Ontario Archives - National Times

31 Mar

New COVID-19 variant BA.3.2 detected in Ontario following global spread

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioBA.3.2, COVID-19 variant, Ontario health, Public Health

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A new subvariant of COVID-19, identified as BA.3.2, has officially been recorded in Ontario after surfacing in nearly two dozen countries and half of the United States. Public Health Ontario’s latest epidemiological data confirmed 21 cases of the variant between mid-January and mid-February 2026. First discovered in South Africa in late 2024 and later identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control through traveller surveillance, the strain has since been tracked through wastewater samples across 25 American states. Despite its rapid geographical expansion, health officials in Canada are monitoring the situation without immediate alarm. Infectious disease specialist…

28 Mar

Two Snowmobilers Rescued After Falling Through Thinning Ice on Georgian Bay

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioGeorgian Bay snowmobile accident, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Robin’s Point Road rescue, Southern Georgian Bay OPP, Tay Township ice rescue

Tay Township, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Emergency crews in Tay Township, Ontario, successfully executed a dramatic ice rescue late Friday evening, March 27, 2026, after a snowmobile crashed through the ice on Georgian Bay. Southern Georgian Bay OPP received a distress call just before 10:00 PM reporting that a sled had gone through the ice several hundred metres offshore near Robin’s Point Road. Two snowmobiles were reportedly travelling together when one broke through the rapidly thinning surface, causing both riders to plunge into the frigid water. The riders' survival was credited largely to their use of survival flotation suits, which kept…

28 Mar

Canada Enacts Stricter Asylum Framework, Sparking Debate Over Refugee Protections

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The government of Canada has introduced sweeping changes to its asylum system with the implementation of a new law aimed at tightening border controls and accelerating refugee claim procedures. The legislation, known as Bill C-12 or the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, officially came into force after receiving royal assent on March 26, 2026. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the law introduces stricter eligibility criteria for asylum seekers, faster processing timelines, expanded data-sharing powers among government agencies, and increased authority for officials over immigration-related documents. One of the most significant provisions targets delayed…

27 Mar

Canada Clears Bill to Ban Public Display of Khalistan-Linked Terror Symbols

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): In a major legislative move, House of Commons of Canada has approved a new law aimed at curbing the public use of symbols associated with banned Khalistan-linked groups, marking a shift in the country’s approach to tackling hate-related offences. The proposed legislation, titled Combatting Hate Act Bill C-9, was passed during its third reading with a majority vote and now heads to the Senate for further scrutiny before it can be enacted. Under the bill, the intentional display of flags, emblems or symbols connected to organisations designated as terrorist entities—such as Babbar Khalsa International and International Sikh…

23 Mar

Ontario Man Charged with Impaired Driving After SUV Collides with GO Transit Bus

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontariobus collision, GO Transit bus, Impaired Driving, Niagara Regional Police, Omemee man, St. Catharines crash

St. Catharines, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A 56-year-old man from Omemee, Ontario, faces impaired driving charges following a dramatic collision with a GO Transit bus in St. Catharines on Sunday, March 22, 2026. According to Niagara Regional Police, the incident occurred in the north end of the city near North Service Road and YMCA Drive, just off the Queen Elizabeth Way. Investigators determined that a Honda CRV travelling in the northbound lane crossed over and drove directly into the path of the southbound bus. At the time of the crash, the GO Transit bus was carrying 18 passengers. Emergency responders transported…

22 Mar

Northeastern Ontario Man Receives Lifetime Hunting Ban Following Moose Poaching Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioDonald Gosselin, Larder Lake, MNR investigation, moose poaching, Ontario hunting ban, wildlife violations

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A Larder Lake man has been handed a lifetime prohibition from hunting in Ontario after pleading guilty to multiple wildlife violations. Donald Gosselin appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury on November 13, 2025, where he was sentenced for failing to properly attach an invalidated moose tag and failing to produce a licence to a conservation officer. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) launched an investigation into Gosselin’s activities on November 11, 2024, following a targeted vehicle stop on Larder Station Road. Officers reported finding Gosselin returning from a hunting camp with a rifle on…

20 Mar

Canada’s Top Cop Revises Position, Finds No Current India Link in Ongoing Probes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s federal policing agency has revised its earlier stance on alleged foreign interference, saying ongoing investigations no longer point to India’s involvement in criminal activities within the country. Speaking to CTV News, Mike Duheme, head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said that recent case assessments have not produced evidence tying the Government of India to covert operations or intimidation efforts on Canadian soil. Duheme noted that while previous inquiries had raised concerns about possible foreign links, the latest findings do not establish any such connection. He added that investigations into cross-border influence are often complex, and…

18 Mar

No Insurance, Massive Bill: U.S. Visitor in Canada Faces Over $100K Medical Charges

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A medical emergency during a family visit to Canada has left a U.S.-based family grappling with a staggering hospital bill exceeding $100,000, highlighting the financial risks of travelling without insurance. Begum Bashiran, an elderly resident of Atlanta, had travelled to Ontario last October to spend time with her children. During her stay, she suffered a stroke and was rushed to the Waterloo Regional Health Network, where she remained under treatment for nearly a month, including time in intensive care. Her son, Naveed Zafar, recalled the distressing moments when his mother was admitted unconscious. He said his immediate…

18 Mar

Ontario Strengthens Judiciary With Appointment of Six New Judges

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingOntario

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): The government of Ontario has announced the appointment of six new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, with their roles set to take effect from March 26, 2026. The move, confirmed by Attorney General Doug Downey, is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the province’s justice system. The newly appointed judges bring decades of legal experience across criminal, civil, and administrative law. Among them is Serge Hamel, who has served both in private practice and as an assistant Crown attorney, and will now take up his position in the Kirkland Lake/Haileybury region. S. Rochelle…

16 Mar

Premier Doug Ford Proposes Live-Streaming Bail Hearings to Fix “Broken” Justice System

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsOntarioBrockville Correctional Complex, Doug Ford Bail Reform, Ontario Live Stream Bail Hearings, St. Lawrence Valley Expansion

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma)— Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday, March 16, 2026, that his government is exploring the possibility of live-streaming bail hearings as part of a broader push to reform a justice system he describes as "broken." Speaking at a news conference, Ford argued that making these hearings accessible to the public rather than just those who can attend in person would foster transparency and restore public confidence in the province's legal processes. Currently, the evidence presented during bail hearings is typically subject to strict publication bans to protect the integrity of future trials. While Ford did not…