Ontario Premier Doug Ford is planning to separate Mississauga and Brampton from Peel municipal region by 2026. The move follows a long campaign for independence by Mississauga, whose residents pay 60% of the region's costs but have half the amount of sway over its administration. Ford has confirmed that his cabinet has already approved the plan, with legislation to follow. The move has been welcomed by Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, but Brampton's Mayor Patrick Brown has warned of an estimated $1bn worth of shared infrastructure being lost as a result of the application.
Canadian parka manufacturer Canada Goose has posted a Q4 loss of CAD3.1m ($2.3m), a decrease of CAD6m on a year ago, as revenue leapt 30% to $293.2m. The company said adjusted profits were 14 cents per diluted share, up 10 cents on 2018. For the 2024 financial year, the company forecast revenue to be between CAD1.4bn and CAD1.5bn and adjusted profits between $1.20 and $1.48 per diluted share.
British Columbia (B.C.) will have to pay three times the cost for cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy in private US cancer centers due to long waiting times and outdated equipment in B.C.’s clinics. The Canadian Ministry of Health reportedly sends around 50 breast and prostate cancer patients each week to two clinics in Bellingham, Washington where they will receive five fractions of radiation therapy. Such a treatment would cost $3,854 in a regular Canadian clinic compared to $12,277 in private US cancer centers. However, this cost does not include other expenses such as travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for the patient and caregiver, which easily amounts to thousands more. Health-policy experts argue that the arrangement with private US cancer centers is the best option to provide quick relief to a pressured Canadian healthcare system as the long waiting periods can cause anxiety and delays in care for patients. Patients who receive urgent treatment are less likely to see their cancers metastasize, thereby relieving pressure on the healthcare system in the long term, according to health-policy experts.
Toronto Police have reported a 29.2% increase in car thefts since the start of the year, with 4,186 incidents reported since January 1. Reports of vehicle thefts rose in the York district, with ten out of 255 reported citywide between May 11-17 occurring in that area.
Cases of Lyme disease are on the rise in Canada, and as the weather warms, the risk of getting a tick bite that can cause the illness is increasing, too. That’s a result of climate change and “ways we’re using our lands,” such as changing farming practices, said Janet Sperling, the president of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. Ontario's 2022 “Lyme Disease Map” shows the entirety of Toronto is an “estimated risk area.” On trails, ticks will mostly be on the edge of a path, where dogs might meander. When going for a hike and “entering tick habitat,” it’s best to wear light-coloured clothing, tuck socks in or use permethrin-treated socks, and to use insect repellent. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends checking one’s entire body, especially the head and hair, in and around the ears, under the arms, on the chest, the waist, belly button, around the groin, on the legs, behind the knees and between the toes. Those with dogs should check their pets for ticks, too, and brush them, Sperling said. The longer a tick is attached, “the greater the risk” of disease being transmitted, Sperling said.
The Garden River First Nation has filed a lawsuit against the Ontario province and the Canadian federal government, claiming that its land was stolen through coercion in a treaty. The First Nation claims that 70% of its land was lost in a treaty signed in 1859. Chief Andy Rickard hopes the lawsuit will open a discussion with the province and allows the First Nation to reclaim land in the east of Sault Ste. Marie.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has refused to meet David Johnston, the former governor general who is currently investigating allegations that China has influenced Canadian elections. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him as a rapporteur to investigate the federal government's approach to preventing foreign interference in Canadian politics and to potentially recommend a public inquiry. Poilievre argues Johnston can't do his job independently as he is a former member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, which has reportedly received donations linked to China. The NDP supports a public inquiry, and leader Jagmeet Singh met with Johnston on May 1.
Ontario is set to dissolve the Region of Peel, including Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, several years after the mayors of Mississauga have asked for the move. Many believe the move is necessary because Mississauga has been paying more than its fair share into the regions. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the goal of the dissolution is to ensure the municipalities have equal or better service, while Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie says she expects Mississauga to save $1bn over the next decade in becoming independent. The dissolution could take several years and will likely be overseen by a transition board.
Canada’s MPs have passed a bill that tightens restrictions on handguns, increases penalties for firearm trafficking and aims to reduce illegal homemade ‘ghost guns’. The proposed legislation includes a ban on assault-style firearms, which will apply once the bill is enacted. The legislation passed with the support of MPs from the Liberal, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Green parties, while the Conservatives opposed it, arguing that it unfairly penalises legitimate gun owners rather than targeting criminal gun violence. The bill will now proceed to the Canadian Senate.
Emissions from wildfires in 2021 produced more greenhouse gases than the oil and gas sector and heavy industry combined, resulting in a total estimated carbon footprint of 270 million tonnes. However, they weren't included when Canada tallied its total emissions because they are not directly under human control. This has called attention to a growing concern regarding the increased number and intensity of wildfires in a world impacted by climate change. The pollution from wildfires not only impacts climate change but also results in reduced air quality, affecting areas far beyond where the wildfires occur.
Poilievre introduces motion to end safe drug supply policies, direct funding to treatment programs
CBC
23-05-18 19:36
The leader of the Conservative Party in Canada, Pierre Poilievre, has proposed that the national government end all programmes that provide non-toxic drugs to those with drug addiction and instead move the funding to treatment services. He stated that government-funded drugs are being sold by addicts and the proceeds are being used to buy fentanyl-laced opioids that lead to overdose deaths. Although the toxic supply of contaminated street drugs is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis, proponents of pharmaceutical-grade drugs suggest that the safe supply of these drugs saves lives, particularly when people cannot cope with the withdrawal of stronger drugs.
Canadian small businesses are set to gain from reduced credit card transaction fees, under agreements finalised by the federal government with Visa and Mastercard. Interchange fees for in-store transactions will be cut to an annual weighted average of 0.95% from domestic consumer credit transactions. Online transactions fees will drop by 10 basis points, leading to up to 7% savings. The agreements will apply from fall 2024 and will save eligible small Canadian businesses around $1 billion over five years. The reductions will help approximately 90% of credit card-accepting businesses in Canada, according to government estimates.
As province looks to split up Peel, what does the future hold for Region of Waterloo?
CBC
23-05-18 18:21
A facilitator will be appointed to assess upper-tier municipalities in Ontario, including the Region of Waterloo, to determine if they should be dissolved by 2025. Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark introduced legislation in November called the Better Municipal Governance Act and promised to appoint facilitators to ensure the region could "deliver on the government's commitment to tackle the housing supply crisis". Clark has said the province is not planning to do away with regional levels of government unless recommended by facilitators. Six municipalities are expected to be reviewed.
The Italian Open women's semifinals feature some unexpected players, with the upcoming French Open made more intriguing as a result. In the lead-up to the women's play, Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko will come up against each other, with Rybakina favoured to win based on her first victory against Ostapenko. The other match is between Veronika Kudermetova and Anhelina Kalinina; Kudermetova appears to be the solid choice to emerge victorious.
Hamilton council has refused to sanction new recommendations aimed at limiting the size and location of homeless encampments. Last month, Hamilton’s authorities declared a state of emergency due to homelessness, which followed similar declarations from other authorities in Ontario along with Toronto, Ottawa, and the Niagara Region. The proposed new encampment protocol included limits on the number of tents in a given area, banned tents from restricting access to public areas, and prohibited camps near schools, playgrounds, pools, sports fields, and fitness amenities. Council will now ask for advice on how to make it easier to determine where camps can be established.
Garden River First Nation launches new lawsuit against Ontario and Canada
CBC
23-05-18 22:49
The Garden River First Nation has begun a lawsuit against Canadian and Ontario governments for their alleged failure to adhere to the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850. The treaty promised Garden River First Nation a reserve covering 54,000 hectares. Today the reserve is just 20,700 hectares. The lawsuit states that over the last 150 years, the land of the community was sold against the community’s wishes by Crown agencies to fund the Ministry responsible for Indian Affairs. The lawsuit does not specify any financial compensation, but suggests compensation may be appropriate in some cases where lost land cannot be restored.
The Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and Toronto-based clean technology firm NRStor have begun work on Oneida, Canada's largest battery storage project. The facility is expected to reduce greenhouse emissions by 4.1 million tonnes over 20 years and generate jobs for people of Six Nations, a group of tribes including Mohawk and Oneida peoples. Approved by the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia and Canada's Infrastructure Bank, work on the facility will start near Brantford, Ontario this summer. Oneida is the latest development in a growing trend towards partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous business in Canada. The initiative “shows we are an asset”, said Matt Jamieson, CEO of the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.
The United States and Taiwan have reached a modest trade agreement as part of Washington's support for Taiwan and its demands from China. The deal is the first under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade and is expected to set the stage for a more significant agreement. The agreement aims to cut red tape at customs, reduce waiting times for US businesses in Taiwan and commits to adopting measures to combat bribery and encourage more trade with small to medium-sized enterprises. There is widespread bipartisan support for Taiwan in Washington, and the island country remains a prosperous democracy that split from China in 1949.
Canada is expected to bring in new sanctions on Russia during the 2022 G7 Leaders’ Summit, targeting Russian companies involved in military technology and sanctions on human rights violations, particularly the transfer and custody of Ukrainian children in Russia. The International Criminal Court accused President Vladimir Putin and Russian children’s rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, of abducting children from Ukraine. The summit will address geopolitical threats caused by China and Russia, with Canada pushing for support for Ukraine. G7 countries are expected to announce further sanctions, including the US, which plans to blacklist around 70 entities and sanction more than 300 individuals, entities, aircraft and vessels involved in Russia's defence industry.
The New York Yankees climb to 26-20 after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 at the Rogers Centre. Aaron Judge scores his 12th homer of the season and Anthony Volpe secures an insurance run in the ninth inning with a solo shot. The Blue Jays suffered their third loss in four games, with Bo Bichette scoring one of their two runs after Aaron Hicks increased the Yankees lead in the seventh with a double. The Yankees will finish their seven-day road trip with a series of three games in Cincinnati. The Blue Jays continue their 10-day, 10-game homestand against the Baltimore Orioles.
