Allison Jones

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Plan for changes to role of trustees in Ontario coming early next year: minister

Plan for changes to role of trustees in Ontario coming early next year: minister

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra said Friday he will make a final decision early in the new year on what changes to make to the role of trustees in the school system, but he signalled he is inclined to largely eliminate it.

Ontario government spending $112M on advertising, more than ever before: auditor

Ontario government spending $112M on advertising, more than ever before: auditor

TORONTO -- Ontario's auditor general says the provincial government spent the highest recorded amount on advertising last year.

Ontario auditor general finds province not properly overseeing doctor billings

Ontario auditor general finds province not properly overseeing doctor billings

TORONTO -- Ontario's auditor general has found that the province is not properly overseeing doctors' billings, including in a few cases of physicians billing for more than 24 hours in a day or working 365 days in a year.

Ontario auditor general to release annual report, with focus on health care

Ontario auditor general to release annual report, with focus on health care

TORONTO -- Ontario's auditor general is set to release her annual report today, with a major focus on health care.

Ontario exempting training centres from municipal and planning laws

Ontario exempting training centres from municipal and planning laws

TORONTO -- Companies and unions building worker training centres using money from Ontario's embattled Skills Development Fund could soon bypass planning laws, raising "significant concerns" for the province's municipalities and opposition parties.

Deal reached to allow grocers to avoid accepting beer and wine empties

Deal reached to allow grocers to avoid accepting beer and wine empties

TORONTO -- Ontario grocers and The Beer Store have reached an agreement-in-principle on alcohol recycling that will allow the retailers to avoid collecting empties at their stores and gives a renewed role to the brewers, The Canadian Press has learned.

Ontario forges ahead with $26.8B nuclear refurbishment in Pickering

Ontario forges ahead with $26.8B nuclear refurbishment in Pickering

Ontario's energy minister is announcing that a plan to refurbish four reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station to get nearly four decades more service out of them will cost $26.8 billion.

Ontario to strengthen dangerous driving laws in honour of father killed this year

Ontario to strengthen dangerous driving laws in honour of father killed this year

TORONTO -- Dangerous driving penalties are set to soon be strengthened in Ontario, as the government has tabled a bill in honour of a father of three who was killed by an alleged dangerous driver.

Ontario NDP asks integrity commissioner to investigate labour minister

Ontario NDP asks integrity commissioner to investigate labour minister

The leader of Ontario's NDP is asking the province's integrity commissioner to investigate the labour minister, alleging he has breached ethics rules in handing out skills training funding. Labour Minister David Piccini has come under fire for his handling of the Skills Development Fund, after an auditor general report found his office has been selecting funding recipients over the advice...

Ontario NDP asks integrity commissioner to investigate labour minister

Ontario NDP asks integrity commissioner to investigate labour minister

TORONTO -- The leader of Ontario's NDP is asking the province's integrity commissioner to investigate the labour minister, alleging he has breached ethics rules in handing out skills training funding.

EQAO standardized test results to be released next week after delay, minister says

EQAO standardized test results to be released next week after delay, minister says

TORONTO -- Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra says standardized testing results are set to be made public next week after he delayed their release, and he's suggesting changes may be coming.

Ontario education minister eyes more possible board takeovers with now-passed bill

Ontario education minister eyes more possible board takeovers with now-passed bill

TORONTO -- Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra says a newly passed bill granting him more powers to take control of school boards is a start, but not the end, of changes to education governance.

Ford mulls public sex offender registry, would use notwithstanding clause 'in a heartbeat'

Ford mulls public sex offender registry, would use notwithstanding clause 'in a heartbeat'

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is looking at making some information on the sex offender registry public, in the wake of a controversial Supreme Court of Canada decision on child pornography sentences.

Doug Ford mulls public sex offender registry for Ontario

Doug Ford mulls public sex offender registry for Ontario

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is looking at making some information on the sex offender registry public, in the wake of a controversial Supreme Court of Canada decision on child pornography sentences.

Ford defends system of skills-development funding, won't axe minister under fire

Ford defends system of skills-development funding, won't axe minister under fire

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his government's skills-development funding system that allows a minister to hand-pick recipients against the advice of bureaucrats, even after referring an audit of one company to the police.

Ford defends system of skills development funding, won't axe minister under fire

Ford defends system of skills development funding, won't axe minister under fire

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his government's skills development funding system that allows a minister to hand-pick recipients against the advice of bureaucrats, even after referring an audit of one company to the police. Labour Minister David Piccini has come under sustained fire from opposition parties calling for his resignation since an auditor general's report found his office has...

Ford defends system of skills development funding, won't axe minister under fire

Ford defends system of skills development funding, won't axe minister under fire

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his government's skills development funding system that allows a minister to hand-pick recipients against the advice of bureaucrats, even after referring an audit of one company to the police.

Ontario to set up school board support offices, starting with those under supervision

Ontario to set up school board support offices, starting with those under supervision

TORONTO -- Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has announced that the province is establishing offices within school boards for parents to escalate issues beyond their school -- starting with five boards currently under supervision.

Ontario, feds agree to 1-year child-care extension; average fee to stay $19/day

Ontario, feds agree to 1-year child-care extension; average fee to stay $19/day

TORONTO -- Ontario has secured a one-year extension with the federal government for the national $10-a-day child-care program, giving parents reassurance their fees won't rise for at least 12 more months, but with much hard work still to be done.

From 1.5 million to 'as many homes as we can': Ontario faces home building realities

From 1.5 million to 'as many homes as we can': Ontario faces home building realities

TORONTO -- Ontario is lowering projections for new home construction levels in its fall economic statement, putting the government further away from building 1.5 million homes in 10 years -- a goal the finance minister said is now a "soft" target.

Projections for new home construction in Ontario slowing yet again

Projections for new home construction in Ontario slowing yet again

TORONTO -- Ontario is lowering projections for new home construction levels in its fall economic statement, putting the government further away from its goal of building 1.5 million homes in 10 years.

Ontario eyes challenging labour market amid tariffs, lower population growth

Ontario eyes challenging labour market amid tariffs, lower population growth

TORONTO -- Ontario's deficit projection is shrinking in its fall fiscal update, but so are the province's expectations for the labour market as U.S. tariffs are expected to continue hitting the economy.

Ontario to provide financial update amid tariff impacts

Ontario to provide financial update amid tariff impacts

TORONTO -- Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy is set to table a fall fiscal update today, with a look at how the province's books are faring amid the impacts of U.S. tariffs.

Ontario fiscal update may focus on infrastructure, jobs

Ontario fiscal update may focus on infrastructure, jobs

TORONTO -- Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy is highlighting infrastructure spending and protecting jobs from the impacts of U.S. tariffs as two areas in which the federal budget falls short.

Ontario avoids public hearings on bills; one would boost education minister's powers

Ontario avoids public hearings on bills; one would boost education minister's powers

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is limiting debate and skipping public hearings on an education bill that would make it easier for the minister to take control of school boards and a housing bill critics say will make life harder for renters.

Carney asked Ford 'a couple of times' to pull anti-tariff ad, premier says

Carney asked Ford 'a couple of times' to pull anti-tariff ad, premier says

Prime Minister Mark Carney called Doug Ford "a couple of times" from Asia to ask him to pull an ad campaign that's being blamed for ending trade talks with the United States, the Ontario premier said Monday. Carney said this weekend that he told Ford he didn't think the province should run the ad that featured clips of former U.S...

Carney asked Ford 'a couple of times' to pull anti-tariff ad, premier says

Carney asked Ford 'a couple of times' to pull anti-tariff ad, premier says

Toronto -- Prime Minister Mark Carney called Doug Ford "a couple of times" from Asia to ask him to pull an ad campaign that's being blamed for ending trade talks with the United States, the Ontario premier said Monday.

Education minister orders northern Ontario school board to resolve dysfunction

Education minister orders northern Ontario school board to resolve dysfunction

TORONTO -- Ontario's education minister has ordered a North Bay area school board to take immediate steps to resolve what a report described as overwhelming dysfunction or he will take "further action."

Ontario to consolidate conservation authorities, create new oversight agency

Ontario to consolidate conservation authorities, create new oversight agency

TORONTO -- Ontario is proposing to consolidate its 36 conservation authorities into seven, a move the environment minister insists will improve services and result in no job losses.

Wait for core Ontario autism services tops 5 years: advocates

Wait for core Ontario autism services tops 5 years: advocates

TORONTO -- When Ashley Ferreira's five-year-old son was diagnosed with autism in 2020 she never imagined that a five-year wait lay ahead for him to get access to government-funded core therapies.

U.S. ambassador should apologize to Ontario rep over reported tirade: Ford

U.S. ambassador should apologize to Ontario rep over reported tirade: Ford

Toronto -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the U.S. ambassador to Canada to apologize to Ontario's representative in Washington after sources say the ambassador shouted profanely about the province's anti-tariff ad.

U.S. ambassador should apologize to Ontario rep over reported tirade: Ford

U.S. ambassador should apologize to Ontario rep over reported tirade: Ford

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the U.S. ambassador to Canada to apologize to Ontario's representative in Washington after sources say the ambassador shouted profanely about the province's anti-tariff ad. Sources who spoke to trade representative David Paterson after the incident at an event Monday in Ottawa but were not authorized to speak about it publicly told The Canadian...

Premier Ford calls fixed date election rules enacted by Liberals a 'fake law'

Premier Ford calls fixed date election rules enacted by Liberals a 'fake law'

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls a fixed election date rule his government is proposing to get rid of "a fake law."

Ford government to limit debate, skip public hearings on bill to scrap speed cameras

Ford government to limit debate, skip public hearings on bill to scrap speed cameras

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is proposing to limit debate and avoid public input on three pieces of legislation, including one that would end the province's speed camera program.

Ontario proposes to rebate HST for some first-time homebuyers

Ontario proposes to rebate HST for some first-time homebuyers

TORONTO -- Some first-time homebuyers in Ontario could soon save tens of thousands of dollars on the cost of a home under a proposal from the provincial government to rebate the HST.

Ontario to scrap fixed election dates, raise donation limit to $5,000 under new bill

Ontario to scrap fixed election dates, raise donation limit to $5,000 under new bill

Ontario's attorney general is proposing to get rid of fixed election dates in the province, in a bill that would also see the limit for political donations raised to $5,000 and make public funding for political parties permanent. Doug Downey introduced legislation today to do away with what he calls "American-style" fixed election dates.

Ontario to scrap fixed election dates, raise donation limit to $5,000 under new bill

Ontario to scrap fixed election dates, raise donation limit to $5,000 under new bill

TORONTO -- Ontario's attorney general is proposing to get rid of fixed election dates in the province, in a bill that would also see the limit for political donations raised to $5,000 and make public funding for political parties permanent.

Ontario to boost home care funding by $1 billion

Ontario to boost home care funding by $1 billion

TORONTO -- Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy has announced that as part of the upcoming fall economic statement, the province will be increasing home care funding by $1 billion over three years.

Ontario trustee who education minister sought to fire resigns, tied to Italy art trip

Ontario trustee who education minister sought to fire resigns, tied to Italy art trip

TORONTO -- An Ontario school trustee who the province's education minister sought to fire through legislation has now resigned.

Trump 'afraid' to make a World Series bet, Carney jokes at Blue Jays' practice

Trump 'afraid' to make a World Series bet, Carney jokes at Blue Jays' practice

Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be afraid to make a World Series bet with him as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. "I think he's afraid to make a bet. He doesn't like to lose," Carney joked Thursday when reporters asked him about a possible wager as he stopped by...

Trump 'afraid' to make a World Series bet, Carney jokes at Blue Jays' practice

Trump 'afraid' to make a World Series bet, Carney jokes at Blue Jays' practice

Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be afraid to make a World Series bet with him as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Blue Jays will win World Series in six games, Carney and Ford predict

Blue Jays will win World Series in six games, Carney and Ford predict

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are both predicting the Toronto Blue Jays will win the World Series in six games, though so far neither has plans to attend in person.

Federal, Ontario governments contributing $3B to small nuclear reactor project

Federal, Ontario governments contributing $3B to small nuclear reactor project

The federal and Ontario governments are putting a total of $3 billion toward a project to build four small nuclear reactors in the Greater Toronto Area.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticizes World Series ticket 'gouging'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticizes World Series ticket 'gouging'

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is looking at the issue of ticket sales, after Blue Jays fans complained of sky-high resale prices not long after World Series tickets went on sale.

Clock ticks toward Ontario child-care deal expiry, advocates call for certainty

Clock ticks toward Ontario child-care deal expiry, advocates call for certainty

TORONTO -- Ontario's deal with the federal government to operate a $10-a-day child-care system in the province is set to expire in five months and some advocates, operators and parents say they need certainty now.

Ontario to table fall fiscal update Nov. 6 amid tariff impacts

Ontario to table fall fiscal update Nov. 6 amid tariff impacts

TORONTO -- Ontario's finance minister is set to table the province's fall economic statement on Nov. 6.

Ontario hospitals told to find savings; ministry doesn't rule out service cuts

Ontario hospitals told to find savings; ministry doesn't rule out service cuts

TORONTO -- Ontario's Ministry of Health has tasked hospitals struggling with deficits to come up with a three-year plan to balance their budgets, and service cuts and bed closures do not appear to be off the table for extreme cases.

Short, intense session set for Queen's Park after 137-day break

Short, intense session set for Queen's Park after 137-day break

Premier Doug Ford's government returns to Queen's Park Monday for what promises to be a short but intense seven-week sitting that opposition parties say they fear is becoming a new and undemocratic norm. A lingering trade war with the United States, a consequential downturn in the economy with about 700,000 Ontarians looking for work, increasing inflation and a crashing housing...

Ontario to make it easier for health professionals from other provinces to practice

Ontario to make it easier for health professionals from other provinces to practice

TORONTO -- Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini is set to introduce legislation next week intended to make it easier for health professionals from other provinces to work in Ontario.

OMA worried residency policy change could deter international physicians

OMA worried residency policy change could deter international physicians

TORONTO -- The Ontario Medical Association is expressing concern that a new provincial government policy meant to give priority for residency positions to Ontarians could lead to fewer doctors in the system.

Ontario moving ahead with Toronto compromise on bike lanes despite appeal

Ontario moving ahead with Toronto compromise on bike lanes despite appeal

TORONTO -- Ontario's transportation minister says the government plans to soon restore lanes of vehicle traffic but keep bike lanes on a short stretch of Bloor Street West in Toronto, despite an ongoing court case.

Ontario hospitals say they have $1 billion in funding needs

Ontario hospitals say they have $1 billion in funding needs

TORONTO -- Ontario hospitals need an additional $1 billion this year to keep pace with factors such as population growth and inflation, leaving them facing pressures far higher than the deficits they faced just at the end of last year, their association says.

Ford denies mayors' request to tweak instead of scrap speed camera program

Ford denies mayors' request to tweak instead of scrap speed camera program

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is denying a request from more than 20 mayors across the province to tweak instead of scrap the speed camera program.

Ontario school boards urge Ford to halt plan to scrap speed cameras

Ontario school boards urge Ford to halt plan to scrap speed cameras

TORONTO -- Ontario's school boards are jointly urging the provincial government not to proceed with Premier Doug Ford's plan to get rid of speed cameras.

Mayors call on Ford to cover municipalities' speed camera cancellation costs

Mayors call on Ford to cover municipalities' speed camera cancellation costs

TORONTO -- Several Ontario municipalities are pushing back on Premier Doug Ford's planned speed camera ban, urging him to tweak the program instead of outright cancelling it -- but if he forges ahead, they say the province should foot the bill.

Ontario MPP facing domestic assault charges takes leave despite calls for resignation

Ontario MPP facing domestic assault charges takes leave despite calls for resignation

An Ontario member of provincial parliament facing domestic violence charges says he is taking a short leave. Chris Scott was elected in February to represent Sault Ste. Marie for the Progressive Conservatives, but was kicked out of caucus shortly after his arrest last month.

Ontario MPP facing domestic assault charges takes leave despite calls for resignation

Ontario MPP facing domestic assault charges takes leave despite calls for resignation

An Ontario member of provincial parliament facing domestic violence charges says he is taking a short leave.

Ontario to miss emissions reduction goal by an even wider gap than it admits: auditor

Ontario to miss emissions reduction goal by an even wider gap than it admits: auditor

TORONTO -- Ontario's environment ministry says it will miss its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, but the auditor general says today the province will in fact likely miss that target by an even wider margin.

Ontario weakens recycling rules, though by less than originally proposed

Ontario weakens recycling rules, though by less than originally proposed

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is weakening recycling rules that are set to kick in next year, though not by quite as much as it initially proposed.

Lack of planning, oversight led to Ontario home care supply shortages: ombudsman

Lack of planning, oversight led to Ontario home care supply shortages: ombudsman

TORONTO -- Ontario's patient ombudsman says in a new report that medical supply shortages last fall for palliative and home care patients were triggered by one vendor, but the actions and inactions of a government agency contributed.