The Ontario government is investing nearly $8 million to support film and television production in North Bay, a move aimed at strengthening Northern Ontario’s screen-based industries, creating jobs and positioning the region as a competitive filming destination. The funding, delivered through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), will support 10 film and television projects currently in production or development in the city and surrounding area. Provincial officials say the investment aligns with Ontario’s broader economic strategy to protect jobs, attract new opportunities and support regional industries amid global market pressures. “Our government is delivering on our commitment to protect…
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.
Ontario marked the ninth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque attack on Thursday, with the provincial government reaffirming its commitment to fight Islamophobia and protect the right of all residents to practise their faith freely and safely. In a statement issued on the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, Graham McGregor, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, reflected on the lasting impact of the January 29, 2017, shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, one of the deadliest acts of violence motivated by anti-Muslim hatred in Canadian history. “Today on…
A community-wide radon testing initiative across the Strathcona Regional District has found that the vast majority of participating homes recorded low indoor radon levels, offering reassurance to residents while reinforcing the importance of individual testing to manage long-term health risks. Results from the winter 2024–2025 program were released on January 28, 2026, following a partnership between the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) and Take Action on Radon. The initiative formed part of the National 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of radon exposure and its link to lung cancer. A total of 117 households across the…
Edmonton-based alt-metal band Famous Strangers have released the long-anticipated music video for “Deepstar,” marking a significant milestone in the group’s evolution as one of Canada’s emerging heavy music acts. The cinematic visual accompanies the band’s debut single, first released in September 2024, and arrives after two years of development as the group continues to expand its creative and commercial profile. “Deepstar” was the first track Famous Strangers ever released and represents the earliest spark of the band’s identity. Mixed by Juno Award–winning producer Phil Anderson and mastered by veteran engineer Maor Appelbaum, the song introduced audiences to the band’s blend…
The Ontario government has moved to intervene at two of the province’s largest school boards, citing concerns that governance disputes and long-term financial instability could undermine student outcomes and disrupt classroom learning. In an announcement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education said it is taking action at the Peel District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board as part of a broader effort to strengthen accountability and ensure public education funding is focused on student success. The measures form part of the province’s plan to safeguard Ontario’s education system and prepare students for future employment in a changing…
Ontario exporters more than doubled the volume of goods shipped through New Brunswick’s Port Saint John in 2025, underscoring a growing interprovincial push to diversify Canada’s trade routes and reduce exposure to U.S. tariffs. According to provincial officials, the total volume of Ontario goods exported through Port Saint John to international markets rose by 153 per cent last year compared with 2024. The increase reflects coordinated efforts by Ontario and New Brunswick to strengthen domestic trade links and open new pathways for Canadian products to reach global markets. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt met in…
The City of Brantford has been formally recognized as the second community in Canada to confirm Unsheltered Quality By-Name Data (QBND) 4.0, a milestone that signals a significant step forward in how the community understands and responds to homelessness. The designation was confirmed by Built for Zero Canada (BFZ-C) and recognized by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, following an independent review process that validated the City’s data systems, processes, and reporting standards related to unsheltered homelessness. Achieving the Unsheltered QBND 4.0 standard requires communities to meet rigorous national benchmarks designed to ensure that homelessness data is accurate, current, and…
The Ontario government has formally designated the Greenstone Transmission Line as a priority infrastructure project, moving to accelerate construction of a new high-voltage electricity corridor intended to unlock large-scale mining development in the Ring of Fire and support long-term economic growth in northern Ontario. The province announced Tuesday that Hydro One has been selected to develop and construct the 230-kilometre transmission line, which will run from Nipigon Bay to the vicinity of Aroland First Nation. Once completed, the line is expected to provide the energy backbone required for future mining projects and growing northern communities, while reducing reliance on diesel…
The Ontario government has secured an $85 million manufacturing investment from Massilly North America Inc., a move it says will strengthen domestic supply chains, support hundreds of jobs and reduce reliance on imported food packaging materials amid ongoing global trade uncertainty. The investment will see Massilly establish a new state-of-the-art production facility in Brantford focused on manufacturing steel food cans. According to the province, the project will sustain 228 existing positions and create 50 new manufacturing jobs, bringing total employment impacts to 278 roles tied to the expansion. The new facility will introduce coil cutting and three-piece can production lines,…
TORONTO — The Ontario government marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday with a renewed pledge to confront antisemitism and protect the rights of religious and cultural communities, as the province joined global commemorations recognizing the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In a statement issued January 27, Graham McGregor, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and emphasized the continued relevance of remembrance amid rising incidents of hate in Canada and abroad. “Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honour and pay tribute to the memory of the six million Jews…