Author: Sam Allcock

The Village of Sayward is maintaining water conservation measures while continuing to assess the impacts of an October landslide that has caused intermittent turbidity in the community’s drinking water source. In partnership with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), officials issued an update Tuesday outlining system performance, response actions and next steps toward long-term water supply protection. The update follows a landslide that occurred on October 23 at approximately 9:15 p.m. in Newcastle Creek, roughly one kilometre outside the village boundary. The event was heard by residents throughout Sayward Valley but caused no injuries and did not affect homes or private…

The Ontario government is moving to expand Barrie’s municipal boundaries through new legislation that it says will unlock thousands of homes, accelerate job creation and support long-term economic development across Simcoe County. The Barrie-Oro-Medonte-Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025, introduced Tuesday, would transfer approximately 1,673 hectares of land from the Townships of Oro-Medonte and Springwater to the City of Barrie. If passed, the adjustment would provide Barrie with developable land needed to accommodate significant projected population and employment growth. The province estimates the shift could enable the construction of up to 8,000 new homes and support planning for a community expected…

The Ontario government is set to introduce a wide-ranging public-safety bill that would tighten bail conditions, impose tougher penalties for dangerous driving and expand measures aimed at protecting victims of crime. The Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025, scheduled for introduction at Queen’s Park on Tuesday, represents one of the province’s most extensive justice-system overhauls in recent years. Framed as an effort to curb violent repeat offending and strengthen accountability, the legislation proposes new requirements for accused individuals seeking bail, enhanced tools for law enforcement and investments to bolster correctional capacity. The package also includes policy directions outside the core…

The City of Brantford has confirmed the City Services portion of its 2026 operating and capital budgets, signalling what officials describe as a fiscally disciplined approach designed to maintain essential services while advancing major infrastructure and community projects. The decision follows a meeting of the Estimates Committee on Monday, marking the annual confirmation of the next year within Brantford’s four-year multi-year budget, first adopted in 2024. Each year, Council is required to validate the upcoming budget cycle to ensure projections remain aligned with current financial conditions and strategic priorities. For 2026, city staff presented an operating plan that falls below…

The University of Winnipeg is moving toward a leadership transition after announcing the immediate departure of President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Todd Mondor. The decision, disclosed Tuesday by the Board of Regents, comes as the institution begins implementing a new five-year strategic plan that will shape its academic priorities, financial direction, and community partnerships. In its statement, the Board said Dr. Mondor “is no longer with the University, effective immediately,” and offered thanks for his contributions during his time in office. No specific reason for the leadership change was provided, though the Board framed the decision as part of a broader…

Ontario is boosting its support for remote northern communities with an $8-million investment to build and operate this winter’s temporary road network, a system that delivers essential goods and links residents to jobs, health care and neighbouring communities during the coldest months of the year. The funding, announced Tuesday by the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth, will support 32 remote First Nations and the Town of Moosonee in constructing roughly 3,200 kilometres of winter roads for the 2025-26 season. The annual network, typically open for six to 11 weeks from mid-January to late March, provides the only seasonal…

The Ontario government has opened a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Belleville, expanding access to integrated mental health, addictions, and supportive housing services across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. The facility is part of a nearly $550-million provincial initiative to establish 28 HART Hubs provincewide, aimed at improving community safety while supporting people facing homelessness, addiction and complex mental health challenges. “We are building a stronger, more connected system of mental health and addictions care that better reflects the needs of communities and focuses on lasting recovery,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and…

The Ontario government is moving to tighten road-safety laws with a suite of tougher penalties aimed at high-risk drivers, including lifetime licence bans for those convicted of dangerous driving causing death. The measures, to be tabled in the legislature later Tuesday, mark one of the most significant escalations in the province’s enforcement regime in recent years and respond directly to rising concerns about road violence and repeat offenders. The legislative package is anchored by reforms inspired by “Andrew’s Law,” a petition launched after the death of Andrew Cristillo, a father of three killed by a driver who had been charged…

Ontario is recognizing 24 first responders for extraordinary acts of courage, awarding the province’s highest honours for police and firefighter bravery. The 2024 recipients include 15 police officers and nine firefighters whose actions, according to the province, exemplify outstanding heroism in life-threatening situations across communities. The honours, announced November 24 by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, include the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery and the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery. Both awards recognize individuals who put themselves in harm’s way to save or protect others during critical incidents. “The recipients of the Police and Firefighter Bravery Medals each put…

Roy Thomson Hall is bringing back one of its longest-running community traditions with the return of its free Choir & Organ Concert Series, offering Torontonians a chance to hear leading Canadian vocal ensembles accompanied by the venue’s celebrated Gabriel Kney pipe organ. Now in its 28th year, the noon-hour program continues to serve as one of the city’s most accessible cultural offerings while drawing audiences into one of Toronto’s most iconic performance spaces. Announced on November 20, the 2025 edition features performances by the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Exultate Chamber Singers, VIVA Chamber Singers and the Hamilton Children’s Chorus. Each…