Author: Sam Allcock

The Ontario government has taken another step toward building the long-planned Bradford Bypass, awarding several key contracts to advance design work and overall project oversight. The latest commitments mark a major milestone in the province’s bid to construct the 16-kilometre highway link between Highways 400 and 404, a project the government says will ease gridlock, cut travel times and support thousands of jobs across York Region and Simcoe County. The Ministry of Transportation said Friday that contracts have been issued for the detailed design of the central and eastern sections of the route. A separate program management consultant contract has…

Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner will convene a mandatory inquest into the death of Jamal Francique, a 28-year-old man who died in January 2020 following an interaction with Peel Regional Police. The announcement, issued by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, confirms that the inquest will review the circumstances surrounding the incident and consider measures to help prevent similar deaths in the future. Dr. Kenneth Peckham, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central Region, Central West Office, formally announced the inquest, which is required under Ontario’s Coroners Act. Francique died on January 9, 2020, two days after the police interaction…

Ontario has signed a major partnership agreement with Marten Falls First Nation aimed at fast-tracking road construction into the Ring of Fire region and advancing the province’s broader critical minerals strategy. The deal, announced Wednesday in Toronto, includes up to $39.5 million for local infrastructure and commits both parties to accelerated work on the Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR), a key link in the future north–south transportation corridor. Premier Doug Ford, Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Minister Greg Rickford, and Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum signed the agreement, which they say marks a significant step toward unlocking…

The Ontario government is directing $2 million toward the construction of a new Indigenous community centre in Thunder Bay, a project aimed at expanding access to culturally grounded supports while strengthening long-term social and economic resilience in the region. The investment, delivered through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), will help the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre renovate a recently acquired building on Red River Road into an accessible, modern gathering place. Provincial officials say the funding reinforces Ontario’s broader commitment to reconciliation, community well-being and the development of infrastructure that supports Indigenous peoples across the North. The announcement…

The City of Prince Albert is celebrating a significant local donation that will enhance accessibility and user experience at one of the community’s largest public recreation projects. The Ismail family, long-time local business owners and community supporters, has contributed $50,000 toward the Aquatic Changeroom Entrance at the new Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. The city announced the gift this week, highlighting the family’s sustained commitment to local initiatives and their role in supporting a facility expected to serve thousands of residents and visitors each year. The donation forms part of the Play it Forward Campaign, which is helping fund the…

Arts Orillia is bringing together young musicians from across the region for a seasonal celebration of music, announcing a collaborative youth concert titled Let it Snow, to be staged December 3 at 7 p.m. at the Orillia Opera House. The event marks a significant partnership between Arts Orillia, Brassworks, and students from Twin Lakes Secondary School, Orillia Secondary School, Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School and Kempenfelt Bay School. The concert highlights Arts Orillia’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth in the arts and providing opportunities for emerging performers to gain professional-level experience. Students will perform a variety of winter and holiday…

Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled a December inquest into the death of David Johnson, nearly a decade after he died following injuries sustained while in custody at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton. The proceeding, announced Wednesday by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, will examine the circumstances surrounding the 67-year-old’s death and consider potential systemic recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents. Dr. Kenneth Peckham, Regional Supervising Coroner for Central Region, Central West Office, said the inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. It will be presided over by Dr. David Eden, with…

Toronto-born, Ottawa-based vocalist, composer/arranger and tuba player Kim Kaskiw is turning a career-altering diagnosis into artistic momentum with the release of her new album, The Latin Jazz Fusion Project, a collection that blends jazz, Latin jazz, funk and fusion influences into an emotionally charged and deeply personal body of work. The album marks a major milestone for Kaskiw, whose lifelong attachment to music began in infancy. She recalls one of her earliest memories as sitting in a playpen, watching her mother play the piano and “shaking the bars of her play pen in frustration,” desperate to reach the instrument herself.…

TRUE Sports has moved to strengthen its executive ranks as it advances an aggressive growth strategy, naming former NHL goaltender and long-time hockey industry executive Geoff Sarjeant as its new president. The Toronto-based company announced the appointment Wednesday, describing it as a key step toward becoming “the #1 recognized hockey brand in the world.” Sarjeant, who joins the firm immediately and will report directly to TRUE Sports CEO, chairman and owner W. Graeme Roustan, brings more than three decades of experience spanning professional sport, major retail operations and high-performance athlete development. His career includes NHL stops with the San Jose…

Brantford City Council has approved a comprehensive business plan that will transform a former long-term care facility into a multi-stage housing hub, marking one of the most significant steps to date in the city’s long-term Housing and Homelessness Strategy. The ratification, made during Tuesday night’s council meeting, authorizes the City to move forward with a phased redevelopment of the 4.82-acre Fox Ridge site at 389 West Street. The Fox Ridge Business Plan lays out a three-phase roadmap intended to expand emergency shelter capacity, introduce transitional and supportive housing, and ultimately deliver new permanent affordable housing tailored to community needs. City…