Ontario

A streetscape in the winter. The frame is zoomed in to a sign in front of a building. The top of the sign reads "Peterborough Public Health".

Peterborough Public Health and HKPR merge to form new health unit

January 10, 2025 by Edward Sweeney

Effective Jan. 1, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) have merged to form one new public health agency — Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Health Unit (HKNP).

This merger was one of several prompted by the Ontario government’s ‘More Convenient Care Act, 2024.’ This legislation, introduced Summer 2024, would provide funding over a three-year period to Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA) that voluntarily merge. Nine different LPHA have merged to form four new entities.

HKNP held their first board of health meeting on Jan. 2, electing the first members of the board.

Selwyn Deputy Mayor Ron Black was elected as chair of the board of health. “We are similar in size, similar in budget, similar in programming, similar in culture,” says Black. “It was a natural merger opportunity.”

A map shows a grey area surrounded on three sides by a white area which marks the rural part of Ottawa.

Rural Ottawa Councilor seeks provincial PC nomination

November 27, 2024 by Candice Vetter

Ottawa’s Osgoode Ward councillor George Darouze has announced he is seeking the Progressive Conservation candidacy for the riding of Carleton in the next Ontario provincial election.

He told CJRO that his reason is to give Carleton a strong voice at Queen’s Park.

Darouze, first elected Osgoode Ward councillor in 2014, was re-elected to municipal politics in 2018 and in 2022.

The riding is currently held by MPP Goldie Ghamari, who sits as an independent after being removed from the PC caucus last June.

The Carleton riding is most of rural Ottawa and borders four upper tier counties, from Stittsville in the far west end of the city, to North Gower in the south and to the edge of Russell Township in the east.

Water in a bog is surrounded by late fall foliage.

South Nation Conservation seeks input on watershed and resource issues

November 20, 2024 by Candice Vetter

John Mesman, the Managing Director of Property, Conservation Lands, and Community Outreach at South Nation Conservation (SNC), explains why his group is seeking public input on two draft strategies for watershed management. All conservation authorities across Ontario are required to develop these strategies by the end of this year, and SNC is currently seeking feedback from the public. Conservation authorities were established in 1947 to provide practical experience in protecting the environment and engaging communities. SNC manages 4,480 square kilometres of land in Eastern Ontario in a watershed stretching from the St. Lawrence River in the south to the Ottawa River in the north.

Display drink coolers shown inside gas station. Beverages line the coolers. A sign above reads "Cold Beer."

Township stands up against new alcohol laws in Ontario

November 13, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township is requesting the province reverse its decision on allowing alcohol sales in more locations. Along with a list of recommendations for improvements to the laws, the township will be sending the resolution to Premier Doug Ford, as well as a number of ministers, and associations. Council passed the recommendation at their meeting this week,

Citing the negative impacts of alcohol, including an increase in cases of driving under the influence in Ontario, council was unanimous in backing the call for change. Staff’s recommendations include a requirement for health warning labels on all alcohol containers, and the ability for municipalities to opt out of retail alcohol expansion.

The resolution calls for the province to develop and implement a provincial alcohol strategy that prioritizes health and safety, and considers costs. Staff are also requesting the province dedicate a portion of its alcohol revenue to addressing alcohol related issues.

A barn and farm in the background. A cornfield is in early development. In the foreground, a large wooden sign is erected of the Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation raising funds for life-saving endoscope

November 8, 2024 by Dan Jones

The Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation is fundraising for its year-end campaign, aimed at improving cancer diagnostics in the region. The Hospital Foundation is looking to raise $500,000 through its 18 annual Angels of Care Campaign, which is scheduled until January. The hospital has already purchased seven new scopes.

The scopes detect polyps in the colon and other forms of cancer. Early detection can lead to improved health outcomes of patients through quicker treatment options. A local philanthropic group called the “Matchmakers” are offering to meet all donations up to $300,000 in an effort to encourage increased community donations.

CFWN News Reporter Dan Jones has more on the fundraising campaign.

Street view of Council building. A black sign stating "Six Nations of the Grand River Central Administration is displayed on the front portion of the building. The side of the building is made of red bricks.

Ontario First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund almost doubled since creation in 2018

August 23, 2024 by Andrew Dow

Ontario First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund say the current value of its portfolio has almost doubled in growth since its creation in 2018.

The fund was an agreement that saw 129 Ontario First Nations, including Six Nations, purchase more than 14 million shares of Hydro One.

At that time, the Ontario government said the fund was an opportunity to advance economic development for Indigenous communities.

First Nations were able to acquire Hydro One shares through a 25 year loan that was financed through the Ontario government for just over $259 million.

Ron Jamieson, board member for the fund, detailed that the fund now sits at $634.2 million which is almost double of its initial value.

Jamieson says funds from it will not likely be distributed to the First Nations involved until 2030. He adds that it’s hard to estimate what the fund will be worth by that time but says it’s possible it could be worth $1 billion by then and the fund’s board will continue to look to diversify and grow its value in that time.

The top of a top of a police car can be seen with it's red and blue lights flashing as it sits in a street.

Ontario Provincial Police report spike in motorcycle fatalities

August 12, 2024 by Andrew Dow

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region say motorcyclist fatalities have increased from 2023.

OPP says the region’s fatalities have totaled 36 this year, including a “sharp increase” since July, where 17 fatalities have occurred in that time, compared to 23 fatalities at this time last year.

In a Aug. 10 Facebook report, OPP Sergeant Ed Sanchuk detailed the increase, saying that of this year’s 36 fatal accidents “over half of the deaths, the driver actions that led to the collision were on the part of the motorcyclist.”

Since the beginning of August, both the Oxford and Haldimand’s OPP Detachment have had fatal accidents occur in Norwich and Dunnville involving motorcyclist.

Sanchuk says its the responsibility of all motorists in the region to practice road safety to prevent further incidents.

CJKS has more on the story.

A two story red brick historic building with two flag poles in front .

Port Hope participating in provincial digital marriage licence pilot program

August 9, 2024 by Jeff Gard

Port Hope has already more than doubled the amount of marriage licences it has issued this year compared to 2023 thanks to a pilot program to digitize the marriage licence application process.

Shrishma Davé, Port Hope clerk, says the municipality is benefitting from its participation in the program recently initiated by the Ontario government. Port Hope issued about 40 marriage licences last year and has already surpassed more than 100 this year, Davé says. There is no cost to the municipality to be part of the provincial program.

Any Ontario couples can apply online for the marriage licence and select Port Hope as their pick-up location. Davé said the cost in Port Hope for a marriage licence is $125. Electronic marriage licence applications and list of requirements are available on the municipality’s website.

Red tractor shown in foreground with silo in right section of background, and red barn in the middle and left portions of background. Dirt ground. Bit of green tractor with yellow wheel shown from behind red tractor.

Ontario culinary event to be held locally for first time, feature local chefs

August 8, 2024 by Ted Evans

A Feast On event featuring six chefs from the area will be happening this fall at Mackinnon Brothers Brewing Company.

The event, titled “Feast On the Farm: A Taste of Southeastern Ontario,” marks the first Feast On event in the area. It takes place Saturday, Sept. 28 from 5-8 p.m.

The flavours of Kingston and the surrounding areas will be highlighted alongside the work of local farmers and the local food scene. Each chef will be showcasing their creations using the seasonal produce and ingredients from the region. The different dishes will also be paired with local craft beverages.

Feast On is a certification program for restaurants and purveyors in Ontario. According to the Ontario Culinary website, the program recognizes businesses committed to sourcing Ontario grown food and drink. The other part of their aim is to make it easier for food lovers to find local food.

A bus stop is shown on a city street. Tree and bushes in background beside an office style building.

Township bus routes facing immediate changes

July 10, 2024 by Ted Evans

Loyalist Township is looking to make changes to the bus routes within the next two weeks.

The changes would be fully implemented by September and include a focus on increased reliability and an influx of student riders.

According to Loyalist Township staff’s report, the new routes would still cover the existing route, as well as the newly developed portions of Amherstview. Staff are aiming for increased connectivity to the WJ Henderson Recreation Centre, high volume stops, and stops in proximity to commercial locations and other employment areas.

On Dec. 11, 2023, council received a rural transit study report from the City of Kingston. Staff noted that after reviewing the results, they now have a number of transit initiatives underway to enhance and extend services. The current request to amend the existing transit route is time-sensitive and couldn’t wait for the complete report on all initiatives.

The front entrance of a beige building can be seen. Above the front entrance on the building text can be seen reading " Lands & Membership".

Updated: Six Nations to hear the crown’s evidence in fall for upcoming trial surrounding Haldimand Tract

July 5, 2024 by Andrew Dow

Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) will hear evidence presented by the Governments of Canada and Ontario’s expert witnesses beginning in September in preparations for its upcoming trial for lands lost along the Grand River.

Director of Lands and Resources, Lonny Bomberry made the announcement during the June 28 Chief and Council Radio Show.

Bomberry says the case, which began in 1995, has largely been delayed on the crown’s part but also says a shortage of superior court judges, and other parties intervening in the case, have delayed the process as well.

Chantalle Aubertin, spokesperson for Minister of Justice Arif Virani, says 13 new superior court judges were appointed last month and the minister continues to ensure that judicial applications do not sit in the office of the Commissioner of Judicial Affairs “a day longer than necessary.”

Bomberry says the crown will present its evidence before the trial starts to ensure that historical documents can be used during the trial and that SNGR will have the opportunity to cross-examine those witnesses. He adds that the evidence will be presented by the Crowns’ expert witnesses in September and October.

Dominic y un apicultor aficionado sosteniendo una placa de abejas.

Niño de 11 años en Toronto se convierte en apicultor

June 20, 2024 by Ivette Hernández

Tras recibir su certificado de registro otorgado por el Ministerio de Agricultura de Ontario; Dominic un niño aficionado a los animales y el cuidado del planeta se convierte en apicultor a los 11 años.

Preocupado por la falta de polinizadores Dominic comenzó el proceso para tener su propio criadero de abejas, finalmente este junio recibió la autorización legal para iniciar con su colmena. Su meta es darle hogar y cuidado a sus abejas para que en el futuro puedan ayudar al medio ambiente. “Realmente quiero devolver algo al ecosistema del que venimos,” dijo Dominic.

Con las ganancias de la venta de sus hormigas y con la ayuda de su familia obtuvo todo el equipo necesario para iniciarse en la apicultura.

De acuerdo con información de Naciones Unidas la población de abejas y mariposas ha disminuido de manera preocupante debido a diferentes factores, lo cual podría afectar no solo a la seguridad alimentaria, sino a la conservación de la biodiversidad.