Author: Sam Allcock

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a statement honouring the life and legacy of The Honourable Hilary M. Weston, Ontario’s 26th Lieutenant Governor, who passed away earlier this year. The statement coincides with a service in celebration of her life, recognizing her lasting contributions to the province’s civic, cultural, and philanthropic landscape. Honouring a Lifetime of Public Service In his statement released Friday, Premier Ford expressed his condolences to the Weston family and reflected on Mrs. Weston’s remarkable record of service to the people of Ontario. “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Ontario’s 26th Lieutenant Governor, The…

The Ontario government has unveiled a new “One Project, One Process” (1P1P) framework designed to slash mine permitting timelines in half and strengthen investment confidence in the province’s mining sector. Officials say the initiative marks a pivotal step toward unlocking Ontario’s rich deposits of critical minerals—particularly in the Ring of Fire region—while maintaining environmental safeguards and meaningful Indigenous consultation. Streamlining the Path to New Mines Announced Friday in Toronto, the 1P1P framework establishes a single, coordinated approval process for advanced exploration and mine development projects. The new system replaces what officials describe as an outdated, fragmented permitting process that has…

The Ontario government is investing $3.4 million to build new supportive housing in Espanola, offering vulnerable residents a chance to rebuild their lives with stable, affordable homes. The new development, Cornerstone Homes, represents a significant milestone in the province’s broader strategy to tackle homelessness and strengthen communities across northern Ontario. Provincial Investment Targets Chronic Homelessness Located at 661 Queensway Avenue, Cornerstone Homes features seven fully furnished one-bedroom apartments, several of which are fully accessible. The project, owned by the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (MSDSB), also includes shared amenities such as a laundry room, a communal lounge, and an on-site support…

Halifax, Nova Scotia –  The East Coast Prison Justice Society (ECPJS) is calling for a public fatality inquiry following the death of a 25-year-old man in Halifax / Kjipuktuk earlier this year, citing what it describes as “systemic failures” in Nova Scotia’s approach to mental health and crisis response. The call comes after the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner determined that the man’s death on February 22, 2025, was a homicide resulting from “complications of a physical altercation with Halifax Regional Police (HRP) officers during an acute psychotic episode.” The findings were released alongside a report from the province’s Serious Incident…

HAMILTON, Ont. — October 16, 2025. The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario has confirmed that an inquest into the death of Tyler Cavan, a 25-year-old man who died while in custody at the Hamilton–Wentworth Detention Centre in December 2021, will begin on Monday, October 20, 2025. The announcement was made by Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Western Region, Hamilton Office. The inquest will be presided over by Dr. Geoffrey Bond, with Phillip Tsui serving as inquest counsel. According to the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the inquest is mandatory under Ontario’s Coroners Act, which requires…

CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — October 16, 2025. The City of Cambridge has announced the appointment of Rob Axiak as its new City Manager, following a comprehensive search for a leader with proven experience in public administration and community engagement. Axiak will officially assume his new role on November 4, 2025. The decision comes after an extensive recruitment process led by an external executive search firm, with participation from the Interim City Manager and members of Council. The appointment was made under Ontario’s Strong Mayor legislation, which grants enhanced authority to mayors in municipal staffing and leadership decisions. Axiak joins Cambridge from…

SCARBOROUGH, Ont. — Ontario is making its largest-ever annual investment in long-term care, increasing funding to a record $1.92 billion to support staffing and care across the province’s homes. The announcement comes as the government surpasses its goal of providing residents with an average of four hours of direct daily care from nurses and personal support workers (PSWs). The funding marks a significant milestone in the province’s ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen the long-term care system, which serves more than 70,000 residents across Ontario. “Our government is making historic investments to improve long-term care, by training, hiring and retaining…

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert has received a $25,000 donation from the Schrader family toward the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre, marking both a significant community contribution and a tribute to one of Saskatchewan’s most respected hockey officials, Barry Schrader. In recognition of the donation, Officials Room #1 in the new twin arenas will be named the Barry Schrader Officials Room, honouring a man whose name has become synonymous with integrity and mentorship in the province’s officiating community. Honouring a Lifetime of Dedication For more than four decades, Barry Schrader has been a cornerstone of Saskatchewan’s…

BELLEVILLE, Ont. — The Ontario government has awarded the City of Belleville more than $801,000 through the second round of its Building Faster Fund, recognizing the municipality’s progress in meeting provincial housing targets and supporting infrastructure development. The $801,040 allocation comes as part of a provincial initiative rewarding communities that achieve at least 80 per cent of their annual housing goals. Belleville exceeded that benchmark in 2024, breaking ground on 250 new homes—97 per cent of its assigned target. Officials say the funding will be used to expand essential community infrastructure and sustain momentum in housing construction, aligning with Ontario’s…

KITCHENER, ONTARIO — Ontario’s ambitious plans to expand regional rail connectivity took a major step forward this week, as the provincial government reached an Agreement-in-Principle with CN Rail to purchase land for the construction of dedicated GO Transit tracks along the Kitchener Line. The move marks a key milestone in the government’s long-term strategy to deliver faster, two-way, all-day train service between Kitchener and Toronto. Coinciding with the announcement, officials also confirmed new weekend and weekday GO Train services will launch in November, including the first-ever weekend trips to Kitchener. Expanding Ontario’s Transit Network “Today, we’re taking two pivotal steps…