Ontario Premier Doug Ford has voiced his concerns, calling for a reduction in interest rates ahead of the Bank of Canada’s announcement. Ford emphasized the necessity for relief from high interest rates, asserting that citizens are grappling with financial strain.

Ford’s plea comes just before the scheduled interest rate announcement by the Bank of Canada, with expectations that the key interest rate will remain at five per cent. However, projections suggest a potential rate cut in the coming months, with some economists predicting it could occur as early as April or June.

Economic indicators paint a bleak picture, with minimal growth recorded last year. David Macdonald, a senior economist, highlighted the lack of significant economic expansion, indicating a stagnant period.

Despite a slight increase in Canada’s annual inflation rate, it remains below the Bank of Canada’s target of two per cent. Additionally, forecasts suggest modest economic growth, accompanied by a growing federal deficit.

This marks the third instance where Premier Ford has urged the central bank to reconsider its interest rate policies. In previous statements, he emphasized the adverse effects of high interest rates on households and businesses.

The Bank of Canada’s upcoming economic outlook report, scheduled for April 10, will provide further insights into the nation’s economic trajectory. Premier Ford’s call for interest rate reduction underscores the pressing need for economic relief amid challenging times.

Ontario Experiences Record-Breaking Warmth: Potential Temperature Records Set to Tumble

Southern Ontario is gearing up for an exceptionally warm start to the week, with forecasts suggesting that high temperature records may once again be shattered across a wide swath of the region.

Record-breaking Projections

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson, Monday could witness a significant number of temperature records being broken, particularly in Southwestern and south central Ontario. At Pearson airport, a high of 13°C is forecasted, flirting with the record of 13.3°C set back in 1974. Additionally, Hamilton might also see record-breaking temperatures.

Tomorrow’s projections indicate an even warmer outlook, with Pearson expecting a high of 16°C. Although not surpassing the record set in 2004 at 18.5°C, Hamilton could also experience near-record temperatures.

Here’s a snapshot of predicted highs for today and tomorrow, alongside the corresponding record temperatures:

• Pearson: Today: 13°C (Record: 13.3°C); Tuesday: 16°C (Record: 18.5°C)
• Hamilton: Today: 16°C (Record: 15.6°C); Tuesday: 18°C (Record: 17.8°C)
• Windsor: Today: 20°C (Record: 19.1°C); Tuesday: 15°C (Record: 19.5°C)
• North Bay: Today: 14°C (Record: 10°C); Tuesday: 6°C (Record: 8.2°C)

Temperature Rollercoaster

This warm spell is likely to be followed by a swift temperature drop, although remaining above seasonal norms. A weak cold front is anticipated to pass through late on Tuesday, bringing cooler air. Highs between 6 and 8 degrees are expected, still above the normal high for this time of year.

Mild Conditions Persist

Despite the temperature drop, active weather is not expected to accompany it significantly. Showers are possible later on Tuesday, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms, although they are predicted to be sporadic.

Looking Ahead

As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to gradually return to near-seasonal averages. However, mid-March and beyond are forecasted to remain warmer than normal. Winter weather warnings are in effect for the far north and northwestern parts of Ontario, contrasting sharply with the springlike conditions in the southern and central regions.

In summary, while southern Ontario revels in springlike warmth, winter still maintains its grip on other parts of the province. As for the near future, there are no indications of a significant Arctic blast disrupting the prevailing mild conditions.

With no discernible signs of winter’s return, it seems that southern Ontario is in no hurry to bid adieu to its unseasonably warm weather.

A new bylaw has been implemented in the City of Toronto, targeting the proliferation of single-use and takeaway items ending up in waste facilities. Effective from March 1, the bylaw introduces three significant changes:

1. By-request Distribution: Customers must now request single-use items or paper shopping bags, or businesses must inquire whether customers require these items before distributing them.
2. Mandatory Use of Reusable Items: Business operators are mandated to utilize customers’ reusable shopping bags or beverage cups.
3. Stringent Standards for Paper Shopping Bags: Bags provided by businesses must adhere to specific waste diversion program standards set by the City of Toronto and cannot contain metal grommets or plastic handles.

Annette Synowiec, the City’s director of solid waste management services policy, planning, and outreach, emphasized the bylaw’s aim to alter both customer and business behaviors to foster waste reduction and work towards making Toronto a zero-waste city.

Sarah Terpstra, co-owner of Alimentari Italian Grocery on Roncesvalles Avenue, shared her proactive efforts to diminish their environmental impact, expressing frustration at the necessity of regulatory enforcement for practices they’ve upheld since their establishment seven years ago.

While acknowledging the desire to minimize waste, Terpstra highlighted the practical challenges businesses face, particularly in packaging perishable items for quick sale while maintaining convenience for customers.

Community organizations like Roncy Reduces have been actively engaging with local businesses to promote waste reduction initiatives and encourage the use of reusable alternatives.

Regarding enforcement, Synowiec emphasized education as the primary approach, with fines starting at $500 for continued non-compliance. However, enforcement will primarily be complaint-driven rather than proactive.

Julie Kwiecinski of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business expressed reservations about the specifics and enforcement of the bylaw, stressing the importance of clear communication and outreach efforts to ensure small businesses understand and comply with the regulations.

Overall, while some business owners anticipate challenges in adapting to the new regulations, there is recognition of the long-term benefits of waste reduction both environmentally and economically.

A woman in Scarborough was targeted in a disturbing incident Wednesday morning when she was shot multiple times in the face with a pellet gun while walking along a trail. Toronto police are actively seeking the suspect involved.

Responding to an unknown trouble call around 11:30 a.m. near Mary Shadd Public School by McLevin Avenue and Neilson Road, officers found an injured woman seeking assistance in front of the school. She was promptly transported to the hospital with injuries deemed non-life-threatening.

According to investigators, the victim, a 76-year-old woman, was walking along Hupfield Trail when she was approached from behind by an unidentified individual. Passing her, the assailant allegedly fired several shots at her face with a pellet gun before fleeing the scene. The woman sustained injuries to her hands and face during the attack.

Authorities are unsure of any prior connection between the victim and the suspect, and the motive for the assault remains unclear.

On Wednesday evening, police released images of the suspect, urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid in their identification. Described as wearing a three-quarter length grey jacket, black pants, and concealing their face and head with dark clothing, the suspect’s identity is still unknown.

Passengers of Lynx Air are recounting their experiences of being stranded abroad as the airline ceased operations. The Calgary-based carrier made the announcement on Friday, stating that it would halt all flights just after midnight on Monday. Travellers were advised to contact their credit card companies for refunds on their bookings.

One such traveller, Aedan Burnett, shared his ordeal. He had flown to Cancun with his girlfriend on February 17 for a week-long vacation, which turned sour when they learned at 10 p.m. on Thursday that their return flight on February 25 was cancelled.

Burnett described the moment he broke the news to his girlfriend, saying, “My girlfriend was asleep, and I was thinking of ways to wake her up to tell the news. I woke her up and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I got some bad news. We need to find a new way home.’ But yeah, I was not particularly thrilled, to put it mildly.”

To secure their journey back home, Burnett revealed that they had to purchase one-way tickets on an Air Canada flight at a cost of $1,000 each, which was approximately double the amount they had originally paid for a round-trip ticket with Lynx Air.

Starting Monday, a new integrated public transit fare system will roll out across the Greater Toronto Area, facilitating seamless transfers between GO Transit, the TTC, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, and York Region Transit.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after numerous delays, is finally delivering on his promise with the launch of the “One Fare” initiative. Aimed at enhancing transit accessibility and convenience, Ford emphasized the initiative’s role in eliminating fare duplication, particularly concerning the TTC, which was left out when the province abolished double fares on most Ontario transit systems back in March 2022.

The One Fare program is projected to provide significant savings for public transit users, with an estimated annual average of $1,600 in fare reductions, according to the province.

So, how does it operate?

Under this system, commuters will pay the highest single fare applicable to their journey when using any of the participating transit systems. However, when transferring between systems within a designated two- to three-hour window, they will be charged a reduced fare.

Premier Ford illustrated the system’s simplicity during a news conference on February 5th, stating, “That means someone living in Barrie can take a Barrie Transit bus to the GO Station, hop on the GO Train to Downsview Park Station, and then switch to the subway to reach Toronto Metropolitan University campus, all covered by just one fare.”

Toronto residents should brace themselves for “weather whiplash” in the upcoming days as temperatures rapidly plummet back to freezing levels.

According to forecasts from Environment Canada, Friday will start off with seasonably mild temperatures, but a swift change is on the horizon. CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter explained the drastic shift, stating, “It will be 6°C early this afternoon, zero by dinner, then -5°C mid-evening, and -13°C tonight, with a wind chill making it feel like –20°C. That, my friends, is weather whiplash, and you should prepare accordingly. If you’re heading out to celebrate your Friday night, expect a bitterly cold evening.”

The chilly trend will persist through the weekend, with Saturday expecting a high of -4°C. The morning will feel particularly frigid, with a wind chill making it feel like -23°C.

Coulter noted that these temperatures will mark some of the coldest conditions Torontonians have experienced all winter. However, there’s a silver lining: warm air is anticipated to return to the region by the middle of next week. Showers are forecasted for Tuesday, with temperatures climbing back into the double digits.

Describing the current weather pattern, senior climatologist Dave Phillips characterized it as a transition from “summerlike” to “winter-like,” possibly culminating in Toronto’s coldest moment of the season tonight.

Phillips lamented the state of the winter, labeling it as “lost” due to the prevalence of rain and fog over snow. While most winters have a mild period, Phillips remarked that this season’s mildness has been particularly prolonged, almost non-existent.

Despite the warmer outlook, Phillips cautioned against premature removal of snow tires, hinting that winter may still have some surprises in store.

Concerns Arise Over Police Vehicle Infractions
A demand for transparency emerges from city councillors regarding the frequency of automated speeding or red light camera tickets issued to Toronto Police Service (TPS) vehicles and the legitimacy of these violations.

Coun. Paula Fletcher expressed surprise at a recent CTV News report revealing instances of police vehicles speeding or running red lights. She emphasized the importance of the TPS providing clarity on the justification behind these infractions.

City data spanning 26 months shows TPS vehicles received 1,038 speeding tickets and 164 red light tickets. However, only 435 tickets were provided in response to a 2021 freedom of information request by CTV News.

While some tickets captured emergencies, others, like a special constable car speeding outside a school during pickup or TPS parking enforcement vehicles receiving speeding tickets, raised concerns.

The TPS stated officers must justify tickets, but details regarding the frequency of unjustified tickets were unavailable.

The highest number of speeding tickets—55—were issued at Beverley and D’Arcy streets downtown. Coun. Dianne Saxe, whose ward covers the area, sought clarification on these tickets.

Besides police vehicles, the city’s cameras caught TTC buses and city trucks, prompting efforts to address issues within these departments.

Coun. Saxe emphasized the importance of tackling speeding and advocated for more cameras to deter violations. She viewed tickets issued to police vehicles as proof of the system’s effectiveness in enforcing traffic laws uniformly.

Lingering Questions Surround Post-Secondary Plans

After a 10-week hiatus, Ontario’s Members of Provincial Parliament return to the legislature today, with much attention likely directed towards the Colleges and Universities Minister.

The governing Progressive Conservatives have outlined their legislative agenda for the session, which includes proposed bills on automatic license plate renewals, energy, and housing. However, a significant lingering question remains regarding the province’s strategy for the post-secondary education sector.

Many institutions have increasingly relied on international students, who pay higher tuition fees, to offset funding shortfalls. However, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of housing for these students.

Colleges and universities have already been grappling with frozen tuition revenues and insufficient operating funding from the government. Now, they face additional challenges due to a federal cap on student visas, leading to a loss of revenue from international students.

Minister’s Response and Proposed Legislation

Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop has yet to provide a detailed response to a government-commissioned report recommending measures such as increasing tuition fees and student aid. Similarly, there has been limited public discussion from her on the issue of the student visa cap.

The government’s first proposed bill will be omnibus legislation encompassing various pledges, including requirements for a referendum on any new provincial carbon tax and a ban on new provincial highway tolls, alongside provisions for automatic license plate renewals.

Having performed in greater than 80 productions across 36 seasons at the Stratford Celebration, actor Lucy Peacock will be honoured with the Festival’s Legacy Award at a gala in Toronto.

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The Stratford Festival’s Tradition Award, which will certainly be presented to Peacock at Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel on Monday, recognizes Event stars past and existing for their contributions to both theatre in Stratford and also the entertainment industry as a whole.
” I so appreciate the recognition of a body operate in service to the Celebration, in solution to the job, in service to the plays as well as to the company throughout the years,” Peacock informed the Beacon Herald. “It’s simply really good for it to be acknowledged in such a kind, charitable means. When (Event artistic supervisor) Antoni (Cimolino) told me concerning this, I stated, ‘Oh, well I do not mind a bit of interest, yet not that much focus.’ So I was really overloaded in the beginning.

” Certainly, it’s a shock night for me. I do not recognize what’s going to occur … however it’s fairly an event.”

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A graduate of the National Theater Institution and also an acting staple in Stratford given that 1984, Peacock has actually additionally mesmerized target markets at various other significant theater companies across Canada and globally, consisting of the National Arts Centre, The Segal Centre, Centaur Theater, the Royal Manitoba Theater Centre, The Citadel Theatre, The Globe Theater, Canadian Phase, the Vancouver Playhouse, The Coal Mine Theatre, The Winter Months Garden and also Broadway’s Lincoln Centre.

” Lucy is that a lot of rare and also vital point: a fearless musician that will bravely and without shame most likely to dark areas in order to recognize a playwright’s vision,” Cimolino stated in a press release. “This year, for example, Lucy plays both the unbelievably greedy Germaine Lauzon in Michel Tremblay’s famous Quebec tragicomedy Les Belles-Soeurs as well as the effective racist matriarch in Alice Childress’s hot dramatization Wedding Band.”

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In 1986, 2 years into her occupation at the Stratford Festival, Peacock played Ophelia in both Community as well as Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. In 1988, her adaptability as a star became even more apparent as she took on the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in the musical My Fair Lady, in addition to the functions of Lady Anne in Richard III and also Helena in All’s Well That Ends Well.

In 2006, Peacock’s array wowed audiences as she took on all 7 characters in The Blond, the Redhead as well as the Vengeful Redhead, a manufacturing that was revived the complying with period because of target market need as well as also travelled to the Vancouver Playhouse.

Peacock’s music job consists of the duty of Anna in The King as well as I (2003 ), Dolly Levi in Hi, Dolly! (2005 ), Morgan le Fey in Camelot (2011) and Mrs. Munch in Wanderlust (2012 ). She likewise organized the preferred Late Evening with Lucy cabarets in the very early years of the Stratford Festival’s Meighen Online forum collection. For several yearsm she volunteered her time to direct, host and do the yearly Anticipate the Amazing fundraising events for Stratford’s Performing Arts Lodge, assisting the charity raise more than $200,000.

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” The Festival’s been so excellent to me. I can be found in as a graduate of the National Theater School, and also the Event was where I truly recognized I might belong and also be of use and also be handy as well as learn about my craft, which, particularly at that young age, was everything. … I had a Facebook memory come up lately. I guess it was my 3rd season as well as I was playing Ophelia. Somebody sent me a photo of the initial wedding rehearsal as well as it seems like the other day, but it certain isn’t the other day. I have actually simply been living the desire together with my other half, who is currently retired … and we simply functioned and also functioned as well as worked. Yet the interest was whatever which’s why we kept going. … It was a life time of commitment to poetry and muscle,” Peacock stated.

Throughout her job, Peacock has shared the stage and also dealt with several of the most legendary actors, directors and also musicians of recent generations, including Christopher Plummer, John Neville, Richard Monette, Martha Henry, Cimolino, Brian Bedford, Sir Jonathan Miller, Carey Perloff, Robin Phillips, Susan H. Schulman, Brent Carver, Susan Wright, Janet Wright, Goldie Semple, Peter Hinton-Davis, Jackie Maxwell, Colm Feore, Seana McKenna, Peter Donaldson, Jillian Keiley and Robert Lepage.

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Peacock is well-known for her compassion and also dedication to the Stratford Celebration business. She mentors, guides and also teaches actors, and also collaborates with both manufacturing as well as artistic administration to accomplish common goals of self-respect and also regard in solution to the job.

” I have actually been through, I believe, like 9 artistic supervisors as well as each of those creative directors relocated the Festival ahead in the job, in the craft as well as in the companym and also the definition of firm and also the interpretation of first-rate theater,” Peacock claimed. “I’ve been a part of that journey, where I likewise learnt more about those things. I learned about business, I discovered first-rate theater and also striving for excellence as well as ability. The Celebration is simply such a phenomenal area. … It’s never ceased to stun me and also I’m in awe of what the Event is.

” It’s simply one of the most unusual location. There’s nothing like it in the world.”

The Stratford Festival Legacy Gala will certainly feature tributes and also performances from Thom Allison, Gregory Hoskins, Antonette Rudder and also Sara Topham, and also the honor itself will be presented to Peacock by Cimolino.