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…
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.
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…
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Bus riders in Prince Albert are being urged to plan ahead this week as a combination of frigid temperatures and steady snowfall continues to disrupt local transit operations. City officials say the weather has forced several route alterations, temporary service reductions, and intermittent shutdowns as crews work to keep buses running safely. In a statement issued this week, the City of Prince Albert acknowledged the strain on the municipal transit system and expressed appreciation to riders who have experienced delays and schedule changes. “The City of Prince Albert thanks transit riders for their patience as we…
Cambridge, Ont. — A popular Winterfest attraction is set to make its return to Preston this weekend, as the City of Cambridge brings back Candyland, a one-day family event promising games, entertainment, and seasonal treats in Central Park. Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Candyland is expected to draw families from across the region with its mix of outdoor activities, live performances, and a dedicated hot chocolate station. The event marks another instalment in the city’s annual Winterfest lineup, known for encouraging outdoor community engagement during the colder months. City officials say Candyland’s return reflects…
The Ontario government is moving to significantly expand orthopedic surgical capacity across the province with a new $125-million investment aimed at reducing wait times and increasing access to hip and knee replacements. The funding, announced Monday, will support up to 20,000 additional publicly funded orthopedic procedures over the next two years and introduce four newly licensed community surgical and diagnostic centres dedicated to orthopedic care. Speaking at the OV Surgical Centre in Toronto, one of the sites selected to begin offering these services, Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the investment is intended to accelerate access to high-demand…
SURREY — Fraser Health is urging residents to take precautions against carbon monoxide exposure as colder temperatures drive people indoors and increase reliance on fuel-burning heating systems. The warning comes amid new regional data showing hundreds of emergency visits and more than a hundred deaths linked to the toxic gas in recent years across British Columbia. Between Jan. 1, 2018, and Oct. 31, 2024, Fraser Health recorded 654 carbon monoxide–related visits to its Emergency Departments. Provincewide, carbon monoxide poisoning has caused more than 120 deaths since 2012. Health officials say the figures highlight an ongoing and preventable public-safety risk as…