Author: Sam Allcock

TORONTO — October 2, 2025 — Ontario has released draft criteria for the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), a move the government says will streamline approvals for major projects, bolster competitiveness, and strengthen the province’s economic resilience. The draft regulation, posted today by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, sets the framework for how zones will be designated and is being circulated for consultations with Indigenous communities and other stakeholders. Officials say the plan will evolve based on the feedback received in coming months. “In the face of global economic uncertainty, our government has a mandate…

TORONTO —  Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a statement to commemorate Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, emphasizing themes of reflection, renewal, and solidarity with the province’s Jewish community. “As the sun sets this evening, Jewish communities in Ontario and around the world will observe the start of Yom Kippur — an opportunity to pause, reflect and seek renewal,” Ford said in the statement released by the Premier’s Office. “On this sacred day, those observing will look inward, search for ways to grow and deepen their commitment to one another and to their faith.” A Day…

NELSON, B.C. — A Nelson-based real estate professional has launched an initiative designed to connect property buyers and sellers with vetted agents around the world while directing financial support to charitable causes. Alison Watt, a long-time realtor in Nelson, B.C., has unveiled The Watt Project, a platform that pledges to donate half of all referral fees earned through property transactions to charities and non-profit organizations chosen by clients. The program is built around a simple idea: when buyers or sellers engage with The Watt Project, they are matched with a top-tier real estate professional in their local market. After the…

CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO — Residents of Cambridge are being invited to celebrate one of the region’s most anticipated fall traditions with the return of the annual Oktoberfest Lunch at City Hall. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Civic Square, will feature free food, live Bavarian music, and a ceremonial keg tapping, all in keeping with the festivities that have made the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest one of the largest Bavarian festivals outside of Germany. Organizers are encouraging residents to “bring your oom-pah and appetite” and join Mayor Jan Liggett, members of Cambridge City Council, and…

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. —  The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is calling on residents across Vancouver Island’s northern communities to take part in the upcoming Great BC ShakeOut, a provincewide earthquake preparedness drill scheduled for October 16 at 10:16 a.m. The annual exercise encourages individuals, businesses, schools and community groups to practice the simple but potentially life-saving actions of “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in the event of a major earthquake. “The Great BC ShakeOut isn’t just about dropping, covering, and holding on for a few minutes,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “It’s a reminder for all of us—families, schools, workplaces,…

TORONTO — The Ontario government is committing $6 million to support new Indigenous infrastructure projects across the province, launching the latest intake for applications under the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP). The funding, announced Tuesday by the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, will support projects that strengthen local economies through construction and renovation of community facilities, business hubs and cultural centres. “Working in tandem with Indigenous communities, our government is supporting critical infrastructure projects that are important to building strong, prosperous communities,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and…

Peterborough, Ont. —Peterborough Musicfest has been honoured with one of the country’s top acknowledgements for ethical music use, receiving the Licensed To Play Award from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). The award was presented during SOCAN’s 35th annual Awards Gala in Toronto, which doubled as a celebration of the organization’s 100th anniversary. The recognition underscores the festival’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that music is licensed properly for public performance, a practice that guarantees songwriters, composers, and publishers receive fair compensation for their work. The Licensed To Play Award is reserved for Canadian businesses and…

Nelson, B.C. — The Nelson Committee on Homelessness (NCOH) is preparing to unveil its 15th Annual Report Card on Homelessness, marking two decades of sustained advocacy for vulnerable populations in the community. The launch event will take place Wednesday, October 8, at 11:30 a.m. at the KAST Innovation Centre on Baker Street. The report card, an annual benchmark for measuring local progress, is expected to shed light on emerging trends in homelessness, highlight service gaps, and examine how community supports are responding to ongoing challenges. Organizers say the findings will inform service providers, policymakers, and residents about the evolving needs of…

Milton, Ont. — The Ontario government is rewarding the Town of Milton with $8.4 million in funding after the municipality exceeded its housing targets for 2024. The investment, announced under the province’s Building Faster Fund, underscores the government’s push to accelerate housing development while supporting the infrastructure that growing communities need. Milton broke ground on 2,260 new homes last year—equivalent to nearly 130 per cent of its provincial housing target. By surpassing the threshold of 80 per cent completion, the town qualified for a significant payout under the fund’s second round of allocations. The money will go toward community and housing-enabling…

Bowmanville, Ont. — The Ontario government has taken a significant step toward expanding health-care capacity in Durham Region with the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of Lakeridge Health’s Bowmanville Hospital. The project, one of the largest redevelopments in Lakeridge’s history, is expected to more than double the size of the facility and bring modernized care to one of the province’s fastest-growing regions. The expansion comes as part of the province’s broader plan to bolster Ontario’s health-care infrastructure, with more than 50 major hospital projects underway or planned over the next decade. Officials say the Bowmanville redevelopment…