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cc_multi_2021-1_en

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"2021-01-31T00:11:41"

"2021-01-30T16:55:00"

"2021-01-30T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto Public Health issued a drug alert Saturday after the city's paramedic services received the highest number of suspected opioid overdose calls in a 24-hour period since monitoring began in 2017.\nTPH said preliminary data indicates that Toronto paramedics attended about 40 overdose calls, including three deaths, on Friday.\n\"While specific details are not yet known, there appears to be a range of substances from the unregulated drug supply involved,\" TPH said. The local health unit noted that the city's drug checking services reported finding highly potent drugs in samples checked in the past months.\nFollowing the alert on Saturday, Councillor Joe Cressy, who is also the chair of Toronto's Board of Health, tweeted that \"this is a preventable emergency.\"\nThe drug alert comes a day after the city reported a grim milestone in the opioid crisis, with at least 34 suspected opioid overdose deaths in December 2020.\n\"This tragic record further proves what we already know: that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already deadly overdose crisis in Toronto,\" Cressy said in a statement on Friday.\nTPH said the deaths only represent overdoses attended by Toronto Paramedic Services and therefore \"does not capture all deaths due to opioid poisoning.\"\nPreliminary information also shows that Toronto paramedics attended 30 fatal calls for suspected opioid overdoses between Jan. 1 and Jan. 26.\nToronto Mayor John Tory said on Friday these deaths are \"tragic, unacceptable and evidence of a real health crisis.\"\n\"The status quo is producing tragedy and loss of life on an unprecedented scale and cannot be continued,\" Tory said in a statement.\n\"Our country and our province have the science, the know-how and the money to address this. All that is missing is the will. We have to fix that.\"\nOn Thursday, the president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police noted that overdose deaths are outpacing those from the COVID-19 pandemic and homicides in British Columbia and likely Ontario as he urged Canada to decriminalize hard-drug possession.\n\"Over the last six years, 18,000 Canadians have lost their lives to drug addiction,\" Larkin said.\n\"If 18,000 people lost their lives in traffic collisions, our country and our communities would not accept that. There would be outcry.\"\n- With files from The Canadian Press", "Toronto paramedics responded to record-breaking number of opioid overdose calls Friday", "Toronto Public Health issued a drug alert Saturday after the city's paramedic services received the highest number of suspected opioid overdose calls in a 24-hour period since monitoring began in 2017." ]

[]

"2021-01-24T00:09:54"

"2021-01-23T18:04:00"

"2021-01-23T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A group of protesters in Mississauga, Ont. is demanding justice for Jamal Francique after a report by the province’s police watchdog found no reasonable grounds to criminally charge the officer who shot and killed the 28-year-old man last year.\nOn Saturday, members of the Malton People’s Movement (MPM) took to two of the city’s busiest intersections to voice their grievance by hanging signs that read “Peel Police Are Murderers” and “#Justice4Jamal.”\n“There is no moving forward without accountability,” a protester named Asher told CTV News Toronto. “It’s angering to constantly see all these cases that have no results or no justice for families or the people who experience trauma from these incidents with police.”\nThe demonstration comes days after Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) cleared the Peel police officer who shot Francique on Jan. 7, 2020.\nAccording to the report by the SIU, police had been investigating Francique for allegedly dealing drugs and possessing a firearm. Peel police officers had observed Francique \"travelling to various locations in breach of his bail conditions\" and decided to arrest him for allegedly violating the terms of his bail, the report said.\nREAD MORE: Ontario's police watchdog clears Peel cop who shot and killed Jamal Francique in Mississauga last year\nAt that time, the SIU said several plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles attended Francique’s home in Mississauga and waited for him to get into his car.\nWhen Francique got into his vehicle at approximately 5:45 p.m., the SIU said he began to drive away. Officers then attempted to box the car in while others got out of their vehicles with their guns drawn and pointed at Francique.\nFrancique accelerated toward a grassy area, the SIU said, and struck one car while one officer jumped out of the way. At that point, another officer on foot fired his gun four times as Francique drove towards him, the SIU said.\nThe car came to a halt 30 metres away after it hit a home.\nOfficers on scene said they were afraid that Francique had a gun -- which was later found in his satchel -- and did not approach his vehicle, the SIU said, waiting for the arrival of Peel Regional Police tactical officers instead.\nAt approximately 8:05 p.m. the SIU said tactical officers found Francique in the driver's seat in \"obvious and acute medical distress,\" suffering from a gunshot wound to the left side of his head.\nFrancique was rushed to St. Michael's Hospital for treatment where he remained on life support for three days before he was pronounced dead on Jan. 10.\nJoseph Martino, the director of the Special Investigations Unit, said that the subject officer told investigators that he feared for his life when Francique drove at him during the arrest.\nHowever, he admitted there were aspects of the officer's conduct that raised questions.\n\"One may question, for example, the wisdom of the (subject officer) placing himself in the vicinity of a vehicle whose driver was evidently attempting to flee from police,\" Martino wrote.\nThe MPM says it has its own issues with the report, including allegations that Peel police misinformed the SIU about the time they arrived in the area and when exactly the shooting occurred.\nThe group says its “Peel-wide poster and banner drop campaign” is part of a series of several actions organized to protest the killing of Francique, as well as the deaths of D’Andre Campbell and Ejaz Choudry, who also died following interactions with Peel police in 2020.\nIn a statement issued Wednesday, Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said, “Any time a life is lost due to an interaction with police, it is a tragedy that all involved wish could have been averted.”\n“Family and loved ones are left behind with questions and the officers involved are forced to deal with the realities of the stress these outcomes cause.”\nWith files from CP24's Codi Wilson, CTV News Toronto's Janice Golding and the Canadian Press", "Protesters in Mississauga, Ont. demand justice after SIU clears officer in killing of Jamal Francique", "A group of protesters in Mississauga, Ont. is demanding justice for Jamal Francique after a report by the province’s police watchdog found no reasonable grounds to criminally charge the officer who shot and killed the 28-year-old man last year." ]

[]

"2021-01-19T23:18:33"

"2021-01-19T17:45:00"

"2021-01-19T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the province's minister of long-term care is attempting to downplay the COVID-19 crisis in long-term care homes after Minister Merrilee Fullerton accused the official opposition of spreading \"misinformation.\"\nFullerton, Ontario’s minister of long-term care, told reporters Tuesday that the NDP was using “misinformation” to stoke fear and anxiety in staff and residents of long-term care homes in the province.\n“If we look at the actual numbers of outbreaks across Ontario, there is a much smaller number of homes that actually have resident cases and from there, a much smaller number of homes that actually have a serious outbreak. And that is where the energy is going to make sure we shore up these homes,” she said at a news conference on Tuesday.\n“I'm in constant contact with the medical officers of health and I'm in constant contact with the hospital leadership. We have regular calls. We know what is accurate on the ground.”\nAccording to the latest data released by the Ministry of Long-term Care, there are 254 active outbreaks of COVID-19 in Ontario long-term care homes, representing approximately 40 per cent of all long-term care facilities in the province. An estimated 145 active outbreaks involve staff cases only.\nSpeaking to reporters on Tuesday, Fullerton made reference to “misinformation” that the opposition has been floating about the situation in long-term care, but didn’t elaborate about what falsehoods she thinks are being circulated.\n“I'll just say how disgusting it is to see the opposition, the NDP, Andrea Horwath, using misinformation to create anxiety and fear amongst staff in long-term care homes and also for the residents and families,” she said.\n“They have enough worry. We are working and focused on solutions, and we must make sure that information is accurate. It is a responsibility of all of us here to do that.”\nShe said the province has been moving at “lightning speed” when it comes to vaccinating residents with doses administered to 83,000 people at 263 long-term care homes so far.\n“I'm very disgusted to see the misinformation that has been going out.”\nIn response to Fullerton's comments on Tuesday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath accused the minister of “downplaying the crisis.”\n“3,200 long-term care residents have died,” she tweeted. “What’s ‘disgusting’ is Minister Fullerton downplaying this crisis. I want the helping hands of Canadian Armed Forces members sent into hard-hit homes to ease the struggle without delay.”\nAs of Jan. 18, the most recent data available on the Ministry of Long-term Care’s website, there were 1,488 active COVID-19 infections among residents of long-term care homes in the province and 1,241 among staff. The number of active infections among residents hit a second-wave peak of 1,650 on Jan. 14.\nOf the homes that do currently have cases among residents, two facilities are reporting nearly 80 active resident infections.\nThe ministry says 79 residents at Toronto long-term care home Cedarvale Terrace are currently infected with the virus along with 78 residents of Extendicare’s facility in St. Catharine’s.\nAt Maple Manor Nursing Home, a 107-bed long-term care home in Tillsonburg, 46 out of the 107 residents at that facility are infected and at Niagara Long-Term Care Residence, a 124-bed facility in Niagara-on-the-Lake, there are 51 active resident cases.\nRoberta Place in Barrie, where the Red Cross has recently been deployed, is reporting at least 63 active resident infections, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit confirmed to CTV News on Monday.\nAccording to data released by the Ministry of Long-term Care, between Jan. 12 and Jan. 18, there were 150 virus-related deaths involving residents of long-term care and there have now been a total of 3,179 long-term care residents in the province who have died after becoming infected with the novel coronavirus.\nThe province has vowed to protect those in long-term care by rapidly distributing COVID-19 vaccines to all facilities in Ontario by the middle of next month.\nRet. Gen. Rick Hillier, the chair of Ontario’s vaccine task force, said Tuesday that despite vaccine shipment delays from Pfizer, the province is still on track to administer the first doses of the vaccine to all long-term care residents by Feb. 14.\nDuring a news conference this morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the situation in long-term care homes “unacceptable.”\n“I think of the tragic and unacceptable situation in long-term care facilities in Ontario and across the country. Our parents and grandparents deserve better. Our nurses deserve better. So to the residents, we are doing everything we can to get you your vaccine as quickly as possible,” he said.\nPremier Doug Ford confirmed last week that the prime minister has offered to send in the military to help operate some of the province’s hardest hit long-term care homes, but the Ford government has yet to announce any military deployments.\nIn response to Trudeau’s comments on Tuesday, Ford said the prime minister should “focus on getting these vaccines.”\n“It is easy to point fingers,” Ford said at a news conference at Queen’s Park. “I’ll focus on long-term care, prime minister you focus on getting these vaccines and everything is hunky dory here.”", "Ontario NDP Leader says minister 'downplaying crisis' in long-term care after Fullerton accuses party of spreading 'misinformation'", "Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the province's minister of long-term care is attempting to downplay the COVID-19 crisis in long-term care homes after Minister Merrilee Fullerton accused the official opposition of spreading \"misinformation.\"" ]

[]

"2021-01-28T13:51:01"

"2021-01-27T15:58:00"

"2021-01-27T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto Mayor John Tory says that the time has come to begin discussions about what the gradual reopening of the city might look like.\nTory made the comment to reporters during a briefing on Wednesday afternoon while also acknowledging that his perspective is that of an “elected representative” and not a public health expert.\n“I believe the time has come to start to talk about it only so that we can have a proper, thoughtful plan that is both respectful of the needs of people and businesses but also very respectful of the fact that when we do come to reopen, one assumes we will have made sufficient progress against the virus that we can’t afford to backslide from,” he said. “I think the time has come to begin those discussions in earnest in a real practical way and develop the kind of program we had in the spring where it didn’t happen all in one day.”\nToronto has been under some form of a lockdown since Nov. 23 when a wide swath of businesses, including retail stores, gyms, and movie theatres were first ordered to close.\nAt one point earlier this month, the city saw its seven-day rolling average of new cases surpass 1,000 amid a post-holiday surge but since then the numbers have begun to trend down with Toronto Public Health only reporting 502 new instances of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, its lowest number in weeks.\nSpeaking with reporters, Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said that a conversation around the eventual reopening of the city “would be warranted” at this point under the logic that the earlier the conversation starts the “the more cogent and thoughtful” the planning can be.\nBut de Villa warned that “now is not the time for action beyond really encouraging people as much as possible to continue on with self-protection measures.”\n“I want to stress that 502 confirmed cases (over the last 24 hours) is nothing to celebrate,” she said. “Not many weeks ago we would have undoubtedly considered 500 confirmed cases to be grim news. It still is.”\nDe Villa warns of spread of new variants\nDe Villa acknowledged that the city’s “case counts are better today than they have been” and that there are some other improving indicators when it comes to the transmission of COVID-19.\nHowever, she warned that things could quickly deteriorate if the more contagious B.1.1.7 variant already found in 14 Torontonians takes hold in the community.\n“This is exactly the kind of thing that I think we need to be very, very concerned about,” she said.\nIn the spring the Ford government announced a three-stage plan to reopen the economy.\nStage One allowed most retail stores outside of malls to reopen while Stage Two allowed hair salons and other personal services business to reopen, along with bar and restaurant patios.\nIndoor dining was not allowed to resume until Stage Three.", "It could be time to begin discussions around eventual reopening of city, Toronto mayor says", "Toronto Mayor John Tory says that the time has come to begin discussions about what the gradual reopening of the city might look like." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-25T19:01:14"

"2021-01-25T13:32:00"

"2021-01-25T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario has officially extended the province's state of emergency and all orders associated with it, including the stay-at-home order, for an additional 14 days.\nThe state of emergency, that was declared under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) on Jan. 12, will now expire on Feb. 9, the government said.\nThe government declared a state of emergency after a surge in COVID-19 cases in the new year threatened to overwhelm the province's healthcare system.\nThe announcement of the extension was expected after Premier Doug Ford said on Jan. 12 the state of emergency would be in effect for 28 days. The state of emergency must be legally extended by the government 14 days after it comes into effect.\nIf the order wasn't extended, it would have expired on Tuesday at 12:01 a.m.\nOntarians caught violating the stay-at-home order could face a fine and prosecution under the Reopening Ontario Act and the EMPCA.\nOutdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings further restricted to a limit of five people under the stay-at-home order.", "Ontario officially extends state of emergency and stay-at-home order by 14 days", "Ontario has officially extended the province's state of emergency and all orders associated with it, including the stay-at-home order, for an additional 14 days." ]

[]

"2021-01-19T13:06:08"

"2021-01-19T07:36:00"

"2021-01-19T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- An undercover police officer is expected to continue his testimony at the trial of a Toronto-area constable charged in a corruption and drugs investigation.\nThe undercover officer, who cannot be identified under a publication ban, described yesterday being assigned to look into Const. Richard Senior in the summer of 2018.\nHe told a virtual court he arranged to have surveillance equipment installed in a police cruiser and Senior's personal vehicle, and for the two of them to encounter another undercover officer who would pose as an informant.\nSenior, a veteran of the York Regional Police, has pleaded not guilty to 14 charges, including breach of trust and trafficking cocaine and steroids.\nProsecutors allege Senior planned to rob a fictitious drug warehouse after hearing about it from the fake informant, and offered to sell the drugs to two men he knew.\nThey also allege he sold steroids and cocaine to the undercover officer posing as his partner and another officer; stole money he was given to pay informants; and inappropriately accessed a police database.\nSenior was arrested and charged in October 2018.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2021.", "Undercover officer to continue testimony at Toronto-area police corruption trial", "An undercover police officer is expected to continue his testimony at the trial of a Toronto-area constable charged in a corruption and drugs investigation." ]

[]

"2021-01-12T20:18:16"

"2021-01-12T14:36:00"

"2021-01-12T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ontario government has unveiled new public health restrictions in the face of growing COVID-19 case numbers and deaths throughout the province.\nStarting Jan. 14, at 12:01 a.m., a host of new measures will take effect aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.\nThe announcement comes as the government introduces a second state of emergency in the province.\nAs well, in new modelling data released Tuesday, health officials now say that without “significant reductions in contacts,” Ontario’s health system will be overwhelmed and mortality related to COVID-19 will exceed the first wave totals, even with their vaccination efforts in place.\nCTV News Toronto has compiled a list of the new restrictions here:\nStay-at-home order\nResidents must remain at home at all times, with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work.\nBusinesses across the province must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.\nOutdoor gatherings limited\nThe size of outdoor social gatherings has been slashed from 10 people to five people, with limited exceptions.\nThe government says the limits, which resemble those imposed in the spring of 2020, will allow individuals and families to enjoy time outdoors safely.\nSchool closures extended in COVID-19 hot spots\nIn-person learning will not return until Feb. 11 for Toronto, York Region, Hamilton, Windsor-Essex and Peel Region.\nElementary and Secondary schools in the southern part of the province (south of Sudbury) were slated to remain closed until Jan. 25, which is two weeks later than the original reopening date.\nIn-person learning resumed in northern Ontario for elementary students on Jan. 11.\nNew guidance on mask use\nIt is now being recommended that individuals wear a face covering or mask when outdoors and cannot physically distance from others.\nIndividuals are still required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations.\nRetail hours slashed\nNon-essential stores must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m., including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery.\nThose restrictions do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores and restaurants for takeout and deliver.\nNon-essential construction limited\nThe government says non-essential construction, including below-grade projects, will be limited.\nNew Enforcement Measures\nThe government has also introduced new enforcement measures to ensure that the enhanced public health restrictions are observed across the province.\nPremier Doug Ford says that all enforcement and provincial offences officers, including the Ontario Provincial Police, local police forces, bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors, will have the authority to issue to tickets to individuals found in contravention with the stay-at-home order or mask covering guidelines.\nAdditionally, retail operators and companies who do not enforce the mask covering measures will also be at risk of such a fine.", "Full list of new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Ontario", "The Ontario government has unveiled new public health restrictions in the face of growing COVID-19 case numbers and deaths throughout the province." ]

[]

"2021-01-06T20:36:02"

"2021-01-06T14:55:00"

"2021-01-06T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A four-year-old dog has reunited with her owner after she forcefully stolen off a Whitby Street last week.\nThe incident, which Durham Regional Police called a street-level robbery, took place at around 11 p.m. on Dec. 30 in the area of Ash and Mary streets.\nAt the time, a female victim was walking her two dogs and was approached by two suspects, police said earlier this week.\nAccording to investigators, the suspects took one of the two dogs and then fled the area westbound in a waiting white SUV.\nA female bystander witnessed the incident, police said, and attempted to assist but was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance.\nBoth females sustained minor physical injuries in the incident, officers said.\nA photograph of the stolen dog, a brown and white mixed bulldog named Nina, was released by investigators on Monday in an effort to locate her.\nTwo days later, police announced Nina was found in good condition.\nOfficers were contacted by Brampton Animal Services at around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. They were told Nina was located by a citizen wandering outside a hotel parking lot on Nevets Road in Brampton.\nNina was examined by a veterinarian and deemed to be healthy before she was reunited with her owner.\nOne arrest has been made in the case so far. Pickering resident Ali Habeib, 28, has been charged with robbery, assault with a weapon and administer a noxious thing.\nPolice have described the second suspect as a Black man who is tall and has a heavy build. Officers said he has orange/blonde hair and goes by the name Deebo.\nAnyone with further information regarding this incident or Nina’s whereabouts is asked to contact police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1835 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).", "Dog forcefully stolen off Whitby street reunited with owner", "A four-year-old dog has reunited with her owner after she forcefully stolen off a Whitby Street last week." ]

[]

"2021-01-08T02:27:29"

"2021-01-07T20:57:00"

"2021-01-07T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- An Ontario doctor who went on vacation outside the country over the holidays has left his position as the chief executive officer and president of St. Joseph’s Health System.\nThe announcement of Dr. Thomas Stewart’s departure was made Thursday evening in a memo issued by the hospital system’s board of directors.\n“The Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Health System would like to thank Dr. Thomas Stewart for his service since assuming the role of CEO and president in August 2018,” the statement read.\nIt comes a day after Stewart was ousted as CEO of Niagara Health.\nOn Tuesday, it was revealed that Stewart just returned from a 19-day “approved vacation” to the Dominican Republic. His trip went against public health advice to avoid non-essential travel due to the risk of COVID-19.\nFollowing the news, he resigned from his advisory role on the province’s COVID-19 science table. He also served on the Health Coordination Table and the Long-Term Care Incident Management System Table.\n“I regret this non-essential travel, and I’m sorry,” Stewart said in a statement Tuesday evening. “I recognize everyone should be avoiding non-essential travel now, including me.”\nA few days before, Ajax MPP Rod Phillips resigned as the finance minister of Ontario following his getaway to St. Barts.\nSeveral other Canadian politicians had since been found to have taken holiday trips outside of the country.\nSt. Joseph’s Health System said an interim CEO and president will be announced soon.", "Ontario doctor out as CEO of St. Joseph's Health System after Caribbean vacation", "An Ontario doctor who went on vacation outside the country over the holidays has left his position as the chief executive officer and president of St. Joseph’s Health System." ]

[]

"2021-01-30T16:13:19"

"2021-01-30T11:01:00"

"2021-01-30T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario’s medical officers of health are calling on the Ford government to reopen all schools first before reopening other sectors of the province as transmission of COVID-19 appears to be decreasing.\nChair of The Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis issued a letter on Friday to Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Health Minister Christine Elliott.\nThe letter stresses that the “safe reopening of all schools in Ontario is essential” even before community restrictions are lifted.\n“Upon careful review and consideration of local indicators, we believe it is possible, and in fact, imperative, that schools begin to open before the reopening of other sectors, as the Stay-at-Home orders are lifted provincially,” Roumeliotis says.\nThe council says it echoes the recently updated advice issued by Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children which warned about the harms of prolonged school closures and that in-person learning should be the “last to close and the first to open.”\nRoumeliotis adds that research has proven that there is less impact from extending school closures by a few weeks than implementing additional public health measures.\n“We recommend that schools be opened first, while other non-essential businesses or sectors remain closed, especially if community transmission rates in certain areas remain high,” he says.\nThe council agreed on four key recommendations that the government should consider for the safe reopening of schools: maximize infection prevention and control measures, interventions to reduce risks for staff, utilize testing resources for the biggest gains and reduce community transmission.\nRoumeliotis says the continued implementation of infection control measures is “critically important” to limiting COVID-19 transmission.\n“Increasing some of the infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures such as the daily confirmation of screening of staff and students, wearing masks, and ensuring physical distancing will help to continue to keep schools safe,” Roumeliotis states.\nAlong with rigorous and comprehensive public health measures, he also noted that the capacity to do complete case and contact follow up in school settings is also “crucial.”\nThe council recommends that safety protocols for staff should also be enhanced by reducing close unprotected staff interactions, such as during breaks and in lunchrooms.\n“This includes ensuring that there are no in-person staff training, meetings or social gatherings,” Roumeliotis says.\nThe council also advises that itinerant teachers do not provide in-person instruction to multiple schools as they pose a higher risk for transmission.\nTo support active screening in schools, the council says all communities should have same day access to COVID-19 testing, especially with highly contagious variants of the novel coronavirus surfacing across the province.\nWhile the council supports rapid testing for symptomatic individuals in the community, asymptomatic testing of staff and students is not recommended as it “identifies few additional cases.”\nIn light of COVID-19 variants spreading across the province, Roumeliotis says the council does not believe “they present a reason to delay a return to the classroom.\nStudents in the province’s COVID-19 hot spots- Toronto, Peel Region, York Region, Windsor-Essex and Hamilton- will be learning from home until at least Feb. 10.\nOn Monday, schools in the public health units of Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, Middlesex-London and Southwestern are allowed to return to in-person learning.\nAll schools in northern Ontario were permitted to reopen on Jan. 11 due to lower rates of case growth.\nLast week, the province announced that schools in seven more public health units could reopen on Jan. 25, including Grey Bruce, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, Peterborough, as well as the Renfrew County and District Public Health Unit.", "Open all Ontario schools before other sectors, medical officers of health urge government", "Ontario's medical officers of health are calling on the government to reopen all schools before reopening other sectors as COVID-19 transmission appears to be decreasing." ]

[]

"2021-01-23T17:55:44"

"2021-01-23T10:57:00"

"2021-01-23T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ontario government is expanding its \"inspection blitz\" of big-box stores to ensure they're following COVID-19 guidelines this weekend.\nThe workplace inspections, which started in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas last weekend, will now stretch out to Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham regions.\nOfficials want to ensure workers and customers at the essential businesses are properly protected from COVID-19 during the provincewide shutdown.\nThe blitz was developed in consultation with local health units and also includes a variety of other workplaces, including retail establishments and restaurants providing take-out meals.\nThe province's labour ministry says more than 300 offences officers, as well as local public health inspectors and municipal bylaw officers, will conduct the inspections.\nCorporations can now be fined $1,000, and individuals can be fined $750 or charged for failing to comply with the orders.\nLabour Minister Monte McNaughton says the province is confident that the majority of workplaces in Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham are following orders.\n\"However, if we find that businesses are putting the safety of workers and customers at risk, our government will not hesitate to take immediate action,\" McNaughton added in a statement Saturday.\n\"The only way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and end the provincewide shutdown is for everyone -- owners, customers and staff alike -- to follow the proper guidelines.\"\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 23, 2021.", "Ontario government expands COVID-19 inspection blitz of big-box stores to more cities", "The Ontario government is expanding its \"inspection blitz\" of big-box stores to ensure they're following COVID-19 guidelines this weekend." ]

[]

"2021-01-14T19:02:20"

"2021-01-14T12:13:00"

"2021-01-14T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Sitting in her living room in Richmond Hill, Ont., a deep-rooted sense of dread washed over Kristin Whitehead as she watched politicians one-by-one, on her television, explain the devastating impacts COVID-19 will have on the already-weakening health-care system.\nThe Stage 3 cancer patient has been waiting for surgery since October to have her growing tumour removed, but as hospital beds fill up with people hit hardest by the deadly novel coronavirus, she worries her potentially life-saving procedure will be postponed.\n“Hearing that hospitals are already starting to fill up and they have to triage patients to take care of people, it’s frightening,” Whitehead told CTV News Toronto. “I have stage three colorectal cancer and if I don't get the tumor removed, it will spread to the rest of my body. I'm dying.\n“It’s complex, and it's frustrating, and it hurts, and I'm scared.”\nWhitehead is one of hundreds of Ontario residents who may have an important life-saving or life-altering procedure impacted by COVID-19. One Ontario cancer surgeon says doctors in the province are already triaging patients.\nDr. Shady Ashamalla told CTV News Toronto that doctors are currently struggling to make tough decisions on who can and cannot safely wait for surgery based on varying degrees of urgency.\n“There is not good evidence, there are not strong studies that can support the decision making on who can wait for surgery, and who cannot,” Ashamalla said.\n“So these things often will boil down to expert opinion or best guesses, which is not generally how we practice medicine and so physicians are being asked to really practice outside of their known expertise and do their best.”\nThe surgeon warns that with the current trajectory of COVID-19 cases, even the most urgent surgeries will be impacted.\n“That functioning health-care system will certainly not be able to sustain these volumes of COVID patients,” he said. “It's not just the COVID patients that need the health-care system, the health-care system is for everyone … and right now that system is buckling under the pressure.”\nHospitalizations due to COVID-19 have increased by 72.1 per cent over the last four weeks, officials said on Tuesday during the presentation of the province’s latest modelling data, while the number of patients in intensive care has increased by 61.2 per cent.\nJust over 1,600 people are currently in hospital due to the disease, according to the province. Of those patients, more than 400 are in intensive care, and 280 are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator.\nThe government has previously said that once the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.\n\"I want to be clear, the impact on our health system is already greater today than we've ever seen in Ontario's history,” Epidemiologist Dr. Adalsteinn Brown said on Tuesday.\nHe added that as the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care grows, doctors would have to make choices “no family ever wants to hear.” Experts say these decisions may have life and death consequences.\nAshamalla says physicians have been sounding the alarm for months that the health-care system would get to this point.\n“It's been a very frustrating process, watching it happen, it's like a slow motion car accident,” he said. “On the current trajectory, if things do not change drastically, all Ontarians are at risk of not having a functioning health care system.\n“There is a breaking point. It is a limited resource.”\nAshamalla urged residents in the province to follow public health advice stringently. In addition, he said the government must help empower people to stay home and follow the COVID-19 guidelines by offering sufficient paid sick leave and spaces to quarantine.\nKristin Whitehead has been quarantining in her home since her cancer diagnoses in October. She said she is urging Ontario residents to take the deadly pandemic seriously to save lives.\n“Why are you willing to put yourself and your loved ones at risk to attracting a fatal disease when you do not have to? I already have one,” she said. “Please don't make it worse for me by making sure I can't get the surgery I need to save my life.”", "'It hurts and I’m scared': Ontario hospitals struggle amid COVID-19 surge as patients wait for life-saving surgeries", "Ontario residents are anxiously waiting for life-saving and life-altering surgeries as the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelms hospitals forcing doctors to make tough decisions." ]

[]

"2021-01-15T18:15:19"

"2021-01-15T08:14:00"

"2021-01-15T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Shawn Stack of Bromwich + Smith shares the results of their Good Riddance 2020 Poll and touches on how we can improve our finances in 2021.\nMore from Bromwich + Smith here.", "Tips to improve your finances in 2021", "Shawn Stack of Bromwich + Smith shares the results of their Good Riddance 2020 Poll and touches on how we can improve our finances in 2021." ]

[]

"2021-01-07T00:06:54"

"2021-01-06T18:01:00"

"2021-01-06T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario is consulting experts on whether some students should return to schools next week, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday, as teachers called on local public health units to reconsider the resumption of in-person learning.\nAll students are currently learning online as part of a provincial lockdown, but those in northern Ontario and elementary students in southern Ontario are set to return to schools next week.\nTeachers' and parents' groups have expressed concern about the planned resumption of in-person learning as the province continues to record thousands of COVID-19 cases every day.\nWhen asked about the matter, Ford told reporters the government would make a decision soon after consulting its experts.\n\"We're going to talk to the health table and the chief medical officer and get their advice,\" the premier said. \"We'll be announcing that in the next day or so.\"\nHigh school students in southern Ontario are set to continue online learning until Jan. 25.\nThe government kept child-care centres, even those run out of schools across the province, open during the lockdown that began Boxing Day.\nEarlier Wednesday, the province's largest teachers' union called on all local public health units to reconsider re-opening elementary schools next week.\nThe Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario - which represents 83,000 educators - said health units should use their authority to intervene, especially where transmission rates are high.\nUnion president Sam Hammond said teachers know that in-person learning is the most effective environment for students but the province is at the height of the pandemic.\n\"It makes no sense for the government to send students, teachers and education workers back to school while the province is locked for another two to three weeks,\" Hammond said in a statement.\nThe current lockdown will remain in place for southern Ontario until at least Jan. 23, but will lift for northern Ontario on Jan. 9.\nLast month, public health officials in the Windsor-Essex ordered all schools to close due to the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in that area. Students there transitioned to online learning ahead of the holiday break.\nToronto's medical officer of health Dr. Eileen De Villa said Wednesday that she has concerns about the spread of COVID-19 as well as the impact on children of not attending school.\nWhile high rates of the virus in the city increase the risk to schools, keeping children home will mean they will not have access to many important supports, she said.\n\"We're continuing to have active discussions (with the province) and are very hopeful that the best decisions will emerge very shortly,\" she said.\nThe province has seen high daily case counts since the lockdown began, and reported another 3,266 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, along with 37 new deaths.\nIn total, 1,463 people are hospitalized in Ontario due to COVID-19, including 361 in intensive care, and 132 people are on ventilators.\nThe government has been urging residents to adhere to public health restrictions and guidelines, including avoiding non-essential travel.\nOn Wednesday, Ford again defended his actions regarding his former finance minister who resigned last week after travelling to St. Barts in December. Rod Phillips quit his post after returning from the trip.\nFord said his instructions were clear to members of his government.\n\"I made it clear to everyone not to travel,\" he said when asked if he was aware of any other instances of his caucus members or staff travelling out of the country over the holidays.\nHis office later said the premier is not aware of \"any caucus members or staff who travelled outside of the country apart from the former minister of finance.\"\nFord also declined to comment on whether a now former member of his government's pandemic advisory group should lose his job as a hospital CEO after travelling to the Dominican Republic over the holidays.\nDr. Tom Stewart, the chief executive officer of the Niagara Health System and the St. Joseph's Health System, resigned from the group Tuesday night.\nFord said Wednesday that it will be up to the hospital's directors to determine if Stewart should keep his job.\nWith files from John Chidley-Hill.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2021.", "Ontario premier says medical experts being consulted about whether students should return to class", "Ontario is consulting experts on whether some students should return to schools next week, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday, as teachers called on local public health units to reconsider the resumption of in-person learning." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-12T18:49:04"

"2021-01-12T07:40:00"

"2021-01-12T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ontario government has issued a stay-at-home order for the province beginning on Jan. 14 and has declared a second state of emergency for the province.\nFord announced on Tuesday at Queen's Park that the new order will require everyone to remain at home, with the exception for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store, pharmacy, accessing health-care services, for exercise or for essential work.\nUnder the declaration of a provincial emergency, the government is providing all enforcement and provincial offence officers, including the Ontario Provincial Police, local police forces, bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors to issue tickets to those who do not comply with the stay-at-home order.\n\"Those who decide not to abide by orders will be subject to set fines and/or prosecution under both the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, (ROA) and EMCPA,\" the government said in a release on Tuesday.\nSchools in Toronto, York Region, Hamilton, Peel Region and Windsor-Essex will not return to in-person learning until Feb. 10.\nOther new measures include:\nOutdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions\nAll non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.\nNon-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.\nThis is a developing story. More information to come.", "Ontario issues stay-at-home order, immediately declares second state of emergency", "The Ontario government has issued a stay-at-home order for the province beginning on Jan. 14 and has declared a second state of emergency for the province." ]

[]

"2021-01-20T12:56:59"

"2021-01-20T07:36:00"

"2021-01-20T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Students and parents in Durham and Halton Region, along with much of southern Ontario will learn today when schools will be able to return to in-person learning.\nChief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams will announce the return date on Wednesday, two and a half weeks into southern Ontario’s latest foray into the world of virtual instruction for elementary and secondary students.\nKids in five other public health regions – Toronto, Peel, York, Windsor-Essex and Hamilton – will be learning from home until at least Feb. 10.\nStudents in northern Ontario went back to class in-person on Jan. 11.\nThe online learning regime has forced parents to make sometimes uncomfortable and maddening adjustments, balancing work inside or outside the home with the needs of their kids, along with making sure everyone has space and sufficient internet bandwidth to access class.\nThroughout the fall term, the subject of transmission of COVID-19 in schools challenged officials, with medical experts and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce saying spread in schools was caused by prevalence of infection in the wider community.\nDuring the term, more than 7,000 students and staff tested positive for the virus and at least one education worker died.\nIn December, health units in Windsor and Toronto began voluntarily testing entire schools full of asymptomatic pupils for the virus and found dozens of positive cases, prompting a rethink about existing safeguards.\nWhen students return this term, more of them will be wearing masks in class.\nOntario will mandate that students in grades 1-3 will wear masks at all times, previously masking began in grade 4.\nIn Toronto, all students from Kindergarten up wore masks indoors at all times.\nSince the summer, the Ford government allocated about $840 million to reduce class sizes, increase ventilation, hire more custodians and set up a network of 600 public health nurses to assist schools.\nThey also accepted $381 million in help from the federal government and allowed school boards to dip into $500 million in existing reserve funds to help schools prepare for the impact of the virus.", "Students, parents in parts of Ontario to learn when in-person learning will return", "Students and parents in Durham and Halton Region, along with much of southern Ontario will learn today when schools will be able to return to in-person learning." ]

[]

"2021-01-26T04:26:43"

"2021-01-25T17:11:00"

"2021-01-25T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario health officials say there is evidence to suggest that the U.K. variant of COVID-19 may cause more severe illness in some people.\nDr. Vanessa Allen, chief of microbiology and laboratory science at Public Health Ontario, made the remark at a news conference on Monday after reporting that the province has already seen 34 cases of the U.K. variant so far.\nUpdated information from York and Toronto health officials later in the day added nine more cases to the total. Of the 43 cases, 15 are in York Region, 10 are in Toronto, seven are in Simcoe, three each are in Peel Region, Durham Region and Ottawa. Kingston and Midddlesex-London have also had single cases.\n“There is some initial data that suggests that it's both more transmissible … and now there is more recent evidence to suggest that it might cause more severe disease in some individuals,” she told reporters.\nOfficials said there are three primary variants of concern, including the U.K. variant, the South African variant and the variant from Brazil. The latter two have not been detected in Ontario to date, officials said on Monday.\nOntario reported 1,958 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday as the province marked the anniversary of detecting its first infection. The fewer than 2,000 cases is a decrease from Sunday’s report when 2,417 were logged.\nDespite the decrease in new cases, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said people should remain vigilant as experts learn more about the new COVID-19 variants and their presence in the province.\n“With the aggressive nature of the U.K. variant in particular, and it's now in our presence among our different health units, the reasons for being cautious, the reasons for being careful about masking and distancing has to be enhanced even further because it can be spread with breaches to those protocols in a very short period of time,” Williams said on Monday during the news conference.\n“We are going to have to be on guard. But the same measures that protect you from the other strain of COVID-19 will protect you from this one but you have to do it consistently.”\nOfficials said the province is trying to do everything they can to contain \"every single case” of the variant found and increase their capacity to find them.\n“We were aware that the U.K. variant been around for a while. We probably assumed it was coming into our province back in December,” Williams said.\n“You watch the U.K. and the Ireland rendition it just took off exponentially. We haven’t seen that yet. That gives me some reassurance that our measures are holding it.”\n“But we have to be vigilant, we have to be careful, and keep our measures up and we have to keep doing the testing and looking forward and identifying and see if we can keep weathering this one out.”", "Ontario confirms U.K. COVID-19 variant could result in more severe illness as 43 cases reported", "Ontario health officials say there is evidence to suggest that the U.K. variant of COVID-19 may cause more severe illness in some people." ]

[]

"2021-01-18T20:07:54"

"2021-01-18T11:38:00"

"2021-01-18T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The City of Toronto says it’s received almost 2,000 complaints about people not following mandatory mask protocols inside common areas of condo buildings.\nThe city implemented a bylaw in August that requires everyone to wear masks while inside lobbies, elevators, laundry rooms and other shared spaces of condo and apartment buildings in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.\nAndrea Gonsalves, a spokesperson for the city, said that since the bylaw came into affect, the city has received 1,950 complaints to 311 about violations.\nShe said that despite the large number of complaints, the city’s hands are tied from really cracking down on the issue.\n“Under the provincial regulation, there is no provision to charge an individual for not wearing a mask in a condo or apartment building,” Gonsalves said on Monday.\n“Provincial regulations would have to write in wording that would allow local municipalities, who do their own bylaw enforcement as we do in Toronto, to indicate what is enforceable and what isn’t.”\nGonsalves said that currently the city is only able to charge residential building owners who are not following the city’s guidelines for signage, education and masking policy.\n“When the city receives a complaint, the RentSafeTO team provides an advisement to the building owner as to the requirement of law including masking policy, proper signage, education,” Gonsalves said.\n“In all cases they’ve complied. We have not had to charge a building manager for not posting the signage. That’s what’s enforceable.”\nCTV News Toronto reached out to the Ontario government about the issue on Monday morning, but has not yet received a response.", "Toronto gets almost 2,000 complaints about people not wearing masks inside condo, apartment buildings", "The City of Toronto says it’s received almost 2,000 complaints about people not following mandatory mask protocols inside common areas of condo and apartment buildings." ]

[]

"2021-01-27T20:36:42"

"2021-01-27T12:22:00"

"2021-01-27T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- George Springer said he's excited to be a part of a young, talented team like the Toronto Blue Jays, a club he believes has plenty of potential.\nThe three-time all-star outfielder was introduced by the team Wednesday after signing a US$150-million, six-year contract last week.\n\"At the end of the day I wanted to go to where I believed I was going to be happy,\" Springer said. \"And I believe I am.\"\nSpringer, one of the top players in this year's free-agent class, put on a white Blue Jays uniform at the start of a 40-minute video call with reporters, adding with a smile that it was \"a good fit.\"\nSpringer, 31, made his big-league debut with the Houston Astros in 2014 and spent seven seasons with the team. He was the World Series MVP in 2017 and won the AL Silver Slugger Award in 2018 and '19.\nThe Blue Jays, meanwhile, are looking to build off a 32-28 campaign that saw them return to the post-season for the first time since 2016.\nSpringer said being part of a team that has a strong young core with players like Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and others was an appealing draw.\n\"The way that the front office has really gotten behind their guys, the message is that they really believe in this team,\" Springer said. \"That's obviously really important to me.\"\nIt has been a busy month for Canada's lone big-league club. The Blue Jays also recently signed right-handers Tyler Chatwood and Kirby Yates, the 2019 MLB saves leader, to one-year deals.\nA reported $18-million, one-year deal with infielder Marcus Semien is expected to become official later this week upon completion of a physical.\nSpringer's arrival provides an anchor in the heart of Toronto's batting order and a steady presence in centre field.\nThe 31-year-old was a powerhouse in the Astros' 2017 World Series win over the L.A. Dodgers, a title now tainted by the Astros' sign-stealing scandal.\nSpringer has 174 home runs and 458 RBIs over his career along with a .270/.361/.491 slash line.\nIt remains uncertain where the Blue Jays will play this year and when spectators might be allowed to return to Rogers Centre. Border restrictions forced the team to play home games in Buffalo last year.\nSpringer had career bests of a .292 average with 39 homers and 96 RBIs in 2019. In 51 games last season, he hit .265 with 14 homers and drove in 32 runs.\nSemien hit .223 with seven homers and 23 RBIs in 53 games last season. He finished third in AL MVP voting in 2019, when he hit 33 homers with 92 RBIs with an .892 OPS.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2021.", "Toronto Blue Jays introduce George Springer after signing him to six-year deal", "George Springer said he's excited to be a part of a young, talented team like the Toronto Blue Jays, a club he believes has plenty of potential." ]

[]

"2021-01-06T13:42:19"

"2021-01-06T07:21:00"

"2021-01-06T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A Toronto police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries after two police cruisers collided in Scarborough on Wednesday morning.\nShortly after 5 a.m., a police cruiser was rear-ended by another cruiser on Birchmount Road and Hollis Avenue, between Kingston Road and Danforth Avenue.\nPolice said officers in both vehicles were responding to a report of a break and enter on Progress Avenue about 11 kilometres away.\nOne of the cruisers suffered significant damage to its rear, with the hood of its trunk buckled and bent upwards.\nParamedics said the injured officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment.", "Toronto cop in hospital after 2 cruisers collide in Scarborough", "A Toronto police officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries after two police cruisers collided in Scarborough on Wednesday morning." ]

[]

"2021-01-28T00:52:29"

"2021-01-27T15:58:00"

"2021-01-27T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto Mayor John Tory says that the time has come to begin discussions about what the gradual reopening of the city might look like.\nTory made the comment to reporters during a briefing on Wednesday afternoon while also acknowledging that his perspective is that of an “elected representative” and not a public health expert.\n“I believe the time has come to start to talk about it only so that we can have a proper, thoughtful plan that is both respectful of the needs of people and businesses but also very respectful of the fact that when we do come to reopen, one assumes we will have made sufficient progress against the virus that we can’t afford to backslide from,” he said. “I think the time has come to begin those discussions in earnest in a real practical way and develop the kind of program we had in the spring where it didn’t happen all in one day.”\nToronto has been under some form of a lockdown since Nov. 23 when a wide swath of businesses, including retail stores, gyms, and movie theatres were first ordered to close.\nAt one point earlier this month, the city saw its seven-day rolling average of new cases surpass 1,000 amid a post-holiday surge but since then the numbers have begun to trend down with Toronto Public Health only reporting 502 new instances of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, its lowest number in weeks.\nSpeaking with reporters, Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said that a conversation around the eventual reopening of the city “would be warranted” at this point under the logic that the earlier the conversation starts the “the more cogent and thoughtful” the planning can be.\nBut de Villa warned that “now is not the time for action beyond really encouraging people as much as possible to continue on with self-protection measures.”\n“I want to stress that 502 confirmed cases (over the last 24 hours) is nothing to celebrate,” she said. “Not many weeks ago we would have undoubtedly considered 500 confirmed cases to be grim news. It still is.”\nDe Villa warns of spread of new variants\nDe Villa acknowledged that the city’s “case counts are better today than they have been” and that there are some other improving indicators when it comes to the transmission of COVID-19.\nHowever, she warned that things could quickly deteriorate if the more contagious B.1.1.7 variant already found in 14 Torontonians takes hold in the community.\n“This is exactly the kind of thing that I think we need to be very, very concerned about,” she said.\nIn the spring the Ford government announced a three-stage plan to reopen the economy.\nStage One allowed most retail stores outside of malls to reopen while Stage Two allowed hair salons and other personal services business to reopen, along with bar and restaurant patios.\nIndoor dining was not allowed to resume until Stage Three.", "Toronto mayor says it could be time to begin discussions around eventual reopening of city", "Toronto Mayor John Tory says that the time has come to begin discussions about what the gradual reopening of the city might look like." ]

[]

"2021-01-23T00:58:12"

"2021-01-22T17:51:00"

"2021-01-22T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A 64-year-old Metrolinx employee has died due to complications related to COVID-19, a spokesperson for the provincial transit agency confirmed.\nIn a statement released Friday evening, Anne Marie Aikins said the staff member passed away this morning after a stay in hospital.\n“Its heartbreaking news for our staff to hear as they have been coming to work every day throughout the pandemic ensuring customers who must travel for essential reasons can get there safely,” Aikins said.\n“We have extended our deepest condolences to his wife and family and offered his colleagues our full support through this sad and challenging time.”\nThe GO Station employee had worked for Metrolinx for 11 years.\nAccording to Metrolinx, 61 of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. There have been no workplace outbreaks associated with the disease declared.", "Metrolinx employee dies due to complications related to COVID-19", "A 64-year-old Metrolinx employee has died due to complications related to COVID-19, a spokesperson for the provincial transit agency confirmed." ]

[]

"2021-01-23T17:55:54"

"2021-01-23T12:04:00"

"2021-01-23T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A woman who was found dead in an apartment building near York University in Toronto on Thursday has been identified by police.\nOfficers responded to a medical emergency call near Murray Ross Parkway and Sentinel Road at approximately 9:41 p.m. When they arrived, police said they located a woman suffering from serious injuries.\nShe later succumbed to those injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said.\nIn a news release issued Saturday, police identified the woman as 32-year-old Leah St Jean of Toronto.\nAs well, police say that a 26-year-old Toronto man has been charged in connection with the ongoing homicide investigation.\nSoreeysa Abdi is now facing a second-degree murder charge and is set to appear in a Toronto courtroom on Saturday.\nIt is unknown if the woman was a student at York University.\nAnyone with information relating to the investigation is asked to contact Toronto police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.\nWith files from CP24’s Kerrisa Wilson", "Toronto police identify woman found dead near York University, suspect charged", "A woman who was found dead in an apartment building near York University in Toronto on Thursday has been identified by police." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-12T15:52:41"

"2021-01-12T10:08:00"

"2021-01-12T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A dirty and rundown home located in Toronto has hit the market for nearly $1 million.\nAccording to the listing for the home, which located at 68 Scarborough Heights Boulevard, the property comes in \"as is condition\" but has a large lot with \"opportunity to renovate and build your forever home.\"\nThe selling price for the property, which is located \"in the demand neighbourhood of Cliffcrest,\" is $999,000.\nThe home has three bedrooms, one bathroom and has an detached garage.\nThe listing photos for the property are sure to turn some people away. They show dirty rooms that are still filled with garbage and other personal belongings.\nSome of the bedrooms still have old beds in them, along with what appears to be old blankets.\nProperty taxes for the new owner will cost approximately $4,389.\nLast year, a tiny Toronto home on the other side of the city took people by surprise after hitting the market for $1 million.\nThe two-bedroom, one bathroom home located on Euclid Street in Little Italy went up for sale in July and received lots of attention for its high asking price.\nIt eventually sold for $800,000 over asking.\nThe house on Euclid Street, like the one now selling on Scarborough Heights Boulevard, are targeted at buyers who want to build their own home from scratch.\nThe Toronto Real Estate Board said last week the average price of a home sold last year hit a new record.\nThe board said the average selling price in Greater Toronto was $929,699 in 2020, up 13.5 per cent from $819,279 compared with 2019.\nThe number of homes sold in 2020 in the Greater Toronto Area totalled 95,151, up from 87,751 in 2019, and the third-best year on record, according to the board.\nThe board says after a steep drop in the spring due to the pandemic, the market took off in the second half of the year.\nThe results for the full year came as the Toronto board reported home sales in December soared to 7,180 compared with 4,364 in the final month of 2019.\nThe average price of a home sold in December was $932,222, up from $838,662.\nWith files from The Canadian Press.", "Dirty Toronto house hits the market in Toronto for a whopping $1 million", "A dirty and rundown home located in Toronto has hit the market for nearly $1 million." ]

[]

"2021-01-27T15:31:04"

"2021-01-27T10:20:00"

"2021-01-27T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- As the temperature in Toronto is expected to plummet overnight, the city is opening its four warming centres.\nBeginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, indoor space will be offered to those who are vulnerable and may be experiencing homelessness at the following locations:\n129 Peter Street\n5800 Yonge Street\nExhibition Place, Better Living Centre at 195 Princes’ Boulevard\nScarborough Civic Centre at 150 Borough Drive\nSnacks, washroom facilities and referrals to emergency shelter will be available at these sites, the city said in a news release issued on Wednesday morning.\nWarming centres in Toronto are generally activated when the City issues an extreme cold weather alert based on a forecast of -15 C or colder by Environment Canada.\nTonight at 7 p.m., the #CityofTO will open its 4 Warming Centres to give those who are vulnerable and may be experiencing homelessness a safe indoor and warm place to rest & access snacks, washroom facilities & referrals to emergency shelter. News release: https://t.co/rHO8CLgHLH pic.twitter.com/9KPpAsbW6j — City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) January 27, 2021\nAn alert has not been issued as of Wednesday morning, but Environment Canada is forecasting a low of -17 C overnight in Toronto with the wind chill.\n“While the temperature may not reach this threshold, the city is activating the warming centres tonight in an abundance of caution due to colder nighttime temperatures, forecasted wind chill and snow accumulation,” the city said.\nCOVID-19 protocols will be in place at the warming centres, the City added, including mandatory use of masks, physical distancing and screening measures.\nAs well, the City said its Streets to Homes outreach staff will dispatch additional 24/7 teams to connect with people living outside and encourage them to come indoors.\nResidents are encouraged to contact 311 if they see a person experiencing homelessness in need of assistance.\nA high of -7 C is expected for Toronto during the day on Thursday before dropping to -15 C overnight.", "Toronto opens warming centres as temperature expected to drop overnight", "As the temperature in Toronto is expected to plummet overnight, the city is opening its four warming centres." ]

[]

"2021-01-13T17:21:07"

"2021-01-13T08:52:00"

"2021-01-13T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a pedestrian who was critically injured in a collision in Rexdale Tuesday night.\nShortly after 7 p.m., officers responded to a call for a collision in the area of Finch and Kipling avenues.\nA man was reportedly standing on the south curb when a 61-year-old man was driving east on Finch Avenue.\nThe pedestrian then walked onto the roadway and was struck, police said.\nHe was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and has not yet been identified.\n“Despite the best efforts of investigators, the pedestrian has not yet been identified and officers are appealing to the public to help identify him,” police said in a news release.\nThe pedestrian is described as in his late 30s to early 40s, with a brown complexion and medium build. He was wearing a gold and brown winter jacket, a blue hoodie and black jeans.\nPolice would like to speak to anyone with dash camera or security video of the area.\nAnyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).", "Police looking to identify pedestrian critically injured in Rexdale crash", "Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a pedestrian who was critically injured in a collision in Rexdale Tuesday night." ]

[]

"2021-01-27T20:36:52"

"2021-01-27T10:52:00"

"2021-01-27T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A shrunken-down version of Mayor John Tory’s SmartTrack proposal will be debated by the city’s executive committee today.\nThe initial proposal for SmartTrack, which Tory campaigned on during the 2014 mayoral race, called for 22 new rapid transit stops to be built along existing GO Transit rail lines with the project slated for completion in 2021.\nBut by 2017 the project had been pared down to six new stops and wrapped into a wider provincial expansion of the GO Transit rail network.\nIn an updated report that will go before Tory’s executive committee today, staff are now recommending eliminating two of those new stops – Gerrard Street East and Carlaw Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East and Kennedy Road - because they are located near new subway lines that have been proposed by the Ford government.\nAt the same time, staff are recommending that a proposed new GO Station near Lansdowne Avenue and Bloor Street on the Barrie GO corridor be included in the overall SmartTrack program with the city footing the bill for its construction, rather than the province.\nThat would bring the total number of SmartTrack stations to five.\nStaff say that the project will cost the city $1.463 billion and should be completed by 2026.\n“Any one single transit station that we are adding that gives people a point of access to be able to easily get on a train that can take them to other parts of the city is a plus,” Tory told reporters on Wednesday when asked about the diminished scope of the project. “This report contemplates five stations and in fact the five versus 22 is not an apples to apples comparison. We are getting many new transit stations of different kinds, including for example two that are at Spadina and Front and out in Mimico for GO Train service that will be new transit stations inside the city that aren’t SmartTrack stations per se. This is a big deal having these five stations and others that go along with them.”\nUnder the plan being considered by executive committee today, the city will pay for the construction of the five SmartTrack stations while the province will assume all “all operations, maintenance and lifecycle costs.”\nThe province will also own the stations and retain all revenue.\nThe plan says that “fare setting for the program will be considered in the broader context of regional fare integration” and does not say whether riders will be able to access the new stations for the cost of a TTC fare, something that Tory campaigned on 2014.\nMeanwhile, whereas a 2018 staff report made reference to enhanced train frequency of every six to 10 minutes during peak hours, the updated version only says that “service levels will be the same as the planned GO Expansion-level service for the corridors in which the Stations reside, with a minimum service level of two-way, 15-minute frequency.”\nTory, however, pointed out that “the agreement between the city and the province also includes an expectation for service on a basis more frequent than regular GO Transit service when higher demand levels are reached.”\n“SmartTrack is moving forward and the result will be more transit to move more people sooner in the City of Toronto,” he said.", "Tory's SmartTrack proposal loses another 2 stations ahead of debate on line's future", "A shrunken-down version of Mayor John Tory's SmartTrack proposal will be debated by the city’s executive committee today." ]

[]

"2021-01-17T04:04:11"

"2021-01-16T22:37:00"

"2021-01-16T00:00:00"

[ "TAMPA, FLA. -- Chris Boucher, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet converted eight straight free throws in the final two minutes Saturday night, helping Toronto beat the Charlotte Hornets, 116-113 for the Raptors first two-game win streak of the season.\nNorman Powell led the Raptors with 24 points, and Boucher added 20 points and nine rebounds.\nGordon Heyward scored 25 points and Terry Rozier added 24 for the Hornets, losers of three straight. P.J. Washington finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.\nThe Hornets had a chance to tie or take the lead but were called for a 24-second violation with 14.8 seconds left.\nVanVleet's two free throws with 13.3 seconds left put the Raptors up 114-110, and after Devonte Graham's 3-pointer brought Charlotte within a point, Boucher answered with two free throws.\nRozier missed a long 3-point try just before the final horn.\nAfter missing eight of their first nine shots and falling behind 14-2, the Raptors got the 3s to drop, as seven players hit 13 from long distance in the first half.\nThey led by 12 points before the Hornets finished the half on a 14-4 spurt, trimming Toronto's lead to 66-64 on Rozier's 34-foot buzzer-beating shot.\nHeyward scored 21 points in the first half on only eight shots.\nDevonte Graham and Bismack Biyombo scored the first nine points of the second half for Charlotte. Then Boucher, Toronto's hottest player, was called for his fourth personal foul with 7:40 left in the third quarter.\nThe 6-foot-9, 200-pound Boucher sat out the rest of the period, but provided the Raptors with a big defensive and rebounding boost in the fourth quarter.\nTIP-INS\nHornets: After missing Thursday night's game with a strained left hip, Heyward played 38 minutes.\nRaptors : C Alex Len missed a second straight game due to personal reasons. ... Aron Baynes, Toronto's other centre, started and played only four minutes.\nUP NEXT\nHornets: Will play nine of there next 12 at home, starting Wednesday night against Washington.", "Raptors use late free throws for 116-113 win over Hornets", "Chris Boucher, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet converted eight straight free throws in the final two minutes Saturday night, helping Toronto beat the Charlotte Hornets, 116-113 for the Raptors first two-game win streak of the season." ]

[]

"2021-01-29T17:54:15"

"2021-01-29T11:59:00"

"2021-01-29T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Provincial officers have inspected more than 1,000 big-box stores and essential retail businesses in Ontario so far this year, and have issued just over 110 tickets in connection with COVID-19 violations.\nIn a news release issued Friday, the government said that 1,147 inspections were conducted since Jan. 1 and that 400 additional inspections have been scheduled in Toronto, Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo for the weekend.\nIn total, officials say that 112 tickets have been issued to businesses and individuals for not complying with COVID-19 public health measures.\nThe government said the most common reasons for a ticket were failure to properly screen staff and customers, improper social distancing and a lack of adequate COVID-19 workplace safety plans.\n\"We've marshalled hundreds of officers to inspect over 1,000 businesses in a few short weeks, and we'll keep it up as long as there are bad actors out there,\" Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, said in a statement.\n“This late in the pandemic, there is absolutely no excuse for owners, staff and customers alike not to be following health and safety rules.\"\nThe province did not reveal the names of the businesses ticketed as a result of a COVID-19 inspection.\nOfficials said that another inspection blitz is expected this weekend followed by a campaign in Halton Region and Huron Perth next week.\nA blitz last weekend in Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham regions resulted in 98 tickets being issued, officials said. Forty-one per cent of businesses inspected that weekend had at least one issue of non-compliance.\nIndividuals found violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act can be fined up to $100,000 and imprisoned for as long as a year, while corporations can be fined up to $10 million per charge.\nAny individual in Ontario found not to be complying with provincial COVID-19 orders can also be fined $750.", "More than 110 tickets issued to Ontario businesses in connection with COVID-19 violations", "Provincial officers have inspected more than 1,000 big-box stores and essential retail businesses in Ontario so far this year, and have issued just over 110 tickets in connection with COVID-19 violations." ]

[]

"2021-01-24T23:06:39"

"2021-01-24T16:27:00"

"2021-01-24T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A 43-year-old Markham woman who was a prominent member of the Caribbean community in Toronto was found dead in Jamaica Thursday, and police are now investigating her death as a homicide.\nConst. Delon Farr of Runaway Bay police confirmed to CP24 Sunday that the body of a woman was discovered in an apartment complex she was renting on Jan. 21. Runaway Bay is a town on the country's north coast. It is approximately 100 kilometres away from Jamaica's capital of Kingston.\nFamily members have identified the victim as Latoya Alcindor.\nTashia Antoine, a cousin of Alcindor, told CP24 that her cousin travelled to the country on Dec. 27 to pursue some business opportunities and met a friend, \"who she was seeing.\"\nAntoine said they believe the friend is the suspect. She noted that her cousin was last seen with the man on Jan. 18.\n\"We're hoping with the media attention on this case that it will help in finding this person so we can get some answers to her tragic death,\" Antoine said.\nPolice have not released further details about the case, including suspect information.\nAntoine said the Canadian government has contacted the family.\nA spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said in a statement to CP24 that consular services are being provided to the family.\n\"We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Canadian deceased in Jamaica,\" the spokesperson said.\n\"Consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information. Due to the provisions under the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed.\"\nAntoine described her cousin as a caring mother of two who took in her nephew after his mother passed away.\n\"She was heavily invested in making costumes for Caribana. She was a promoter,\" Antoine said.\n\"She was a very caring, honest, open person who was very, very loved by her community, and she will be dearly missed.\"", "Police in Jamaica probe murder of Markham, Ont. woman", "Police in Jamaica say they are investigating the murder of a 43-year-old Markham, Ont. woman." ]

[]

"2021-01-13T00:02:46"

"2021-01-12T18:22:00"

"2021-01-12T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- News of enhanced public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario may have some residents wondering what is, and what isn’t, considered essential under the provincial government’s new regulations.\nThat’s why CTV News Toronto has compiled a list of activities that are allowed and businesses that will remain open after the province’s stay-at-home order goes into effect on Jan. 14 .\nCan I go to my cottage or secondary residence?\nNo. The government says that because it is asking residents to stay home, trips to a cottage or secondary residence should be avoided, unless it is for an essential purpose like emergency maintenance.\nI booked a short-term rental getaway. Can I still go?\nNo. The province says that pre-arranged bookings for short-term rentals at hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts are prohibited, with exceptions for housing requirements.\nAre ski hills closed?\nYes. Ski hills are closed.\nIs a housekeeper still allowed in my home?\nYes. Domestic services like housekeeping, cooking, indoor and outdoor cleaning and maintenance services are allowed but only to support children, seniors and vulnerable persons.\nWhat about real estate showings?\nReal estate showings, including pre-sale construction, are only available by appointment. Open houses are prohibited.\nAre restaurants still open for takeout and delivery?\nRestaurants and bars aren’t affected by the new rules and can remain open for take out, drive-thru, and delivery only.\nCan I get my car serviced or buy a new vehicle?\nAccording to the government, vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance and vehicle and equipment rental services are available by appointment only. The same applies to the sale of all motor vehicles.\nCan I still attend my in-person driving instruction?\nNo. In-person driving instruction is not permitted, except for instruction for drivers of commercial motor vehicles.\nCan I go outside for a walk or go skating at a public rink?\nGoing outside for exercise is permitted, including walking your dog, running and ice skating at a public rink. However, the government says it prefers if residents would remain home.\nI live alone. Can I visit my family?\nA representative for the government says that if you live alone, you can go spend time with another family, but they prefer you stay home.\nREAD MORE: Full list of new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Ontario\nAre cannabis dispensaries still open?\nYes. Cannabis dispensaries are open for curbside pick-up or delivery only, but only from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. As well, an item can only be provided for curbside pickup if the patron ordered the item before arriving at the business premises.\nWhat about alcohol sales?\nYou can still purchase alcohol at a licensed retailer, but only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.\nWhen do the measures end?\nThe measures announced Tuesday are scheduled to be in place until at least Feb. 11.\nHow will the government know who is out for legitimate reasons and who isn't?\nThe province said that residents will have a duty to identify themselves when a police officer has \"reasonable and probable grounds\" that there has been a breach of the orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.\nA sector-specific breakdown of the province's new public health measures can be found here.\nHave a question about Ontario’s stay-at-home order? You can ask us here.", "Questions about Ontario's stay-at-home order answered", "News of enhanced public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario may have some residents wondering what is, and what isn’t, considered essential under the provincial government’s new regulations." ]

[]

"2021-01-26T17:08:42"

"2021-01-25T23:45:00"

"2021-01-25T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A winter weather travel advisory is now in effect for the GTA as a winter storm bears down on the city.\nIn a weather advisory issued Monday night, Environment Canada said snowfall amounts between five and 10 cm could hit the city on Tuesday, with as much as 15 cm possible in some areas.\n“Snow heavy at times will affect areas near the west end of Lake Ontario,” Environment Canada said in its advisory. “Easterly flow over the relatively warm waters of Lake Ontario along with higher terrain will help to locally boost snowfall amounts.”\nThe highest snowfall amounts are expected over the western portion of the city.\n“Rapidly accumulating snow may make travel difficult,” Environment Canada warned. “Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic.”\nWest of Toronto, a snowfall warning is in effect for Peel Region, including Mississauga, Brampton, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills, and Milton. Snowfall amounts of around 15 cm are expected in those areas.\nThe snow is expected to start falling Tuesday morning and continue through Tuesday night.\nA high of 0 C is expected Tuesday. The wind chill is expected to make it feel more like -10 in the morning. The temperature is expected to dip down to – 13 C Tuesday night before rising to a high of 3 C on Wednesday.", "Toronto could get hit with 10 to 15 centimeters of snow today", "A winter weather travel advisory is now in effect for the GTA as a winter storm bears down on the city." ]

[]

"2021-01-03T19:34:38"

"2021-01-03T14:19:00"

"2021-01-03T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A town hall will be held tonight for the families of residents of a Scarborough long-term care home where a recent outbreak of COVID-19 has led to the death of at least 60 residents.\nDuring the virtual meeting, which will be hosted by Scarborough-Southwest NDP MPP Doly Begum and Vivian Stamatopoulos, a long-term care home advocate and social science professor at Ontario Tech University, families with loved ones at Tendercare Living Centre will have an opportunity to share their stories.\nAn outbreak was declared at the facility, located near McNicoll Avenue and Victoria Park Avenue, last month and North York General Hospital recently took over management of the long-term care home.\nSo far, there have been 60 confirmed virus-related deaths at Tendercare since the outbreak began on Dec. 9.\nSpeaking to CP24 on Sunday, Begum urged Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton to take part in the town hall.\n“We have heard from so many family members who are angry, they are frustrated, they are sad,” she said. “The bodies have piled up in these homes and it is heartbreaking.”\nShe said experts have been calling for further measures to help stop the spread of the virus in long-term care, including hiring more staff, calling in the military and Red Cross, and performing unannounced inspections.\nBegum said the minister’s office has not responded to the invitation to attend tonight’s meeting.\nA spokesperson for Fullerton said staffing at Tendercare is now above levels seen during normal operations for personal support workers and registered staff.\n“We remain committed to doing everything we can, along with our partners, to help stabilize the home and have them return to normal operations,” the statement read.\nNorth York General Hospital also released a statement, stating that since the hospital took over operations at the facility, there has been “significant improvements” in resolving and reducing the impacts of the outbreak.\n94 COVID-19 cases at Annex long-term care home\nAccording to the province’s latest epidemiological summary, there are now 228 ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 in Ontario long-term care homes.\nAnother 15 virus-related deaths among residents of those facilities were confirmed today and since the start of the pandemic, 2,829 residents of long-term care have died after becoming infected with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.\nAt St. George Care Community, a long-term care facility in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, there are now 94 confirmed cases among residents and 59 cases among staff along with at least six deaths.\n“Where is the iron ring? We have heard the premier time and time again, come in front of the cameras... We have yet to see the iron ring,” Begum said. “It is time for the minister to act.”\nTonight’s town hall is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.", "Advocates host town hall to discuss Scarborough long-term care home dealing with deadly COVID-19 outbreak", "A town hall will be held tonight for the families of residents of a Scarborough long-term care home where a recent outbreak of COVID-19 has led to the death of at least 60 residents." ]

[]

"2021-01-01T18:48:15"

"2021-01-01T12:16:00"

"2021-01-01T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A union representing Ontario education workers says thousands of its members will be without child-care when they return to work on Monday.\nElementary school classes will run remotely from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8 as part of a provincewide lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19.\nBut the Canadian Union of Public Employees says many of its 20,000 members set to work in schools next week are parents who have no child-care options available to them.\nCUPE's Ontario School Board Council of Unions is calling on the provincial government to include education staff in the emergency child-care provision for essential workers.\nUnion president Laura Walton says excluding the workers is dangerous and puts them in an impossible position.\nEducation Minister Stephen Lecce's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 1, 2021.", "Education workers left out of child-care provision during Ontario lockdown, union says", "A union representing Ontario education workers says thousands of its members will be without child-care when they return to work on Monday." ]

[]

"2021-01-08T23:45:13"

"2021-01-08T18:34:00"

"2021-01-08T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry will sit out Friday night against the Sacramento Kings, with the team citing \"personal reasons\" on the pre-game injury report.\nThe six-time all-star has started all seven games this season for the Raptors, including Wednesday's 123-115 loss against the Phoenix Suns.\nLowry was hit in the face during the fourth quarter against the Suns while trying to defend Deandre Ayton. He stayed down for a minute but returned to the game and finished with 24 points.\nThe 34-year-old veteran is third on the team in scoring and first in assists this season, averaging 19.4 points and 7.4 assists per game this in a team-high 37 minutes of floor time.\nThe Raptors (1-6) enter Friday's game on a three-game losing streak.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published January 8, 2021.", "Raptors guard Kyle Lowry to sit out against Sacramento for 'personal reasons'", "Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry will sit out Friday night against the Sacramento Kings, with the team citing \"personal reasons\" on the pre-game injury report." ]

[]

"2021-01-23T01:41:53"

"2021-01-22T17:08:00"

"2021-01-22T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto police are seeking information regarding three firearm incidents involving tow trucks that occurred over a two-day time period in North York.\nThe first incident took place around 11:54 p.m. on Jan 20, near Highway 401 and Avenue Road. According to investigators, a tow truck parked on a shoulder of the road was shot at by an occupant of a passing car.\nThe driver of the truck was not injured, police said at the time.\nInvestigators have described the suspect vehicle as a dark blue Mercedes, which may be missing its rear licence plate.\nLess than 15 minutes later, police were called to Highway 401 and Leslie Street after receiving another report of a shooting.\nInvestigators say that two tow trucks were parked on the south side of Highway 401 and Avenue Road, when a dark-coloured sedan drove by. An occupant of the sedan began shooting in the direction of the tow trucks.\nPolice also said that a third tow truck, which was parked near Highway 401 and Leslie Street, was shot at by the occupants of a dark-coloured sedan. The vehicle fled the scene travelling eastbound on Highway 401.\nSeveral shell casings were found in the area, police said, but no one was injured.\nThe third incident took place the following night around 7:30 p.m. near Highway 401 and Avenue Road.\nPolice say there was an altercation between two tow truck drivers and “a firearm was observed.”\nInvestigators have not confirmed if the same suspect is responsible for the other shootings.\nPolice are asking anyone members of the public to come forward with information regarding any of the three incidents.\n“We understand people can be reluctant to come forward in these types of incidents as they are often cause concern and some people might feel the information they have is of little importance,” police said in a news release issued Friday.\n“However, we urge anyone with any information to contact us directly or contact Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.”", "Police seek information after 3 firearm incidents involving tow trucks in North York", "Toronto police are seeking information regarding three firearm incidents involving tow trucks that occurred over a two-day time period in North York." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-16T16:51:17"

"2021-01-16T09:40:00"

"2021-01-16T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario has announced it is extending nearly all emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) for an additional 30 days.\nThe government made the announcement on Saturday morning, saying the extension of most orders under the ROA will help to \"preserve our health care capacity and protect Ontarians until everyone can be vaccinated.\"\nThe orders under the ROA, which were set to expire on Jan. 20, have been extended until Feb. 19.\n\"Extending these orders ensures the necessary tools remain in place to help respond to the disturbing increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths, and provide safeguards for Ontarians, especially our vulnerable populations,\" Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said in a statement.\nOrders under the ROA include the province's ability to implement rules on public gatherings, business closures and managing outbreaks in hospitals or long-term care homes. The ROA must be extended every 30 days.\nThe extension of the emergency orders does not change the length of the stay-at-home order, which went into effect on Thursday at 12:01 a.m. The stay-at-home order is part of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which came into effect on Tuesday.\nThe stay-at-home order requires people by law to stay home unless an outing is deemed essential. Individuals who are caught ignoring the stay-at-home order could face a fine and potentially up to a year in jail.\nThe full list of orders being extended by the Ontario government can be found here.", "Ontario extends nearly all emergency orders under Reopening Ontario Act another 30 days", "Ontario has announced it is extending nearly all emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act for an additional 30 days." ]

[]

"2021-01-27T00:07:37"

"2021-01-26T18:35:00"

"2021-01-26T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Snow blowers have been mostly silent in the Greater Toronto Area this winter and if Toronto gets less snow in future winters, you may want to consider a new tool for your driveway.\nElectric power shovels are a growing category as they cost a lot less, but can still help you throw snow instead of lifting it.\nCassandra Nasso of Richmond Hill, Ont., shovelled her neighbour’s driveway after shoveling her own with a regular shovel. Nasso said this winter there hasn’t been a lot of snow so she was happy to do it.\n“You know it hasn't been too bad this winter so I'm kind of enjoying it. I missed shoveling so why not do it twice,\" Nasso said.\nNothing powers through the remnants of a winter storm quite like a snow blower.\nResearchers at Consumer Reports tested different kinds each fall using sawdust.\n“We use wet sawdust to test snow blowers because it has the consistency of snow,\" said tester Paul Hope.\nResearchers look at how fast a snow blower removes the snow, how far it throws it and how each one deals with the hard compacted snow the plow leaves at the end of a driveway.\nTests show that gasoline-powered snow blowers continue to outperform their electric and battery-powered counterparts.\nA smaller single stage blower is fine for lighter snowfalls and if you need more power a two or three stage blower is better for heavy snowfall.\nIf you're looking for a more affordable tool that can help with the back-breaking work of shoveling, researchers also tested battery and corded electric power shovels.\n“A power shovel sort of looks like a lite-duty snow blower and its really a hybrid between a snow blower and a traditional shovel. They're designed to go places where a snow blower would be overkill like a short walkway or an elevated deck,” said Hope.\nPower shovels sell for around $300, but keep in mind they are heavier than a regular shovel, still require some muscle and work best with under 15 centimeters of snow.\nWhile shoveling can be a bit of a chore, Nasso has this message.\n“Enjoy it. We live in Canada and not every country gets to see the beautiful snow we have,” Nasso said.\nWhatever you're using to get rid of the snow take it slow and don't over exert yourself. Shoveling can put a strain on your heart, lower back and other muscles so dress warmly and use the proper footwear to avoid slips and falls.", "Experts provide tips on clearing snow this winter season in GTA", "Snow blowers have been mostly silent in the Greater Toronto Area this winter and if Toronto gets less snow in future winters, you may want to consider a new tool for your driveway." ]

[]

"2021-01-20T21:49:21"

"2021-01-20T16:22:00"

"2021-01-20T00:00:00"

[ "TORONT -- Toronto police say they have laid a number of charges after receiving “several calls for noisy parties” in the city Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.\nIn an email to CP24, police say they attended 11 large gathering calls in total and enforced Ontario’s stay-at-home order accordingly.\nHowever, only two of those calls resulted in the laying of charges, the first of which was at a property in the area of Lawrence and Victoria Park avenues.\nPolice said they attended the scene, at the request of the city’s bylaw officers, at approximately 11:25 p.m. and found that one person was at the address who didn’t live there.\nThey were charged under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, according to police.\nThe second incident occurred at 12:38 a.m. in the area of Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue where attending officers found that several people in attendance were not residents of the address.\nAs a result, eight people were charged under the Reopening Ontario Act.\nToronto Police Chief James Ramer commented on the charges in a tweet published Wednesday saying officers will “continue to respond to these complaints and enforce as needed to ensure the health and safety of our city.”\nFines for failing to comply with the stay-at-home order start at $750. Anyone convicted of violating the order can also be fined up to $100,000 which would also include a year in jail.\nLast night @TorontoPolice responded to several calls for noisy parties. Officers attended, dispersed, & issued tickets to those in non-compliance w/ Stay-At-Home orders. We will continue to respond to these complaints & enforce as needed to ensure the health & safety of our city. — Chief James Ramer (@jamesramertps) January 20, 2021\nThe minimum fine for hosts or organizers of parties in violation of gathering laws is $10,000.\nThe order came into effect on Jan. 14 in the face of growing COVID-19 case numbers across the province and is slated to last for at least 28 days.", "Toronto police lay charges after responding to several calls for 'noisy parties' in the city", "Toronto police say they have laid a number of charges after receiving “several calls for noisy parties” in the city Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning." ]

[]

"2021-01-04T18:35:49"

"2021-01-04T07:48:00"

"2021-01-04T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The first five health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ontario 21 days ago received their second dose on Monday.\nOn Dec. 14, personal support worker Anita Quidangen was the first person in Ontario to receive the initial dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.\nLucky Aguila, Derek Thompson, Cecile Lasco, and Collette Cameron followed.\nNow, the five, who all work at The Rekai Centre on Sherbourne Street, have received their second dose at Toronto’s University Health Network, completing the vaccination process.\n“I feel good. When I got the first vaccine I was so excited. Now that I am done I am more happy,” Quidangen said Monday. “It is for the safety of my residents and my friends and my co-workers.”\nAt the hospital alongside Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott spoke to reporters following the second doses being administered. She said the province now expects to ramp up the vaccine rollout across the province.\n“We have the Pfizer vaccines and now the Moderna vaccines. We are going to start seeing larger quantities come in and we’re ready for it,” she said.\n“Everyone that’s administering the vaccines, helping to administer the vaccines, is very anxious. They’re very committed, they want to make sure that we can get as many vaccines into people’s arms as possible.”\nOver the weekend, Ontario biostatician Ryan Imgrund criticized the speed at which the government is administering the shots.\nImgrund told CTV News Toronto that “Ontario is not doing too well with the vaccine rollout.”\n“When it comes to the number of individuals vaccinated per 100,000 people, we are dead last amongst all of the provinces,” he said. “It's extremely frustrating. We have 78,000 long-term care facility residents here in Ontario. We have 146,000 vaccines and we have had those vaccines for quite some time.”\n“It is unacceptable to have vaccines for this long, know that they were coming, know what their storage requirements are and yet still we're sitting on them.”\nImgrund added that officials knew back in September the Pfizer vaccine would be approved first and would have to be stored in an area with a temperature of at least -70 C.\n“They should have touched the ground Dec. 21 and before Christmas Day, every single one of those vaccinations should have been used not still sitting in freezers.”\nAs of Sunday evening, the provincial government says 37,551 initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Ontario has been administering about 5,000 COVID-19 vaccines a day.\nThe rollout began with select health-care workers at hospitals across the province, and last week following the approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, residents and staff at a few long-term care homes were given the shot.\nThe Moderna vaccine is easier to transport to long-term care homes as it does not have the same freezer requirements.\nBoth vaccines require a second dose by provided either 21 days or 28 days after the first shot is administered.\nInfectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch, who sits on Ontario’s vaccine task force, told CP24 that he expects the vaccine rollout to pickup.\n“I think the real test will be the first couple of weeks of January and can we truly protect those who are the most vulnerable?” he said. “There really needs to be a province-wide blitz into long-term care facilities and retirement homes to really protect the most vulnerable of the vulnerable.”\nFord stressed that while the province is making headway with the vaccine, the government is still encouraging people to remain physically distant from others and follow proper health measures.\n“It’s absolutely critical. We want to make sure that we lower the numbers, then the curve going downwards,\" he said” “I’m confident that we will.”", "First health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ontario get second dose", "The first five health-care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ontario 21 days ago received their second dose on Monday." ]

[]

"2021-01-11T23:59:56"

"2021-01-11T16:58:00"

"2021-01-11T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A Mississauga man is fighting to save an outdoor skating rink that is scheduled to be torn down.\nJoe Galati has an emotional connection to this outdoor skating rink. When his mother died in 2014, he would come to the Burnhamthorpe outdoor rink because it helped him deal with the devastating loss.\n“The only thing that helped me was coming to this rink so I could escape my pain,” he told CTV News Toronto. “I am still emotional about it. I made a lot of good connections here. I learned to play hockey here so I have a lot passion about this rink.”\nGalati says his beloved rink located at 1500 Gulleden Drive is scheduled to be torn down this spring.\nThe City of Mississauga is renovating the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre to meet the needs of the community. Plans include a new indoor pool and expanded fitness centre.\nThe 53-year-old has started an online petition to save the rink. He has more than 5,500 signatures so far.\nScott Sangster lives in the neighbourhood and has been skating on this rink for years. He signed the petition.\n“I think it is great he is doing something to save it. As someone who has been coming here since I was a kid I would hate to see it go,” Sangster said.\nThe City of Mississauga says the outdoor rink needs to be removed to do the renovation. According to its website, the recommendation to remove the rink was supported by staff.\nThe rink serves on average 500 visitors per week for four months, the newly expanded areas of the community centre (pool, therapy tank and fitness centre) will serve 6,000 visitors per week year round.\nThe city says improvements will be made to the current indoor rink at the community centre.\nThe local councillor in the area told CTV News Toronto a new outdoor rink will be built at the adjacent park on the west side of the property, to ensure residents in this neighbourhood will continue to have somewhere to skate.\nGalati told CTV News Toronto he is hoping the city will reconsider and that is why he has started the petition.\nThe renovation is schedule to begin in April. It is expected to be completed in 2023.", "Mississauga man fights to save outdoor skating rink slated to be torn down", "A Mississauga man is fighting to save an outdoor skating rink that is scheduled to be torn down." ]

[ "Joshua Clipperton" ]

"2021-01-21T04:40:56"

"2021-01-20T21:56:00"

"2021-01-20T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Leon Draisaitl scored the winner on a third-period power play Wednesday as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1.\nKailer Yamamoto was credited with the opening goal for Edmonton (2-3-0) after the Leafs fumbled the puck into their own net in the first. Mikko Koskinen made 25 saves to get the win. Josh Archibald scored into an empty net with 1:06 left in regulation to seal it.\nAuston Matthews replied for Toronto (3-2-0), which got 19 stops from Frederik Andersen.\nCorrectly billed as a battle of superstars between Matthews and Connor McDavid, the matchup fell far short of expectations with both teams unable to get much offensive traction.\nEdmonton and Toronto will go back at it again Friday at an empty Scotiabank Arena in the second of nine North Division meetings between the clubs in the NHL's 56-game abbreviated schedule.\nDraisaitl buried his first goal of the season at 9:12 of the final period with Jake Muzzin in the penalty box tripping. The reigning Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy winner fired home a loose puck after Ryan Nugent-Hopkins took the initial shot.\nThe goal snapped an 0-for-12 streak for an Oilers' power play that led the league with a success rate of 29.5 per cent in 2019-20 before the season was halted because of COVID-19.\nThe Leafs weren't able to do much in response before Archibald fired his first into an empty net.\nTrailing 1-0 through 40 minutes, the Leafs evened things up at 6:44 of the third when Matthews outmuscled Zack Kassian in the corner before firing a shot shortside on Koskinen that the Edmonton netminder will no doubt want back.\nToronto once again dressed 11 forwards and seven defencemen, but was left with just 10 players up front when Joe Thornton headed to the locker room with what looked like an arm or wrist injury early in the period.\nThe Leafs came in feeling good about themselves after consecutive victories over Ottawa and Winnipeg, while the Oilers were in a different frame of mind following back-to-back losses to Montreal to close out their season-opening four-game homestand.\nPlaying their first road game since March 5, the Oilers grabbed a 1-0 lead at 10:42 of the first on a strange own goal from the home side. After the Leafs couldn't get out of their zone, Yamamoto fed a pass from behind Andersen's net that Toronto winger Jimmy Vesey intercepted before accidentally firing a clearing attempt in off Muzzin for Yamamoto's second of the season.\nThe Leafs held the Oilers to just three shots in the period, but Andersen had to be sharp with a pad save on Alex Chiasson late to keep the deficit at one.\nEdmonton's power play - which went 0 for 10 and gave up two short-handed goals in those losses to Montreal - got two chances in the second period, but continued to struggle with former Leafs defenceman Tyson Barrie quarterbacking the first unit in place of the injured Oskar Klefbom.\nToronto blue-liner T.J. Brodie fired a one-timer late in the period that hit Koskinen, struck William Nylander in front and dribbled just wide.\nThe Leafs got their second man advantage off that sequence when McDavid, who scored a highlight-reel goal that even brought Wayne Gretzky out of his seat to put a bow on Edmonton's 6-4 victory in Toronto last January, was whistled for hooking.\nWayne Simmonds fired a shot looking for a tip from Mitch Marner that hit the post before Matthews flubbed one attempt and saw Koskinen snag another with his glove.\nNotes: The Oilers head to Winnipeg for two following Friday's game before hosting the Leafs on Jan. 28 and 30. ... Toronto opens a four-game Alberta road trip Sunday and Tuesday in Calgary. ... The Leafs once again went with 11 forwards and seven defencemen, meaning blue-liner Mikko Lehtonen played his second NHL game after also dressing Monday.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2021.", "Leon Draisaitl scores winner as Edmonton Oilers down Toronto Maple Leafs", "Leon Draisaitl scored the winner on a third-period power play Wednesday as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1." ]

[]

"2021-01-12T19:35:53"

"2021-01-12T14:19:00"

"2021-01-12T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Police have charged a Toronto-area violin teacher over alleged historical sex assaults against a child.\nYork Regional Police say they arrested 48-year-old Angus Wong of Markham, Ont., on Jan. 7, after an investigation began last month when a female came forward.\nPolice say the female alleges the assaults happened during lessons at her violin teacher's home between 2008 and 2016 beginning when she was eight years old.\nWong is facing multiple charges including sexual assault, sexual exploitation and sexual interference with a person under 16.\nPolice say he has lived in Markham, Toronto and London, Ont., over the last few decades.\nInvestigators say there may be more victims and they are encouraging anyone who feels they may have been sexually assaulted to report the incident if it is safe to do so.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2021.", "Toronto-area music teacher charged in alleged historic sex assaults", "Police have charged a Toronto-area violin teacher over alleged historical sex assaults against a child." ]

[]

"2021-01-07T03:45:14"

"2021-01-06T22:18:00"

"2021-01-06T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Niagara Health Board of Directors announced Wednesday that Dr. Tom Stewart is no longer the chief executive officer of the hospital system.\nOn Tuesday, it was revealed that Stewart went on vacation to the Dominican Republic despite public health guidance to avoid non-essential travel as COVID-19 cases continue to surge.\n“For the last six years, Niagara Health has had a contractual agreement with St. Joseph’s Health System. Among other collaboration initiatives such as joint programs and services, the agreement provided for Niagara Health to purchase CEO services from St. Joseph’s Health System such that the organizations shared a joint CEO,” the statement read.\n“The Board of Directors of Niagara Health have decided to end the purchase of CEO services within the agreement effective immediately.”\nThe news comes a day after Stewart resigned from his advisory role on the province’s COVID-19 science table.\nThe doctor said in a statement on Tuesday that he regrets “this non-essential travel.” Stewart remains as the CEO of St. Joseph's Health System as of Wednesday evening.\nAjax MPP Rod Phillips resigned as Ontario’s finance minister last week following his secret vacation to St Barts.\nThe board of directors said it has appointed Lynn Guerriero, who currently serves as the president of Niagara Health, as the interim CEO.", "Ontario doctor out as CEO of Niagara Health following Dominican Republic trip", "The Niagara Health Board of Directors announced Wednesday that Dr. Tom Stewart is no longer the chief executive officer of the hospital system." ]

[]

"2021-01-25T13:51:28"

"2021-01-24T16:20:00"

"2021-01-24T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- One year ago, Canada’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Toronto.\nA man in his 50s had returned to Toronto from Wuhan, China and within a day started to feel ill. He was treated at Sunnybrook Hospital and discharged days later.\nSince then, the number of daily reported cases of COVID-19 and deaths related to the disease has skyrocketed. What started as a handful of infections related to travel or close contacts soon doubled, tripled and quadrupled.\nThe military was called in to deal with outbreaks at long-term care homes and Ontario residents were forced by law into their homes, permitted only to leave for essential reasons such as work or groceries.\nFamily members have mourned the deaths of loved ones while unable to hold full funerals and health-care heroes struggled daily to provide care while dealing with overflowing beds in intensive care units.\nBut as people struggled to make sense of the global pandemic, small acts of goodwill and kindness prevailed. Strangers helped their neighbours get groceries and communities rallied together to cheer for those on the front-lines.\nAll of this is to say that a lot has happened in the last year. Here’s a look at what transpired since that first case was confirmed one year ago, on Jan. 25, 2020.\nCOVID-19 cases and deaths increased substantially\nHow it started: In the first few months of 2020, most of the COVID-19 cases were reported in people who had either travelled, or were close contacts of those who had recently been abroad. Between January and March 1, there were 11 COVID-19 cases reported and no deaths.\nBut by the end of March, there were 1,966 people who had been diagnosed with the disease and 33 related deaths. Officials had no choice but to concede there was community transmission of the novel coronavirus.\nWhere are we now: While the number of daily reported COVID-19 cases dipped in the summer of 2020, the count increased drastically starting in September and continuing into the new year. It took just 45 days to double the number of infections in the province from 100,000 to 200,000.\nAs of Sunday, the seven-day rolling average of daily COVID-19 cases stands at 2,459.\nThere are 255,002 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario as of Sunday, including 5,803 deaths and 225,046 recoveries.\nCOVID-19 lockdowns and laws\nHow it started: Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency on March 17, shuttering theatres, cinemas, child-care centres, private schools, and prohibiting in-person dining at bars and restaurants.\nPublic events of more than 50 people were also banned.\nAt the height of the pandemic’s first wave, residents were told to limit their socializing to people within their household. As the cases dropped in the summer, officials told residents they could create social bubbles – allowing them to meet up with 10 people without wearing a mask or socially distancing.\nSince then, numerous emergency orders have been issued and location-specific lockdowns have been implemented.\nWhere are we now: Just before Christmas, Ford announced that a province-wide lockdown would go into effect on Dec. 26 in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. As the number of infections and deaths related to the disease continued to rise, the Ontario government issued a 28-day stay-at-home order in early 2021, effectively requiring all residents to stay home unless they have an essential reason to leave.\nGood morning, Ontario. Stay home. — Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 14, 2021\nThirty-three exemptions to the stay-at-home order were provided by the government.\nOutdoor gatherings have been restricted to five people, as long as a two-metre distance between each person can be maintained.\nVacations and events were all cancelled\nHow it started: In March, government officials closed the U.S.-Canada border to non-essential travel in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. That order has since been extended numerous times and anyone who did enter the country is required by law to quarantine for 14 days.\nLarge events such as Toronto’s Pride Parade and Ottawa’s Canada Day celebrations were all cancelled to prevent large crowds from gathering in public spaces. Organizers took to online platforms in an effort to keep their traditions alive and drive-thru art exhibits and concerts suddenly became the go-to activity for families trying to entertain their kids and themselves.\nWhere are we now: The last border closure extension took place in mid-January and is set to expire on Feb. 21, although it’s quite possible it could continue past that date. Travellers must also now show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before landing in Canada in addition to self-isolating for 14 days.\nThe Ontario government recently announced a pilot program offering voluntary COVID-19 testing for anyone landing at Toronto International Pearson Airport.\nWhile non-essential travel is not recommended, that did not stop officials from heading somewhere warm for the winter. MP Rod Phillips resigned from his role as finance minister after it was discovered he had travelled to a luxurious Caribbean island in December.\nA member of Ontario’s COVID-19 science table, Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force, a MP from Brampton as well as an Ontario hospital CEO have been ousted from their roles due to their decision to take a non-essential trip.\nKids’ learning goes virtual\nHow it started: In March, the Ontario government said that students would not be returning to class after their one-week March Break while officials learned more about how COVID-19 is spread. The following month, the government decided that students would not return to the classroom and would instead learn remotely, with teachers providing pre-recorded and live sessions virtually.\nParents were told they could apply for a $200 payment to help with the costs of learning at home.\nAfter a summer break, kids returned to school in-person in September, with secondary students using an adaptive model where they attended class on alternate days or schedules.\nBetween Sept. 1 and Dec. 18, about 48.7 per cent of schools in Ontario had at least one positive case of COVID-19, according to the Ministry of Education. Fifty-four of the 4,828 schools in the province had to be closed due to an outbreak or operational considerations.\nThere were 5,103 cases of COVID-19 reported in students and 1,094 cases among school staff. At least 1,095 additional cases of the novel coronavirus were logged in “individuals not identified,” which could include parents or family members of school-related cases.\nAt least one education worker died after contracting the disease.\nWhere are we now: After Ontario officials declared a province-wide lockdown, schools were shuttered for an additional week. In northern Ontario, students were able to go back to class on Jan. 11.\nSchools in seven public health units in southern Ontario reopened Monday, while 20 others are still using remote learning with no clear return date for in-class instruction.\nOntario is safely reopening schools.\nOn Monday, January 25, elementary and secondary schools in seven public health units will resume in-person learning. Emergency child care will be extended in regions where remote learning continues. pic.twitter.com/NCZep3bNOR — Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 21, 2021\nThe province has said that schools in the province’s COVID-19 hot spots—Toronto, York Region, Hamilton, Peel Region and Windsor-Essex—will not return to the classroom until Feb. 10 at the earliest. No return dates have been provided for the other 15 public health units so far.\nLong-term care homes still struggling\nHow it started: Seniors have been the hardest hit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and make up the majority of the province’s more than 5,000 deaths related to the disease.\nEarly on, a number of long-term care homes struggled to contain outbreaks of the novel coronavirus. By late April, 50 per cent of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario were reported in long-term care facilities, prompting the government to call in the military for help.\nIn a damning report, the Canadian Armed Forces outlined the grim state of five long-term care homes in Ontario, claiming not only that there were staffing shortages and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), but also that there were bug infestations, old food trays stacked inside resident rooms and that patients were observed “crying for help with staff not responding.”\nThe report, in combination with the large number of deaths, prompted the government to launch a commission in July to investigate how the government and these facilities handled the crisis.\nWhere are we now: As of Sunday, 3,400 of the 5,803 COVID-19 deaths in Ontario were residents in long-term care homes.\nThere are also 242 ongoing outbreaks at Ontario long-term care homes and 161 at retirement homes across the province.\nThe province's long-term care COVID-19 commission is expected to present its findings in April 2021, but recently requested an extension until the end of the year in order to properly conduct the investigation. They said there were \"significant delays\" in obtaining pertinent information at the center of the commission's investigation and that officials still needed to review 5,880 pages of transcripts from dozens of interviews.\nThe request for an extension was denied by the Ontario government.\nFront-line heroes no longer?\nHow it started: At the beginning of the pandemic, health-care workers were often described as “heroes,” and were the recipients of free food deliveries and nightly cheers across the province.\nA number of front-line workers were also promised “pandemic pay” by the government. Those eligible would get a $4 an hour pay bump for a period of 16 weeks, along with a monthly lump sum payment of $250.\nUnfortunately, there was a delay in workers receiving the pay. In June, 375,000 workers had yet to get their bonuses.\nWhere are we now: After a year on the front lines, health-care workers are continuing to report being overwhelmed and short staffed.\nSome front-line workers have said they aren’t being paid while self-isolating following potential exposure to a positive case of COVID-19, with an Ontario nurses’ union saying it’s up to individual employers to decide whether or not they will cover an employee’s pay. There have also been reports of poor-quality PPE among community personal support workers.\nEarlier this month, the Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton confirmed that more than 200 long-term care homes have yet to distribute the funding to personal support workers.\nMore than 5,595 health-care workers have contracted COVID-19 as of Sunday and at least 10 have died.\nNon-COVD-19 care impacted by hospital capacity\nHow it started: At the height of the first wave of the pandemic, there were at least 283 people being treated in Ontario intensive care units.\nThe Ontario government has said that once there are more than 150 people being treated for COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU), it becomes difficult to provide care not related to the disease.\nWhen that number exceeds 300 people, non-COVID-19 care becomes “impossible” to handle.\nWhere we are now: The number of people being treated for COVD-19 in hospitals across the province has jumped. According to provincial data, for most of January there have been more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized. The number of people in the ICU has skyrocketed to about 400.\nHealth officials have said that doctors and families may soon have to make decisions about who will get the care they need and who will not. A new triage protocol document dated Jan. 13 states that patients with the greatest chance of survival beyond 12 months should be prioritized for critical care in the event that hospitals need to start rationing life-saving treatments.\nIn the meantime, the first field hospital dedicated to COVID-19 patients opened up in Burlington, Ont. on Jan. 5. Two mobile hospitals will also be deployed in the Greater Toronto Area to help free up space at hospitals in the regions to non-COVID-19 patients.\nJobs lost and found\nHow it started: In the first wave of the pandemic, numerous businesses and restaurants were shuttered as a result of Ontario’s state of emergency and hundreds of thousands of people were laid off.\nAs a result of the lockdown orders in various provinces, the Canadian government created the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). About 8.9 million Canadians applied to receive financial aid.\nBy June, one million people in Ontario alone had lost their job. The following month, as the first wave of the pandemic began to teeter off, Ontario added 151,000 new jobs, but the majority were part-time positions.\nWhere are we now: The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses has said that one in six, or about 181,000 small business owners, are seriously contemplating permanently closing as a result of the pandemic.\nA number of family favourite restaurants and bakeries have already shuttered, claiming they just weren’t able to keep up with the financial burden of COVID-19.\nBusiness owners have expressed concern that they have been ordered to close in Ontario while big-box stores have been allowed to operate. Some people have tried to reopen against government orders, and in some cases that has resulted in charges.\nCERB officially ended in September.\n‘A light at the end of the tunnel’: COVID-19 vaccinations begin\nHow it started: Health Canada approved both the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna COVD-19 vaccine in December. Shipments of doses started within a week and soon after, select groups of health-care workers in Ontario received their first shots.\nBoth vaccines require a second dose be provided either 21 days or 28 days later.\nFord has repeatedly called the COVID-19 vaccine “ a light at the end of the tunnel,” saying the shots could make the difference between life and death.\nWhere are we now: Ontario is currently in “ Phase 1” of its three-phase vaccine distribution plan. This phase focuses on four target groups--residents, essential caregivers and staff of congregate setting for seniors, health-care workers, adults in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations, and adult recipients of chronic home health care.\nWe have reached a key milestone in our fight against #COVID19, completing the first round of vaccinations in #LongTermCare homes in seven regions. Thank you to those who helped us get here. We're ready to administer more doses as soon as we receive them. https://t.co/FUj682IwVI pic.twitter.com/TMFAXFVFsv — Christine Elliott (@celliottability) January 19, 2021\nIn mid-January, the government released a list of people eligible for the vaccine in Phase 2, which is set to begin sometime in mid-April.\nHowever, last week Canadian officials said there will be a delay in the shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine due to production issues in Belgium. As a result, a number of vaccine appointments have been cancelled. It is unclear how these delays will impact the province’s overall timeline for vaccinations.\nAs of Sunday, 62,881 people in Ontario have received the complete two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.\nNot all bad\nDuring a time in which it would have been easier to act selfishly, most Ontarians supported one another. They stood outside their homes at 6:30 p.m. every night to clap and cheer for the front-line workers risking their lives to take care of those who were sick, they offered free food to health-care workers, seniors and the homeless, and they crafted Christmas cards for those living in isolation.\nOntarians did their best to support local establishments, explored their own backyards when they couldn’t travel and learned to bake bread (or in the premier’s case, cheesecake).\nFamilies and friends were torn apart in 2020—whether by a geographical border, a hospital window or a lockdown order—and yet, people still stood shoulder-to-shoulder throughout the tragedy, offering their support, compassion and kindness to those who needed it the most.", "One year of COVID-19 in Ontario: Where are we now?", "A lot has happened in the last year. Here’s a look at what transpired since that first case was confirmed one year ago, on Jan. 25, 2020." ]

[]

"2021-01-11T18:15:53"

"2021-01-11T08:27:00"

"2021-01-11T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ontario government is not considering a curfew for the province but will announce stricter lockdown restrictions on Tuesday in response to the escalating COVID-19 crisis.\nSenior government sources told CTV News Toronto on Monday that cabinet will not consider implementing a curfew after public health officials discounted it.\nArriving at Queen's Park on Monday morning, Premier Doug Ford said that his cabinet will review new COVID-19 lockdown measures today and that they will be announced publicly tomorrow.\n\"Well, we worked all weekend, right until late hours last night, we'll be going to cabinet with recommendations tonight and we will make an announcement tomorrow,\" he said.\nLast week, Ford issued a dire warning to the province about the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, saying that “extreme measures” will be needed to bring down the number of new infections. The government has not indicated what any of those measures could be.\nAlong with announcing new restrictions on Tuesday, the government will also release new COVID-19 modelling, which Ford said last week will make people \"fall of their chair.\"\n\"This is the most serious situation we’ve ever been in since the beginning of the pandemic,\" Ford said Friday. \"This is getting out of control and we have to do whatever it takes.\"\nOntario Vaccine Distribution Task Force member and epidemiologist Dr. Isaac Bogoch told CP24 on Monday morning the provincial modelling that will be released on Tuesday shows daily case growth could reach 6,000 new infections per day by Jan. 30 without further public health measures.\nThe government had previously said that a curfew for the province was on the table if health officials deemed it necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19.\nQuebec issued a curfew this weekend, requiring almost all residents to be in their homes from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. each night.\nThe province said residents will be required to provide proof of what they're doing if they are found outside of the house after curfew. A note from an employer, a receipt from a drug store, or a hospital card are just some examples of what the government will accept as evidence of an essential trip.\nMeanwhile, Toronto Mayor John Tory said for the first time on Monday he could support a curfew as part of the new effort, but urged the province to consider narrowing the list of businesses deemed essential to keep more people at home.\n\"I don't rule a curfew out, but I really question whether it will be the most effective. If you have a curfew, can we enforce it?\" Tory told CP24 on Monday.\n\"If you said to me that short of a curfew you had to put more hours of restrictions on when you could get food, I would be perfectly comfortable with that,\" he said.\nAll of Ontario is currently under a province-wide lockdown, which requires nearly all non-essential businesses to stay closed.\nThe lockdown will remain in effect until Jan. 23, although Ford hinted last week that if COVID-19 case numbers don't come down it could be extended.\nThe growing number of new cases also prompted the government to extend the closure of in-person learning in the southern part of the province.\nStudents in southern Ontario won't return to class until Jan. 25, and will instead participate in virtual learning.\nHealth officials logged 3,338 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, marking a decrease from the record-breaking 3,945 infections the previous day.\nOfficials also recorded 29 additional deaths related to the disease, bringing the COVID-19 death toll in Ontario to 5,012.\nMeanwhile, Tory repeated on Monday what he has said since December, that Ontario needed to undergo a second full lockdown, similar to what was done in the spring, in order to get COVID-19 spread under control.\n\"I think we need to go through a period where pretty much everything is closed like the spring. I wasn’t happy but we got through it and it worked because people stayed home because everything was closed.\"\nWith files from CTV News Toronto's Colin D'Mello and CP24's Chris Herhalt", "Ontario not considering a curfew but new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions will be announced Tuesday", "The Ontario government is not considering a curfew for the province but will announce stricter lockdown restrictions on Tuesday in response to the escalating COVID-19 crisis." ]

[]

"2021-01-21T23:26:37"

"2021-01-21T17:40:00"

"2021-01-21T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting in North York that left a 20-year-old man dead.\nEmergency crews were called to Duncanwoods Drive, located near Finch Avenue West and Islington Avenue, around 6 p.m. on Jan. 17 after receiving a report of a shooting.\nWhen officers arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, who has been identified by police as 20-year-old Brampton resident Tyjjuan Kidd-Bailey, was pronounced dead at the scene.\nPolice also said that officers saw a man running from the scene of the shooting.\nA suspect was taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the case, investigators said.\nDeandre Cadougan, of Toronto, has been charged with second-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.", "Charges laid in North York shooting that left 20-year-old dead", "A man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting in North York that left a 20-year-old man dead." ]

[ "Paola Loriggio" ]

"2021-01-28T19:03:57"

"2021-01-28T12:15:00"

"2021-01-28T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A Toronto man who pushed another man in front of a moving subway train told police he did so because he believed it was his landlord, court heard Thursday.\nAn agreed statement of facts read in virtual court said John Reszetnik told a police officer he \"freaked out\" because he was getting evicted.\n\"I murdered him. I don't know why they didn't arrest me on the platform, it's got to be on video,\" court heard Reszetnik told the officer shortly after he was arrested on an assault charge.\n\"I freaked out. I imagined my landlord who, he's evicting me, and I can't find a place, and I'll be homeless. I really did it. It's no joke. I killed him, for God's sakes.\"\nCourt heard the officer had previously told Reszetnik about his right to legal counsel and advised him he didn't need to say anything.\nSoon after, the officer received an update that the victim -- 73-year-old Yosuke Hayahara -- had died, and alerted Reszetnik that he would instead be charged with murder, court heard.\nThe statement of facts said Reszetnik made the comments shortly after the June 2018 incident that killed Hayahara.\nReszetnik pleaded guilty earlier this month to second-degree murder in connection with the incident.\nCourt heard Thursday that Reszetnik went onto the east-west platform of the Bloor-Yonge subway station a little after 10 a.m. that day and after about five minutes, he walked towards the escalator.\nIt was then that his attention focused on Hayahara, who was walking towards a bench in the middle of the platform, court heard. Hayahara sat briefly on the bench, then got up to board the incoming eastbound train, court heard.\nReszetnik positioned himself a few feet behind Hayahara, shifted his bag to his left hand, and pushed just before 10:15 a.m., court heard.\nAfterwards, the train came to a complete stop and the station was locked down, the statement said. Reszetnik lingered as passengers were removed from the platform, and watched Toronto Transit Commission emergency personnel that had arrived at the scene, court heard. He did not approach any of them.\nReszetnik was one of the last people to leave the platform, court heard. He then walked to a nearby McDonald's, bought and drank a beverage, then walked back towards the station.\nOutside the station, he saw a fire truck and spoke to the firefighter in the driver's seat, court heard. \"I am the one that pushed him,\" he said, according to the statement. \"Mental illness.\"\nSecond-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 10 to 25 years.\nA sentencing hearing will be held March 23, and the presiding judge said Thursday mental health issues are likely to be raised as part of that process.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2021.", "Man who pushed 73-year-old in front of subway train told cops he 'freaked out' over eviction", "A Toronto man who pushed another man in front of a moving subway train told police he did so because he believed it was his landlord, court heard Thursday." ]

[]

"2021-01-12T02:42:46"

"2021-01-11T21:14:00"

"2021-01-11T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is investigating after two nurses from the province travelled to Washington D.C. to allegedly participate in an anti-lockdown event preceding the Capitol Hill riot last week.\nIn videos posted to social media by the group, \"Nurses Against Lockdowns” the women are seen addressing the crowd at the “Global Frontline Nurses” summit in Washington DC, an event that was scheduled to take place in front of the U.S. Supreme Court just hours before a group of rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, breaking windows and tearing through the offices of elected officials.\nIn one video, Sarah Choujounian identifies herself to the crowd as a nurse from Toronto who has spent most of her 16-year career working in a nursing home.\nShe claims she was fired after speaking out against lockdowns on social media, expresses concern that vaccines could harm seniors, and says restrictions on visitors at nursing homes constitute \"crimes against humanity.”\nAccording to the CNO, Choujoinian worked at Norfinch Care Community in North York until 2020.\nKristen Nagle, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse from London according to the CNO, is shown speaking in another video.\nAddressing the crowd, Nagle suggests the number of COVID-19 deaths compared to Canada’s overall population is evidence that the health restrictions are “crazy.”\nPublic health officials have repeatedly stressed that the dangers of the virus cannot simply be measured in deaths, but must also be measured by the danger posed to the overall health care system due to the diversion of resources to deal with the rising number of COVID-19 patients.\nIn Ontario, the rising number of COVID-19 cases is threatening to postpone surgeries for cancer, organ transplants, heart problems and other serious issues.\nNagle also speaks out against the use of masks, gloves and “synthetic drugs” in the video.\nIn a statement to CTV News Toronto, the college said it is investigating both women.\n“The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is investigating Kristen Nagle and Sarah Choujounian,” the statement read. “The legislation does not permit us to provide details on the progress or ongoing status.”\nHowever, the college said that any outcome from the investigation that can be disclosed under current legislation will be shared publicly.\nThe London Health Sciences Centre also confirmed Nagle has been on unpaid leave since she took part in another event in November.\n“We continue to learn of actions involving an NICU nurse at London Health Sciences Centre that are not aligned with LHSC’s values,” the LHSC statement to CTV News Toronto reads.\n“Upon originally learning of concerns related to participation in a local anti-masking rally back in November, LHSC took immediate action to ensure the hospital remains a safe environment for everyone by placing her on an unpaid leave pending the results of the investigation. We anticipate an outcome to be reached within the coming weeks.”\nCTV News Toronto has reached out to both women for comment, but has not heard back so far.\nThe CNO also pointed to a statement of support for current health measures on its website which urges nurses to be responsible for what they post online.\n\"Nurses are leaders in the community and the public’s trust in nurses may extend to their views on health matters communicated on social media and other forums,” the statement reads. “Statements made by nurses in public forums have the potential to impact the health and safety of the public.\n“Nurses have a professional accountability to: use accurate sources of information based in scientific theory and evidence, to inform their professional service and practice.\"\nThe federal government has also been advising Canadians against nonessential travel for months because of the risk of spreading the virus and its various strains.\n- With files from CTV News Toronto’s Sean Leathong", "Ontario nurses under investigation after travelling to Washington D.C. to allegedly take part in anti-lockdown event on day of riot", "The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is investigating after two nurses from the province travelled to Washington D.C. to allegedly participate in an anti-lockdown event preceding the Capitol Hill riot last week." ]

[]

"2021-01-07T02:49:56"

"2021-01-06T20:36:00"

"2021-01-06T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Just hours before protesters south of the border stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn America's presidential election, a small caravan of Donald Trump supporters took to the streets of Toronto to rally for the outgoing president.\nMultiple photos and videos posted to social media Wednesday show the group of vehicles, fitted with pro-Trump flags, driving through the city honking their horns as U.S. Congress began counting the Electoral College votes in Washington, D.C. more than 750 kilometres away.\nThe caravan garnered largely confused reactions on Twitter, with many questioning why Canadians would be taking part in such a display.\n“Why a pro Trump rally in Toronto,” asked user Sam Chondro.\n“I see a pro Trump rally gathering out my window, in Toronto (?!!). Must go closer and take selfies, as one should w/ a baby penguin in the middle of Sahara,” wrote Raeid Saqur.\nDisplays like this are not entirely uncommon in the city as of late, with pro-Trump flags often accompanying many of the recent anti-mask protests seen in the city.\nThe protests in Washington continued hours after the caravan was first sighted and came to a head when a group of pro-Trump protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol and forced lawmakers into hiding.\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers were resuming the counting of electoral votes Wednesday evening after the Capitol was cleared of the pro-Trump occupiers.\nWith files from the Associated Press.", "Trump supporters sighted in Toronto as U.S. Capitol descends into chaos", "Just hours before protesters south of the border stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn America's presidential election, a small caravan of Donald Trump supporters took to the streets of Toronto to rally for the outgoing president." ]

[]

"2021-01-22T18:55:07"

"2021-01-22T11:53:00"

"2021-01-22T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Premier Doug Ford offered to drive an ultra-cold refrigerated truck to Kalamazoo, Mich. in an effort to secure thousands of doses of the Pfizer vaccine for Ontario – an offer that the premier said was turned down by the drug manufacturer.\nDuring an interview with AM 800 in Windsor on Friday, Ford expressed his frustration with Pfizer over the COVID-19 vaccine shortage as a result of upgrades to their European manufacturing plant, during what the premier described as a \"tough conversation\" with the company's Canadian CEO.\n\"I told him it's unacceptable. We have all the infrastructure set up, and he's let us down. And every day that we lose, it could be possibly someone's life,\" Ford said.\nDuring that conversation earlier this week Ford also offered to drive across the border – which remains closed for non-essential travel until Feb 21 – and personally accept doses of the vaccine.\n\"I told the CEO, I'll help them one of those freezer trucks. I'll drive down there. I've been through Kalamazoo 100 times and, and we'll pick them up,\" Ford told the radio station.\nUltimately, Ford said, the vaccines being manufactured in at the Kalamazoo facility will fulfill orders made by the United States.\n\"They're holding them for just the Americans.\"\nWhile Pfizer declined to comment on the premier's specific comments, the company said they listened to Ford's concerns and underlined the temporary nature of the disruption of vaccines.\n\"We recognized that it has made it more difficult to smoothly advance the scale up of the immunization program in Ontario and throughout Canada. We reiterated this is a short-term situation and our focus is on meeting quarterly commitments.,\" the company said in a statement to CTV News Toronto.\nThe premier also repeated his plea to newly-inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden to spare a million vaccines for Ontario residents and expressed confidence that the message had been heard by the new administration.\n\"I'm pretty sure he heard my voice, as President Trump heard my voice about the personal protective equipment. Matter of fact, I know he heard me because I heard back from governors and senators down there.\"\nFord said that CNN played a clip of his recent comments on the COVID-19 vaccine, leading to his belief that Ontario's message was heard.\n\"I know [Biden] team watches CNN and so I can assure you they know Doug Ford down at the White House.\"", "Ford offers to drive to U.S. to pick up more COVID-19 vaccines, accuses Pfizer of holding them for Americans", "Premier Doug Ford offered to drive an ultra-cold refrigerated truck to Kalamazoo, Mich., in an effort to secure thousands of doses of the Pfizer vaccine for Ontario – an offer that the premier said was turned down by the drug manufacturer." ]

[]

"2021-01-26T04:26:38"

"2021-01-25T22:43:00"

"2021-01-25T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- One person has been pronounced dead and two others are in serious condition following a call about a carbon monoxide incident in the Bridle Path neighbourhood.\nToronto Paramedic Services said they responded to a call in the area of Lawrence Avenue and The Bridle Path at around 8:50 p.m.\nFirefighters found high levels of carbon monoxide when they responded to the home, Toronto police said.\nThree people, including a pediatric patient and a senior, were subsequently rushed to hospital. One man was transported to hospital with critical injuries while two other people were transported with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, paramedics said.\nOne of those people was pronounced dead in hospital, police said.\nTwo officers who helped bring people out of the home also went to hospital to be checked over as a precaution.\nOfficials have not said where the poisonous gas came from.", "One person dead, two others in serious condition after high levels of carbon monoxide found at home in Bridle Path", "One person has been pronounced dead and two others are in serious condition following a call about a carbon monoxide incident in the Bridle Path neighbourhood." ]

[]

"2021-01-10T03:12:26"

"2021-01-09T21:24:00"

"2021-01-09T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- At least five people have been injured in a hammer attack at Bloor subway station Saturday evening.\nPolice were called to the station just after 8:30 p.m. after a man armed with a hammer reportedly struck several people on the subway platform.\nToronto Paramedic Service said a total of five people were assessed on the scene. All their injuries are minor.\nThree of the victims were taken to hospital for treatment.\nPolice say the suspect fled the scene but was later located and was taken into custody.\nPolice believe it was a random incident.", "One person arrested after 5 people injured in hammer attack at Bloor station", "At least five people have been injured in a hammer attack at Bloor subway station Saturday evening." ]

[]

"2021-01-03T03:36:09"

"2021-01-02T22:01:00"

"2021-01-02T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- One person is dead after a single-vehicle collision in Hamilton Saturday afternoon.\nEmergency crews were called to Red Hill Valley Parkway near King Street shortly after 3:30 p.m.\nPolice say the lone occupant of the vehicle was rushed to hospital without vital signs. The person was later pronounced dead.\nThe cause of the crash is under investigation.", "One person dead after single-vehicle crash in Hamilton", "One person is dead after a single-vehicle collision in Hamilton Saturday afternoon." ]

[]

"2021-01-01T20:40:17"

"2021-01-01T15:14:00"

"2021-01-01T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto hospitals welcomed the first babies of 2021 early Friday morning, with the very first child coming into the world just 48 seconds after the clock struck midnight.\nBaby Thomas is believed to have been Toronto’s first baby of 2021 and spent most of New Year’s Day morning sleeping, according to his parents.\nHumber River Hospital shared news of the birth on Twitter, saying Thomas was born at 12:00:48 a.m., and weighed about 6.8 pounds.\n“Congratulations to the whole family on the arrival of their bundle of joy,” the hospital said. “Everyone is healthy and extremely happy.”\nParents Thuy Vu and Patrick Simmons told CP24 that Thomas’ birth has been the highlight of all their collective New Years.\n“Very memorable,” Simmons said. “We’re both tired and he’s tired too.”\nIt was close competition for the title of first GTA baby born in 2021. The runner up, Abygail Gosselin, was just 11 seconds away.\n“Originally due on December 28, Abygail decided to make her entrance at 12:00:59 a.m. on Jan 1, 2021,” Markham Stouffville Hospital said on social media.\nIntroducing Abygail Gosselin, our first baby of the new year at @mshospital! Originally due on December 28, Abygail decided to make her entrance at 12:00:59 a.m. on Jan 1, 2021.\nCongratulations to the Gosselin family, and #HappyNewYear! pic.twitter.com/D8AAWif37I — Markham Stouffville Hospital (@MSHospital) January 1, 2021\nNorth York General said that their first baby of the year was Kiaan Arora, born at 12:13 a.m., while Mount Sinai welcomed their first bundle of joy five minutes later.\nTrillium Health Partners, a hospital system that serves certain areas of the GTA, said their first baby arrived at 12:19 a.m., weighing about 9.5 pounds.\n“We weren’t expecting to have the first baby of the New Year,” mother Nota Flokiotis said of her newborn Jacob.\n“We didn’t even know the gender, so it has been one wonderful surprise after another. We are grateful and excited to start a new chapter.”\nBig welcome to Baby Bentley Penton, first baby born in #DurhamRegion in 2021 at 2:08 a.m. at Oshawa Hospital. Bentley weighed in at 7lbs 14oz. Proud parents Bryanna and Caleb welcomed their second son and are doing well. Congrats to this new family of four! #NewYear2021 pic.twitter.com/yGuEtiNNMs — Lakeridge Health (@LakeridgeHealth) January 1, 2021\nIt wasn’t just the babies born in the new year that were celebrated by GTA hospitals.\nOn New Year’s Eve, Sunnybrook Hospital tweeted a photograph of baby Carlisle, who they say spent the last 17 weeks in their neonatal intensive care unit.\n“He was born on August 25, 2020 at 23 weeks, weighing just 700 grams,” the hospital said. “We’re excited to share that he’ll be ringing in the New Year at home!”", "'Very memorable': Toronto hospitals welcome first babies of 2021", "Toronto hospitals welcomed the first babies of 2021 early Friday morning, with the very first child coming into the world just 48 seconds after the clock struck midnight." ]

[ "Colin Perkel" ]

"2021-01-23T00:58:22"

"2021-01-22T18:35:00"

"2021-01-22T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A former senior employee with the Ontario government has repaid more than $11 million in COVID-19 benefits the province alleges he took fraudulently, his lawyer said on Friday.\nThe unproven civil claim named Sanjay Madan, who had a senior IT role and helped develop the computer application for applying and approving the benefit for families with children.\nIn a brief statement, Madan's lawyer Christopher Du Vernet confirmed his client had made the repayment.\n\"In fact, the province has recovered in excess of the funds it presently alleges Mr. Madan took from the Families Support Program,\" Du Vernet said.\n\"However, it is also seeking its legal costs, interest and punitive damages, so the action continues.\"\nIn its untested lawsuit filed last fall, the province alleged Madan, his wife and two adult children who all worked for the Ontario government in information technology defrauded the province of at least $11 million.\nThe civil claim, which also sought $2 million in punitive damages, accused them and others of illegally issuing and banking cheques under the program that aimed to defray the cost of children learning at home.\n\"The Madan family exploited their positions of employment with Ontario and unique access to the (program) and payment processing system,\" the government alleged in the claim. \"The plaintiff was uniquely vulnerable to Sanjay, particularly with respect to the integrity of the...application.\"\nThe Ministry of the Attorney General did not immediately confirm the recovered money, first reported by the Toronto Star.\nDu Vernet said his client \"deeply regrets\" his actions and was awaiting results of medical opinions on his condition.\nAccording to the lawsuit, Madan and his family opened more than 400 accounts at the Bank of Montreal between April and May. They then deposited around 10,000 cheques made out to fictitious applicants with thousands of non-existent children under the support program.\nMost deposits were made over a four-week period starting on May 25, coinciding with a rule change that allowed more than five payments to be made to an applicant. The government alleges Madan either sparked the rule change or knew about it and took advantage.\nIn other court filings, Madan is said to have told the government that he could explain \"all of this\" and that he has \"helped many families.\"\nThe government had served notice it intended to seize any money the family allegedly obtained fraudulently and obtained a court order to have their bank accounts turned over to the court pending the outcome of the lawsuit.\nThe government also obtained a court order freezing the family's assets, which included a list of properties in Toronto.\nMadan was fired in November.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021.", "Ontario recovers $11M allegedly taken by senior civil servant accused of fraud", "A former senior employee with the Ontario government has repaid more than $11 million in COVID-19 benefits the province alleges he took fraudulently, his lawyer said on Friday." ]

[]

"2021-01-14T20:54:59"

"2021-01-14T14:24:00"

"2021-01-14T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A restaurant in Toronto’s east-end is offering up free burgers to seniors and those experiencing homelessness as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on across the city.\n“I just thought it was the right thing to do,” Fearless Meat owner David Brown tells CTV News Toronto.\nBrown, who has been working with meat for almost 50 years, explains that butchers have a long tradition of giving back to their communities. He says that this act of charity announced earlier this month is just one way of keeping that legacy alive.\n“And it's a tradition that I've always taken very seriously. In fact, in the days before they had food banks butchers were the local food banks. So, I strongly believe in giving back to the community.”\nThe promotion is simple: seniors, pensioners, the homeless and the hungry are entitled to a free 6oz. Certified Angus “Beach Burger,” no questions asked.\nThe catch? There isn’t one.\n“I want people when they come into our restaurant for a free burger, I want them to feel welcomed and respected.”\nIt’s unclear just how many burgers have been handed out since the campaign began at the beginning of January, mostly because Brown admits he doesn’t keep track.\nFEARLESS MEAT COMMUNITY UPDATE As we approach our 3rd anniversary, I wish to thank everyone for their tremendous... Posted by Fearless Meat on Sunday, 3 January 2021\n“It’s been all over the map. Anywhere from a few a day to a hundred a day.”\nBrown says this isn’t the first charitable act he and his company have been involved in and that it surely won’t be the last.\nAs Fearless Meat approaches its third anniversary on Jan. 19, Brown says he feels fortunate to still be in business amid the pandemic and is encouraging other restaurants as lucky as him to give back if they can.\n“I'm hoping that what we're doing here is an inspiration to other restaurants or businesses to help out the vulnerable communities,” he said.", "Toronto restaurant offering free burgers to seniors and the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic", "A restaurant in Toronto’s east-end is offering up free burgers to seniors and those experiencing homelessness as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on across the city." ]

[]

"2021-01-21T23:26:52"

"2021-01-21T16:44:00"

"2021-01-21T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto Mayor John Tory has joined a chorus of Canadian politicians in urging Pfizer-Biotech to produce more COVID-19 vaccine.\nTory followed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, among others, in speaking directly to executives from the pharmaceutical multinational. Tory said he wanted to make a constructive case after the company said it would not be able to fulfil next week's order to the federal government.\n\"The best way to go about these kinds of conversations is to make your case as a Canadian, which I did, and as the mayor of the largest city in the country, and to try to make Canada's case,\" Tory said.\nTrudeau has said he spoke to Pfizer on Tuesday and Ford said he was in contact with the pharmaceutical manufacturer on Wednesday.\nTory said he knows members of Pfizer's management team from his previous career as a business executive, and that he reached out to them in concert with the federal government.\n\"I'm trying to help the country's efforts to try to see if we can't get more supply,\" the mayor said. \"I can't tell you what results my intervention, or anybody else's, will have.\"\nToronto has had to shut down its two vaccination programs until the federal government provides more doses to the city's public health unit.\nAn immunization clinic at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre closed after two days of inoculating front-line health care workers. The city also paused a pilot in shelters for people experiencing homelessness.\nDr. Eileen De Villa, Toronto's chief medical officer, said everyone's frustrated with the shipping delay, because the vaccine offers people hope.\n\"Having it slowed down and having the change in course is not what we wanted,\" De Villa said. \"But we expect there will be eventually vaccine coming available and we'll do our very best.\"\nDe Villa said there were 986 new cases of COVID-19 in Toronto on Thursday and 10 more deaths linked to the virus. The update included 102 cases from earlier in the week that had previously gone unreported because of a technical error.\nCouncillor Joe Cressy, chairman of the Toronto Board of Health, joined Tory and De Villa at the Thursday afternoon news conference. All three detailed the city's ongoing efforts to support racialized communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic.\nToronto, Ontario Health, hospitals, and community health providers have been working to improve access to testing in those neighbourhoods. Toronto reports nearly 271 testing clinics have been booked in more than 20 different city-owned facilities, with 89 more dates to come in January at 12 different sites.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2021.", "Toronto Mayor John Tory speaks to Pfizer about improving COVID-19 vaccine production", "Toronto Mayor John Tory has joined a chorus of Canadian politicians in urging Pfizer-Biotech to produce more COVID-19 vaccine." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-27T19:11:50"

"2021-01-27T11:46:00"

"2021-01-27T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- One of the two women killed in a crash on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Burlington, Ont. on Tuesday morning is being remembered by family as a happy-go-lucky woman who was always smiling.\nCeara Publuske from Kitchener and Courtney Duguay from Owen Sound were killed on Tuesday morning after the Mitsubishi Lancer they were travelling in crossed over from the westbound lanes to the eastbound lanes on the QEW and struck two other vehicles at Brant Street.\nTheir vehicle struck an Acura and a Ford pickup truck, while a fourth vehicle rolled into the ditch, police said.\nPubluske, aged 23, was driving the Mitsubishi Lancer, while Duguay was a passenger, police said. Both women were both pronounced dead at the scene, while three other people were taken to hospital suffering from various injuries.\nPubluske’s cousin, Tyler Publuske, launched a GoFundMe page on Tuesday, which he says will help to cover funeral expenses.\n\"My cousin, Ceara Publuske, was sadly killed in a devastating motor vehicle accident involving several cars,\" Tyler Publuske wrote. \"She was a happy-go-lucky kind of girl, always smiling, and was always quick with the witty jokes. She loved the ones around her to her fullest capacity.\"\n\"We received the worst possible news anyone can get … No one ever plans for this.\"\nThe GoFundMe page has raised more than $3,000 in the past 17 hours.\nThe highway was closed in both directions for most of the day following the collision. The Niagara-bound lanes reopened at Brant Street just before 3 p.m. and the Toronto-bound lanes reopened just after 4 p.m.\nThe Toronto-bound lanes then reopened just after 4 p.m.", "One of two women killed in Burlington, Ont. crash remembered by family as 'happy-go-lucky-girl'", "One of the two women killed in a crash on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Burlington, Ont. on Tuesday morning is being remembered by family as a happy-go-lucky woman who was always smiling." ]

[]

"2021-01-19T02:58:26"

"2021-01-18T20:31:00"

"2021-01-18T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Raptors coach Nick Nurse says he will watch with interest the fallout of last week's blockbuster four-team trade that sent James Harden from Houston to Brooklyn.\nHe called it a \"hell of a story.\"\n\"I got to think that a lot of the teams, if not all of them, are pretty happy with what it ended up,\" Nurse told reporters prior to Toronto's game against Dallas in Tampa on Monday.\n\"Even some of the minor parts of the deal -- I think that (guard Caris) LeVert's a hell of a player for Indiana. I think he'll help them. (Centre Jarrett) Allen's a good player who will help Cleveland. I think Houston's happy with all of the assets they accumulated. And then obviously all the talk and focus is on Brooklyn and how high-powered they can be with all those guys.\n\"So I guess we can all place our bets on what we think is going happen. But we've just got to watch it play out. From my standpoint, I hope it flops for all three teams in the East,\" he added with a laugh. \"I don't really care what Houston does. But I hope it doesn't turn out for any of them.\"\nIn exchange for Harden, Houston got three unprotected first-round picks from Brooklyn (2022, 2024 and 2026) and the right to swap first-round selections with the Nets in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027. Houston also got Milwaukee's 2022 first-round pick from Cleveland.\nThe Rockets also acquired three players: Victor Oladipo from the Pacers, Dante Exum from the Cavaliers and Rodions Kurucs from the Nets. The Nets, meanwhile, sent Allen and forward Taurean Prince to Cleveland while LeVert ended up in Indiana.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2021", "Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse watches fallout from blockbuster Harden trade with interest", "Raptors coach Nick Nurse says he will watch with interest the fallout of last week's blockbuster four-team trade that sent James Harden from Houston to Brooklyn." ]

[]

"2021-01-01T15:56:08"

"2021-01-01T09:05:00"

"2021-01-01T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A woman in her 20s is in serious condition in hospital after she was shot on the grounds of Exhibition Place on Friday morning.\nToronto police say they were called to the corner of Princes’ Boulevard and Newfoundland Road at 6:55 a.m. for a report of shots fired.\nThey arrived to find a woman suffering from a gunshot wound.\nShe was taken to a hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition.\nA large group of officers conducted a search of Exhibition Place, but investigators have not released any suspect information.\nA white sedan was seen on the roadway, with two bullet holes in its driver's side window.\nIt’s the third violent incident to take place in the city in a seven hour span since the New Year began.", "Woman seriously injured in shooting on Toronto's Exhibition grounds", "A woman in her 20s is in serious condition in hospital after she was shot on the grounds of Exhibition Place on Friday morning." ]

[]

"2021-01-14T03:39:33"

"2021-01-13T17:55:00"

"2021-01-13T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A 25-year-old man is dead after he was stabbed inside a Scarborough building late Wednesday afternoon.\nEmergency crews were called to a building in the area of Eglinton Avenue East and Midland Avenue just after 5 p.m.\nWhen officers arrived, they located a male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds to his neck and back.\nHe was transported to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The homicide unit has taken over the investigation.\nInsp. Mike Williams said they are searching for one male suspect who fled the building and was last seen eastbound on Eglinton Avenue.\nHe is described as a Black male in his 20s with long dark hair. He was last seen wearing all black clothing and a black bubble jacket. Police said that the suspect should be considered “armed, violent and dangerous.”\nWilliams said the suspect and the victim “had some sort of relationship,” but he did not provide further details.\n“It does appear to be a targeted attack,” he said.\nWilliams noted that the stabbing took place in a hallway and a unit, adding several people were with the victim at the time of the stabbing and performed life-saving measures prior to the arrival of police.\n“Our officers are currently speaking to witnesses. Several people have been transported to 41 Division as part of the investigation,” Williams said.\n“We’re also canvassing for video in the area. I believe we have located some so far.”\nAnyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.", "Stabbing in Scarborough building leaves 25-year-old man dead", "A 25-year-old man is dead after he was stabbed inside a Scarborough building late Wednesday afternoon." ]

[]

"2021-01-23T14:16:35"

"2021-01-22T11:53:00"

"2021-01-22T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Premier Doug Ford offered to drive an ultra-cold refrigerated truck to Kalamazoo, Mich. in an effort to secure thousands of doses of the Pfizer vaccine for Ontario – an offer that the premier said was turned down by the drug manufacturer.\nDuring an interview with AM 800 in Windsor on Friday, Ford expressed his frustration with Pfizer over the COVID-19 vaccine shortage as a result of upgrades to their European manufacturing plant, during what the premier described as a \"tough conversation\" with the company's Canadian CEO.\n\"I told him it's unacceptable. We have all the infrastructure set up, and he's let us down. And every day that we lose, it could be possibly someone's life,\" Ford said.\nDuring that conversation earlier this week Ford also offered to drive across the border – which remains closed for non-essential travel until Feb 21 – and personally accept doses of the vaccine.\n\"I told the CEO, I'll help them one of those freezer trucks. I'll drive down there. I've been through Kalamazoo 100 times and, and we'll pick them up,\" Ford told the radio station.\nUltimately, Ford said, the vaccines being manufactured in at the Kalamazoo facility will fulfill orders made by the United States.\n\"They're holding them for just the Americans.\"\nWhile Pfizer declined to comment on the premier's specific comments, the company said they listened to Ford's concerns and underlined the temporary nature of the disruption of vaccines.\n\"We recognized that it has made it more difficult to smoothly advance the scale up of the immunization program in Ontario and throughout Canada. We reiterated this is a short-term situation and our focus is on meeting quarterly commitments.,\" the company said in a statement to CTV News Toronto.\nThe premier also repeated his plea to newly-inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden to spare a million vaccines for Ontario residents and expressed confidence that the message had been heard by the new administration.\n\"I'm pretty sure he heard my voice, as President Trump heard my voice about the personal protective equipment. Matter of fact, I know he heard me because I heard back from governors and senators down there.\"\nFord said that CNN played a clip of his recent comments on the COVID-19 vaccine, leading to his belief that Ontario's message was heard.\n\"I know [Biden] team watches CNN and so I can assure you they know Doug Ford down at the White House.\"", "Ontario premier offers to drive to U.S. to pick up more COVID-19 vaccines, accuses Pfizer of holding supply for Americans", "Premier Doug Ford offered to drive an ultra-cold refrigerated truck to Kalamazoo, Mich., in an effort to secure thousands of doses of the Pfizer vaccine for Ontario – an offer that the premier said was turned down by the drug manufacturer." ]

[]

"2021-01-03T03:36:14"

"2021-01-02T19:59:00"

"2021-01-02T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto police are investigating a shooting in Scarborough Saturday night that left two men injured.\nShortly after 6 p.m., two men suffering from gunshot wounds walked into a local hospital. Police say their injuries appear to be serious.\nPolice believe the shooting occurred near Beran Drive and Palacky Street, in the area of Lawrence Avenue East and Markham Road.\nThere is no suspect information at this time.\n“Because we’re working backwards in this investigation, we’re going to appeal to the community,” Insp. Kelly Skinner said.\n“If they have any information to please call us at 416-808-2222 and to check your backyards if you’re in this area and to check your surveillance cameras to see if you have any footage.”", "Shooting in Scarborough sends two men to hospital", "Toronto police are investigating a shooting in Scarborough Saturday night that left two men injured." ]

[]

"2021-01-15T23:28:24"

"2021-01-15T18:16:00"

"2021-01-15T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto police are asking the public for help in identifying a suspect vehicle in connection with a shooting last month that left a man seriously injured.\nIt happened on Dec. 16 in Scarborough, near Meandering Trail and Wolverine Way, at approximately 8:52 p.m.\nPolice say the 31-year-old victim was entering a house in the area when the suspect, or suspects, pulled up in a dark-coloured Nissan SUV.\nAn unknown suspect then discharged a firearm towards the man, according to police, leaving him with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.\nThe suspect vehicle was last seen driving southbound on Wolverine Way, police said.\nIn a news release issued Friday, police provided two security camera images of the vehicle in hopes of identifying the suspect or suspects.\nAnyone with information relating to the ongoing investigation is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.", "Police release photos of suspect vehicle in Scarborough shooting investigation", "Toronto police are asking the public for help in identifying a suspect vehicle in connection with a shooting last month that left a man seriously injured." ]

[]

"2021-01-14T23:28:05"

"2021-01-14T17:45:00"

"2021-01-14T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto police are asking the public for help in locating a man wanted on a number of charges.\nIn a news release, police said 35-year-old Mohamed Wehelie is wanted on four counts of forcible confinement, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and four counts of threaten death, among other charges.\nA photo of Wehelie was released by police on Thursday evening in hopes of locating him.\nAnyone with information relating to the investigation is asked to contact police at 416-808-2300. Anonymous tips can also be made through crime stoppers.", "Toronto police searching for man wanted on forcible confinement, death threat charges", "Toronto police are asking the public for help in locating a man wanted on a number of charges." ]

[]

"2021-01-29T03:12:50"

"2021-01-28T18:27:00"

"2021-01-28T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- During the pandemic, a lot more people are using the food delivery service DoorDash, but even if you haven’t and you bank with Toronto-Dominion Bank [TD] you may want to check your account.\nToronto resident Cecilia Verkley said she noticed two DoorDash charges on her bank statement. One was for $61.44 and the other was $151.93 even though she has never ordered food using the service.\n“I looked at my transaction record and there were two transactions for DoorDash, a company that I have never even done business with,” Verkley said.\nVerkley added “not only do I not use DoorDash, I don’t do any online baking at all.\"\nAmy Weirick, who lives in Columbus, Ohio, said she bought her dream home on Pelee Island, just off the southern-most tip of Ontario and needed a Canadian bank account to pay bills in Canada.\nWeirick said she noticed a DoorDash charge of $154.82 taken from her bank account.\n“Obviously I’m not doing DoorDash in Toronto. I’m in Ohio and with the pandemic, I’m not even allowed to go to Toronto,\" Weirick said.\nShe said she has been trying to have the charges reversed for the past two months.\n“I feel like they are charged with keeping my money safe and obviously they are not, and they’re still not ready to make good on the loss of my money,” Weirick said.\nThe fraudulent DoorDash charges appear to be happening only with TD Bank.\nA TD Bank spokesperson told CTV News Toronto that “a small percentage of TD debit cardholders experienced fraudulent activity incurring unauthorized charges from a single merchant” over a time period.\n“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and are actively working with our customers to facilitate reimbursement,” the spokesperson said.\nDoorDash said it's working with the bank to reimburse funds taken fraudulently, but at this point it’s not really clear how it happened.\nVerkley is still waiting for her funds to be returned. Weirick said once CTV News Toronto contacted the bank, she got her money.\n“Immediately after you guys got involved it was right back in my bank account and I had been working on this for two months and got absolutely nowhere,” Weirick said.\nIt’s a good idea to check your bank and credit card statements carefully to make sure all the charges are yours. If you see something that doesn't belong contact your bank or credit card company right away, although it can take time to get the charges reversed.", "Fraudsters target TD Bank clients with phoney DoorDash charges", "During the pandemic, a lot more people are using the food delivery service DoorDash, but even if you haven’t and you bank with Toronto-Dominion Bank [TD] you may want to check your account." ]

[]

"2021-01-29T03:12:55"

"2021-01-28T20:30:00"

"2021-01-28T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Peel District School Board’s website is down, and access to some school systems and files are blocked due to a “cyber security incident,” the board said Thursday.\nIn a statement posted to Twitter, PDSB said the incident was first discovered on Tuesday, which resulted in the encryption of the board’s files and systems.\n“PDSB Learning Technology Support Services team took immediate steps to isolate the incident and engaged a leading cyber-security firm, as well as Peel Police Cyber Security Services to assist with remediation and to conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation,” the board said in a statement.\nPDSB said its virtual classes are not affected by the incident and are continuing as normal.\nThe board noted that no personal or sensitive information has been compromised at this time, adding that it is confident that affected systems and files will be restored.\n“Should the investigation determine that personal or sensitive information was at risk, PDSB will notify affected individuals as soon as possible,” the board said.\nPeel police said they are investigating the incident.", "Peel District School Board suffers cyber attack, online learning unaffected", "The Peel District School Board’s website is down, and access to some school systems and files are blocked due to a “cyber security incident,” the board said Thursday." ]

[]

"2021-01-30T20:29:16"

"2021-01-30T13:21:00"

"2021-01-30T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Investigators are working to determine the cause of a massive house fire in Toronto’s east end that left four people dead and two others injured.\n“We are in the very preliminary stages of the investigation,” Jason Williams, the lead investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM), said outside of the home on Saturday morning. “The first problem we have to solve during the course of our investigation is where did the fire originate.”\nThe three-alarm blaze broke out at around 4:30 a.m. on Friday. Flames and heavy smoke were seen billowing from the roof as several fire trucks rushed to the home, located on Gainsborough Road in the area of Coxwell Avenue and Eastwood Road.\nFour people were pronounced dead after being removed from the home by responding emergency officials. Their identities have not been released.\nTwo other people who were inside the home at the time the fire broke out managed to escape and sustained various injuries. They both remain in hospital – one in critical condition and the other in stable condition.\nOne day after the fire broke out, officials with Toronto Fire and the OFM remain on scene attempting to stabilize the home, determine the cause of the blaze and find out if any working smoke alarms were inside.\n“Toronto Fire is actually still conducting defensive fire suppression activities right now,” Williams said just after 8 a.m. “We have actually not even started the scene examination as part of the investigation process right now.”\n“We will be conducting a preliminary scene assessment to determine structural stability to make sure it is safe for investigators to actually enter into the dwelling. We are going to be dealing with some extreme temperatures right now.”\nAlso on Saturday morning, Toronto Fire Platoon Chief Chris Rowland said a structural engineer had been called in to assist with plans to stabilize the home.\n“Right now, (the house) is compromised and we’re going to stabilize that the best we can so that our investigators can do a thorough investigation and be fairly confident that the building is not going to fall down on them,” Rowland said.\nThe entire second floor of the home was fully engulfed. Two adjacent homes were also impacted by the fire and the occupants were evacuated.\nThe investigation inside the home is expected to last several days, officials said.\nNeighbour dialed 911 after knock at her door\nSpeaking with CP24 on Saturday morning, a neighbour of the home said she called 911 after a frantic man appeared at her front door.\n“It was about 25 minutes after 4 a.m. and there’s all of a sudden a panic banging on my door,” Vivien said. “I answer the door, a man is there with no coat, no shoes, panic with tears and screaming ‘fire.’”\nOn Friday, Prasanna Hettiarachi, who operates a nearby restaurant, said the owner of the home is a wonderful and cheerful woman.\nAs well, area residents told CTV News Toronto that an elderly woman lives in the home with her daughter and grandson, adding other family members were known to stay over and at least one person is believed to be a tenant.\nToronto Fire Services Chief Matthew Pegg extended his condolences to the victims and their family from the scene on Friday.\n“This is one of the worst tragedies by fire that I've seen in my career and I can tell you that our team has performed really well,” he said. “I've had the chance now to meet with our senior command team and many of our firefighters on the scene and these are tough days. So my admiration to them all.”\nA number of firefighters sustained minor injuries while responding to the blaze.", "Investigators working to determine cause of massive Toronto house fire that left 4 people dead", "Investigators are working to determine the cause of a massive house fire in Toronto's east end that left four people dead and two others injured." ]

[]

"2021-01-21T15:39:30"

"2021-01-20T15:57:00"

"2021-01-20T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- More than 100 employees of a Canada Post facility in Mississauga, Ont. have tested positive for COVID-19 so far this month.\nThe Crown corporation confirmed Wednesday that there had been 121 cases at its Dixie Road location.\nPublic Health has confirmed that Canada Post is able to maintain its operations. Any employees who do test positive will leave the workplace and self-isolate,\" Canada Post said in a statement.\nAccording to the Crown corporation, more than 4,500 employees are working in mail processing, technical services, transportation, casual and administration at the facility.\nCanada Post noted that Peel Public Health had also directed them to test one shift of employees at its Gateway East facility for the novel coronavirus. Testing began on Tuesday.\n“There has been full compliance of workers with this directive. And the union supports this plan,” Qaiser Maroof, president of the Canada Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Toronto Local 626.\nHe said 23 workers at the Gateway East facility tested positive for COVID-19.\n“CPW continues to pressure Canada Post corporation to share the latest information with us, investigate and correct situations which could lead to workplace transmission and do so everything possible to assure the public safety and the health and safety of our workers at Canada Post,” he said.\n\"Peel Public Health investigates every COVID-19 positive case. If there is a potential workplace exposure, we work with the case to identify contacts and with the employer to ensure that they are doing what they can to prevent any future workplace exposure,\" said Dr. Lawrence Loh, the region's medical officer of health, in a statement.\nLoh added details of an investigation will only be disclosed if there is a risk to a broader public.\nOutbreaks at workplaces show the need for paid sick leave for workers, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said at a news conference on Wednesday. There had been 2014 workplace outbreaks since the pandemic, with 60 per cent reported in manufacturing, warehouse, and food processing.\n\"In total, over 1500 workers and people have contracted COVID-19 through a workplace outbreak. And we know that workplace outbreaks ultimately lead to more households and communities spread,\" she said.\nOn Wednesday, the city council approved a motion by Crombie requesting the provincial and federal governments \"fund necessary policies to provide adequate paid sick leave benefits.\" A similar motion was passed in December.\n\"It's simply unacceptable that we continue to ask our essential workers who are keeping our economy running to choose between going to work sick to keep food on the table or lose income while they self-isolate.\n\"I may sound like a broken record. But when it comes to this issue, I will keep saying it again and again. Paid sick leave needs to be part of our continued and shared response to this pandemic,\" Crombie said.\nLoh echoed the mayor's sentiments, saying paid sick leave will ensure that transmission spread does not happen at workplaces.\n\"Paid sick days can help workers stay home and self-isolate if they are sick,\" he said.\n\"We certainly know that manufacturing distribution warehouses, these are high-risk sectors for us to see workplace outbreaks. And so certainly, this really drives home the message that we've been saying all along for our essential workers in our community. Ultimately, there is no lockdown or shut down and they are ultimately still out there, making sure that there's packages delivered and food on the table.\"\nCrombie noted that cases in the region are plateauing, which she says is encouraging news.\nHowever, she urged residents to continue following public health measures.\n\"I'm very hopeful that we are over the large spike in cases that we saw recently due to holiday shopping and holiday gatherings,\" the mayor said.\n\"But this doesn't mean for a second that we can get complacent. We have to remain vigilant. The reality is that our hospitals remain in a precarious situation.\"\nWhile Trillium Health Partners saw a decline in hospitalizations since last week, Crombie said patients continue to be transferred to other regions.\nLoh believes next week is a critical turning point in the region's fight against the virus.\n\"What we are seeing now shows the lingering impact of the holidays. And what we do now will decide what our cases will look like at the end of January and ultimately what our hospitals will be coping with through February,\" he said.\nMore than 20,000 doses have been administered to health-care employees, essential workers and residents and staff of long-term care and retirement homes in Peel Region. With the Pfizer vaccine slowdown, that means preventing the further spread of the virus remains \"in all our hands,\" Loh said.\n\"All of this is needed to drive numbers down to see our community succeed into the summer and to keep COVID rates under control while we push our vaccine coverage up.\"", "More than 100 Canada Post employees at Mississauga, Ont. facility test positive for COVID-19", "More than 100 employees of a Canada Post facility in Mississauga, Ont. have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the year." ]

[]

"2021-01-15T18:14:54"

"2021-01-15T12:03:00"

"2021-01-15T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Residents, staff and essential caregivers at all 87 of Toronto’s long-term care homes have now had the opportunity to receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, one week ahead of schedule.\nThe Ontario government had set a goal of vaccinating all residents, health-care workers and essential caregivers in long-term care homes in Toronto, Peel, York and Windsor-Essex by Jan. 21.\nIn a message posted to Twitter on Friday morning, Health Minister Christine Elliott confirmed that vaccines have now been administered at every long-term care home in Toronto.\nEfforts, however, are still ongoing to complete vaccinations in long-term care homes in Ontario’s other COVID-19 hot spots.\n“Another exciting milestone in our vaccine rollout: all long-term care homes in Toronto have been vaccinated, almost a week earlier than our goal of January 21st. Thank you to #TeamVaccine for expediting this important work to protect our most vulnerable and frontline heroes,” Elliott wrote.\nThe province has administered more than 174,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Thursday.\nThey hope to have given at least a first dose of the vaccine to every long-term care resident and staff member by Feb. 15.\nIt should be noted that the province will still have to administer second doses to the vast majority of long-term care residents and staff in Toronto.", "All Toronto long-term care home residents and staff have gotten first dose of COVID-19 vaccine", "Residents, staff and essential caregivers at all 87 of Toronto’s long-term care homes have now had the opportunity to receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, one week ahead of schedule." ]

[]

"2021-01-06T13:42:14"

"2021-01-06T07:18:00"

"2021-01-06T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is scheduled to make his first announcement of the year this afternoon.\nAt his Toronto news conference, the premier will be joined by Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.\nThe news conference is expected to begin at 1 p.m. CTVNewsToronto.ca will stream it live as soon as it begins.\nWednesday’s news conference marks the first time the premier has spoken publicly in 2021. The details of the announcement are not yet known.\nAll of Ontario entered strict lockdown on Dec. 26 amid rising COVID-19 case counts. The measures are scheduled to last until Jan. 23 in the southern parts of the province (south of Sudbury) and until Jan. 9 in the northern parts.\nOntario has recorded more than 3,100 new COVID-19 cases four times in the past seven days. The highest number of new infections logged in a single day was seen on Saturday when 3,363 cases were recorded.\nThus far, 50,030 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ontario, including 7,607 doses administered in the previous day. The vaccine requires two doses. In Ontario, 117 total vaccinations have been completed.", "Ontario Premier Doug Ford to make first announcement of 2021 this afternoon", "Ontario Premier Doug Ford is scheduled to make his first announcement of the year this afternoon." ]

[]

"2021-01-26T07:04:13"

"2021-01-25T23:45:00"

"2021-01-25T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A winter weather travel advisory is now in effect for the GTA as a winter storm bears down on the city.\nIn a weather advisory issued Monday night, Environment Canada said snowfall amounts between five and 10 cm could hit the city on Tuesday, with as much as 15 cm possible in some areas.\n“Snow heavy at times will affect areas near the west end of Lake Ontario,” Environment Canada said in its advisory. “Easterly flow over the relatively warm waters of Lake Ontario along with higher terrain will help to locally boost snowfall amounts.”\nThe highest snowfall amounts are expected over the western portion of the city.\n“Rapidly accumulating snow may make travel difficult,” Environment Canada warned. “Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic.”\nWest of Toronto, a snowfall warning is in effect for Peel Region, including Mississauga, Brampton, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills, and Milton. Snowfall amounts of around 15 cm are expected in those areas.\nThe snow is expected to start falling Tuesday morning and continue through Tuesday night.\nA high of 0 C is expected Tuesday. The wind chill is expected to make it feel more like -10 in the morning. The temperature is expected to dip down to – 13 C Tuesday night before rising to a high of 3 C on Wednesday.", "Snow expected in Toronto Tuesday as Environment Canada warns of messy drive", "A winter weather travel advisory is now in effect for the GTA as a winter storm bears down on the city." ]

[]

"2021-01-28T19:40:23"

"2021-01-28T07:16:00"

"2021-01-28T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario will provide an update on COVID-19 modelling projections today.\nThe province says Dr. Adalsteinn Brown, the co-chairman of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, will present the update this afternoon.\nThe new data comes two weeks after the province invoked a stay-at-home order in a bid to halt surging case spread.\nThe province's chief medical officer of health says a provincewide lockdown, which started in late December, has contributed to a reduction in daily cases.\nThe last modelling update provided by the province earlier this month warned that rising virus case rates threatened to overwhelm the health care system.\nOn Wednesday, Ontario reported 1,670 new cases of COVID-19 and 49 more deaths linked to the virus.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 28, 2021.", "Ontario provides pandemic modelling update as daily case counts decline", "Ontario will provide an update on COVID-19 modelling projections today." ]

[]

"2021-01-27T19:12:05"

"2021-01-27T12:21:00"

"2021-01-27T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Toronto police are looking for a woman they say was involved in a hate-motivated incident near Yonge-Dundas Square last year.\nPolice say officers responded to a call for an assault near Yonge and Dundas streets on Nov. 14 at approximately 11:30 a.m.\nIn a news release, police said a 48-year-old man and his friend were in the area when they were approached by an unknown woman.\nThe woman yelled at the 48-year-old man and punched him in the head “a number of times,”’ police allege.\nShe then grabbed a religious item from the man’s hand causing it to fall and break, police said.\nShe is described by police as standing five-foot-seven inches tall with long dark hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a green winter jacket, black tights, a black sweater and a maroon toque.\nA photo of the suspect was released by police Wednesday in hopes of identifying her.\nPolice say that when suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to the police, the investigation will be led by a divisional investigator.\n“The Hate Crime Unit will be made aware and specialized officers from that unit will support the investigation as needed,” the release reads.\nIf it is alleged that a criminal offence was committed and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, police say that the officer in-charge will consult with the Crown.\n“If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.”\nAnyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.", "Woman sought by Toronto police in 'hate-motivated' assault near Yonge-Dundas Square", "Toronto police are looking for a woman they say was involved in a hate-motivated incident near Yonge-Dundas Square last year." ]

[]

"2021-01-07T20:32:04"

"2021-01-07T13:49:00"

"2021-01-07T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Police say they are investigating after a 14-year-old boy walked into a Toronto hospital with a gunshot wound this afternoon.\nOfficers have not provided any information about the boy’s current condition.\nThe circumstances surrounding the teen’s injuries are not clear but police say they are investigating whether it is connected to a shooting in 42 Division earlier today.\nPolice say shortly before 1 p.m., officers were called to the area of Morningside Avenue and Sewells Road for a reported shooting.\nOfficers are currently reviewing video surveillance footage of the area, police said in a tweet.", "Investigation underway after 14-year-old boy walks into Toronto hospital with gunshot wound", "Police say they are investigating after a 14-year-old boy walked into a Toronto hospital with a gunshot wound this afternoon." ]

[]

"2021-01-22T00:58:01"

"2021-01-21T19:08:00"

"2021-01-21T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- For the first time in its 62-year-history, the Toronto International Boat Show has gone online.\nMore than 20,000 people have already registered to take part in the virtual boat show, which is about the same number that usually attends in person.\nDue to the pandemic, boat sales are up.\n“The pandemic certainly brought people out of the city to our waterways and to cottages. Boating is definitely a safe type of lifestyle,” said Linda Waddell, show director of the Toronto International Boat Show.\nA Canadian boating survey found that Ontario boat dealers saw an increase in boat sales of 26 per cent in 2020 over the year before. There was also an increase in rentals and leases of boats of 17 per cent over the previous year.\nThe boating industry says young families, first time boaters and former boaters who are returning to the pastime are driving demand.\nMany families see it as a safe thing to do during the pandemic.\n“Boating is offering families a bit of a sanctuary in this crazy time. For the most part you are able to be safe with your family in your boat and have all the great times you normally do,\" said Steve Tait, the general manager of Walkers Point Marina in Gravenhurst, Ont..\nSo many people want to get into boating demand now exceeds supply. Many factories that make boats have also experienced delays due to the pandemic and a disruption in the supply chain.\nThe survey also found among boat dealers 80 per cent anticipate low supply or to be sold out by May of this year.\n“It’s the highest demand I’ve ever seen. We really didn't prepare for this and we really didn't have any way to prepare due to the global situation,\" said Derek Mader, CEO of Executive Yacht in Toronto.\nIf you’re serious about getting into boating you may want to lock in a purchase before the boating season begins.\n”If people wait until May to plan on what they are doing for the summer and if they want to buy a boat there will be no inventory at that time of year\" said Waddell.\nThe boat show continues online until Sunday. It's free to register and you can take part in live chats, schedule meetings or just browse to try and find your dream boat.", "Wave of consumer demand may cause boat shortage in 2021", "For the first time in its 62-year-history, the Toronto International Boat Show has gone online." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-11T20:29:20"

"2021-01-11T13:33:00"

"2021-01-11T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Parents of Ontario secondary students can now apply for a one-time $200 payment per child to help offset education costs during the pandemic.\nPremier Doug Ford announced in December that parents of secondary students would be able to apply for the payment between Jan. 11 and Feb. 8.\nParents of elementary school students were also able to apply for a $200 payment earlier this year and are also able to apply for a second one.\nThe deadline for parents of elementary school students to apply for the second $200 payment was extended in December until Feb. 8.\nParents who want to apply for the payment can do so on the government's Support for Learner's website.\nThe government said the money will be deposited directly into parents' bank accounts approximately two weeks after their application is approved.\nThe payment for parents of secondary students will be available for those with children aged 13 through to Grade 12.\nThe financial support is available regardless of whether students attend a public school, private school or are homeschooled.\nThe growing number of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario prompted the government to extend the closure of in-person learning for elementary students in the southern part of the province last week.\nStudents in southern Ontario won't return to class until Jan. 25, and will instead participate in virtual learning.", "Parents of Ontario secondary students can now apply for their $200 payment. Here's how", "Parents of Ontario secondary students can now apply for a one-time $200 payment per child to help offset education costs during the pandemic." ]

[]

"2021-01-08T22:49:57"

"2021-01-08T17:44:00"

"2021-01-08T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario’s four teachers’ unions are calling on the provincial government to develop “specific benchmarks” that would trigger any moves between virtual and in-person learning, saying that “a clear and consistent plan will reduce the chaos and confusion.”\nThe call to action comes one day after Premier Doug Ford extended virtual learning for all students in southern Ontario until Jan. 25.\nElementary students were scheduled to return to the classrooms on Jan. 11, but due to a rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths, the government decided to extend the remote learning period. Students in northern Ontario will, however, return to class on that date.\n\"With the public health trends where they are across the province, our priority remains keeping students, teachers, school staff, and all Ontarians safe,” Ford said in a written statement issued Thursday. \"We have to get the numbers down and today's measures will help us continue to stop the spread of this deadly virus.\"\nIn a letter released on Friday, the unions said the government should convene an advisory table comprising of all education stakeholders and union representatives to “develop a clear action plan for Ontario’s return to schools.”\n“Specific benchmarks must be in place for triggering any moves between virtual and face-to-face learning, benchmarks that recognize the different needs of all students,” the letter said. “The Ford government cannot continue to abdicate its responsibility.”\n“Establishing a clear and consistent plan will reduce the chaos and confusion caused by this government’s failure to respond appropriately to this pandemic.”\nThe letter was sent by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO), and the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO).\nOn Thursday, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health hinted that further measures were going to be taken before schools reopened to in-class learning, although he did not say exactly what parents, students or educators should expect.\n“I want to put some more steps and protection in place,” he said.\n“I know that the minister will probably be making some comments coming up in the next day or two about what further he is going to do, and so I'm not going to preempt him by what his comments are in some of those areas.”\nThe teachers’ unions said they hope the government takes the next two weeks to “immediately implement the necessary measures to ensure a safe return to in-person learning is possible.”\nThe letter lists a number of measures that could be taken, including reducing class sizes, improving of ventilation, enhanced sanitation and cleaning, and the introduction of broad, school-based asymptomatic testing.\n“As COVID-19 numbers continue to surge, it has become abundantly clear that a new plan is needed for Ontario’s publicly-funded education system, one that prioritizes community safety, is transparent, evidence-informed, and focuses on implementing new safety measures in Ontario’s schools,” they said.\n“In addition, for those families that are struggling with balancing work obligations with caring for their children at home, we call on the Ford government to provide immediate assistance for all families who require emergency child care or income support during this lockdown period.”\nThe unions also ask for a “specific vaccination plan” that explains when and how teachers and education workers will get the shot.\nOntario has been under a province-wide lockdown since Dec. 26. Speaking to reporters on Friday after revealing more than 4,200 new cases of COVID-19, the premier warned that “more extreme measures” could be coming.", "Ontario teachers’ unions call for ‘specific benchmarks’ to trigger moves to in-class learning", "Ontario’s four teachers’ unions are calling on the provincial government to develop “specific benchmarks” that would trigger any moves between virtual and in-person learning, saying that “a clear and consistent plan will reduce the chaos and confusion.”" ]

[]

"2021-01-03T17:48:22"

"2021-01-03T11:33:00"

"2021-01-03T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario’s education minister has confirmed the start dates for in-person learning at schools will not change amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases over the holidays.\nIn a letter sent to parents on Saturday, Stephen Lecce reiterated that “schools are not a source of rising community transmission” and that the institutions have been protected in part due to the extended holiday break.\nOntario went into a provincewide lockdown as of Dec. 26, forcing non-essential businesses to close and prohibiting in-person dining at bars and restaurants.\nAmong the restrictions, the province announced that publicly-funded elementary schools would be closed until at least Jan. 11. Students will instead participate in remote, virtual learning during the first week of the month.\nIn northern Ontario, all schools are scheduled to reopen on that date while in southern Ontario, secondary school students were told they would not be returning to the classroom until Jan. 25.\nSecondary school students in southern Ontario were told they would not be returning to the classroom until Jan. 25.\nThe lockdown itself is scheduled to last until at least Jan. 23 in southern Ontario, pending an extension order by the government.\nOn Saturday, Lecce confirmed that in-person learning will resume on the original dates outlined.\n“We believe so strongly that schools are essential to the well-being, mental health and development of a child, and therefore, must be safeguarded at all costs to ensure they can remain open for safe in-class instruction,” the letter said.\n“I want to reassure parents that according to the province’s leading doctors, our schools are safe, with eight out of 10 schools in this province having no cases of COVID-19 and based on board reporting, 99.64 per cent of students have not reported a case of COVID-19.”\nLearning must continue, even during a pandemic.\nSHARE my open letter to parents, as kids prepare for virtual learning this week. #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/wGsvPLBE7e — Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) January 3, 2021\nBetween mid-September and Dec. 21, the province reported 5,103 cases of COVID-19 in students and 1,094 cases among school staff. At least 1,095 additional cases of the novel coronavirus were logged in “individuals not identified,” which could include parents or family members of school-related cases.\nNine-hundred and seventy-six of Ontario’s 4,828 schools have reported a case of COVID-19.\nLecce said that in order to ensure safety in schools this year, the government will continue enhanced testing at schools and “allocate a new and significant investment in school safety, including enhanced air quality, more PPE (personal protective equipment), and additional staffing and cleaning.”\n“We will do whatever it takes to ensure our kids can continue to learn,” the letter read.\nOver the long weekend, the province logged more than 8,800 new cases of COVID-19. On New Year’s Day, Ontario hit a record high of 3,363 infections while 2,476 cases were reported on Saturday and 2,964 were reported on Sunday.\nOver the course of these three days, officials reported 120 deaths related to COVID-19.", "Ontario confirms school start dates for January in-person learning", "Ontario’s education minister has confirmed the start dates for in-person learning at schools will not change amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases over the holidays." ]

[]

"2021-01-23T21:38:53"

"2021-01-21T18:31:00"

"2021-01-21T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A hospitalized Instagram-famous Toronto pug has received a little help from her loyal fans – more than $30,000 to help cover her hefty medical bills.\nPickles, better known as Lil Pickles Da Pug to her nearly 300,000 social media followers, suffered a status epilepticus event on Sunday, her owner Sarah Mitchell told CTV News Toronto.\nExperiencing one seizure that lasts five minutes or having more than one seizure over the span of five minutes without returning to a normal level of consciousness is called status epilepticus.\nAfter the five-year-old pug went into “uncontrollable and constant grand mal seizure\" on Sunday, Mitchell said, she was rushed to her local emergency veterinary hospital where efforts were made to stabilize her.\nPickles spent nearly two days in a medically-induced coma and intubated.\nThen, on Tuesday, Pickles was transferred to a different hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) for further treatment, including care for a pneumonia she developed from her seizures.\nAs of Thursday, she remains in the ICU in critical condition, Mitchell said, adding Pickles continues to require 24-hour care from a lung specialist and neurologist.\n“She is way less sedate, but is too weak to move on her own,” Mitchell said Thursday evening. “She currently has a disconnect between her eyes and brain, which can happen with such intense seizures, but should gradually return to normal vision if all goes well.”\n“Overall, she is comfortable and stabilized, but critical. She is beginning to show some signs of improvement, but no anywhere near out of the woods yet.”\nPickles has been with her owners since she was a puppy and was first diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy in 2018. Mitchell said her pug had been “very well controlled since then.”\nMitchell posts photographs of Pickles to her social media account to brighten people’s days and spread awareness of dogs suffering from epilepsy.\n“Pickles’ social media originally started as a designated place just to share her pictures to family and friends,” Mitchel said. “Her personality really started to shine through and she began to have viral posts.”\nPickles has been featured on a New York Times Square billboard and had one of her videos featured in a Milkbone commercial.\n“Her personality is very mischievous and bossy. Everyone is amused by her ongoing joke fueds with the neighbours. We love being able to spread joy and laughs with her friends and fans.”\nAmidst all the uncertainty surrounding Pickles’ health, Mitchell set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay the costs of Pickles’ pricey medical bills and her loyal fans rose to the occasion.\nIn just two days, more than $30,000 was raised, doubling Mitchell’s goal of $15,000.\n“We are overwhelmed by all of the love and support for Pickles and us as a family,” Mitchell said. “We have met so many amazing friends and fellow pug-lovers over the years on social media.”\n“We have all become such a strong and wonderful community. Everyone wants to see her come home safely.”\nMitchell said she is very thankful the donations have surpassed her expectations because Pickles’ bill are “continuing to increase by the day.”\n“The pug community online has made this high level of care accessible and possible for us when it otherwise wouldn’t have been with the current financial climate of COVID-19,” Mitchell said.\n“I am forever grateful and touched by everyone’s generosity and willingness to help save my pug’s life.”\nPickles has not been given a release date from the ICU thus far and once she is allowed to go home, Mitchell said, additional money will be needed for her aftercare, including follow up appointments and future diagnostics.", "Instagram-famous Toronto pug receives more than $30,000 in donations following hospitalization", "A hospitalized Instagram-famous Toronto pug has received a little help from her loyal fans – more than $30,000 to help cover her hefty medical bills." ]

[]

"2021-01-19T02:58:16"

"2021-01-18T20:06:00"

"2021-01-18T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- An 11-year-old boy from Etobicoke has co-founded a cooking subscription box to help kids get more involved in the dinner-making process.\n“I love cooking for my family,” Matteo Biscaro told CTV News Toronto. “It’s one of my favourite things to do, possibly my favourite!”\nBiscaro has been cooking since the age of four and currently makes dinner for his family four nights a week.\n“Sometimes I make homemade pasta, biscotti with my aunt, or even pierogis with my grandma,” Biscaro explained. “I feel a great connection with the kitchen and it’s just a great place for me.”\nBiscaro knows, however, that not all children feel the same way about making meals as he does.\n“Most of the kids I know aren’t that big of fans of cooking,” he admitted. “They cook so that they will survive, but I cook because it’s fun. So I’m trying to get the people that cook to survive, into the fun side!”\nWith the help of his mother, Biscaro recently co-founded ‘Cucina Kids’ – a cooking subscription box for children. Each box celebrates cuisine and recipes from different corners of Canada and includes special cooking tools and conversation ‘chit chat’ cards.\n“A couple of my friends after texted me, ‘like this is so cool, can’t wait for the next one!’” he said. “And whenever someone does that, I’m just really proud of myself.”\nChildren who have subscribed to Cucina Kids say it has made them excited to spend time with their parents in the kitchen.\n“It’s a fun way to learn more,” Jordan, a friend of Biscaro’s, told CTV News. “It’s just amazing that [Biscaro] thought of this for other kids his age and younger, and older, to experiment with cooking.”\nBiscaro hopes that his entrepreneurial venture with ‘Cucina Kids’ will help children who are spending a lot of time at home find a new project and develop a new skill.\n“I think it’s great to cook for fun, it’s a great stress-reliever. I think it’s a great thing to do,” he said.\nThe hope, Biscaro adds, is that families will be brought closer together as the cook and spend time conversing around the dinner table.\n“You’re actually learning something while you’re making something, which is great for this time,” he said.\nAs for kids who may be hesitant to get into the kitchen, Biscaro has this message.\n“If it turns out bad, don’t worry! There’s many more chances you’ll get, so just go for it.”", "Boy, 11, helps families at home with 'Cucina Kids' children’s cooking subscription boxes", "An 11-year-old boy from Etobicoke has co-funded a cooking subscription box to help kids get more involved in the dinner-making process." ]

[]

"2021-01-16T16:37:15"

"2021-01-16T11:02:00"

"2021-01-16T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- More than 200 long-term care homes and retirement residences have not yet paid their personal support workers a $3 per hour pay enhancement provided by the provincial government amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Minister of Long-Term Care.\nMinister Merrilee Fullerton said there are still PSWs at both Extendicare and Chartwell that have not received the pay on top of their regular wages, according to letters obtained by CP24 that Fullerton wrote to the chief executive officers of both for-profit companies.\nFullerton said 217 homes have yet to pay their workers the funds, which were delivered to homes across the province on Dec. 10, 2020.\nIn the letters, Fullerton said she was “incredibly disappointed” to learn about PSWs who have not yet received the pay and is calling on the CEOs to “immediately resolve this matter.”\n“Personal support workers don’t have the option to wait to show up to work, likewise no home should wait to pay them. These frontline heroes are working under extremely challenging conditions and it’s unacceptable that some workers are still waiting for their wage increase,” the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s office said in a statement to CP24.\nIn Oct. 2020, the government announced that $461 million would be distributed to long-term care homes and retirement residents to “temporarily enhance” the wages of PSWs and direct support workers by $3 per hour during the COVID-19 pandemic.\nThe extra funds came after the government provided temporary pandemic pay of $4 per hour for frontline workers in long-term care and retirement homes in Apr. 2020. The pandemic pay was effective for 16 weeks from Apr. 24 to Aug. 13, 2020.\nFullerton ended her letters to the CEOs by stating that the companies need to prioritize paying their workers the extra funds “on the same level of importance as it would paying its shareholders.”\nCP24 has reached out to both Extendicare and Chartwell for a comment but has yet to receive a response.\nResidents and staff in long-term care homes have been hardest hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic, which began in March 2020.\nAs of Friday, 3,137 long-term care residents and 10 health care workers in these homes have died from the virus. Long-term care home fatalities represent almost 60 per cent of all virus-related deaths in Ontario. The province’s death toll stands at 5,289.\nThere are currently 250 active outbreaks of the virus at homes across the province.", "Over 200 long-term care homes haven't paid PSWs $3 per hour temporary wage increase", "More than 200 long-term care homes and retirement residences have not yet paid their personal support workers a $3 per hour pay enhancement provided by the provincial government amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Minister of Long-Term Care." ]

[]

"2021-01-22T17:34:16"

"2021-01-22T10:35:00"

"2021-01-22T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO --\nAn elite taekwondo coach who sexually abused two teenage students has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison.\nShin Wook Lim was sentenced this morning after pleading guilty to two additional charges of sexual interference involving the second complainant.\nThree charges related to that complainant were also withdrawn.\nLim was found guilty last week of 10 charges, including sexual assault and sexual interference, in connection with a series of incidents involving the first complainant, a high-level athlete who trained with him at the Black Belt World martial arts studio in Toronto.\nThree charges related to that complainant were also stayed today because they overlapped with some of the other counts.\nProsecutors noted several aggravating factors, including Lim's position of trust and the fact that the complainants were underage at the time of the incidents, in presenting the joint sentence proposal.\nDefence lawyers, meanwhile, highlighted Friday's guilty plea as well as Lim's willingness to go into custody immediately despite several outbreaks of COVID-19 in correctional facilities as mitigating factors.\nBoth complainants described the lingering harm caused by Lim's actions in victim impact statements delivered in court Friday.\nOne of the complainants has waived her right to anonymity, while the other's identity remains protected under a publication ban.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021.", "Elite Taekwondo coach convicted of sex assault sentenced to 6.5 years in prison", "An elite taekwondo coach who sexually abused two teenage students has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison." ]

[]

"2021-01-24T03:44:23"

"2021-01-23T20:03:00"

"2021-01-23T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ministry of the Solicitor-General said Saturday that Maplehurst Correctional Complex will not admit new inmates as the facility continues to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak.\nGreg Flood, a spokesperson for the ministry, said in a statement sent to CTV News Toronto that they are working with police \"to divert new admits\" to other facilities. The outbreak at the Milton jail declared earlier this week has resulted in 90 inmates and 26 staff testing positive for COVID-19.\n\"The ministry continues to work with its justice partners to reduce the number of individuals coming into custody across Ontario. These decisions are based on a number of factors to ensure community safety remains paramount,\" Flood said.\nThe correctional facility is in full lockdown to ensure isolation of inmates and reduce further spread of COVID-19. Flood said the ministry is working to provide inmates access to showers and phone calls while following COVID-19 protocols.\n\"The health and safety of our staff and those in custody remains a top priority,\" he said.\nOn Friday, OPSEU Local 234 President Peter Figliola asked for a pause on the admission of any new inmates for the time being, given the size of the outbreak.\nFlood noted that voluntary testing among staff and inmates continues at the facility.\nThe ministry is also temporarily suspending any in-person court transfers from the correctional facility, adding that it will continue to use video courts and audio courts.\nThe outbreak comes just weeks after another outbreak at Toronto South Detention Centre resulted in 61 positive cases. There were also 20 active cases at Thunder Bay Jail as of Tuesday.", "COVID-19 outbreak at Milton jail prompts new admissions to be diverted to other facilities: solicitor general", "The Ministry of the Solicitor-General said Saturday that Maplehurst Correctional Complex will not admit new inmates as the facility continues to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak." ]

[]

"2021-01-18T19:52:17"

"2021-01-18T13:34:00"

"2021-01-18T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Another parole hearing for convicted drunk driver Marco Muzzo is scheduled for next month.\nThree months ago, Muzzo, who was responsible for a 2015 Vaughan, Ont. crash that claimed the lives of three young children and their grandfather, was granted six more months of day parole.\nMuzzo was first granted day parole in April 2020.\nThus far, Muzzo has been denied full parole. The latest decision from the Parole Board of Canada ordered a hearing to be scheduled to consider full parole for Muzzo.\nAt the time of the deadly crash, Muzzo was driving home from Toronto Pearson International Airport. He had just flown in from Miami, where he was celebrating his bachelor party.\nNine-year-old Daniel Neville-Lake, five-year-old Harrison Neville-Lake, two-year-old Milly Neville-Lake, and 65-year-old Gary Neville died in the collision. The children’s 64-year-old grandmother and 91-year-old great-grandmother were also seriously injured as Muzzo sped through a stop sign in his Jeep Cherokee and smashed into the family’s mini-van.\nAccording to an agreed statement of facts read in court, a police officer, who was called to the scene, said Muzzo had glossy eyes, smelled of alcohol and had urinated himself.\nA toxicologist discovered that Muzzo was about three times over the legal limit of alcohol consumption while behind the wheel.\nMuzzo pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm. In March 2016, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, along with a 12-year driving prohibition.\nMuzzo was released from a minimum security prison in May and has been living at a community facility since then under the condition that he not go to Brampton, King City and Aurora, where the victims’ family reside and frequently visit. He must also meet with a mental health professional/practitioner to address substance abuse and reintegration issues, avoid drinking establishments and not consume alcohol.\nThe parole board noted in its fall report that Muzzo has not breached any of his conditions since his release and is “actively engaged” in his correctional plan.\nJennifer Neville-Lake, the children’s mother, has previously stated it is unfair that Muzzo is allowed to move about in society before serving his full 10-year sentence. She has also stated she does not believe Muzzo has fully accepted what he did.\n“I'm not surprised by their decision as I have come to expect little from the justice system,” Neville-Lake said in November.\n“As the man who destroyed my family gets closer to rejoining his I face a holiday season that I no longer celebrate. My children's birthdays are without my children, and Millie's is next month.”\n“My family will never be whole again.”\nMuzzo said he will always take \"full responsibility\" for the damage he has caused after he was first granted day parole.\n\"I want to apologize to the Neville-Lake, Neville and Frias families for the terrible pain I have caused them and their loved ones,\" he said in a statement. \"I ruined their lives and I take full responsibility for what I have done. I always will.\"\n\"I was careless and irresponsible when I made the choice to drink and drive. There is no way that I can undo the damage that I have caused.\"\nAmid the COVID-19 pandemic Muzzo’s next parole hearing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 9, the board said on Monday, adding it will be held via video conference or teleconference.\nThe board noted that the hearing may be cancelled or rescheduled at the request of the offender or by the board if all required information is not received from the Correctional Service of Canada beforehand.", "Parole hearing for drunk driver Marco Muzzo scheduled for next month", "Marco Muzzo, who was responsible for a Toronto-area crash that claimed the lives of three young children and their grandfather, will seek full parole next month." ]

[]

"2021-01-23T00:58:17"

"2021-01-22T18:59:00"

"2021-01-22T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ontario government said Friday that it will temporarily pause demolition of several heritage buildings at a site in Toronto’s West Don Lands as a \"good faith measure” until a proper court hearing next week.\nThe provincially-owned Foundry buildings at 153-185 Eastern Avenue are designated heritage properties.\nThe province says the site is needed for the construction of new affordable housing, market housing, and community space and has used the exceptional power of a ministerial zoning order to override the heritage protection of the buildings.\nDemolition began about a week ago, but the community itself has rallied to try and save the buildings, launching daily protests, as well as a court challenge.\nThe St. Lawrence Community Association has sought an interim injunction to stay demolition and environmental remediation activities at the site. The injunction was not granted on Friday, but the court said it will hear full legal arguments on Wednesday.\n“Although an injunction was not ordered, as a good faith measure towards the City of Toronto, I have called Mayor John Tory to advise that the province will temporarily pause demolition and environmental remediation, until next Wednesday, January 27th,” Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark said in a statement Friday afternoon.\n“The province has been clear that this provincially-owned property – which has been largely abandoned for over 40 years and requires demolition to allow for significant environmental remediation – will be revitalized to allow for the construction of new affordable housing, market housing, and community space.”\nBut community members working to save the buildings say the province has demonstrated anything but good faith so far.\nSuzanne Kavanagh, who is past president of the St. Lawrence Community Association and a member of the newly formed “Save The Foundry” group told CP24.com that the property has been sitting vacant because the province has not responded to the community’s suggestions over the years about ways to use the site.\n“We are incensed and we are insulted. How dare they say to us that we're not interested in affordable housing,” Kavanagh said.\nShe said that the community is accustomed to working with developers, but there was no plan for the site prior to the ministerial zoning order issued in October.\nEven if there was a plan to create affordable housing, Kavanagh said, she doesn’t see why that means the heritage structures would need to be demolished.\n“Who declared that heritage and affordable housing are mutually exclusive?” she said. “That is obscene. And we are very good at looking at adaptive reuse.”\nShe noted that heritage structures are adapted and incorporated into new projects around the world all the time.\n“How dare they come in and raise this site without a plan. We have examples of developers where they even said they have a better application after community consultation than when they first started out,”Kavanagh said. “This government from day one has never talked to the community about anything.”\nSpeaking with CP24 Friday afternoon, Mayor John Tory said that while the city wants more affordable housing, the proper process needs to be followed.\n“The proper way to do this from the beginning would have been, and still is, to sit down and talk about that and talk with the city and talk with the local community and for the province to follow some of the laws that apply to this kind of thing,” Tory said. “So that's what we're seeking to do. That's why we asked for the pause. The minister gave us five days. We'll put those to good use. And if we need more, then we'll take whatever steps we can to get more.”\nThe parties are expected back in court on Wednesday to present more fulsome legal arguments.\nAn online fundraising effort by community activists has already collected $11,000 to cover legal costs and a petition to save the building has garnered more than 18,000 signatures.\nThe buildings at the site were constructed between 1917 and 1929 and formed The Dominion Wheel and Foundries Company. The buildings were added to the city’s heritage inventory in 2004. At the time the city noted that they were “historically and architecturally significant as a good example of an industrial enclave in the area adjoining the lower Don River.”", "Ontario pausing demolition of several Toronto heritage buildings amid challenges from community", "The Ontario government said Friday that it will temporarily pause demolition of several heritage buildings at a site in Toronto’s West Don Lands as a \"good faith measure” until a proper court hearing next week." ]

[]

"2021-01-21T04:41:01"

"2021-01-20T22:07:00"

"2021-01-20T00:00:00"

[ "TAMPA, FLA. -- If there's a silver lining to the Toronto Raptors' sluggish 111-102 loss to Miami on Wednesday, it's that they'll get another crack at the Heat on Friday.\nFred VanVleet had 24 points and nine assists to top the Raptors (5-9), whose three-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on a lacklustre night.\nTo limit travel and exposure in a season overshadowed by COVID-19, the NBA has scheduled two-game series, and so the Raptors host Miami again on Friday.\nNick Nurse is hoping for a far better performance.\n“Hopefully we're going to be pretty determined the next time the ball goes up,” the coach said. “You take one on the chin, you dig in . . . hopefully we're ready to get out and move a little faster, push the ball a little harder, snap the passes and cover for each other a little bit better defensively. That's part of when you see a team twice in a row, a big part of it.”\nPascal Siakam and OG Anunoby had 18 points apiece. Terence Davis scored 16 points off the bench.\nKendrick Nunn scored 28 points to top the short-handed Heat (6-7). who were missing Tyler Herro (neck spasms), and Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley due to health and safety protocols around COVID-19.\n“In this (injury) situation, either you put your tail between your legs or you rise to the occasion for your team,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.\nCanadian Kelly Olynyk added 15 points for Miami.\nThe Raptors were coming off a 116-93 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, their best performance this season and a hopeful sign they'd turned a corner on their early troubles.\nBut on Wednesday, they shot 32.7 per cent from three-point range, and just 3-for-12 from the field in the fourth quarter.\n“We'll have to get some better looks instead of shooting threes all the time. When you don't make shots against a zone it has a snowball effect. They get more aggressive and it makes it harder,” VanVleet said.\nThe Heat, which led by as many as 11 in the first half, took an 88-83 advantage into the fourth quarter. Chris Boucher's cutting layup sliced the difference to three points early in the quarter, but Miami replied with an 8-0 run capped by a fadeaway bucket from Bam Adebayo that had the Heat back up by 11 with 6:58 to play.\nSiakam's jumper with 5:17 to play ended an almost six-minute stretch without a Raptors basket. VanVleet's three less than a minute later slashed the difference to nine points. But the Raptors couldn't maintain any momentum, and back-to-back three-pointers by Goran Dragic had Miami back up by 15 points.\nDavis scored from distance with 1:27 to play to make it a 10-point game, but the Raptors never threatened over the dying seconds.\nToronto's sluggish finish has been a worrisome trend this season for a team that was once one of the league's best teams down the stretch.\nAsked whether he likes the two-game series concept, VanVleet said he's undecided.\n“I'm not sure it's good, bad or indifferent. I guess there's something to it, to try and play a team you just loss to right away, there might be a little extra motivation there,” he said. “But you just go into each game every night trying to get a win and we didn't do that tonight, so we'll try to bounce back in the next one.”\nKyle Lowry scored Toronto's first seven points, but an Andre Iguodala three-pointer and dunk punctuated an 18-6 Heat run late in the quarter, and Miami led 29-23 to start the second.\nThe Raptors picked up the pace in the second, and Anunoby's pair of threes were part of a 9-0 Raptors run that sliced Miami's lead to two points. Toronto went into the halftime break up 58-56.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2021.", "Raptors' three-game win streak ends with 111-102 loss to Miami", "If there's a silver lining to the Toronto Raptors' sluggish 111-102 loss to Miami on Wednesday, it's that they'll get another crack at the Heat on Friday." ]

[]

"2021-01-17T17:29:17"

"2021-01-16T16:35:00"

"2021-01-16T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Mayor John Tory says he is glad police officers responding to anti-lockdown protests in the city’s downtown core on Saturday ticketed people who weren’t following the rules, calling the demonstrations “not right” and “not safe.”\nHundreds of protesters could be seen marching in the streets downtown on Saturday afternoon, calling for an end to lockdown measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.\nOfficers responding to the protests broke up demonstrators, who had gathered at Nathan Phillips Square and Yonge-Dundas Square.\nThree people were arrested, including two of the organizers, who were charged with common nuisance.\nA 22-year-old was also charged with assaulting a police officer and obstructing police.\nA total of 18 charges of failing to comply with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act were laid as a result of the protest, according to police.\nTory said protesters also gathered outside his condo building on Saturday.\n“I understand the right to protest, but in my case they not only demonstrate contrary to the regulations that are out there, and they do the same outside of Premier Ford’s house… they also stop people from people from coming in and out of their homes in our building,” Tory said Sunday.\n“It results in people living where I live, and same with Premier Ford’s neighbours, to be told to have to stay in completely, they can’t even go for the walk the rest of us are able to go for or go to the grocery store or anything like that.”\nThe mayor said he was pleased that enforcement action was taken against the protesters this weekend.\n“Putting the rules and regulations aside… it is also just unsafe for them with each other. I know they say they don’t believe that. It is a risk to other people who are out and about. It is just no right and it is not safe,” he said.\n“The police do what they have to do and I’m glad, even though I don’t give the direction to the police, that they wrote some tickets yesterday. I find it very distressing that someone assaulted a police officer. I mean free speech is one thing and assaulting a police officer is entirely different.”\nAs part of a new series of public health measures implemented by the province last week, all Ontario residents have been told to only go out for essential purposes as part of a stay-at-home order.\nThe number of people permitted to gather outdoors has also been reduced from 10 to five people.\n“Our officers will be on scene for any of these protests. Any large gatherings of more than five people, we will have uniform presence there, and charges will be laid if necessary,” Const. Alex Li said Saturday.\n“We’re appealing and urging for public and citizens to just please do your part and stay at home. Protect yourselves, protect the broader community.”", "Anti-lockdown protests downtown were 'not safe,' Tory says", "Mayor John Tory says he is glad police officers responding to anti-lockdown protests in the city’s downtown core on Saturday ticketed people who weren’t following the rules, calling the demonstrations \"not right\" and \"not safe.\"" ]

[]

"2021-01-20T19:16:34"

"2021-01-20T07:36:00"

"2021-01-20T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Students and parents in Durham and Halton Region, along with much of southern Ontario will learn today when schools will be able to return to in-person learning.\nChief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams will announce the return date on Wednesday, two and a half weeks into southern Ontario’s latest foray into the world of virtual instruction for elementary and secondary students.\nKids in five other public health regions – Toronto, Peel, York, Windsor-Essex and Hamilton – will be learning from home until at least Feb. 10.\nStudents in northern Ontario went back to class in-person on Jan. 11.\nThe online learning regime has forced parents to make sometimes uncomfortable and maddening adjustments, balancing work inside or outside the home with the needs of their kids, along with making sure everyone has space and sufficient internet bandwidth to access class.\nThroughout the fall term, the subject of transmission of COVID-19 in schools challenged officials, with medical experts and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce saying spread in schools was caused by prevalence of infection in the wider community.\nDuring the term, more than 7,000 students and staff tested positive for the virus and at least one education worker died.\nIn December, health units in Windsor and Toronto began voluntarily testing entire schools full of asymptomatic pupils for the virus and found dozens of positive cases, prompting a rethink about existing safeguards.\nWhen students return this term, more of them will be wearing masks in class.\nOntario will mandate that students in grades 1-3 will wear masks at all times, previously masking began in grade 4.\nIn Toronto, all students from Kindergarten up wore masks indoors at all times.\nSince the summer, the Ford government allocated about $840 million to reduce class sizes, increase ventilation, hire more custodians and set up a network of 600 public health nurses to assist schools.\nThey also accepted $381 million in help from the federal government and allowed school boards to dip into $500 million in existing reserve funds to help schools prepare for the impact of the virus.", "Ontario to announce today when students in parts of province will return to in-person learning", "Students and parents in Durham and Halton Region, along with much of southern Ontario will learn today when schools will be able to return to in-person learning." ]

[]

"2021-01-10T20:44:16"

"2021-01-10T15:33:00"

"2021-01-10T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Staff and residents at Tendercare Living Centre began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations Sunday, hoping to stem to the outbreak at the hard-hit long-term care home.\nSeventy-three people have died from contracting the virus at the Scarborough facility, where as of Friday there remained 23 active resident cases.\n“I’m happy I’m going to get my vaccine today,” Nina Barcon, a personal support worker, told CTV News Toronto on her way into the centre. Barcon will return to work Monday after recovering from COVID-19.\nNorth York General Hospital, which has temporarily taken over management of Tendercare, reported Friday that there were 80 resolved staff cases and forty-two of those staff members have already returned to work.\nThe vaccine rollout came as a relief to many families on Sunday. Judy and Dennis Yuen, who went to the centre to wave to Dennis’ mother through the window, were grateful that she was scheduled to receive the vaccine.\nThe 93-year-old had tested positive for COVID-19 over Christmas, they said, but had since been cleared.\n“At least she’s not bed-ridden,” Judy Yuen said. “She gets to look out and wave at us.”\n“It’s really tough for my mom and for us too,” Dennis Yuen said.\nThe vaccine launch at Tendercare came as Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at the Sinai Health System and University Health Network, criticized the province-wide rollout, given that the majority of COVID-19 deaths have occurred in long-term care homes.\n“Frankly, if we’re really, truly following an ethical framework and we’re following the evidence, we would make sure that these people were getting their vaccines first and foremost, before anybody else — even including me,” he said.\nNorth York General Hospital was expected to provide an update the number of active cases at Tendercare Sunday afternoon.", "Vaccinations begin at Scarborough long-term care home battling deadly COVID-19", "Staff and residents at Tendercare Living Centre began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations Sunday, hoping to stem to the outbreak at the hard-hit long-term care home." ]

[]

"2021-01-11T13:42:17"

"2021-01-11T07:09:00"

"2021-01-11T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Two men are in hospital in serious condition after they were both stabbed in Brampton early on Monday morning.\nPeel Regional Police say they were originally called to Semley Street and Durango Drive, near James Potter Road, at 12:30 a.m. for a stabbing.\nThey arrived there to find one man suffering from multiple stab wounds.\nDuty Insp. Steven Duivesteyn said that man was taken to a hospital trauma centre in serious condition.\nSix minutes later, Duivesteyn said police received a second call for a stabbing at Gillingham Drive and Bovaird Drive West where they found a second man suffering from stab wounds.\nHe was taken to hospital in critical condition but his condition later improved to serious.\nOfficers later said that both men had been stabbed at the Durango Drive scene, and that three other peopel were arrested in relation to the incident.\nThey said the victims and suspects were known to each other.", "Two people seriously injured after stabbings in Brampton, Ont.", "Two men are in hospital in serious condition after they were both stabbed in Brampton early on Monday morning." ]

[]

"2021-01-16T20:09:58"

"2021-01-15T16:14:00"

"2021-01-15T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has articulated how they are enforcing the provincial government's stay-at-home order a day after the new rules went into effect.\nIn a news release, the OPP asked residents to “voluntarily comply” with the enhanced public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the province while explaining how officers will carry out the orders.\nPrimarily, the OPP says officers will focus on non-compliance in businesses and restaurants, complaints from the public and outdoor gatherings of more than five people.\nOperating under the province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA) and the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA), the OPP says officers can disperse and ticket individuals found to be in contravention with the acts.\n“Fines are $750 for failing to comply with an order and/or $1,000 for preventing others (including individuals, employees or other workers) from following an order,” the news release reads.\n“Maximum fines for individuals are up $100,000 and $10 million for a corporation. Failure to follow the rules can result in prosecution or jail time.”\nThose fines aren’t new, but the powers of those who distribute them are.\nEarlier this week, when the order was first announced, Premier Doug Ford said that all enforcement and provincial offences officers, including the OPP, local police forces, bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors, would now have the authority to issue to tickets as they see fit.\nConfusion followed the release of those measures, with many wondering if the order meant police could now randomly stop residents who they felt were breaking the rules.\nHowever, a spokesperson for Solicitor General Sylvia Jones later confirmed to CTV News Toronto that the order does not give police the power to enter homes or stop vehicles solely to check if the measure is being followed.\nFollowing the province’s lead, police in Toronto and Peel Region said yesterday that their goal would be to enforce the order based on complaints while advising residents to remain at home.\nREAD MORE: Ontario addresses confusion about new stay-at-home rules. These are the answers to your top questions\nThe OPP doubled down on that messaging, underscoring that “officers will not arbitrarily stop an individual or a vehicle or enter a dwelling for the singular purpose of checking compliance with the order.”\n“Individuals are not expected to provide proof of essential work. Officers can ask an individual to identify themselves if they have reasonable grounds to believe the individual is violating an act,” the OPP said.\nAt the same time, the OPP asked residents with questions related to the stay-at-home order to visit covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions instead of calling 911.\nThe request comes a day after Peel Regional Police said they were \"being overwhelmed with 911 calls asking about the stay-at-home orders\" and reminded people the emergency line shouldn’t be used for COVID-19-related questions.", "OPP reveals how it is enforcing Ontario's stay-at-home order", "The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has articulated how they are enforcing the provincial government's stay-at-home order a day after the new rules went into effect." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-06T19:41:10"

"2021-01-06T07:18:00"

"2021-01-06T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- The Ontario government has launched a voluntary and free COVID-19 testing program for international travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport.\nPremier Doug Ford announced the new testing program on Wednesday, which he calls as a \"game changer\" in regards to the early detection of COVID-19 in people arriving into the province from overseas.\n\"This is a critical step,\" Ford said at the airport on Wednesday. \"Travellers coming into Pearson will be able to take a free and voluntary test.\"\nTravellers who receive a negative COVID-19 test will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days, but Ford said he is \"actively working to further enhance the program.\"\nOntario’s Minister of Health Christine Elliott said the next stage of the program would be modifying the 14-day quarantine period for people who test negative.\nAccording to the government, eligible travellers will be able to pre-register for the program or proceed to get tested when they arrive at the airport. Those who chose to participate in the program will be given a test that will be self-administered with the guidance of a health-care provider.\nThe test results will be reported within 48 hours and local public health units will follow up on all positive tests.\n\"This pilot program is in addition to the new Government of Canada requirements for travellers coming to Canada to have a negative COVID-19 test that will act as another layer of protection for our community,\" Elliott said.\nAccording to the provincial government, more than 60,000 international travellers are arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport each week despite the ongoing pandemic.\nFord has previously slammed the federal government for not testing international travellers when they arrive back in Canada.\nIn late December, he vowed to begin testing people at Toronto Pearson International Airport with or without the federal government’s support.\nThe premier said at the time that more than 64,000 people are going \"basically unchecked\" through the airport every week. He claimed that almost no travellers coming into the country are following the 14-day quarantine rules.\n\"These folks are roaming the streets and we're letting it happen,\" Ford said.\nThe Canadian government has strongly discouraged international travel since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to do so.\nFormer Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips resigned from his key role in cabinet last week after it was revealed he took a secret vacation to a luxurious Caribbean island.", "Ontario premier announces 'game changer' COVID-19 testing at Toronto Pearson for international travellers", "The Ontario government has launched a voluntary and free COVID-19 testing program for international travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport." ]

[ "Colin Perkel" ]

"2021-01-30T00:09:21"

"2021-01-29T13:40:00"

"2021-01-29T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A senior provincial employee alleged to have embezzled at least $11 million from the Ontario government is now accused of kickbacks in an alleged fraud worth at least $30 million, court documents show.\nIn an amended statement of claim approved on Friday, the province alleges Sanjay Madan received $10 million in secret commissions for steering government consulting contracts to certain companies he or an associate, Vidhan Singh, controlled.\n\"Over the course of the past 10 years or more, the plaintiff paid out over $25 million pursuant to the resulting (fee for service contracts),\" the unproven claim alleges.\nThe government alleges Singh paid Madan $5 million in commissions, while other companies paid Madan a further $5 million for government contracts.\n\"Sanjay accepted some or all of the secret commissions in cash and/or caused some or all of the secret commissions to be paid or diverted into accounts controlled by him and/or by his companies.\" the document states.\nMadan's lawyer had no immediate comment on the new allegations. Singh could not be immediately reached for comment.\nEarlier, a Crown lawyer said the Ontario government had yet to recover the more than $11 million in COVID-19 relief money the province accuses Madan and his relatives of embezzling.\nIn comments to Superior Court, government lawyer Christopher Wayland said it was wrong to say the money was back in the province's hands.\n\"There has been some discussion, not among counsel but elsewhere, to the effect that all of the money that we say has been taken pursuant to the fraud has been 'repaid into the provincial coffers',\" Wayland told Justice Peter Cavanagh.\n\"What has happened here is that there's some significant amount of money that has been frozen and paid into the court. The money being paid into court is not the same thing as paid into the provincial coffers.\"\nMadan, who had a senior IT role and helped develop a computer application related to the COVID-19 relief benefit, was fired in November. His wife and two adult sons all worked for the province in information technology.\nThe $11-million civil claim accuses the Madan family and others of illegally issuing and banking cheques under the program that aimed to defray the cost of children learning at home.\nMadan's lawyer, Christopher Du Vernet, has previously said the money had been repaid.\n\"The province has recovered in excess of the funds it presently alleges Mr. Madan took from the Families Support Program,\" Du Vernet has told The Canadian Press.\nDu Vernet has also said his client deeply regretted his actions.\nAccording to the lawsuit, Madan, who also goes by Sadanand Madan, and his family opened more than 400 accounts at the Bank of Montreal between April and May. They then deposited around 10,000 cheques made out to fictitious applicants with thousands of non-existent children under the support program.\nMadan's wife and children have said in sworn affidavits they knew nothing of his purported wrongdoing, saying they were victims and that his alleged actions were totally out of character.\nWayland said the courts will eventually have to decide if the money goes into the provincial coffers -- as the government argues it should -- or if it potentially goes back to the Madans.\nFriday's hearing was to extend a previous freeze on the family's known assets and to now freeze all assets worldwide -- with allowances for their legal and living expenses. Court documents indicate Madan has millions of dollars worth of cash and property.\nCourt heard the Crown was still actively investigating and was not aware of exactly how much money might have been taken.\n\"We are certainly not in a position to represent to the court that we can take anyone at their word when they tell us, 'Don't worry, everything has been recovered',\" Wayland said.\nNo criminal charges have been laid in the case.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2021.", "Ontario bureaucrat accused of scamming $11M now accused in alleged $30M fraud", "A senior provincial employee alleged to have embezzled at least $11 million from the Ontario government is now accused of kickbacks in an alleged fraud worth at least $30 million, court documents show." ]

[]

"2021-01-26T17:08:37"

"2021-01-25T07:21:00"

"2021-01-25T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- A date and plan for reopening schools for in-person instruction in more urban areas of Ontario outside of the province’s COVID-19 hotspots – such as Durham, Halton, Waterloo and Ottawa ­– could come soon.\nAs about 100,000 students in rural areas including Grey-Bruce, Kingston and Peterborough returned to class on Monday, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce told CP24 on Monday morning that a decision for areas outside of Toronto, Peel, York, Hamilton and Windsor-Essex could be imminent.\n“We are going to communicate over the coming week where and when schools can reopen but the decision is made on the advice of the chief medical officer of health,” Lecce said.\nLate Monday night, Lecce’s office said that he meant to say “over the coming weeks” rather than “the coming week.”\nBut he cautioned developments with the presence of the UK coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 and general progress in reducing community spread of the virus through the state of emergency measures could change the timeline.\n“We have to be nimble, but the commitment is to get them back with enhanced safety measures to keep them safe,” he said.\nThe province has ordered that schools in Toronto, Peel, York, Hamilton and Windsor-Essex not reopen for in-class instruction before Feb. 10.\nSchools in the north resumed in-class operation on Jan. 11, while schools throughout the province conducted class for special needs students throughout the month in all areas.\nThis leaves school boards (and parents) in a number of major urban centres including London, Guelph, Ottawa, Simcoe-Muskoka and Niagara without a clear idea of when schools will resume.\n“The Chief Medical Officer of Health is going to make that determination as soon as is humanly possible,” Lecce said.\n“As soon as we get it at the cabinet table – parents will know our decision.”\nWhen schools do resume, more students will be required to wear masks at all times.\nIn addition, Lecce said a surveillance testing program will see “thousands” of pupils and staff members receive tests each week.\nSurveillance testing was promised by the Ford government in the summer of 2020 but did not get underway until December, where it quickly revealed some schools in Toronto and Windsor were showing sustained asymptomatic transmission of coronavirus.\nFor this school year, the Ford government spent more than $460 million bolstering schools in preparation for COVID-19, also accepting $381 million in help from Ottawa and allowing school boards to dip into $500 million in existing reserve funds to help schools with the impact of the virus.\nThey also plan to use an additional $381 million in funds from the federal government earmarked for next school year to help school boards improve ventilation in classrooms.\nIn the meantime, the Ministry of Education has expanded eligibility for free childcare to include truckers, farmers, grocery and pharmacy workers and additional education staff required to be in schools.\nLecce said the move impacts approximately 500,000 working parents in the province.", "Reopening date for more Ontario schools outside COVID-19 hot spots could come soon, Lecce says", "A date and plan for reopening schools for in-person instruction in more urban areas of Ontario outside of the province's COVID-19 hotspots – such as Durham, Halton, Waterloo and Ottawa ­– could come soon." ]

[ "Sean Davidson" ]

"2021-01-21T17:59:10"

"2021-01-21T11:23:00"

"2021-01-21T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford has released a video message where he speaks in 22 different languages asking people to stay home.\nFord published the video message to Twitter on Thursday morning, reminding Ontarians to \"stay home\" and \"stay safe.\"\n\"No matter what language you speak — or in my case try to — all of us need to stay home,\" Ford said.\nSome of the languages Ford speaks in the video include French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Italian and Punjabi.\nAs of 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, the video had been viewed on Twitter more than 79,000 times.\nFord issued a stay-at-home order for the province beginning on Jan. 14 and immediately declared a second state of emergency on Jan. 12.\nThe order remains in effect for at least 28 days. Earlier this week, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said the number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily should be “around or below 1,000” before the lockdown orders can be lifted.\nOntario reported more than 2,600 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.", "Doug Ford releases video urging people to stay home in 22 languages", "Ontario Premier Doug Ford has released a video message where he speaks in 22 different languages asking people to stay home." ]

[]

"2021-01-17T03:07:59"

"2021-01-16T19:23:00"

"2021-01-16T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Two men are in hospital, one in critical condition, after a shooting in Brampton Saturday evening.\nPeel police Insp. Greg Janisse said it happened inside a building in the area of Queen Street West and George Street around 6:30 p.m.\nWhen emergency crews arrived, they located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to trauma centre with non-life-threatening injuries.\nJanisse said police were later notified of a second victim after a man showed up at a local hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. He was then transported to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries.\n“We’re still investigating their association to each other,” Janisse said.\nPolice have not released a suspect description.\nAnyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.", "Shooting in Brampton leaves two men injured, one critically", "Two men are in hospital, one in critical condition, after a shooting in Brampton Saturday evening." ]

[]

"2021-01-26T17:08:22"

"2021-01-26T07:58:00"

"2021-01-26T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Out of nearly 7,000 COVID-19 tests conducted as part of a recently launched voluntary pilot project at Toronto Pearson International Airport, 146 have come back positive – resulting in a 2.26 per cent positivity rate.\nThese details on the pilot project were provided ahead of Premier Doug Ford speaking at Canada’s largest airport on Tuesday afternoon.\nThe premier and Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott are scheduled to visit Pearson Airport at 1 p.m.\nA photo opportunity, as well as a brief question and answer period with members of the media, is expected to take place at this time, according to a statement from the premier's office.\nThe pilot program, which was launched on Jan. 6, offers voluntary testing for the disease to any international travellers.\nSince then, 6,580 tests have been performed at Pearson Airport.\nOf the positive tests, four have been screened as potential U.K. variant and will undergo further investigation.\nWhile speaking at the airport this afternoon, Ford is expected to reiterate his government’s calls to the feds for mandatory testing for all travellers arriving from outside the country.\n“I can’t stress this enough. We have to test every person that comes in to Pearson, and any other land crossing. It’s absolutely critical. We need to put barriers up every which way we can,” the premier said during a news conference on Monday.\n“Every time I look up in the sky I’m thinking how many cases are coming in. This has to stop.”\nAccording to the federal government, at least 156 flights have landed in Canada between Jan. 10 and Jan. 23 that had passengers who tested positive for the novel coronavirus after arriving in the country. Of the flights, 76 landed in Toronto.\nThere were also 70 domestic flights that had a passenger later test positive for the disease.\nThe Canada-U.S. border has been closed to non-essential travel since March 2020, with the latest extension set to expire on Feb. 21. Travellers must show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their travel date and must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.", "COVID-19 testing pilot project at Toronto Pearson Airport has resulted in 2.26 per cent positivity rate", "Out of nearly 7,000 COVID-19 tests conducted as part of a recently launched voluntary pilot project at Toronto Pearson International Airport, 146 have come back positive – resulting in a 2.26 per cent positivity rate." ]

[]

"2021-01-25T13:51:38"

"2021-01-25T07:21:00"

"2021-01-25T00:00:00"

[ "TORONTO -- Schools in seven public health units across southern Ontario reopen for in-person classes today.\nEducation Minister Stephen Lecce says that means 100,000 students will be returning to the classroom for the first time since before the winter break.\nThe province is implementing more safety measures in areas where schools are reopening, including requiring students in grades 1 through 3 to wear masks indoors and when physical distancing isn't possible outside as well.\nIt's also introducing \"targeted asymptomatic testing\" and enhanced screening protocols in those regions.\nWhile it's been more than a month since students in southern Ontario have been in the classroom, classes resumed in the northern part of the province on Jan. 11.\nThe provincial government has said the chief medical officer of health is keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 situation in public health units where schools remain closed to decide when it's safe for them to reopen.\nBut the province has said that in five hot spot regions -- Windsor-Essex, Peel, York, Toronto and Hamilton -- that won't happen until at least Feb. 10.\nThe public health units where schools are reopening today are the Grey Bruce Health Unit; the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit; the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit; the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Health Unit; the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Peterborough Public Health and Renfrew County and District Health Unit.\nThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2021.", "Schools reopen today in 7 southern Ontario regions, rest remain closed", "Schools in seven public health units across southern Ontario reopen for in-person classes today." ]