Author: Sam Allcock

COURTRIGHT, Ont. —The Ontario government has broken ground on the St. Clair Transmission Line, a $64-kilometre project officials say will secure energy supplies, fuel economic growth and support job creation across Southwestern Ontario. The double-circuit 230-kilovolt line, to be built by Hydro One, will link Lambton County with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The project includes expanding the Chatham Switching Station, upgrading the Lambton Transformer Station, and converting Wallaceburg’s Transformer Station to 230 kV. Completion is scheduled for 2028. “Southwestern Ontario is thriving, and reliable energy is essential to keep that momentum going,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines.…

WINNIPEG – The University of Winnipeg has received a $5 million gift from the Mastercard Foundation to expand educational opportunities for Indigenous students, marking a significant investment in reconciliation-focused learning and research. Announced September 9, the funding is part of a broader $235 million commitment by the Mastercard Foundation to 30 organizations across Canada. The initiative recognizes institutions with proven track records in supporting Indigenous youth, strong accountability to Indigenous communities, and innovative programming designed to align with Indigenous priorities. National Commitment to Indigenous Education Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director of Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation, said the decision to…

VANCOUVER — The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has launched a campaign to push back against the growing use of Canada’s notwithstanding clause, calling it a “dangerous tool” that undermines fundamental rights guaranteed in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The campaign, branded We’re not(with)standing for this: Charter Rights are ours to protect!, includes a nine-minute educational video titled What the heck is the notwithstanding clause? and a public pledge asking Canadians to oppose the clause’s use in provincial legislation. Raising Awareness Through Education The notwithstanding clause, formally known as section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, grants…

TORONTO — The federal and Ontario governments are investing up to $4.77 million in research and innovation projects aimed at bolstering the province’s agri-food sector, as farmers face growing economic pressure from U.S. tariffs. The joint funding, announced Monday, will support 48 projects and 20 companies through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI). Backed by the five-year, $3.5-billion Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the initiative is designed to help producers and agribusinesses adopt new technologies, commercialize innovations, and remain competitive in a volatile trade environment. Federal and Provincial Ministers Stress Innovation “It takes innovation to build a successful agri-food…

The Ontario government is moving ahead with a new roundabout project in the Township of Rideau Lakes, aimed at improving road safety and creating construction jobs as part of the province’s broader highway infrastructure strategy. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced Monday that the intersection of Highway 15 and County Road 42 will be rebuilt into a modern roundabout, a move the province says will cut collisions and help goods and people move more efficiently across eastern Ontario. “Our government is investing $30 billion to build the highway infrastructure we need to get drivers where they need to go on time…

An inquest will be held into the 2020 death of an Ottawa man who died after sustaining injuries while in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, the Ministry of the Solicitor General confirmed Friday. Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, announced the mandatory inquest into the death of 49-year-old William Renwick, who died at the Ottawa Hospital on November 8, 2020. “An inquest will be held into the death of William Renwick,” McNaughton-Filion said in a statement. Circumstances of the Case Renwick, who had been incarcerated at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC), sustained injuries…

Toronto — The Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced that an inquest into the death of 21-year-old Nathaniel Krug will begin later this month, marking the next step in a process aimed at examining his death and exploring ways to prevent similar tragedies. Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, Regional Supervising Coroner for the West Region, London Office, confirmed Friday that the inquest is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025. The proceeding will be presided over by Dr. David Eden, with Phillip Tsui serving as inquest counsel. Circumstances of the Case Krug died in hospital on March…

Prince Albert, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert officially marked a major milestone Friday with the grand opening of the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre, the largest recreational infrastructure project in the city’s history. The $117 million facility, which broke ground in July 2022 and wrapped up construction in February 2025, is now home to a state-of-the-art aquatics centre and a twin arena complex. City officials say the project not only provides new opportunities for sport and leisure, but also represents a significant investment in the future health and economic vitality of the community. A Historic Investment in Recreation…

TORONTO — The Ontario government has appointed Geoff Owen as Chair of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), strengthening the regulator’s leadership at a time when the province is rolling out its first integrated energy plan to meet growing demand and secure long-term affordability. The announcement, made Friday by the Ministry of Energy and Mines, positions Owen to oversee the OEB as it plays a central role in guiding Ontario’s electricity and natural gas sectors under the government’s Energy for Generations framework. “Ontario is forging ahead with an ambitious long-term energy plan that keeps costs down as we build the future,”…

BRAMPTON — Ontario is investing $15 million over two years to expand seniors’ access to long-term care services while they remain in their own homes, as part of a new program the province says will improve quality of life and ease strain on hospitals. The initiative, called the Community Access to Long-Term Care (CALTC) program, was announced Thursday at the Seniors Health and Wellness Village at Peel Manor in Brampton. The pilot project will enable people on the long-term care waitlist—or those soon to be eligible—to access services such as clinical care, nursing support, dementia resources, and wound care without…