THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones is defending a move to reduce the frequency of eye exams for healthy seniors, saying Monday that changes to funding for optometry services involve “fine tuning” the coverage. Jones announced Friday that the government had reached a funding agreement with optometrists that increases […]

By Fakiha Baig
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Several public health units in southwestern Ontario say they’ve seen a spike in cases of whooping cough and are urging residents to get vaccinated against the respiratory illness that can be particularly severe in young children. Southwestern Public Health – which serves Oxford County, Elgin County and St. Thomas, Ont. […]

By James McCarten
THE CANADIAN PRESS

WASHINGTON – The federal Liberals aren’t the only ones declaring U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Ottawa a triumph for Canada-U.S. relations: Washington’s envoy, too, described it Friday as an “overarching success.” Biden got what he wanted on several issues, including a clear timeline on key aspects of upgrading Norad, […]

By Mickey Djuric
THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – The federal government’s slow rollout of high-speed internet to rural areas is putting First Nations at an economic disadvantage while billions of dollars earmarked to fix the issue remains untouched, says Canada’s auditor general. The lack of internet access continues to exclude First Nation reserves from accessing education, […]

By Kelly Geraldine Malone
THE CANADIAN PRESS

YORKTON, Sask. – A Saskatchewan judge is set to deliver his decision on whether to give bail to two sisters who have spent nearly 30 years in prison for what they say are wrongful murder convictions. Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance were convicted of second-degree murder in the 1993 stabbing death […]

By Maan Alhmidi
THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – Ontario doctors and the organization representing them blasted the provincial government on Saturday for its quietly unveiled plans to end a program that provides health-care services for people without health insurance. The Ontario Medical Association said it first learned of the pending suspension on Friday, issuing a statement […]

By Geranda Notten
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Canada’s inflation rate has started to ease up after peaking at 8.1 per cent last summer, but food and shelter prices are showing little sign of slowing down.  Increases in wages and earnings only partially make up for lost purchasing power. Those working in lower paying industries are less likely […]

By Fakiha Baig
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Police in Ontario are warning that climate change is shortening the snowmobiling season and making a growing number of trails dangerous for riders across the province. Ontario Provincial Police say 13 snowmobilers have died so far this season – which runs from November to April – with many falling through […]

THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – Han Dong, the member of Parliament at the centre of allegations of Chinese meddling in Canadian affairs, has resigned from the Liberal caucus and will sit as an Independent. “I’m taking this extraordinary step because to sitting in the government caucus is a privilege,” Dong told the House […]

By Allison Jones and Liam Casey
THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – It’s budget day in Ontario and the finance minister says he’s prepared a plan with “targeted investments” to ensure the province’s economy stays resilient in the face of uncertainty. One investment that won’t be in the budget, however, is a sick day program. Government sources told The Canadian […]