Liam Casey

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Liam Casey.

Ontario to standardize truck driver training after scathing auditor general report

Ontario to standardize truck driver training after scathing auditor general report

TORONTO -- Ontario is introducing standardized entry-level training for commercial truck drivers.

Third Marineland beluga dies after moves, this time in Spain

Third Marineland beluga dies after moves, this time in Spain

A third beluga that was a part of a massive move of whales from Marineland has died.

Ontario minister pledges better communication during wildfire season

Ontario minister pledges better communication during wildfire season

Ontario's natural resources minister has pledged better communication on wildfires going forward.

Ontario Science Centre laying off entire science department

Ontario Science Centre laying off entire science department

TORONTO -- The Ontario Science Centre has laid off 30 workers including the entire science department, The Canadian Press has learned.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he's open to idea of involuntary addiction treatment

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he's open to idea of involuntary addiction treatment

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he's open to the idea of involuntary addiction treatment.

CP NewsAlert: PCs projected to hold on to York-Simcoe seat in Ontario byelection

CP NewsAlert: PCs projected to hold on to York-Simcoe seat in Ontario byelection

TORONTO -- Progressive Conservative Susan Lahey is projected to win the provincial byelection in the riding of York-Simcoe.

Progressive Conservatives, NDP set to hold on to their seats in Ontario byelections

Progressive Conservatives, NDP set to hold on to their seats in Ontario byelections

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives and the New Democrats are both set to hold on to their seats in two ridings while votes trickle in a third race in today's provincial byelections.

Progressive Conservatives, NDP hold on to their seats in Ontario byelections

Progressive Conservatives, NDP hold on to their seats in Ontario byelections

TORONTO -- Little has changed at Queen's Park after Ontario Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives and the Opposition New Democrats held on to their seats in three byelections Thursday.

CP NewsAlert: PC's Jeff Beattie projected to win Hamilton East-Stoney Creek race

CP NewsAlert: PC's Jeff Beattie projected to win Hamilton East-Stoney Creek race

TORONTO -- Progressive Conservative Jeff Beattie is projected to win the Ontario provincial byelection in the riding of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

CP NewsAlert: NDP's Fatima Shaban projected to win Scarborough Southwest byelection

CP NewsAlert: NDP's Fatima Shaban projected to win Scarborough Southwest byelection

TORONTO -- New Democrat Fatima Shaban is projected to win the Ontario provincial byelection race in the riding of Scarborough Southwest.

Polls close in three Ontario byelections, at least one tight race expected

Polls close in three Ontario byelections, at least one tight race expected

TORONTO -- Polls have closed tonight in three Ontario provincial byelections, with at least one race set to be tight.

Voters head to polls today in three Ontario byelections

Voters head to polls today in three Ontario byelections

TORONTO -- Voters head to the polls today in three Ontario provincial byelections, with at least one race set to be tight.

Two whales die in Chicago aquarium after moves, including one from Marineland

Two whales die in Chicago aquarium after moves, including one from Marineland

TORONTO -- Shedd Aquarium in Chicago says two whales have died after it took in 10 beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont.

CP NewsAlert: Two whales die in Chicago aquarium, including one from Marineland

CP NewsAlert: Two whales die in Chicago aquarium, including one from Marineland

TORONTO -- Shedd Aquarium in Chicago says two whales have died after it took in several beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont.

Trade war with United States looms large over Ontario byelections

Trade war with United States looms large over Ontario byelections

TORONTO -- The escalating trade war with the United States looms large over three upcoming provincial byelections in Ontario.

Premier Doug Ford's eastern Ontario caucus questioning high-speed rail project

Premier Doug Ford's eastern Ontario caucus questioning high-speed rail project

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's caucus is openly questioning the viability of Prime Minister Mark Carney's proposed high-speed rail line as senior provincial government sources say Ford is reconsidering his support for the project after Ottawa nixed plans to expand the Toronto island airport.

Toronto island airport expansion killed by 'fringe group,' Ontario minister says

Toronto island airport expansion killed by 'fringe group,' Ontario minister says

TORONTO -- Ottawa gave in to the demands of a "fringe group" when it rejected a pitch to expand Toronto's island airport, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Tuesday.

Toronto island airport expansion killed by 'fringe group': Ontario minister

Toronto island airport expansion killed by 'fringe group': Ontario minister

TORONTO -- Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria vows to forge ahead on expanding Toronto's island airport despite the federal government's rejection of the plan.

Toronto mayor asks province to return island land after feds block airport expansion

Toronto mayor asks province to return island land after feds block airport expansion

TORONTO -- Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow wants the land from the city's islands back.

Six Marineland belugas now swimming in new U.S. homes

Six Marineland belugas now swimming in new U.S. homes

NIAGARA FALLS -- Six captive belugas from Canada are now swimming in the waters of their new homes in the United States.

U.S. approves 'emergency rescue' plan to import Marineland's whales and dolphins

U.S. approves 'emergency rescue' plan to import Marineland's whales and dolphins

TORONTO -- A U.S. consortium of aquariums says the American government has approved an "emergency rescue" to import Marineland's whales and dolphins, the last such captive animals in Canada.

Ontario jail guards ask for help after coroner's report on suicides in corrections

Ontario jail guards ask for help after coroner's report on suicides in corrections

TORONTO -- Ontario's jail guards are asking for more help after a coroner's report detailed a suicide crisis among correctional workers and made more than two dozen recommendations to the provincial government.

Northern Ontario First Nation begins building road to the Ring of Fire mining region

Northern Ontario First Nation begins building road to the Ring of Fire mining region

Construction has begun on one Ontario First Nation's road to the Ring of Fire mining region.

Ontario raising speed limits on more highway sections across province

Ontario raising speed limits on more highway sections across province

TORONTO -- Ontario is raising speed limits on more sections of highways across the province.

Several First Nations sign deal with Ottawa, Ontario to own part of a nuclear reactor

Several First Nations sign deal with Ottawa, Ontario to own part of a nuclear reactor

Several Ontario First Nations are set to become owners of a new nuclear reactor after striking a commercial partnership with the federal and provincial governments.

Housing advocate Eric Lombardi enters Ontario Liberal leadership race

Housing advocate Eric Lombardi enters Ontario Liberal leadership race

TORONTO -- A housing advocate has entered the Ontario Liberal Party leadership race.

Ottawa endorses plan to move Marineland's whales to U.S. and Spain

Ottawa endorses plan to move Marineland's whales to U.S. and Spain

TORONTO -- Ottawa has endorsed a plan to move Canada's last remaining captive whales to aquariums in the U.S. and Spain.

Ontario Liberal caucus member Rob Cerjanec enters party leadership race

Ontario Liberal caucus member Rob Cerjanec enters party leadership race

TORONTO -- Ontario Liberal caucus member Rob Cerjanec has tossed his hat into the party's leadership race.??

Ontario's solicitor general defends new powers to direct police boards

Ontario's solicitor general defends new powers to direct police boards

TORONTO -- Ontario's solicitor general is defending the new powers he is giving himself to direct police boards to follow provincial priorities.

Former federal cabinet member Navdeep Bains enters Ontario Liberal leadership race

Former federal cabinet member Navdeep Bains enters Ontario Liberal leadership race

TORONTO -- Former federal cabinet member Navdeep Bains has entered the Ontario Liberal leadership race.

Ontario to name high-risk offenders on new website launching next year

Ontario to name high-risk offenders on new website launching next year

TORONTO -- Ontario Provincial Police are set to launch a website next year that will name high-risk offenders.

Judge's ruling on Ontario encampment 'cockamamie,' Premier Doug Ford says

Judge's ruling on Ontario encampment 'cockamamie,' Premier Doug Ford says

Premier Doug Ford says an Ontario judge's recent decision barring the Region of Waterloo from removing people from a homeless encampment is "cockamamie."

Island airport expansion will cost up to $5 billion, Toronto Port Authority says

Island airport expansion will cost up to $5 billion, Toronto Port Authority says

TORONTO -- The Toronto Port Authority says the proposed island airport expansion will cost up to $5 billion.

Toronto island airport expansion would lead to severe traffic, committee hears

Toronto island airport expansion would lead to severe traffic, committee hears

TORONTO -- Toronto's waterfront secretariat says the province's plans to redevelop Ontario Place and expand the airport on the Toronto Islands will create severe traffic and transit congestion and could lead to degradation of the water quality in the harbour.

Ontario to expand jail capacity by 2,500 beds over 10 years at a cost of $3 billion

Ontario to expand jail capacity by 2,500 beds over 10 years at a cost of $3 billion

TORONTO -- Ontario's solicitor general says the province will expand its jails by 2,500 beds over the next 10 years at a cost of $3 billion to the taxpayers.

Ontario spent nearly $200k in aviation-related costs for returned private jet: docs

Ontario spent nearly $200k in aviation-related costs for returned private jet: docs

TORONTO -- Ontario taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $200,000 over Premier Doug Ford's flip-flop on a $28.9-million private jet purchase, newly released documents from the premier's office show.

Ontario inspecting commercial truck driver colleges after scathing audit: minister

Ontario inspecting commercial truck driver colleges after scathing audit: minister

TORONTO -- Ontario's minister of colleges and universities says all of the career colleges that offer commercial truck driver training will be inspected in the next six weeks.

Ontario auditor general finds problems with medical AI transcription tool

Ontario auditor general finds problems with medical AI transcription tool

TORONTO -- Ontario's auditor general says the province's new artificial intelligence transcription services for doctors are at risk of providing inaccurate information and outright hallucinations.

Commercial trucker training and licensing problematic in Ontario: auditor general

Commercial trucker training and licensing problematic in Ontario: auditor general

TORONTO -- Ontario is not effectively monitoring commercial truck driver training and licensing regimes, leading to many unqualified drivers on the roads, the province's auditor general found in a special report released Tuesday.

Ontario Liberal MPP Lee Fairclough enters party's nascent leadership race

Ontario Liberal MPP Lee Fairclough enters party's nascent leadership race

TORONTO -- Ontario Liberal legislator Lee Fairclough has announced her bid for the party's leadership.

Ontario will not take over entirety of Toronto Islands: transportation minister

Ontario will not take over entirety of Toronto Islands: transportation minister

TORONTO -- The province says it will not take over the entirety of the Toronto Islands despite the language of its proposed legislation.

Six mistakenly released inmates still at large, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says

Six mistakenly released inmates still at large, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says

TORONTO -- Premier Doug Ford says six inmates mistakenly released from Ontario's jails remain at large.

Ontario's solicitor general sorry for saying improperly released inmates were caught

Ontario's solicitor general sorry for saying improperly released inmates were caught

TORONTO -- Ontario's solicitor general and his No. 2 have apologized for "inadvertently" saying officials apprehended all 157 criminals who were mistakenly released from the province's jails over the past five years.

'Gravy plane': Ontario buys used $28.9-million jet for Premier Doug Ford

'Gravy plane': Ontario buys used $28.9-million jet for Premier Doug Ford

TORONTO -- Ontario taxpayers are footing the bill for a $29-million private jet for Premier Doug Ford's use, a purchase opposition leaders say is a waste of money.

Ontario buys used $28.9-million jet for Premier Doug Ford

Ontario buys used $28.9-million jet for Premier Doug Ford

TORONTO -- Ontario has bought an almost $29-million private jet for Premier Doug Ford's use.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford defends plan to increase jail capacity by thousands

Ontario Premier Doug Ford defends plan to increase jail capacity by thousands

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended his government's plan to build many more jails, saying the billions in cost will be worth it.

Ontario plans massive jail expansion, internal government documents show

Ontario plans massive jail expansion, internal government documents show

TORONTO -- Ontario is planning a massive expansion of jails over the next few decades, The Canadian Press has learned.

Environmental groups launch constitutional challenge over Ontario's special economic zones

Environmental groups launch constitutional challenge over Ontario's special economic zones

TORONTO -- Several environmental groups have launched a constitutional challenge seeking to kill an Ontario law that allows cabinet to suspend other laws.

Premier Doug Ford, health minister defend supervised consumption site closures

Premier Doug Ford, health minister defend supervised consumption site closures

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his health minister are defending the decision to shutter more supervised drug consumption sites.

Ontario's payout to Elon Musk over cancelled Starlink contract to remain secret

Ontario's payout to Elon Musk over cancelled Starlink contract to remain secret

TORONTO -- Ontario's payout to Elon Musk's SpaceX over a cancelled Starlink contract will remain a secret after the two sides agreed to a confidential settlement, The Canadian Press has learned.

NDP politicians set off on road trip to highlight northern Ontario road dangers

NDP politicians set off on road trip to highlight northern Ontario road dangers

TORONTO -- Three Ontario New Democrats have set off on a road trip from Toronto to the Manitoba border and back to highlight the dangers of northern roads.

Ring of Fire roads to be complete by 2031, ahead of schedule: Ford

Ring of Fire roads to be complete by 2031, ahead of schedule: Ford

TORONTO -- Construction on the roads to the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario should start this year and be completed by 2031, the province announced Monday.

Proposed Ring of Fire mine in northern Ontario clears another regulatory hurdle

Proposed Ring of Fire mine in northern Ontario clears another regulatory hurdle

TORONTO -- A proposed mine in Ontario's Ring of Fire region has cleared another regulatory hurdle despite a First Nation's protest.

Doug Ford defends decision to cut post-secondary student grants

Doug Ford defends decision to cut post-secondary student grants

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his government's decision to cut back on the amount of financial assistance for post-secondary students.

Ontario PCs reverse course on media ban, will let reporters cover Doug Ford's speech at party convention

Ontario PCs reverse course on media ban, will let reporters cover Doug Ford's speech at party convention

TORONTO -- Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario has reversed course on a media ban at its upcoming convention.

Marineland has solid plan to move whales and dolphins to U.S., minister says

Marineland has solid plan to move whales and dolphins to U.S., minister says

TORONTO -- Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson says Marineland's plan to move Canada's last remaining captive whales and dolphins to several parks in the United States is a solid one.

Ottawa gives conditional approval for Marineland to export remaining belugas to U.S.

Ottawa gives conditional approval for Marineland to export remaining belugas to U.S.

Marineland's belugas have cleared a significant hurdle after federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson conditionally approved the export of the theme park's whales to the United States.

American aquariums say they are working to provide future for Marineland's belugas

American aquariums say they are working to provide future for Marineland's belugas

TORONTO -- American aquariums say they visited Marineland last week with the goal of providing hope and a future for 30 beluga whales that face euthanasia should they not be moved.

Marineland now seeking permits to ship remaining belugas to U.S.: sources

Marineland now seeking permits to ship remaining belugas to U.S.: sources

TORONTO -- Marineland has presented a plan to the federal government to ship the last remaining captive whales and dolphins in Canada to several institutions in the United States, The Canadian Press has learned.

Toronto hospital to double housing program that reduces ER visits

Toronto hospital to double housing program that reduces ER visits

TORONTO -- A Toronto hospital network will double its unique permanent housing program for homeless people who frequently visit emergency departments that has seen great success.