch marks a significant step in the province’s nearly $550-million plan to establish 28 HART Hubs across Ontario, aimed at improving safety, strengthening community services, and delivering integrated supports for people facing homelessness, substance-use challenges, and mental health needs. The announcement was made December 11, 2025, as the Ministry of Health highlighted its ongoing effort to build a…
The City of Brantford is marking more than two decades of community investment supported by revenues from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), recognizing the substantial role gaming funds have played in strengthening local programs, services, and nonprofit organizations. Officials gathered at Brantford’s historic City Hall for a community recognition event, where municipal leaders and OLG representatives reflected on the legacy and ongoing impact of OLG contributions. Since becoming a host community in 1999, Brantford has received nearly $109 million in gaming revenue payments from OLG, including $4,818,867 in the 2024–25 fiscal year alone. These funds form the backbone…
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…
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…