Ontario

This goes beyond just the Green Belt land swap, apparently.

Par Rachel Crustin • ON FR

C’est le Jour des Franco-Ontariens ce lundi et de nombreux événements se dérouleront partout en province pour souligner le fait français en situation linguistique minoritaire. Entre les levers de drapeau et les spectacles festifs, toutes les occasions sont bonnes pour se rassembler. Voici quelques endroits où souligner notre fierté franco-ontarienne dans les prochains jours.

English:

It is Franco-Ontarians' Day this Monday and many events will take place throughout the province to highlight the French fact in a minority linguistic situation. Between flag raising and festive shows, all occasions are good to come together. Here are some places to highlight our Franco-Ontarian pride in the coming days.

English Translation

By Phil Tsekouras • CTV News • CP24

CARLY WEEKS • The Globe and Mail

Bypass paywall

Phil Tsekouras • CTV News

The premier said he broke a promise when he decided to open the Greenbelt for housing development.

“It was a mistake to open the Greenbelt. It was a mistake to establish a process that moved too fast,” Ford said.

When standing, do you generally hold onto the bars or the loop handles attached to the bars? What did you do this morning if you were on one?

I left Toronto some months ago, maybe I have rose-tinted glasses but I find the TTC and other buses there were way smoother of a ride than in Vancouver. I'm seeing if it has any influence on the amount of people using bars/loops via informal poll. Let me know your thoughts.

E: Sounds like bars are the popular option here too, for many reasons. Hygiene was a big one I hadn't initially considered. Thanks for answering everyone!

Another Ford cabinet minister has resigned — and is quitting the Progressive Conservative caucus to sit as an Independent MPP — over the growing $8.28-billion Greenbelt land swap scandal.

Book excerpt, obituary for beloved Toronto Professor Chandler Davis, and call for support of Azat Miftakhov

"The premier received a polite reception at the opening day of the 104th Annual International Plowing Match, but the Greenbelt controversy has been sowing some division among his supporters in farming communities."

I hope the Mounties are looking into this. I know they don't typically announce their investigations, but letting this slide would be very bad for the province in multiple ways, future food security being one of them.

Before the cannabis industry moved in, Hershey's operated a chocolate factory in Smiths Falls. Now, the candy maker is coming back to town

Written by The Canadian Press

Premier Doug Ford and Mayor Olivia Chow Agree to New-Deal Working Group to Achieve Long-Term Stability and Sustainability for Toronto’s Finances

Rivals in the race to lead Ontario’s Liberals took aim at the perceived front-runner. Crombie held her ground, saying Ford’s Greenbelt woes mean ‘this is our moment.’

By Rob Ferguson • Toronto Star

Opinion article by National Farmers Union - Ontario President Max Hansgen.

For this government, it is developers first, and farmers, eaters, and the house poor last.

The Ford government announced its plan Thursday for rolling out flu shots and outlined when the new COVID-19 booster will arrive in Ontario.

Health officials say flu shots will be available in September for vulnerable high-risk Ontarians, including those hospitalized, hospital staff, residents and staff in long-term care homes, followed by those in retirement homes and other congregate settings.

Flu shots for the general public, aged six months and older, will be available starting on Oct. 30 at doctor and nurse practitioner offices, some public health units, and participating pharmacies.

As for Moderna’s updated COVID-19 booster, the province says it expects to start receiving doses later in September but initial doses will be prioritized for high-risk populations. Health officials will release more details on the rollout once the doses arrive in Ontario.

Earlier this week, Health Canada approved Moderna’s new Spikevax vaccine, which is formulated for the XBB.1.5 lineage of the Omicron variant, for those six months of age and older.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) latest advice is that adults and children as young as five should get one dose of the new vaccine this fall if it has been at least six months since their last dose or their most recent COVID-19 infection.

NACI said children between six months and four years of age should get one dose if they have been vaccinated for COVID-19 before, but two doses if they haven’t.

Moderna said the first doses would be shipped to arrive in Canada on Sept. 13, with more arriving over the next month.

“COVID-19 activity is rising with new variants circulating and other seasonal respiratory illnesses are expected early this year,” Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, stated in a release.

“Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, get an annual flu shot when it becomes available, stay home when you feel sick, wash your hands often and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and consider wearing a mask, particularly if you are at high risk.”

Health officials say it is safe receive the flu and COVID-19 booster shots at the same time.

The province says it is also launching its first publicly-funded vaccination program of the RSV vaccine for adults age 60 and over living in long-term care homes, elder care Lodges, and for some retirement home residents.

Ontario is planning to allow pharmacists to give the RSV vaccine, when available. The province says this proposed change would allow retirement and long-term care homes to hire pharmacists to administer the vaccine on site, so that vulnerable populations can get their dose without leaving their home.

A new report commissioned by Premier Doug Ford's government warns that climate change poses high risks to Ontario, with impacts on everything from food production to infrastructure to businesses.

The report – called the Provincial Climate Change Impact Assessment – projects a soaring number of days with extreme heat across Ontario, as well as increases in flooding and more frequent wildfires.

Advocates are pointing to major rent control loopholes as the biggest issues for tenants struggling with affordability and rising costs of living.

By Manuela Vega • Toronto Star