Toronto News Daily

Ford, Crombie, Stiles, and Schreiner address Trump’s tariff announcement while crisscrossing the province ahead of the election.

Toronto, ON – Ontario’s provincial election campaign is heating up as party leaders pivot to address the growing threat of a trade war following U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcement. With the June vote fast approaching, leaders are doubling down on their efforts to reassure voters and outline plans to protect Ontario’s economy.

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is set to make a campaign stop in Etobicoke today, where he will detail his strategy to “protect Ontario” from the potential fallout of escalating trade tensions. Ford, who made a single campaign appearance in Brampton over the weekend, made headlines on Sunday by announcing a plan to remove nearly $1-billion worth of U.S. wine, beer, and spirits from LCBO shelves annually. The PC leader is also scheduled to appear on several American news networks to discuss Ontario’s response to the trade dispute.

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie is taking her campaign to the Kitchener-Waterloo region, where she will tour a local health-care facility and deliver a speech at the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Crombie is expected to outline her party’s approach to countering Trump’s tariffs and safeguarding Ontario’s economic interests.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles is focusing her efforts on eastern Ontario, with campaign stops in Belleville and Ottawa following a policy announcement in Oshawa. Stiles is likely to emphasize job protection and economic stability as key pillars of her platform.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner is also campaigning in Kitchener-Waterloo, where he will join deputy leader Aislinn Clancy for a policy announcement. Schreiner is expected to highlight sustainable economic strategies and the need for Ontario to adapt to global trade challenges.

As the trade war threat dominates headlines, Ontario’s party leaders are working to position themselves as the best choice to navigate the province through uncertain economic times. With the election just weeks away, the stakes have never been higher.

Ashley Avila, daughter of Valdemar and Fatima Avila, who tragically lost their lives in a collision on Parkside Drive in Toronto, shared her deep grief during a sentencing hearing for the driver responsible. She described the incident as a “horror movie” and expressed that the loss “haunts me every day.”

The couple, aged 71 and 69, were stopped at a red light when Artur Kotula, traveling over 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, rear-ended their vehicle, causing a chain reaction that led to their deaths. Kotula was convicted of dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm.

Ashley Avila spoke about her parents’ journey from Portugal to Canada in the early 1970s, their hard work, and the love they shared with their family, especially their grandchildren. She emphasized the lasting impact of their loss on the family.

Raptors Snap Losing Streak: The Toronto Raptors ended a ten-game losing streak against the Boston Celtics with a 110-97 victory. RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Teammates Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl also made significant contributions, adding 18 points and nine assists, and 16 points and 11 rebounds, respectively. Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 20 points for the Celtics, while Jayson Tatum added 16 points, ten rebounds, and seven assists. Despite a strong comeback by the Celtics in the first quarter, the Raptors took control again in the second quarter and maintained their lead for the remainder of the game. Toronto shot 46.7% from the field in the first half compared to Boston’s 40.4%. The Celtics have struggled recently, losing three of their last five games. Toronto capitalized on their opportunities to snap a ten-game losing streak against Boston dating back to March 28, 2022. Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley missed his second consecutive game due to a hip injury.

A Toronto nightclub is under scrutiny after a tragic incident where a 19-year-old man was found dead inside the premises. The establishment now faces the possibility of losing its liquor licence as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Details of the Incident:
Victim Identified: The 19-year-old was discovered unresponsive inside the nightclub. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene.
Cause of Death: While the exact cause of death has not been confirmed, investigators are exploring whether alcohol, drugs, or foul play were factors.
Licence Suspension: The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has initiated proceedings to review the club’s liquor licence, citing public safety concerns.
Legal and Regulatory Concerns:
The AGCO can revoke or suspend liquor licences if a venue is found to have violated Ontario’s liquor laws or if its operations jeopardize public safety. Potential violations being considered include:

Serving alcohol to minors.
Overserving patrons, contributing to dangerous situations.
Failing to maintain a safe environment for guests.
Community and Stakeholder Reactions:
Family and Community: The victim’s family and community members are mourning the loss and seeking accountability.
Local Officials: Municipal leaders have expressed concern about nightlife safety and the enforcement of liquor regulations.
Nightlife Industry: The incident has reignited debates about safety protocols and the responsibility of venues to protect patrons.
Next Steps:
The AGCO’s decision on the liquor licence will depend on the outcome of the investigation. The nightclub may face further legal actions depending on the findings.

Would you like more information on the legal framework for liquor licences, the AGCO’s role, or safety measures in nightlife venues?

The Ford government in Ontario has come under scrutiny from the province’s financial accountability office (FAO) for underestimating the costs associated with a partnership between ServiceOntario and Staples Canada. This initiative, announced as a pilot program in 2022, was aimed at expanding access to select government services by allowing Staples stores to offer ServiceOntario services such as health card and driver’s license renewals.

Key Findings by the Financial Watchdog:
Underestimated Costs: The FAO found that the program’s actual costs were higher than initially projected. While the government framed the partnership as cost-effective and convenient, the financial watchdog highlighted discrepancies in cost assessments.

Uncertain Savings: The government suggested the deal would save money by reducing pressure on government-run ServiceOntario locations. However, the FAO noted that these savings have not been clearly demonstrated or quantified.

Limited Scope and Impact: The program, currently limited to a small number of Staples locations, has raised questions about its ability to significantly improve access to services, especially in rural or underserved areas.

Transparency Concerns: Critics have also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the procurement process and the details of the agreement with Staples, suggesting the need for more oversight in public-private partnerships.

Government’s Response:
The Ford government has defended the initiative, stating that it aims to modernize public service delivery and make it more accessible by leveraging private-sector partnerships. It has also pointed to the program’s potential to reduce wait times and improve convenience for Ontarians.

Public and Stakeholder Reactions:
Supporters argue that public-private collaborations can improve service delivery and increase access, particularly in high-demand areas.
Critics, including opposition parties and labor groups, question whether outsourcing services to private companies undermines the integrity and cost-efficiency of public services.
Would you like to know more about the financial implications, public-private partnerships, or alternatives to this approach?

Snowfall Expected Across Parts of the GTA on Monday, Says Environment Canada

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning of significant snowfall expected to hit parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Monday. The agency predicts snowfall accumulations of up to 10 centimeters in certain areas, with the potential for localized higher amounts.

The snowfall is expected to begin in the early morning hours and persist throughout the day, accompanied by gusty winds that could reduce visibility on the roads. Commuters are being urged to exercise caution as road conditions may become hazardous during peak travel times.

“Drivers should prepare for slower travel, icy conditions, and reduced visibility due to blowing snow,” Environment Canada said in its advisory.

Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and other parts of the region are included in the advisory, with northern areas likely to experience the heaviest snowfall.

Local municipalities are gearing up for the weather event, with snowplows and salt trucks ready to clear roads as conditions develop. Authorities are also reminding residents to check their local forecasts and plan accordingly for potential delays.

This snowfall comes as winter conditions become more consistent across the region, with colder temperatures expected to persist into the week. Residents are advised to monitor updates from Environment Canada and stay prepared for further weather-related developments.