Ontario

Local news from Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo and Niagara. Visit nationaltimesmedia.com for local Ontario coverage today.

Ontario and Western Provinces Fast-Track Early Alcohol Sales for Olympic Gold Medal Final

Ontario and Western Provinces Fast-Track Early Alcohol Sales for Olympic Gold Medal Final

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): In a rare move to accommodate sports fans across the country, the Ontario government has announced that bars and restaurants may begin serving alcohol as early as 6:00 a.m. ET this Sunday. The temporary policy shift, announced by Premier Doug Ford, comes just in time for the Canadian men’s hockey team’s gold medal showdown against the United States at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The decision followed a dramatic 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland, secured by a late-game goal from star forward Nathan MacKinnon. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) clarified that this provincial edict applies…
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Security Alert: Innisfil Mayor’s Email Compromised in Sophisticated Phishing Attack

Security Alert: Innisfil Mayor’s Email Compromised in Sophisticated Phishing Attack

INNISFIL, ON (Rajeev Sharma) – The Town of Innisfil has issued an urgent warning to residents after Mayor Lynn Dollin’s municipal email account was breached by a malicious phishing scam earlier this week. Officials are advising the public to immediately delete any suspicious emails purportedly from the Mayor that request financial assistance or personal information. The breach occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after the Mayor opened a link from an email that appeared to be from a "trusted external organization." Once clicked, the sophisticated malware automatically sent similar fraudulent messages to every individual in the Mayor’s extensive contact list.…
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Flood Warnings Issued Across Southern Ontario as Snowmelt Raises Water Levels

Flood Warnings Issued Across Southern Ontario as Snowmelt Raises Water Levels

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Several communities across southern Ontario are under flood advisories as rising temperatures trigger rapid snowmelt following weeks of subzero weather. The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning through Thursday, covering areas including Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Brantford. Officials say melting snow, combined with possible rainfall, could cause rivers and streams to swell quickly. The authority also cautioned that weakening river ice may break apart and create ice jams — blockages that restrict water flow and increase the risk of localized flooding. Similarly, the Halton Conservation Authority warned that low-lying areas, natural floodplains and poorly…
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Massive Toronto Rally Backs Iranian Protest Movement, Urges Ottawa to Act

Massive Toronto Rally Backs Iranian Protest Movement, Urges Ottawa to Act

Toronto (Gaganjot): An estimated 350,000 people filled the streets of Toronto on Saturday in a sweeping show of solidarity with anti-government demonstrators in Iran, according to police. The march, centred in North York and stretching along Yonge Street, called on Canadian officials to formally recognize exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi as a figurehead for a democratic transition in Iran. Participants waved red, white and green flags bearing the historic lion emblem used before Iran’s 1979 revolution, chanting slogans and beating drums as they moved through the city. Organizers said the rally aimed not only to support those protesting in Iran…
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India-Canada Partnership in AI Holds Immense Promise, Says University of Waterloo President

India-Canada Partnership in AI Holds Immense Promise, Says University of Waterloo President

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Collaboration between India and Canada in the field of artificial intelligence could unlock significant benefits for both nations, according to the head of one of Canada’s premier science and technology institutions. Dr. Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, described the growing engagement between the two countries as a “remarkable opportunity,” highlighting how their respective strengths can complement each other in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Speaking ahead of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where he is scheduled to participate alongside Canada’s AI Minister Evan Solomon, Goel emphasised that combining Canada’s expertise…
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Ontario Launches New Succession Planning Hub to Help Small Businesses Navigate Ownership Transitions

Ontario Launches New Succession Planning Hub to Help Small Businesses Navigate Ownership Transitions

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): The Ontario government has announced an investment of nearly $2 million to create the province’s first centralized business succession planning hub, an initiative designed to help entrepreneurs prepare for ownership changes while safeguarding jobs and community-based enterprises. The funding will be used to roll out Succession Ontario, a digital platform led by the Kingston Economic Development Corporation. The hub will offer practical guidance, planning tools and educational resources to business owners considering retirement, sale or transfer of their enterprises. In addition, Small Business Enterprise Centres across the province will be equipped with new training and materials, enabling…
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Nine Toronto Officers Charged in Probe Linked to Tow-Industry Violence: Sources

Nine Toronto Officers Charged in Probe Linked to Tow-Industry Violence: Sources

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Multiple Toronto police officers have been charged following a sweeping investigation into violent activity connected to the tow-truck sector in the Greater Toronto Area, according to sources familiar with the case. Sources told CBC News that nine officers are accused of serious criminal conduct, including involvement in organized crime, unlawfully sharing sensitive information such as residential addresses, and passing details allegedly used to facilitate targeted violence. Investigators are also examining claims of a plot to assassinate a senior official at the Toronto South Detention Centre. Because the sources are not authorized to speak publicly, they requested anonymity.…
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Ontario Judge Steps Down After Misconduct Finding, Avoids Disciplinary Sanctions

Ontario Judge Steps Down After Misconduct Finding, Avoids Disciplinary Sanctions

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): An Ontario judge found to have committed judicial misconduct in connection with allegations of sexual assault has retired from the bench, bringing disciplinary proceedings against him to an abrupt end. The Ontario Judicial Council confirmed on its website that Justice Paul Currie has officially retired from the Ontario Court of Justice, effective Friday. As a result, the council said it no longer has the authority to continue proceedings related to the complaint against him. Earlier this month, on January 13, a hearing panel of the council ruled that the majority of allegations raised in a formal complaint…
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Magnitude 3.7 Earthquake Felt Across Southern and Central Ontario Late Tuesday

Magnitude 3.7 Earthquake Felt Across Southern and Central Ontario Late Tuesday

Ontario (Gaganjot Singh): Thousands of residents across southern and central Ontario reported feeling an earthquake late Tuesday night, according to Natural Resources Canada. Earthquakes Canada said a magnitude 3.7 tremor was recorded just before 11 p.m. ET, approximately 99 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The quake was described as “lightly felt” and was centred about 23 kilometres southeast of Orillia, Ont., at a depth of five kilometres. Natural Resources Canada seismologist Marikah Adams said around 2,600 people had reported experiencing the shaking, with reports coming in from a wide area stretching from Kingston to Kitchener. She added that additional reports were…
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Up to 50 Vehicles Involved in Highway 401 Crashes as Snow Squall Hits Eastern Ontario

Up to 50 Vehicles Involved in Highway 401 Crashes as Snow Squall Hits Eastern Ontario

Ontario (Gaganjot Singh): Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say as many as 50 vehicles were involved in multiple collisions on Highway 401 in eastern Ontario on Tuesday amid dangerous winter weather conditions. A snow squall warning remains in effect for the region, with blowing snow and near-zero visibility expected at times. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) reported snow-covered lanes and significantly reduced visibility along Highway 401 between Quinte West and Napanee. As a result of the collisions, the MTO said eastbound lanes of Highway 401 were closed at County Road 30 in Brighton, west of Trenton, while westbound lanes were shut…
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