2 h. ago Infant among 2 dead after fire rips through home in Ontario city

A residential fire in Quinte West, ON, has left two dead and several injured. A 1-year-old and a 66-year-old woman perished, while others were hospitalized with injuries.

Events

3 h. ago Ontario city begins clearing encampments from public property after changing rules

In 2023, the city approved an encampment protocol that allowed outdoor shelters as long as they followed specific location guidelines.

Other

49 h. ago It will be 20 degrees in Ontario this weekend but don't celebrate winter's end yet

It may feel as if spring has finally sprung in Toronto, but residents shouldn't let this week's mild conditions fool them, because there are still apparently a few colder days to come before the winter is over.The city has been graced with a few days of sunny skies and double-digit temperatures reminiscent of early patio season, and as of Wednesday afternoon, the short-term forecast shows even balmier weather is on the way this weekend, albeit peppered with rain.Unfortunately for those eager for the changing seasons, though, a chill will return soonafter.While The Weather Network (TWN) says thermometers will hit 16 C at the city's airport on both Saturday and Sunday — with other parts of the province potentially seeing temps as high as 20 C — those out and about are in for a swing of around 20 degrees within mere hours as things drop down to 0 C or colder.TWN is calling for a low of 0 C and a wind chill of -5 C overnight Sunday, and Environment and Climate Chan...

Culture

3 d. ago Ontario backs down on electricity surcharge after Trump threatens chaos

In yet another unanticipated pivot in the never-ending U.S.-Canada tariff saga, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has reneged on imposing a surcharge on electricity exported to neighbouring American states.After holding the retaliatory threat over Donald Trump's head as soon as the tariff talk shifted from the President's characteristic bravado into actual action, Ford properly enacted a 25 per cent tax on power sent to New York, Michigan and Minnesota on Monday, noting that it would add an extra $100 to the bills of 1.5 million homes and businesses and bring in hundreds of thousands of revenue to the province per day.Predictably, this threw Trump into a frenzy, prompting the reality star-turned-leader to announce an increase in tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum on Tuesday — from 25 to a ridiculous 50 per cent."Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25 per cent Tariff on 'Electricity' coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to ad...

Other

4 d. ago Ontario to witness rare total lunar eclipse and the moon will turn blood red

Toronto is about to be graced with an absolutely stunning and extremely special celestial show in the form of a total lunar eclipse, also known as a "blood moon," this week.On the night of Thursday, March 13 and into the morning of Friday, March 14, residents of the city and across this side of the world will want to look to the skies, as the Sun, Moon and Earth will be in perfect alignment for the phenomenon.This will be the first blood moon — named as such because the Earth's shadow tinges the satellite completely red — visible from anywhere on the planet since 2022.The event will kick off with what is called the penumbral eclipse, the first stage in which the Moon starts creeping into the Earth's shadow, at 11:57 p.m Thursday in Toronto time, or 3:57 a.m Friday in UTC time.The partial eclipse will begin just more than an hour later, at 1:09 a.m. Friday local time (5:09 a.m. Friday UTC, for those outside our time zone), with the full eclipse commencing s...

Other

4 d. ago Ontario's trade war retaliation will drive up U.S. electricity bills by $100 per month

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has just taken another bold step in Canada's counter-attack in the face of the steep tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump enacted on goods imported from the north last week.On Monday, Ford and his minister of energy and electrification formally introduced a new 25 per cent surcharge on all electricity the province sends south of the border, which will add approximately $100 to the monthly power bills of some 1.5 million residents in neighbouring New York, Michigan and Minnesota, effective immediately.It's a measure that the premier has been threatening since Trump started mounting his tariff actions in earnest in recent weeks, turning the blustering prattle the former reality TV star is notorious for into serious, debilitating action against his nation's closest ally.Ford added in his press conference about the new surcharge this morning that he will escalate restrictions on Ontario-produced energy further if...

Economics

4 d. ago Many Ontario residents getting payments from the government on Monday

Keep an eye on your bank account — many Ontario residents will get Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payments from the government on Monday, March 10.The OTB is typically paid out on the 10th of each month unless a weekend or statutory holiday falls on the pay date, in which case, the payment drops on the last working day before the 10th.It is the combined tax-free payment of the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the Ontario Sales Tax Credit.Ontario Trillium Benefit eligibilityYou should be eligible for at least one of the three credits to receive money.For the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, you could get a maximum of $1,248 if you are between 18 and 64 years old, $1,421 if you are 65 or older, $277 if you live on a reserve or in a public long-term care home, and $25 for the time you lived in a designated college, university, or private school residence in 2023, according to the province's website.The Northern Ontario Energy ...

Politics

8 d. ago Doug Ford tells CNN Ontario will still retaliate to Trump's tariff 'mess' despite pause

Donald Trump is set to announce on Thursday a one-month pause on some of the tariffs he has imposed on Canada, but Ontario Premier Doug Ford remains steadfast that the province will fight on despite the pause.Ford, who has been making the rounds on U.S. network news since tariffs were first announced in February, appeared again on CNN on Thursday to discuss the temporary pause.A clip of the interview with CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer was shared by Ford on X, where the premier described the situation as a "mess" and urged Trump to "get to the table to land a deal that creates jobs and grows our economies on both sides of the border." Ford's post stressed that until such a deal is reached, "we won't relent."President Trump has created a mess. Here’s the solution: drop the threat of tariffs completely and let’s get to the table to land a deal that creates jobs and grows our economies on both sides of the border. Until then, we won’t relent. pic.twitter.com/b...

Economics

9 d. ago Ottawa to hold byelection to replace Darouze in Osgoode Ward

After Coun. George Darouze won a seat in the Ontario legislature in the provincial election, city council has decided to replace him via byelection.

Politics

9 d. ago Ontario resident loses more than $200,000 in fake utilities bill scam

A person from Ontario lost about $215,000 after being told to make cryptocurrency payments to deal with an inflated utilities bill that turned out to be fraudulent.According to the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), they were dispatched to a home in the Huron-Kinloss, Ontario municipality after a resident reported being the victim of fraud. According to police, the victim received a bill from a utilities company that seemed higher than usual.After speaking with what they believed was a company representative, the victim was led to believe there was a processing error. They were instructed to make cryptocurrency payments to solve the issue.The investigation has been passed to the South Bruce OPP Crime Unit, which deemed the interaction fraudulent.The OPP has been dealing with cybercrime more lately, wrapping up Project Atlas in December. The four-week project was designed to combat cryptocurrency investment fraud. In total, more than $70 million was prevented...

Economics

1 week ago Doug Ford says Ontario university should be 'embarrassed' of Elon Musk

In Doug Ford's address to Ontario regarding the Canada and U.S. trade war, the Ontario premier said Queen's University should be "embarrassed" that Elon Musk studied there.Ford made the comment while answering a question about whether Ontario tax dollars would still going to Musk's Starlink because of a "break free" for cancelling the contract. Ford said the following on Tuesday:"This is principle to cancel Starlink to President Trump's right-hand man, Elon Musk. Isn't it ironic that he got educated… part of his education was at Queen's, and he's attacking the country and the province that gave him the opportunity to go to Queen's University.""They should be embarrassed that he went to Queen's. He should be embarrassed to attack the people that took care of him for a number of years with his family," he continued.During the Ford conference, he confirmed his previous threat of ripping up the Starlink deal and said Ontario "won't award contrac...

Society

1 week ago Premier Doug Ford details how Ontario will retaliate against Trump's tariffs

Doug Ford took to his podium on Tuesday to yet again address the people of Ontario in regards to U.S. tariffs, which unfortunately came into effect on Canadian goods at 12:01 Tuesday morning.The premier reiterated his unrelenting stance against the move by U.S. President Donald Trump and his team and went over the various ways that Ontario will be reciprocating, a few of which Ford floated just before the same tariffs were delayed at the eleventh hour last month.With no delays from south of the border this time around, here are the immediate courses of action that the Province is taking:LCBO is removing U.S. products from shelvesHe teased it last month, but now, it's really happening: LCBO staff are actively withdrawing American alcohol brands from all stores provincewide as of Tuesday and are also ceasing wholesale activity for these labels to other establishments in the province."LCBO, the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world, will begin removing...

Economics

1 week ago In a Southwestern Ontario border city, mayor braces citizens for Trump tariff pain

SARNIA – Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley is urging city residents to strap in for the long haul as U.S. tariffs took effect Tuesday and Canada announced it will retaliate with levies of its own. “It’s going to be extremely painful, not just for the Americans but for us,” Bradley said. The Sarnia area, home to […]

Economics

1 week ago Elon Musk just had yet another baby with a woman from Ontario

Elon Musk recently welcomed his fourth child with Canadian Shivon Zilis.Zilis, born in Markham, announced the birth of her and Musk's son, Seldon Lycurgus, on X last Friday."Discussed with Elon and, in light of beautiful Arcadia's birthday, we felt it was better to also just share directly about our wonderful and incredible son Seldon Lycurgus. Built like a juggernaut, with a solid heart of gold. Love him so much ♥️," reads the post.Discussed with Elon and, in light of beautiful Arcadia’s birthday, we felt it was better to also just share directly about our wonderful and incredible son Seldon Lycurgus. Built like a juggernaut, with a solid heart of gold. Love him so much ♥️— Shivon Zilis (@shivon) February 28, 2025The Tesla CEO replied to Zilis' post with a simple heart emoji. Seldon is his 14th known child across all of his partners.Zilis, an executive at Musk's Neuralink, has three other kids with U.S. President Donald Trump's new senior advisor.@shivon/X...

Other

1 week ago Ontario Highway 407 is free during rush hour for this entire month

Ontario drivers are getting a break on the ever-rising cost of living in the province and will get free access to Highway 407 ETR during rush hour throughout the month of March 2025.The private operators of the tolled highway route announced that, from March 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025, Ontario drivers will be able to use the 407 toll-free on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and/or 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.But there are some things you might need to know first.Who is eligible?Personal vehicles with Ontario licence plates can access this promotion, while private truck traffic and other heavy vehicle transponders are not eligible for this offer.What is covered?Throughout this promotion, motorists will have toll charges, trip toll charges, camera charges, and applicable account fees waived and replaced by a promotional credit on bills. Transponder lease fees will continue to apply for motorists who lease the devices.How to get in on the promotionTravel will be free during weekday rush hou...

Other

2 w. ago Here's Doug Ford's Ontario election victory speech and plans for his third term

Doug Ford was re-elected for his third term as Premier of Ontario on Thursday night, evoking mixed reactions across the province.The Progressive Conservative (PC) party's third consecutive majority victory is certainly a rare one — a feat not seen since 1959 — and also took place during the first winter election the province has had in 44 years.Despite public uproar regarding Ford's many scandals over his tenure, only 45 per cent of eligible residents turned out to have their say in the snap vote, which was called just 29 days prior to election day.The result was disappointing to many in downtown Toronto, which appears on result maps as a mosaic of NDP orange and Liberal red amid the sea of PC blue that dominated the vast majority of the rest of southern Ontario.Greeting his constituents right after the win, Ford, jubilant and relieved, repeatedly thanked the crowd for their cheers and applause before commenting on the evening.Doug Ford re-elected Pre...

Politics

2 w. ago Catherine McKenney makes a triumphant return in Ottawa Centre

The former city councillor will take a seat in the Ontario legislature two years after losing their bid to become Ottawa's mayor.

Other

2 w. ago Here's how to find out where to vote in Ontario without a voter card

It's election day in Ontario.Doug Ford's incumbent Progressive Conservative Party (PC) is seeking re-election to a third consecutive term. The main opponents are the Ontario Liberal Party (OLP) led by Bonnie Crombie, the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Marit Stiles, and the Green Party of Ontario (GPO) led by Mike Schreiner.Normally, Ontarians are mailed a voter card that they can bring to their assigned voting location.However, the string of winter storms in the province has led Canada Post to warn about delayed deliveries, so you may not have gotten one in time. Thankfully, this card isn't required to vote; all you need is one piece of ID with your name and address at the polls.If you don't have your voter card and need to know where you can vote, the official Elections Ontario website can direct you to the right place.Simply visit the Voter Information Service page and input your postal code and you'll receive the location, address, voting hours, can...

Transport

2 w. ago Ontario end of winter and early spring weather forecast has arrived

Based on Ontario's weather thus far this week, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking that spring is making an early arrival in the province. But, the glimmer of these few balmier days is set to be short-lived, with minus double digit temperatures and more snow on the way for parts of the province in the coming days.So, what climate is in store for the Toronto area and beyond in March as we shed our winter layers?Meteorologists are anticipating a return to more seasonal conditions as we kick off the month, with another 10-15 cm (or more!) in the south of the province thanks to another dose of back-to-back storms."The warmth doesn't mean the end of winter weather. In fact, snowfall will return to the province as the next system brings a coating of snow, and even a chance of freezing rain and drizzle for some areas," The Weather Network wrote on Tuesday.Wouldn't be the worst idea to set the alarm a little earlier tomorrow morning around the #GTA for ris...

Other

2 w. ago Town in Ontario decides to stop flying U.S. flags at its buildings amid tariff talk

West Lincoln, Ontario may be a town of just 15,000 or so people, but the tiny Niagara Region municipality has put itself on the map this week by taking a symbolic stand against U.S. President Donald Trump's recent hostility toward Canada.A Monday night vote by local council — in which all members sided unanimously — determined that the border area town will no longer display American flags at institutions like its community centre, where the star spangled banner has hung alongside the Canadian flag for a number of years now."I feel disrespected by our American neighbours. It kind of strikes a nerve that here we are in our country, in our facility, proudly displaying their flag," one councillor, William Reilly, said when the idea to get rid of the flag was first proposed last week."We have an American flag that seems to be fixed in our community centre and we don't even have an Ontario provincial flag that's up even one day...  I don't think it has ear...

Economics