Author: Sam Allcock

London, Ont. — The Ontario government is injecting more than $2.6 million into training programs in the London region, part of a broader effort to protect workers and strengthen the province’s competitiveness in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Monday, highlighting the funding through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), a $2.5-billion program designed to help Ontarians secure good-paying, in-demand jobs, particularly in sectors vulnerable to shifting trade policies. “Ontario workers are the backbone of our economy,” said Ford. “By investing in training programs in London, we’re protecting Ontario workers by helping them…

LONDON, Ont. — The Ontario government is rewarding the City of London with nearly $12 million for making significant progress toward its provincial housing targets, the Ford government announced Monday. London will receive $11,912,933 through the second round of the province’s Building Faster Fund, a three-year, $1.2-billion program aimed at accelerating municipal approvals and boosting housing construction. The city broke ground on 3,723 new homes in 2024, achieving more than 95 per cent of its provincial housing target for the year. That performance secured London a share of the fund, which provides financial incentives to municipalities that meet at least…

Dubai, UAE – August 2025 – Entrepreneur and business strategist Steve Laidlaw is making waves across multiple industries, with three recent features in leading global outlets highlighting his diverse ventures and expanding influence. Earlier this year, Yahoo Finance spotlighted the launch of Steve Laidlaw’s official Founder Mentorship Hub, available through SteveLaidlaw.com. Designed to guide entrepreneurs and high-growth founders, the hub focuses on reputation management, scaling strategies, and building strong, future-proof business foundations. Laidlaw, who has advised startups and executives for over two decades, has already received strong feedback for his tailored approach to leadership development. Meanwhile, Reuters covered the announcement…

Campbell River, B.C. — The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is seeking volunteers to join its Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee (SAIAC), a regional body formed to advance accessibility and inclusion across communities on northern Vancouver Island. The call for applications is open to residents who are passionate about removing barriers and promoting equity in public spaces and services. The committee, established in 2023, operates through a collaborative model that brings together the SRD and regional partners, including the City of Campbell River, the Villages of Gold River, Sayward, Tahsis, and Zeballos, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, and Vancouver Island West…

TORONTO – Ron Turcotte, the Canadian jockey who steered Secretariat into racing immortality with a U.S. Triple Crown triumph in 1973, has died at the age of 84. Widely regarded as one of the greatest riders in the sport’s history, Turcotte’s story stretched from humble beginnings in New Brunswick to the pinnacle of international racing glory. “Ron Turcotte was a true Canadian icon whose impact on horse racing is immeasurable,” said Jim Lawson, Executive Chair of Woodbine Entertainment. “From his incredible journey aboard Secretariat to his lifelong commitment to the sport, Ron carried himself with humility, strength, and dignity. His…

GUELPH, Ont. —The Ontario government is committing $11 million to upgrade recreation infrastructure in Guelph, funding two major projects aimed at protecting jobs, stimulating the local economy and providing long-term community benefits. The investment includes $10 million for the construction of the South End Community Centre and $1 million for the rehabilitation of the Lyon Outdoor Pool. The projects are supported through the $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a provincewide program designed to modernize facilities and strengthen access to active, healthy living across Ontario. Provincial Commitment to Communities Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, said the…

Washington, D.C. — The Center for Food Safety (CFS), joined by the Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network and Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, has escalated its legal challenge against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), filing a motion for summary judgment over the agency’s approval of Enlist One and Enlist Duo herbicides. The groups argue the EPA violated federal law by granting registrations to the controversial weedkillers without proper safeguards for farmers, public health, and the environment. The two products, Enlist One and Enlist Duo, contain the chemical 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), while Enlist Duo also includes glyphosate, one of the most…

ARLINGTON, Va. – American dairy leaders are pressing for meaningful reforms in a new trade framework with the European Union, warning that entrenched protectionism across the Atlantic has cost farmers billions of dollars and blocked fair access to markets. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) welcomed the release of the Joint Statement on United States–European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. Both organizations say the agreement presents a crucial opportunity to rebalance long-standing inequities in the dairy trade relationship. Push for Market Access At the heart of the…

Campbell River, B.C. – The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has announced the launch of a new Parks and Trails Plan for Electoral Area D, also known as Oyster Bay–Buttle Lake, aimed at shaping future investments in recreational spaces and active transportation. The initiative, unveiled this week, will guide long-term improvements to parks, trails, and transportation corridors, with the goal of creating a well-connected network that supports residents, visitors, and local businesses. The plan also integrates an Active Transportation Network component, designed to improve accessibility and mobility across the community. Building Connections Through Active Transportation Central to the new strategy is…

Ontario to Sell Surplus Aurora Land for New Francophone Long-Term Care Campus AURORA — The Ontario government is moving forward with plans to convert surplus provincial land in Aurora into a new Francophone community hub, anchored by a 160-bed long-term care home. The project, led by Communauté du Trille blanc (CTB), will provide culturally adapted care and housing options for the province’s growing Francophone population while addressing the pressing demand for long-term care in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The site, located at 50 Bloomington Road, will be redeveloped through the province’s Surplus Lands Program, which enables unused…