Ontario Starting Construction on New Interchange in Waterdown

This article is new today!

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Transportation
Date: 2026-10-30 18:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Infrastructure, Transportation]

The Ontario government has started construction on a new highway interchange at Highways 5 and 6 in Waterdown, utilizing part of a broader provincial investment of more than $31 billion over the next decade to build and expand highways, roads, and bridges. GIP Paving Inc. was awarded the contract to build the project, which includes a new overpass bridge carrying Highway 5 over Highway 6, new on- and off-ramps, widening a section of Highway 5 to six lanes, constructing a new commuter parking lot, and adding multi-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists alongside required municipal water and sewer infrastructure updates.

Ontario Investing $1 Million to Expand the Bruce Trail

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Source: Ontario - Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Date: 2026-10-30 15:34:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Environment, Tourism, Infrastructure]

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is investing $1 million through its Species Conservation Program and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance to help the Bruce Trail Conservancy transform the former Talisman Mountain Resort into the 123-acre (50-hectare) Talisman Forest Nature Reserve. The project will permanently add a nearly 1-kilometre section to the 900-kilometre Bruce Trail along the Niagara Escarpment by removing old ski resort infrastructure, reforesting ski slopes, and restoring meadow and forest habitats for species at risk. The funding is part of a broader expansion of the Species Conservation Program, which has provided the Ontario Land Trust Alliance with over $12.5 million over five years to support local land securement and conservation initiatives.

Ontario Announces Disaster Recovery Funding for Municipality of Callander

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Source: Ontario - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: 2026-10-30 15:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Municipal, Infrastructure, Emergency]

The Government of Ontario is providing the Municipality of Callander with up to $455,000 through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program. The funding will cover emergency response and repair costs for essential municipal shoreline infrastructure along Callander Bay, including a collapsed break wall caused by an extreme storm surge and high winds from Lake Nipissing in April 2024. The MDRA program assists municipalities in covering extraordinary recovery costs when disaster-related expenditures exceed three per cent of their own-purpose taxation levy.

Experts, Liberal MP hope for full ban on sports betting ads as advocates cite mental health decline

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Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 14:50:39.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, Healthcare, Social Services, Governance]

Bill S-211, introduced in May 2025 by Senator Marty Deacon and sponsored in the House by MP Bardish Chagger, is currently before the House standing committee on Canadian heritage to restrict sports betting ads across Canada. Supporters including Liberal MP Michael Coteau and public policy think-tank Cardus cite a University of Toronto study showing gambling-related emergency room visits nearly doubled in Ontario, alongside a 161 per cent increase in helpline calls among males aged 15-24 since single-game betting was legalized in 2021. Provincial officials from Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, along with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, have raised concerns regarding provincial jurisdiction, overlapping regulations, and economic impacts on commercial operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.

Ontario Completes Removal of Bike Lanes on Bloor Street West

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Source: Ontario - Ministry of Transportation
Date: 2026-10-30 13:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Infrastructure, Transportation, Governance]

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has completed the removal of bike lanes and restored motor vehicle lanes along a 1.2-kilometre section of Bloor Street West between Clissold Road and Royal York Road, following an August 2026 Ontario Court of Appeal ruling upholding legislative authority over public roadways. The project, which included removing precast curbs, delineators, signs, and bus pads alongside pavement repairs and resurfacing, was executed pursuant to the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 and the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, 2025. This action addresses provincial gridlock—which a Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis report estimates costs Ontario $56 billion annually—and follows related initiatives such as a September 2026 request for proposals to study lane restorations across Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen's Park, Queen's Park Crescent, and Avenue Road.

A Plan to Protect Ontario

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Finance
Date: 2026-10-29 18:10:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Economy, Taxation, Finance, Trade, Industry]

Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy released the 2026 Ontario Economic and Fiscal Review: A Plan to Protect Ontario, projecting a deficit of $16.9 billion in 2026-27 and a return to a balanced budget in 2029-30. The fiscal plan features an $8 billion Ontario Competitiveness Tax Cut tied to the federal Productivity Mega Deduction, an $8.7 billion Canada-Ontario action plan targeting the steel, automotive, and critical minerals sectors, and nearly $30 billion in cumulative tariff relief and business supports implemented since April 2025. Additionally, the government committed to streamlining 35 to 50 percent of the province's 375 business-facing permits by the end of 2028 and restoring capital expenditures as eligible under the Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit and Ontario Innovation Tax Credit to provide over $50 million in tax support over three years.

Competition Bureau chief urges limits on non-compete clauses for workers

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 17:35:50.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Labour, Economy]

Interim Commissioner of Competition Jeanne Pratt sent a letter on October 29 calling on provincial and territorial governments to limit the use of non-compete clauses to foster more competitive labour markets. Citing an OECD survey showing Canada has one of the highest prevalence rates of non-compete clauses—covering between 29 and 39 percent of private-sector employees, with 30 percent of firms applying them to all employees regardless of role—the Competition Bureau highlighted negative impacts on wage growth, job mobility, and entrepreneurship. The federal government committed in its 2025 budget to restricting non-compete agreements, while Ontario remains the only province to have enacted a statutory ban through its Employment Standards Act in 2021, which prohibits most new employment non-competes except for senior executives and the sale of a business.

Stelco must recall laid off workers ‘immediately,’ Joly says in new letter

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 14:04:23.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade]

Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a letter on October 29, 2026, demanding that parent company Cleveland-Cliffs and Stelco immediately recall approximately 500 workers laid off at the Hamilton steel plant, or face potential legal action under Section 39 of the Investment Canada Act that could lead to forced divestiture. Joly rejected an interim compliance report submitted by Stelco on October 26 as unsatisfactory. Stelco initiated the layoffs in early October due to reduced operations, offering alternative positions at its Lake Erie facility, which the United Steelworkers union notes has only accommodated about 40 of the affected employees.

Joly says she will meet with Stelco owner if company gives 'concrete' plan to bring workers back

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 13:55:47.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Labour, Industry]

Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a letter to Paul Simon, president of Stelco, stating she will only meet with the company and its American parent firm, Cleveland-Cliffs, if they provide a concrete plan to immediately recall 300 to 350 laid-off workers at the Hamilton steel plant. The dispute follows recent layoffs and public remarks by Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves regarding the rationale behind the 2024 acquisition. Minister Joly is evaluating potential legal action for non-compliance with undertakings under the Investment Canada Act, which require maintaining unionized employee levels at 2024 figures through 2029.

U.S. steel CEO's 'confessions' for buying Stelco prompted government to call its lawyers: industry minister

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-28 16:11:32.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade, Economy]

Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly stated that department lawyers were consulted following public comments by Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves regarding the acquisition of Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco. Goncalves admitted in a media interview that Cleveland-Cliffs purchased Stelco in 2024 specifically to prevent it from undercutting U.S. production facilities, prompting Ottawa to review potential legal consequences under the Investment Canada Act. The federal government previously issued a 15-day ultimatum to Cleveland-Cliffs demanding the reversal of announced layoffs at Stelco to maintain unionized employment levels agreed upon through 2029, threatening court action that could include financial penalties or forced divestment.

Province Announces $8 Billion Ontario Competitiveness Tax Cut to Support Investment and Create 30,000 Jobs

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Finance
Date: 2026-10-28 14:08:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Taxation, Economy, Finance, Trade, Industry]

The Ontario Ministry of Finance announced the $8 billion Ontario Competitiveness Tax Cut as part of its multi-year Tax Action Plan to counter U.S. tariffs and lower business investment costs. Administered as the provincial counterpart to the federal Productivity Mega Deduction, the policy allows eligible businesses to immediately write off 100 per cent of capital investments in assets such as fibre-optic cables, software, aircraft, machinery, and patents. The measure is projected to drive at least $11 billion in new capital investment, add $6 billion to the provincial GDP, and support the creation of 30,000 new jobs over five years. Combined with prior initiatives from Budget 2026, total business tax relief will exceed $12 billion over five years, reducing Ontario's Marginal Effective Tax Rate to 3.6 per cent.

Stelco owner says he could sell plant next year after becoming 'persona non grata in Canada'

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 23:34:42.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry]

Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves announced that he is willing to sell the Hamilton-based steel plant Stelco next year following a legal dispute with the federal government over Investment Canada Act obligations. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly threatened legal action and potential monetary penalties or divestment after Stelco announced 300 to 350 layoffs in September, violating undertakings to maintain unionized staffing levels at 2024 baselines through 2029. While Cleveland-Cliffs maintains it is in full compliance and that the cuts are necessary due to U.S. steel tariffs, Minister Joly stated that potential buyers are already interested in Stelco's Canadian assets.

Ontario Future-Proofs Economy by Strengthening Local Utilities

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Energy and Mines
Date: 2026-10-27 15:09:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Governance, Trade]

In response to U.S. tariffs and a projected doubling of electricity demand requiring grid expansions equivalent to adding the City of Toronto every six years, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce announced legislative and regulatory reforms targeting the province's 58 local distribution companies (LDCs). Citing Electricity Distributors Association forecasts projecting up to $120 billion in distribution investments over the next two decades, the government's initiatives include driving Buy Ontario and Buy Canada joint procurements, implementing 10-year capital and workforce planning requirements, strengthening the governance of municipally owned LDCs like Oakville Hydro, London Hydro, and Oshawa Power, and enhancing consumer protections by banning winter disconnections for unit sub-meter providers serving multi-unit residential buildings. The reforms follow recommendations from the Panel for Utility Leadership and Service Excellence (PULSE) and are backed by major sector stakeholders including Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, Alectra Inc., Elexicon, and the Ontario Energy Association.

Cleveland-Cliffs says Stelco in 'full compliance' with commitments to Ottawa, wants to meet with Joly

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 12:14:41.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry, Economy]

Ohio-based parent company Cleveland-Cliffs announced that Stelco is in full compliance with its 34 undertakings under the Investment Canada Act, following a demand letter from Industry Minister Mélanie Joly giving the company a 15-day deadline to reverse 300 to 350 layoffs in Hamilton and 50 layoffs at the Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke. Despite Cleveland-Cliffs citing U.S. tariffs and the need to ensure company survival for the cutbacks, Joly rejected the rationale and stated that market changes do not relieve the company of its binding commitments. Cleveland-Cliffs requested a meeting with Minister Joly and CEO Lourenco Goncalves to discuss resuming full employment for the affected workers, though the minister has not yet responded.

Ontario Funding More Than 2,900 Additional Seats in Northeast Ontario to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Date: 2026-10-26 20:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Education, Labour, Healthcare, Economy]

The Ontario government is investing $60 million to fund 2,946 additional postsecondary seats across eight institutions in Northeast Ontario, including Algoma University, Nipissing University, Collège Boréal, Sault College, Northern College, Canadore College, Cambrian College, and Université de Hearst. This funding is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment supporting more than 70,000 new seats province-wide in high-demand sectors such as STEM, health care, education, and trades, with enrollment beginning in the fall 2026 academic year. The initiative is designed to address regional labour market needs and develop a highly skilled workforce within the postsecondary sector.

Canada-U.S. trade talks intensifying but wide gap remains, sources say

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 17:30:50.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Economy, Industry]

Trade discussions between Canada and the United States have intensified amid the U.S. midterm elections, though Canadian government sources and chief trade negotiator Janice Charette emphasize that a deal is not imminent and a wide gap remains on key elements. U.S. President Donald Trump and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett have suggested that progress is being made toward an agreement, while the White House recently removed certain tariffs on Canadian goods to assist U.S. Senator Susan Collins' campaign in Maine. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that a fair deal protecting steelworkers, autoworkers, and manufacturing workers would prompt him to restore American alcoholic beverages to Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) shelves.

Ontario Connects Over Half a Million More People to a Family Doctor or Primary Care Team

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Health
Date: 2026-10-26 14:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Healthcare, Seniors]

The Government of Ontario announced that its $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan, led by Dr. Jane Philpott, has connected over 511,000 more people to a family doctor or primary care team and cleared more than 470,000 people from the Health Care Connect waitlist since January 2025. The initiative, supported by funding expansions including an additional $325 million annually in the 2026 Ontario Budget, is on track to attach every resident in the province to primary care by 2029. Collaborating institutions such as Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Vibrant Community Health have implemented local multi-partner models to rapidly expand access for thousands of patients, including equity-deserving populations in North Toronto.

Ontario Providing Free Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines Across the Province

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Health
Date: 2026-10-26 13:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Healthcare, Seniors]

The Ontario Ministry of Health announced that free flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now available to the general public aged six months and older across participating pharmacies, public health units, and primary care offices. Administered under the province's 'Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care', the initiative recommends co-administration of the vaccines alongside respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunizations (Abrysvo® or Arexvy) for individuals 75 years and older, specific high-risk adults aged 60 to 74, infants up to eight months born on or after April 1, 2026, and pregnant individuals.

Ontario Funding More Than 2,700 Additional Seats at Toronto Metropolitan University to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Date: 2026-10-23 20:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Education, Labour, Economy, Technology, Healthcare]

The Ontario government is investing $73 million to fund 2,776 additional postsecondary seats at Toronto Metropolitan University starting in the fall 2026 academic year. This allocation comprises 2,115 seats for STEM programs, 627 seats for health programs, and 34 seats for education programs. The funding is part of a broader $1.7 billion provincial investment supporting over 70,000 new seats across publicly assisted colleges and universities under a $6.4 billion postsecondary funding model.

Ontario and Canada Making Homes More Affordable in Sudbury

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Date: 2026-10-23 19:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Municipal, Housing, Affordability, Infrastructure, Finance]

The governments of Ontario and Canada announced that the City of Greater Sudbury will receive up to $45.3 million through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP). In exchange, the City of Greater Sudbury has committed to eliminating development charges for all housing types from March 30, 2026, to March 31, 2029, a policy expected to reduce homebuilding costs by up to $22,162 per home and unlock 3,320 new homes. The federal funding flows through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) under a 10-year, $8.8 billion cost-matched infrastructure agreement. The DCRP funding will directly support improvements to local water and wastewater infrastructure, specifically transitioning the Garson East Drinking Water System and upgrading watermains and sanitary sewers in the Maley Drive growth corridor.