LITTLE CURRENT, Ont. — The Ontario government is moving ahead with plans to replace the 110-year-old Little Current Swing Bridge, a key transportation link between Manitoulin Island and the mainland, with a new two-lane structure aimed at boosting safety, reliability, and economic growth across Northern Ontario. The province announced that it has awarded a contract for the detailed design of the replacement bridge, marking a significant milestone in a project that has been years in development. The new bridge will feature two lanes of traffic, a pedestrian walkway, and a bike lane, ensuring year-round access to the provincial highway network…
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.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has filed notice of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), alleging the agency has violated federal law by failing to act on a long-pending decision to protect the Iowa skipper butterfly under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The environmental advocacy organization says the FWS has missed a statutory deadline to determine whether the imperiled butterfly warrants full protection, leaving the species vulnerable to extinction as its native prairie habitat continues to disappear. “Pollinators like the Iowa skipper butterfly are vital to public and environmental health. Trading…
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — As Newfoundland and Labrador heads toward the October 14 provincial election, the province’s oldest active trade union is challenging political leaders to take a stand for workers’ rights, economic fairness, and sustainable growth. The Longshoremen’s Protective Union (I.L.A.) Local 1953 has released its Non-Partisan League Manifesto, a comprehensive policy blueprint aimed at shaping a more equitable future for working people and communities across the province. Founded in 1903, the union traces its roots back to the 1918 Reid Newfoundland General Strike, and the new document builds on that legacy of solidarity and social justice. Described by…
NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — Fraser Health has taken a major step forward in surgical innovation with the arrival of the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system at Royal Columbian Hospital, marking a significant milestone in the region’s expanding robotic surgery program. The advanced system, funded by the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, positions the hospital at the forefront of next-generation medical technology. Surrey Memorial Hospital is also slated to receive its own da Vinci Xi unit in the coming months, supported by the Surrey Hospitals Foundation. The two hospitals will serve as the cornerstones of a regional program designed to enhance…
Charlottetown is getting ready to welcome the return of one of Prince Edward Island’s most anticipated fall celebrations. The Charlottetown Scarecrow Festival, running from October 3 to 31, 2025, marks its fifth year of transforming the city’s downtown into a whimsical autumn wonderland filled with creativity, community spirit, and festive fun. A Month of Fall Fun and Community Creativity The month-long festival will feature over 800 handcrafted scarecrows, each adding colour and character to the city’s streets. The installations—many designed by local artist Julie Doneff—have become a hallmark of the event, delighting both residents and visitors. This year, Creative PEI…
The Ontario government is taking a major step to make fertility care more accessible for families across the province. With a $250 million investment to expand the Ontario Fertility Program (OFP), the province plans to triple the number of families who can access publicly funded in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility services. The announcement, made by Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, underscores the province’s commitment to improving public services and reducing wait times for Ontarians seeking fertility treatment. The funding will support 25 fertility clinics, including six new IVF centres, with the goal of expanding capacity…
As the fall season brings vibrant floral arrangements and festive home décor across Atlantic Canada, experts are warning that some of these displays may be doing more harm than good. Invasive plant species commonly used in decorative arrangements are spreading into local ecosystems, posing serious risks to biodiversity and increasing management costs for governments and landowners. According to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council (NSISC) and the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council (NBISC), popular ornamental plants like the Common Reed (Phragmites australis spp. australis) and Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) are among the most harmful offenders. These species, while visually appealing,…
The Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS) is inviting residents, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts to gather later this month for the 10th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit, a community-driven event celebrating environmental stewardship and collective action for the region’s ecosystem. Set for Saturday, October 25, 2025, the summit will be held at Harrop Hall from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:00 p.m.. This year’s theme, “Stewardship in Action,” reflects FoKLSS’s ongoing commitment to empowering communities to protect and restore the Kootenay Lake watershed. A Decade of Local Stewardship The Kootenay Lake Summit has grown into a cornerstone…
Campbell River’s Emergency Communications Team Partners with Scouts for Worldwide Event The Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) Emergency Communications Team will lend its technical expertise and mentorship to Scouts Canada later this month as part of a global youth communications initiative. The collaboration will take place during the annual Jamboree-On-The-Air (JOTA) exercise, a worldwide event connecting Scouts through amateur radio. Scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the event will primarily be held at the Campbell River Search and Rescue Hall. The SRD Communications Team will play a key role in helping local Scouts establish radio…
Date and Details Announced An inquest has been scheduled into the deaths of two men who died in hospital after sustaining injuries while in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC). The proceedings, announced Tuesday by Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, will begin later this month and are expected to provide insight into how the incidents occurred. Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, confirmed that the inquest will commence at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025. The hearings will be presided over by Dr. Richard Wells, with Peter Napier serving as inquest…