Author: Sam Allcock

Cambridge, Ontario — The City of Cambridge will implement mandatory bag checks for all visitors attending council meetings starting Tuesday, September 23, as part of new security measures aimed at ensuring safety while maintaining open access to local government. City officials say the decision follows the lead of other municipalities across Canada that have introduced similar protocols in response to rising security concerns. The initiative is designed to safeguard council members, municipal staff, and residents without discouraging public participation. Balancing Safety and Accessibility The city emphasized that the checks are not intended to deter citizens from engaging with their municipal government.…

Thunder Bay — Ontario is expanding its network of youth mental health services with the opening of a new Youth Wellness Hub in Thunder Bay, part of a province-wide effort to make care more accessible for young people. The new facility is one of ten hubs being added to the existing network of 22, bringing the total to 32 across the province. Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the hub reflects the government’s broader plan to build a “connected and convenient system of care” for young people and their families. “Our government is continuing to take action to…

Ontario is positioning itself at the centre of Canada’s clean energy future, championing nuclear expansion and calling for federal reforms to accelerate major infrastructure projects. The province hosted the Connecting Canada – Building an Energy Superpower Summit in Toronto on Friday, bringing together energy ministers from across the country to chart a path toward a modern, integrated electricity system. At the summit, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce urged provincial and territorial counterparts to commit to building cross-country transmission networks and supporting large-scale nuclear and renewable projects. He also pressed the federal government to move faster on regulatory…

Campbell River, B.C. — The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) will join communities across Canada in observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, September 30. The day honours survivors of residential schools, remembers the children who never returned home, and acknowledges the lasting impacts on families and communities. SRD officials say the observance reflects an ongoing commitment to reconciliation. “The SRD board and staff are committed to continuous learning and building meaningful relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of this region as we work toward reconciliation,” the district said in its announcement. Commemorating a Day of Reflection The federal…

St. Thomas, Ont. — The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million to train experienced construction workers as mentors, aiming to boost skills in the homebuilding industry and accelerate the province’s housing goals. The funding, announced Thursday through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream, will help 100 seasoned workers pass on expertise in modern construction technologies and updated building practices. The initiative, branded as the Futures Faster program, is led by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA). Government Commitment “We are facing unprecedented economic times, and Ontario needs highly skilled workers that can deliver on our historic $200 billion infrastructure…

Strong, Ont. — The Ontario government is providing more than half a million dollars to help two Northern Ontario municipalities recover from severe flooding that caused extensive damage to local infrastructure in June 2024. The funding, announced Thursday, will deliver up to $492,000 to the Township of Strong and $63,000 to the Township of Joly through the province’s Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program. The program is designed to help municipalities cover extraordinary costs linked to natural disasters, including both emergency response and capital repairs. Government Response “Our government is stepping up to support our municipalities facing extensive damage due…

Toronto — Ontario is rolling out an expanded fall immunization campaign aimed at protecting residents from a seasonal surge in respiratory illnesses, including influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The initiative will prioritize high-risk groups first, before opening vaccinations to the broader public beginning October 27. Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the strategy reflects the province’s ongoing focus on prevention.“As we head into respiratory illness season, our government is using every tool in our toolbox to protect our communities, families and our most vulnerable,” Jones said. “Working with our health-care partners, we are making sure…

TORONTO — The Ontario government and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) have finalized the remaining three years of the 2024–28 Physician Services Agreement (PSA) through arbitration, unlocking funding and reforms aimed at expanding access to primary care and stabilizing hospital services across the province. The arbitration award, announced September 18, 2025, introduces new measures designed to ensure families can access care “when and where they need it,” while also addressing physician recruitment and retention challenges. Officials say the agreement will provide predictable funding to support staffing across hospitals and clinics, ensuring timely access to care in both urban centres and…

CORNWALL — The Ontario government is committing $435,829 to a community-led initiative aimed at restoring areas of the St. Lawrence River near Cornwall and Akwesasne. The funding is part of a wider provincial effort to safeguard the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, with $7.3 million being directed to 63 projects across Ontario. The local project is led by the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences and is designed to protect water quality, restore habitats, and strengthen ecosystems in one of the province’s most significant waterways. Officials say the work will enhance fisheries, increase biodiversity, and bolster both community…

Paris — Electricity demand across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is surging at one of the fastest rates in the world, fuelled largely by rising cooling and desalination needs, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The study warns that governments in the region will need to significantly diversify their power supply in the coming decade to keep pace with consumption growth and reduce reliance on oil. The report, The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa, finds that electricity use in the region tripled between 2000 and 2024, driven by…