Category Archives: Ontario/Quebec
Ontario lifts state of emergency put in place amid anti-restrictions blockades
A state of emergency in Ontario that Premier Doug Ford declared to deal with anti-vaccine mandate blockades was lifted Wednesday evening. Ford's office said "emergency tools" provided to law enforcement would stay in place for now, however, "as police ...
Officials report nearly 3 million Quebecers were hit by Omicron wave
MONTREAL — Health officials reported Wednesday that nearly three million Quebecers, including more than a third of all children, are believed to have been infected by COVID-19 since the beginning of the Omicron wave. Dr. Luc Boileau, the province's int...
Ontario New Democrats hope government will support anti-Islamophobia bill
TORONTO — An Opposition bill aimed at fighting Islamophobia and other hate crimes was tabled in Ontario's legislature Wednesday, but it was unclear if it would receive the support of the majority Progressive Conservative government. The bill from the ...
Ontario puts $250K toward proposed EV battery production lines
TORONTO — The Ontario government is putting $250,000 toward the development of two battery production lines at a proposed new facility in the province's north. Electra Battery Materials Corporation says its future facility in Cobalt, Ont., could suppl...
Ontario’s labour market rebounds to pre-pandemic levels but recovery uneven: report
TORONTO — Ontario's financial watchdog says that overall, the province's labour market has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, but the recovery has been uneven across sectors and regions. The Financial Accountability Officer released a report today sayin...
Ontario MPP could be barred from participating in the legislature
TORONTO — Ontario's legislature has unanimously passed a motion authorizing the Speaker to bar an independent member from eastern Ontario from participating in the chamber. A motion moved by Government House Leader Paul Calandra says the house expresse...
Ontario scrapping licence plate renewal fees; Ford less certain on gas price cut
Ontario is eliminating licence plate renewal fees in the name of saving drivers money, though Premier Doug Ford sounded less certain Tuesday about fulfilling a promise to cut gas prices. Effective March 13, Ontario will scrap the fee as well as
Ottawa recovery dominates first day back in session at Ontario legislature
TORONTO — Ontario intends to offer financial support for businesses affected by recent protests against COVID-19 measures, the province's finance minister said Tuesday as legislators debated the government's handling of the lengthy demonstrations. Pete...
Ontario legislators set to return Tuesday for pre-election session
TORONTO — Pandemic recovery, housing and affordability will be top of mind for Ontario's party leaders as the legislature resumes sitting Tuesday for the last few weeks of the session ahead of a June election. Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservati...
Quebec bar association wants government to justify continued COVID state of emergency
MONTREAL — The Quebec bar association is asking the provincial government to explain why it still needs extraordinary powers to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Quebec government first declared a state of emergency in March 2020. Since then, the de...