Ontario News
CBC London

Local artist's estate gifts $500K to revitalize Sherwood public library

The London library has received a generous half-a-million dollar donation from the estate of renowned local artist Rudy Sparkuhl, which it will use to renovate and create a new commons area at its Sh ...
More ...A undated photo of Rudy Sparkuhl painting on his easel. A few of the renowned London artist's paintings will be displayed at the Sherwood library when it reopens.

The London library has received a generous half-a-million dollar donation from the estate of renowned local artist Rudy Sparkuhl, which it will use to renovate and create a new commons area at its Sherwood branch. 

1 hour ago

Queen
The Trillium

Queen's Park Today: Here we go again

Your daily report from the Ontario provincial legislature

1 hour ago

CBC London

South London road where man struck previously flagged as unsafe by city councillor

Residents near a south London, Ont. intersection where a 73-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle on Saturday say the stretch of road where it occurred often sounds more like a racetrack than a ...
More ...Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza near the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Ernest Avenue in London, Ont., on March 26, 2025. A 73-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle just west of the intersection on Saturday evening.

Residents near a south London, Ont. intersection where a 73-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle on Saturday say the stretch of road where it occurred often sounds more like a racetrack than a city street.

1 hour ago

CBC Toronto

Can bolstering provincial trade help thwart Trump's tariffs? Ontario looks at reducing barriers

Doug Ford says pulling down internal trade barriers will be among his first orders of business when Ontario's legislature resumes next month, and experts say the premier should start by addressing rul ...
More ...Ontario Premier Doug Ford

Doug Ford says pulling down internal trade barriers will be among his first orders of business when Ontario's legislature resumes next month, and experts say the premier should start by addressing rules that make it difficult for workers to move seamlessly between provinces.

1 hour ago

CBC Toronto

Fear and uncertainty for Ontario autoworkers after Trump announces 25% tariff

On a day U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on non-U.S.-made vehicles, Ontario autoworkers said it's the latest wave in what's been a storm of uncertainty for the Canadian ind ...
More ...Since 2022, workers at GM's CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ont., have worked to build the BrightDrop electric-powered delivery van. Workers who spoke to CBC News say the industry needs supports from federal politicians to counter the threat of tariffs from U.S. president Donald Trump.

On a day U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on non-U.S.-made vehicles, Ontario autoworkers said it's the latest wave in what's been a storm of uncertainty for the Canadian industry, and more proof it needs government support. For Ontario autoworkers at GM's CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, the help can't come soon enough.

2 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

Poilievre and Carney vie for seats in side-by-side ridings

The front-runners in the race to be Canada's next prime minister have to convince local voters to give them a seat in the House, and their ridings just happen to be side-by-side. ...
More ...Man stands in a basement hockey rink.

The front-runners in the race to be Canada's next prime minister have to convince local voters to give them a seat in the House, and their ridings just happen to be side-by-side.

2 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

Her daughter had a passion for HBC’s iconic stripes. Now she’s been collecting Hudson’s Bay items for a decade.

With Hudson’s Bay liquidating all but six of its stores in Canada, items with their iconic HBC stripes are flying off the shelves. Emma Weller spoke with a Gatineau woman who has been collecting the ...
More ...A woman stands in a blue cable knit sweater in the foreground. Behind her is a bed made with a striped blanket and two HBC coats.

With Hudson’s Bay liquidating all but six of its stores in Canada, items with their iconic HBC stripes are flying off the shelves. Emma Weller spoke with a Gatineau woman who has been collecting them for years.

2 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

Government workers concerned about promises to reduce the size of the public service

Liberal Leader Mark Carney has said he will cap the size of the public service while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has promised cuts. The two are currently neck-in-neck in the polls for the fed ...
More ...a woman with curly hair and a pink puffy coat holds a mega phone and speaks to a crowd of people.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney has said he will cap the size of the public service while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has promised cuts. The two are currently neck-in-neck in the polls for the federal election.

2 hours ago

CBC Toronto

Shooting in Etobicoke leaves male dead, police say

A shooting in Etobicoke has left a male dead on Wednesday evening, Toronto police say. ...
More ...Toronto police are investigating after a child was left with critical injuries on Wednesday afternoon.

A shooting in Etobicoke has left a male dead on Wednesday evening, Toronto police say.

8 hours ago

CBC Toronto

Jury watches surveillance videos at trial of 2 men accused of killing Regent Park youth worker

A jury in a Toronto courtroom watched surveillance videos on Wednesday at the trial of two men charged with first-degree murder of a Regent Park youth worker. ...
More ...27-year-old Thane Murray was shot and killed in 2021 in Toronto's Regent Park. Three men have now been arrested in connection with his death, with a fourth suspect still being sought.

A jury in a Toronto courtroom watched surveillance videos on Wednesday at the trial of two men charged with first-degree murder of a Regent Park youth worker.

8 hours ago

CBC Toronto

Ford calls for retaliatory tariffs to 'maximize the pain for Americans'

After Donald Trump signed an executive order that will hit Canada and all other non-U.S.-made autos with hefty import levies, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canada will need to do "everything we possi ...
More ...Premier Doug Ford.

After Donald Trump signed an executive order that will hit Canada and all other non-U.S.-made autos with hefty import levies, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canada will need to do "everything we possibly can" to fight the new tariffs.

10 hours ago

CBC Toronto

Ontario's patient ombudsman sees record complaints in 2023-2024; quality of care, communication top concerns

Ontario's patient ombudsman received a record number of complaints last fiscal year and quality of health care and communication were among top concerns of people who complained. ...
More ...A nurse tends to a patient in Sarnia, Ontario.

Ontario's patient ombudsman received a record number of complaints last fiscal year and quality of health care and communication were among top concerns of people who complained.

11 hours ago

CBC Toronto

'Potent' ice storm likely to hit huge swath of Ontario, including Toronto: Environment Canada

Environment Canada is warning that a "potent" spring ice storm will likely hit a huge swath of Ontario starting Friday evening and extending into Monday. ...
More ...Two people walk in snowy weather.

Environment Canada is warning that a "potent" spring ice storm will likely hit a huge swath of Ontario starting Friday evening and extending into Monday.

11 hours ago

Morrisseau art fraud investigation gets international attention
North Western Ontario Newswatch

Morrisseau art fraud investigation gets international attention

Thunder Bay police Insp. Jason Rybak invited to present at Canada-Italy forum on crimes against cultural property earlier this month.

12 hours ago

CBC Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays hopeful ahead of season opener despite tough 2024, uncertainty over star player

The Blue Jays took batting practice at Rogers Centre one day ahead of their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays will look to bounce back after finishing last in their division last sea ...
More ...Vlad Guerrero Jr. catches a ball at first base as a runner slides back in ahead of the throw on a sunny day at spring training

The Blue Jays took batting practice at Rogers Centre one day ahead of their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays will look to bounce back after finishing last in their division last season, while the end of two star players' contracts looms.

12 hours ago

Shuniah man charged after collision in Atikokan
North Western Ontario Newswatch

Shuniah man charged after collision in Atikokan

The driver of a vehicle involved in an an early-morning collision failed a breathalyzer test

12 hours ago

Kingstonist

Napanee to host mock disaster for Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services

The Town of Greater Napanee will face disaster in October 2025, but it will be of the mock variety.

12 hours ago

CBC London

Unions say London-area education job cuts underscore lack of provincial funding

Unions representing London's public school teachers say the Thames Valley District School Board's (TVDSB) move to cut almost 60 positions shows that school boards need more provincial funding. ...
More ...The Thames Valley District School Board's office in London, Ont., as seen on Jan. 31, 2025.

Unions representing London's public school teachers say the Thames Valley District School Board's (TVDSB) move to cut almost 60 positions shows that school boards need more provincial funding.

13 hours ago

BREAKING: Trump announces 25-per cent tariff on cars made outside of the U.S.
The Trillium

BREAKING: Trump announces 25-per cent tariff on cars made outside of the U.S.

The U.S. president made the announcement at a press conference in the Oval Office Wednesday afternoon

13 hours ago

Bay Observer

Controversial Stormwater fee to proceed, but rural opposition won’t go away

Hamilton Councillors who serve the rural areas are still trying to explain to their constituents how a rural resident who is drawing water from a well and is not connected to the city water system sho ...
More ...

Hamilton Councillors who serve the rural areas are still trying to explain to their constituents how a rural resident who is drawing water from a well and is not connected to the city water system should ever be getting a water bill. The answer of course is that they still contribute to stormwater, and now that the city has decided to create a separate bill for stormwater, everybody should pay their share. The city reasons that because rural stormwater typically flows into a ditch, which is nonetheless maintained by the city as opposed to a sewer and ultimately ends up in the bay, the stormwater fee should apply. It also doesn’t take into account water that comes off a barn roof and is soaked into the aquifer before it can get to a ditch. Those are some of the issues that are not sitting well with rural residents and their representatives on council.

The other problem for rural residents, is that the fee is based on the amount of impermeable surface they occupy, and whether it’s a farm or a rural residence, both tend to take up more space than a typical city lot. And if you are a large greenhouse operator with maybe an acre under impermeable glass, the cost can be huge. Councillors and staff can rationalize the issue any way they want, but when you are sending a tax bill to somebody who wasn’t getting a bill before, without providing any increase in service, you are going to get sustained pushback.

When the subject of a stormwater fee first came up, it made sense to many. Up until the beginning of the discussion the stormwater portion of the water bill was assumed to be based on the amount of water the ratepayer was using. But that calculation did not take into account shopping malls and large industrial companies with large parking lots. They consumed relatively little water, but their parking lots and large roof areas contributed disproportionately to the stormwater runoff. In the initial discussion nobody was talking about the agricultural community assuming it was the shopping malls and factories that would bear the brunt of the new policy. A large staff presentation on the subject in June 2023 made no mention of rural or agricultural uses. Councillor Mark Tadeson summed up the problem for himself and Glanbrook rural residents.

No matter how one slices it, the communications on this Stormwater issue has been terrible. Staff were asked why, and one reason given was that the plan was supposed to be fleshed out by 2026, but council, on a motion from Councillors Danko and Maureen Wilson in January of 2023, bumped it up a year to now. Staff said as a result there was very little opportunity to consult with the public. It was only after that vote that the reality for rural farmers began to surface. At that time some farm operations were told they will pay as much as $77,000, for example for a Flamborough vegetable grower. An Ancaster Dairy Farm would pay $22,000. The Federation of Agriculture cited a Glanbrook dairy farmer who stands to pay $5,800. Residential taxpayers in the city will see the stormwater fee deducted from the regular water bill resulting in zero change to their overall bill, but many agricultural users who are not connected to city water and sewers will be paying water bills for the first time. Even for smaller farm operations, the local federation says a farm with an 80 ft x 200 ft building (barn) will have to pay $868 per year.

Staff have reworked the numbers and managed to reduce the overall fee, but it will still look like a minimum to $200 per year extra at a minimum for rural homeowners, more for farmers. The tax takes effect next January.

13 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

Murder trial of man accused of shooting, killing OPP officer begins

The murder trial of Alain Bellefeuille opened Wednesday with dramatically different accounts of what happened the night Sgt. Eric Mueller was shot and killed while responding to a 911 call. ...
More ...A sketch of a man wearing a suit and a green shirt.

The murder trial of Alain Bellefeuille opened Wednesday with dramatically different accounts of what happened the night Sgt. Eric Mueller was shot and killed while responding to a 911 call.

13 hours ago

Bay Observer

Poilievre hosts huge rally in Stoney Creek, Singh makes it two days in a row in Hamilton

Liberal leader Mark Carney was in Windsor and London earlier today as he works his way back to Kitchener where he will hold a rally tonight. It will be interesting to see if Carney can match the turno ...
More ...

Liberal leader Mark Carney was in Windsor and London earlier today as he works his way back to Kitchener where he will hold a rally tonight. It will be interesting to see if Carney can match the turnout that Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre pulled off last night, speaking to a crowd estimated at over 4,000 in Stoney Creek. Meanwhile NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was in Hamilton for the second consecutive day, after attending the opening of Hamilton Mountain candidate Monique Taylor’s campaign headquarters yesterday. Singh is dealing with some troubling national polling numbers showing his NDP at single digits, far behind the Liberals and the Conservatives. Latest polling shows the Carney Liberals with a six to eight point lead over the Poilievre- led Conservatives. Most of the Liberal gains are at the expense of the NDP, who just two months ago were holding 20 percent in voter intentions. The NDP are sitting at 14 percent in BC polls, which suggests Singh could be in for a tough battle to hold onto his seat in Burnaby South.

13 hours ago

Contractor association touts $1,000/ticket ‘special event’ with Ford to members
The Trillium

Contractor association touts $1,000/ticket ‘special event’ with Ford to members

The PC Party said it’s a ‘standard fundraising event’ and that the group wasn’t given early access to tickets, despite their sale not yet being widely publicized

13 hours ago

Kingstonist

‘On guard for cheese!’ – Great Canadian Cheese Show to make long-awaited return at Kingston’s Fort Henry

Calling all cheese lovers! The Great Canadian Cheese Festival is returning to the region for the first time since 2018.

13 hours ago

The Trillium

Polling firm often used by Ontario PCs sanctioned amid misconduct complaints

Campaign Research Inc. has been expelled from the Canadian Research Insights Council following complaints related to ‘unprofessional’ and ‘profane’ social media posts

14 hours ago

Kingstonist

KHSC’s new PET-CT suite is now open for business

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is celebrating the completion of the region’s first positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) suite, which brings world-class diagnostic capabi ...
More ...Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is celebrating the completion of the region’s first positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) suite, which brings world-class diagnostic capability to patients closer to home, the health-care organization said.

14 hours ago

No possibility the James Whalen could be scrapped for free: Harbour Metals
Thunder Bay Newswatch

No possibility the James Whalen could be scrapped for free: Harbour Metals

Harbour Metals did not send an email to the city about taking the James Whalen Tugboat off their hands for free.

14 hours ago

City could see another 20 centimetres of snow this weekend
Thunder Bay Newswatch

City could see another 20 centimetres of snow this weekend

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement in advance of a winter-weather storm this weekend.

14 hours ago

Confederation College suspends 11 programs
Thunder Bay Newswatch

Confederation College suspends 11 programs

The college has been impacted by a federal cap on international student study permits

14 hours ago

Kingstonist

Nominees announced for Kingston Business Awards 2025

The nominees have been announced for the Kingston Business Awards 2025, which will be celebrated on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

14 hours ago

Thunder Bay Newswatch

Split the Pot lottery tickets now available at convenience stores

The St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay benefits from the lottery

14 hours ago

CBC London

Costco, Masonville mall, Walmart: Health unit releases latest list of measles exposures

Thousands of people could have been exposed to measles, health officials warned Wednesday after releasing a list of busy places where someone with the highly contagious virus may have infected people. ...
More ...Measles

Thousands of people could have been exposed to measles, health officials warned Wednesday after releasing a list of busy places where someone with the highly contagious virus may have infected people.

14 hours ago

CBC Toronto

BetMGM Canada fined $110K for allegedly offering cash to new customers

Ontario’s gaming watchdog has issued a $110,000 fine to online sports betting platform BetMGM Canada after the company allegedly offered cash to new customers who set up an account on the platform. ...
More ...Man sits in front on computer playing online slots

Ontario’s gaming watchdog has issued a $110,000 fine to online sports betting platform BetMGM Canada after the company allegedly offered cash to new customers who set up an account on the platform.

15 hours ago

Two charged in recent business break-and-enter
Thunder Bay Newswatch

Two charged in recent business break-and-enter

Police have taken two accused into custody following Feb. 26 incident at a Villa Street business.

15 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

'Potent' weekend ice storm expected across eastern Ontario

Environment Canada said Wednesday afternoon its forecasters are increasingly confident a "widespread, prolonged freezing rain event" would arrive late Friday. ...
More ...A man with an umbrella walks down the middle of a road between two trees that have fallen on the road.

Environment Canada said Wednesday afternoon its forecasters are increasingly confident a "widespread, prolonged freezing rain event" would arrive late Friday.

15 hours ago

CBC Toronto

City council unanimously backs restricting U.S. companies from bidding on Toronto contracts

Council unanimously backed Chow’s 10-point plan to respond to the tariff fight on Wednesday, though some councillors said Toronto needs to be careful not to alienate potential visitors from the U. ...
More ...Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announces a new action plan to support and safeguard Toronto’s economy in the wake of tariff measures from the United States during a news conference, in Toronto, on March 17, 2025.

Council unanimously backed Chow’s 10-point plan to respond to the tariff fight on Wednesday, though some councillors said Toronto needs to be careful not to alienate potential visitors from the U.S., or American companies looking to invest in the city.

15 hours ago

Man arrested after allegedly driving drunk, fleeing from police
Thunder Bay Newswatch

Man arrested after allegedly driving drunk, fleeing from police

Thunder Bay police lay several charges against the 22 year-old.

15 hours ago

Thunder Bay man wins $88,888 on scratch ticket
Thunder Bay Newswatch

Thunder Bay man wins $88,888 on scratch ticket

Calvin Jewitt won the prize, purchasing the winning Lunar 8s ticket at a Beverly Street store.

16 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

Council votes to buy 90-hectare property for $2M, with a catch

City council has finally put a contentious debate to rest, voting to buy lands near Fitzroy Harbour for about $2 million, though it will be looking to carve out and resell two small parcels. ...
More ...An aerial view of a wooded property near a river in summer.

City council has finally put a contentious debate to rest, voting to buy lands near Fitzroy Harbour for about $2 million, though it will be looking to carve out and resell two small parcels.

16 hours ago

CBC Toronto

Will the 'Buy Canadian' movement draw more crowds to Toronto's One of a Kind show? Artists hope yes

Toronto’s One of a Kind show has been a staple for local artisans for half a century now, but this year’s edition has seen a more significant push as the “Buy Canadian” movement takes off. ...
More ...Woman smiling next to a "buy canadian" tote bag in the background.

Toronto’s One of a Kind show has been a staple for local artisans for half a century now, but this year’s edition has seen a more significant push as the “Buy Canadian” movement takes off.

16 hours ago

Bay Observer

Councillor’s staffer found to have improperly leaked material, organized lobbying

The overzealous actions of a member of Coun. Craig Cassar’s staff resulted in the leaking of a budget proposal by Councillor Jeff Beattie to climate change insiders with the suggestion to stimulate ...
More ...

The overzealous actions of a member of Coun. Craig Cassar’s staff resulted in the leaking of a budget proposal by Councillor Jeff Beattie to climate change insiders with the suggestion to stimulate some public pushback.  That was the upshot of a report by Hamilton’s Integrity Commission following a complaint by Beattie. During the budget debates in February, Beattie proposed a motion to cut $560,000 that had been added on to the existing biodiversity action plan to hire four employees in public works to develop the program.

Beattie’s motion was submitted to the clerk and fellow councillors the day before the matter was to be considered by council. His complaint reads, “I had submitted to Clerks for review, and other members of Council for their comments. These motions were circulated to some select members of the public, before the Motions had been properly vetted, checked for accuracy, procedural correctness and placed on the Public Agenda for the viewing by the General Public, with intent that this group might lobby or otherwise influence the decision-making process of Council.”

In the course of his investigation, the Integrity Commissioner learned that a member of Cassar’s staff, upon seeing the proposal to pause the biodiversity funding, forwarded the motion to the Hamilton Naturalist’s Club, Conservation Hamilton and Environment Hamilton and about one dozen others. The staffer’s email read, “ I think we can and should send emails to ALL councillors all day today and tomorrow. And get on the phone to Beattie and Clark and leave messages. Emails won’t make it on tomorrow’s agenda at this point, but they will land in the inboxes of decision makers. Other thoughts for an intervention are welcome. If we are loud enough, we can hopefully convince the majority to vote this down. Can (Hamilton Naturalist’s Club) send out an eblast to e-newsletter subscribers today with directions of who to write to? I can help draft it. Short and sweet.”

When council met the following day, the agenda did contain correspondence from several individuals as well as HCA, Hamilton Naturalists and Environment Hamilton, all opposing the Beattie motion, which ultimately failed.

Both Cassar, who apologized to Beattie and his staffer said that Cassar had not directed staff to leak the information. For that reason, the Integrity Commissioner ruled that he did not have jurisdiction over staff. However, he is referring the matter to the city Human Resources Department, writing, “I am not responsible for dealing with staff violations of their code of ethics and am not making any findings in this regard. I am, however, initiating a formal complaint with the City’s HR Department to have (employee ’s) conduct reviewed for possible breach of the City’s Employee Code of Conduct.”

16 hours ago

CBC Toronto

Documentary on aftermath of Windsor, Ont.'s Creeper Hunter to premiere at Toronto's Hot Docs Festival

After two years of work, Matt Gallagher's newest film — Shamed — will screen at Toronto's upcoming Hot Docs 2025 Festival. The documentary explores the "collateral damage" of Creeper Hunter TV: Th ...
More ...A man with long hair watching monitors.

After two years of work, Matt Gallagher's newest film — Shamed — will screen at Toronto's upcoming Hot Docs 2025 Festival. The documentary explores the "collateral damage" of Creeper Hunter TV: The controversial online predator-catching project of Jason Nassr of Windsor, Ont.

17 hours ago

Thunder Bay man wins $725,000 lottery jackpot
Thunder Bay Newswatch

Thunder Bay man wins $725,000 lottery jackpot

City resident Aaron Potan won big after buying a one-dollar Lottario ticket.

17 hours ago

Kingstonist

Kingston Symphony Spring Vinyl Records Sale boasts ‘finest selection’ yet

The Kingston Symphony Volunteers (KSV) are about to open the doors to their Vinyl Records Sale. Starting Thursday, Apr. 3, 2025, this year's spring fundraising sale will offer perhaps the finest selec ...
More ...The Kingston Symphony Volunteers (KSV) are about to open the doors to their Vinyl Records Sale. Starting Thursday, Apr. 3, 2025, this year's spring fundraising sale will offer perhaps the finest selection of LPs, stereo equipment, CDs and DVDs/Blu-rays to date.

17 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

Poilievre, Singh target low-income Canadians with suite of tax cuts

The New Democrats and Conservatives both rolled out a series of promises to cut taxes Wednesday that the party leaders say will help provide relief to lower-income Canadians.  ...
More ...A close of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. He is wearing a grey and black sweater and a pink turban.

The New Democrats and Conservatives both rolled out a series of promises to cut taxes Wednesday that the party leaders say will help provide relief to lower-income Canadians. 

17 hours ago

CBC Ottawa

Motion to drop racism definition panned as 'really bad look' at council

Ottawa city council waded into a brief but testy debate over the definitions of racism and colonialism on Wednesday, amid questions over whether a funding policy should specifically mention white peop ...
More ...A city councillor listens during a meeting.

Ottawa city council waded into a brief but testy debate over the definitions of racism and colonialism on Wednesday, amid questions over whether a funding policy should specifically mention white people.

17 hours ago

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