The International Energy Agency (IEA) is preparing to release fresh analysis on the state of the global energy workforce amid mounting concerns that labour and skills shortages could slow the world’s transition to cleaner energy systems. The agency will debut the fourth edition of its World Energy Employment report during a livestreamed webinar on Friday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. Paris time. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol will open the event with introductory remarks, setting the stage for an assessment that has become a key annual reference for governments, companies and educators navigating rapid changes in the energy labour market.…
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 Ontario government is directing more than $17.5 million toward community programs delivered by 257 non-profit organizations, First Nations and small municipalities, marking the latest round of investments through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding, announced by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, is intended to expand youth opportunities, strengthen local services and advance arts, culture and recreation programming across the province. Officials say this year’s allocation, delivered through OTF’s Seed grant stream, reflects the province’s broader effort to bolster the resilience of community organizations while generating economic and social benefits for families. The grants offer up to…
WINDSOR — Ontario has opened a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Windsor, marking a significant expansion of the province’s strategy to provide integrated mental health, addictions and housing supports. The centre is part of a nearly $550-million provincial initiative to establish 28 HART Hubs across Ontario, aimed at improving recovery outcomes, supporting community safety and strengthening local service capacity for people facing poverty, housing instability and substance-use challenges. The province says the launch of the Windsor facility reflects its ongoing effort to shift toward more connected and recovery-focused care models. The hubs are intended to serve…
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert and Beau ‘Lac’ Funeral Home are set to welcome residents to the 3rd Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting, an event organizers say has become a signature start to the holiday season for families across the region. The free public celebration will take place Wednesday, December 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Memorial Square outside City Hall, bringing together local partners, volunteers and businesses to help transform the downtown core into a festive gathering space. The centrepiece of the evening will be the official tree lighting at 7:00 p.m., when…
PICKERING — Ontario is moving to deepen its footprint in the emerging fusion energy sector with a $19.5-million investment to establish the Centre for Fusion Energy, a new research hub the province says will bolster its clean-energy capacity and help position its economy for long-term growth. Announced Friday, the initiative is framed by the government as a strategic effort to capitalize on Ontario’s long-standing nuclear expertise while accelerating the commercialization of next-generation power technologies. Officials say the centre will support advanced research, strengthen industrial partnerships and attract new private investment in a field that global competitors are increasingly prioritizing. “Ontario’s…
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…