Local Journalism Initiative

Source: Local Journalism Initiative


Hurontario LRT fails to meet fall 2024 completion—major problems with already laid track as construction group’s credit rating downgraded

Mississauga’s already late Hurontario LRT project is now “incurring concurrent delays on multiple other fronts,” according to a recent credit rating report that highlights some of those “multiple” problems. The “project has discovered issues with track tolerances for already installed sections that are out of compliance with specifications.” The credit downgrade report by S&P (Standard […]

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Yukon privacy commissioner notes increase in public bodies rejecting recommendations

The information and privacy commissioner for the Yukon says the current approach to access to information isn’t working.   In the Yukon ombudsman’s 2023 annual report, tabled in the territorial legislature on Oct. 21, Jason Pedlar said the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA) needs to be amended to give the commissioner the […]

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Grand Erie school board trustee ‘punished for being a whistleblower,’ lawyer argues at judicial hearing

An arthritic finger, a high-top table, and the cellphone game Candy Crush all played into barred trustee Carol Ann Sloat’s alleged transgressions against the Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB), a panel for the Divisional Court branch of Hamilton’s Superior Court of Justice heard. In her challenge, Sloat asked the panel of three justices to […]

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City’s respectful workplace policy is split, but remains in place

After multiple cancelled council meetings and three residents were suspended from city property over the summer – all because of alleged infractions to a respectful workplace policy – the policy is remaining in place, albeit altered. At the Oct. 28 Stratford city council meeting, council voted to separate Policy H.1.36, otherwise known as the respectful […]

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Legislative session in Alberta reconvenes with plenty of items for the rural watchlist

Legislation around property rights, gun ownership, tourism and parental involvement in education should spark the interest of rural Albertans, the UCP’s government house leader speculated in announcing plans for this week’s reconvened session of the legislature. But pleasing people who live beyond the province’s cities is not driving his party’s fall agenda, Joseph Schow said […]

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Deep River to restrict “frivolous, vexatious” complaints

You can fight city hall, but city hall is saying it may fight back if it deems that fight to be frivolous. With that in mind, Deep River council gave the green light last week for the development of a policy dealing with “frivolous, vexatious and unreasonable” requests made of the municipality. Development of that […]

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Nakusp council, October 16: Waterfront Master Plan contract awarded

Selkirk Planning and Design Ltd. was chosen to create the Village’s waterfront master plan.  Selkirk will conduct online and in-person engagement sessions for the public to provide input. It will also use the Village’s Official Community Plan to guide the project. When designs are in hand, Selkirk will host an open house to present the […]

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Yukon privacy commissioner’s concerns about facial recognition lead to proposed Traffic Safety Act changes

The Yukon government has proposed amendments to parts the Traffic Safety Act that deal with facial recognition software. The amendments are based off of suggestions from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.   Section 215 of the bill deals with the use of facial recognition software. In a motion made on Oct. 15, the […]

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County of Stettler concerned about CP Rail fire hazard

The County of Stettler council will send a letter to a major rail line after voicing concerns about stacks of creosote-soaked ties lying near a hamlet. The resolution to send the letter was passed at the Oct. 9 regular meeting of council. Under the “council’s request for information” part of the agenda a topic titled […]

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Regional District of Fraser-Fort George postpones decision to record directors’ votes

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) is one of only three regional districts in the province which neither records how directors vote in meeting minutes, nor publishes video or audio recordings of its meetings online.  In August, RDFFG directors voted 7-6 against a procedural bylaw amendment which would have obligated the District to record […]

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The last chapter for the Walker Family YMCA

It’s déjà vu for citizens of St. Catharines. A joint statement has been released announcing that after good faith negotiations, Atria Development (owner of the former Walker Family YMCA facility) and the City, have decided that the future of the site will not include the existing recreation facility which will instead be redeveloped into housing.   […]

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Before/after school care in crisis, school boards have duty to provide it

As the old adage “It takes a village to raise a child” suggests, it requires a community to provide a safe, healthy, secure environment for children to develop and flourish. In addition to friends and family, citizens count on their elected municipal, provincial, and federal governments to create laws and policies to keep children safe, […]

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