Ontario News

1. Ensuring long-term predictable public transit funding and moving forward with an agreement to support people living without homes

   By working closely with its partners, the federal government is ensuring that more Canadians will be able to live near public transit, and providing additional support to address homelessness and encampments.

2. Government of Canada announces reappointment to CMHC Board of Directors

   André Hébert has been a valued member of the CMHC Board of Directors since February 2019. With over 40 years of experience in information technology, André brings a wealth of knowledge and a hands-on approach to his work.

3. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Beaver Creek Institution

   On January 12, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Beaver Creek Institution, a multi-level security federal institution.

4. Ensuring long-term predictable public transit funding for the City of Brampton with over $106 million through the Canada Public Transit Fund

   By working closely with its partners across Canada, the federal government is ensuring that more Canadians will be able to live near public transit, connecting them to jobs, services, and their communities.

5. Zhiibaahaasing First Nation celebrates groundbreaking of new water treatment plant and distribution system upgrades

   Zhiibaahaasing First Nation Chief Irene Sagon Kells and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, are excited to mark the official groundbreaking of the community's new water treatment plant and major upgrades to its water distribution system.

6. Ensuring long-term predictable public transit funding for the Regional Municipality of Niagara with over $35 million through the Canada Public Transit Fund

   By working closely with its partners across Canada, the federal government is ensuring that more Canadians will be able to live near public transit, connecting them to jobs, services, and their communities.

7. Poplar Hill First Nation and Government of Canada celebrate community's connection to clean and reliable energy through Indigenous-led Wataynikaneyap Power project

   Today, the Poplar Hill First Nation is joined by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, to celebrate the community's connection to the Ontario power grid, marking an end to their community's reliance on expensive, emissions-intensive diesel-generated electricity.

8. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Brampton

   Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, and Member of Parliament for Brampton West, alongside His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton.

9. Government of Canada announces re-appointment to Canada Infrastructure Bank Board of Directors

   Mr. Guilmette currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Boralex, where he is responsible for several divisions, including Finance and Accounting, Taxation, Investor Relationst and Internal Controls. Prior to this, he served as Interim Chief Investment Officer at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), and held previous roles as the Senior Vice-President of Infrastructure Investments PSP Investments, and as Senior Director Private Equity Investments at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

10. Full overnight closure on Burlington Canal Lift Bridge

    Public Services and Procurement Canada wishes to advise users of a full overnight closure on the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge for the production of a motion picture.

11. Delivering stable public transit funding to the City of Mississauga

    Today, the federal government announced an investment of over $123 million in transit funding for the City of Mississauga, through the Canada Public Transit Fund and the Zero Emissions Transit Fund.

12. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Collins Bay Institution

    On January 22, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Collins Bay Institution, a multi-level security federal institution.

13. A multimodal bridge to improve transportation connectivity in the National Capital Region

    The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, will provide an update on how the Government is advancing its commitment to improve transportation and mobility in the National Capital Region with the addition of another interprovincial bridge in the east.

14. Media Advisory: Transit and Housing Announcement in Mississauga

    Members of the media are invited to a public transit and housing announcement with the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business and Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Streetsville, and Her Worship Carolyn Parrish, Mayor of the City of Mississauga.

15. Biography - Marie-Josée Houle

    Ms. Houle was appointed as Canada’s first Federal Housing Advocate in 2022, marking a new chapter in a career defined by her work in the affordable housing and homelessness sector. Ms. Houle is an experienced leader who is recognized for her community activism, expertise in human rights, and extensive knowledge of the housing and homelessness system.

16. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Ottawa

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, and Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa.

17. Icebreaking near Owen Sound in Ontario

    The Canadian Coast Guard advises residents in Owen Sound in Ontario that icebreaking operations may occur in the area on or around January 27, 2025.

18. Alternating lane closure on LaSalle Causeway

    Public Services and Procurement Canada wishes to advise motorists of an alternating lane closure on the LaSalle Causeway for maintenance work.

19. Government of Canada signs bilateral agreement with Ontario for Drugs for Rare Diseases

    Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Health, announced a bilateral agreement investing over $535 million to improve access to selected new drugs for rare diseases, and to support enhanced access to existing drugs, early diagnosis, and screening.

20. Drugs for Rare Diseases – Ontario Agreement

    Today, the Governments of Canada and the province of Ontario signed the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Disease (DRD) agreement to invest over $535 million over three years to improve access to new drugs for rare diseases for Ontario residents and to support enhanced access to existing drugs, early diagnosis, and screening for rare diseases.

21. Seizures of contraband and unauthorized items at Warkworth Institution

    Between January 12 and 20, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Warkworth Institution, a medium security federal institution.

22. Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area - Milestone Reached: Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area in northern Ontario Moves to Next Phase

    Fifteen First Nation partners and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada have finalized the terms of reference for the conduct of the Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area (traditionally referred to by local First Nations as Kawana ‘bi ‘kag), in northern Ontario. The terms set out how the co-led regional assessment will provide information on the impacts of any potential future development and reflects a joint commitment of all the parties to work cooperatively throughout the process. As such, it is an important milestone in the area's sustainable development and for Indigenous reconciliation in general.

23. Federal government commits nearly $14 million to the City of Burlington through the new Canada Public Transit Fund

    Today, Member of Parliament Adam van Koeverden, alongside Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, announced nearly $14 million in funding for Burlington’s public transit infrastructure through the Baseline Funding stream of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF).

24. Governments investing in Ontario’s dairy processing sector

    The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $7.18 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) in 70 projects across the province to enhance and modernize dairy processing capacity and food safety.

25. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Joyceville Institution

    On January 13, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband was seized at Joyceville Institution, a multi-level security federal institution.

26. Government of Canada strengthens women’s sector capacity to reduce barriers and advance gender equality

    Today, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced up to $40 million for 170 women’s and Indigenous women’s organizations.

27. Backgrounder - Women’s Capacity Fund

    Through the Women’s Capacity Fund, Women and Gender Equality Canada will provide funding to 170 women’s and Indigenous women’s organizations to strengthen their capacity and advance gender equality.

28. Government of Canada supports local, family-owned business growth

    FedDev Ontario invests $1 million in Cedar Valley Selections Inc. to support its expansion

29. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Burlington

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Honourable Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington, Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North—Burlington, Adam Van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton, Her Worship Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, Rory Nisan, Deputy Mayor for the Environment at the City of Burlington, and Jacqueline Johnson, Commissioner of Community Services at the City of Burlington.

30. Seizures of contraband and unauthorized items at Warkworth Institution

    Between January 4 – 7, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Warkworth Institution, a medium security federal institution.

31. Federal government commits over $7.2 million to the Town of Milton through the new Canada Public Transit Fund

    Today, Member of Parliament Adam Van Koeverden, alongside Mayor Gordon Krantz, announced over $7.2 million in funding for the Town of Milton’s public transit infrastructure through the Baseline Funding stream of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF).

32. Blue waters ahead: Federal funding for Halton and Hamilton-led freshwater solutions with over $700,000 investment in Lake Ontario

    Protecting fresh water is crucial to building a cleaner, safer, sustainable future for all. The Hamilton region is a vital part of the Great Lakes ecosystem, supporting industry, commerce, recreation, and culture. The region also holds spiritual and cultural importance for Indigenous peoples.

33. Death of an inmate from Warkworth Institution

    On January 12, 2025, James Gallant, an inmate from Warkworth Institution, died while in our custody.

34. Government of Canada to support organizations in strengthening their capacity to advance gender equality

    The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth will announce funding for women’s and Indigenous women’s organizations.

35. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Milton

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Adam Van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton, and His Worship Gordon Krantz, Mayor of the Town of Milton.

36. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Collins Bay Institution

    On January 1, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Collins Bay Institution, a multi-level security federal institution.

37. Government of Canada to announce funding under the Substance Use and Addictions Program

    Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, will announce funding under the Substance Use and Addictions Program.

38. Funding now open: Canada Water Agency invites applications to protect freshwater ecosystems nationwide

    Protecting freshwater resources starts with empowering local initiatives to protect, restore, and conserve this vital resource. Investing in partner-led projects for environmental protection, restoration, and conservation bolsters Canada’s clean-growth economy and ensures the sustainability of freshwater resources for future generations.

39. CBSA investigation leads to firearm manufacturing and possession charges for an Aurora man

    CBSA investigation leads to firearm manufacturing and possession charges for an Aurora man

40. Escape and recapture of an inmate from from Beaver Creek Institution – Minimum-Security Unit

    On January 5, 2025, during the 6:30 p.m. count, staff members in the minimum-security unit at Beaver Creek Institution discovered that Jamesie Kownirk was not accounted for.

41. Recapture of inmate from the Willow Cree Healing Lodge

    At 10:30 a.m. on January 2, 2025, inmate Jareth Gardipy-Taypotat was apprehended by the Nipigon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.

42. Icebreaking near Midland in Ontario

    The Canadian Coast Guard advises residents in Midland in Ontario that the CCGS Griffon will carry out icebreaking operations in the Georgian Bay area on or around January, 7, 2025.

43. LaSalle Causeway: Update on marine openings for 2025

    Public Services and Procurement Canada acknowledges the importance of the LaSalle Causeway for local transportation and would like to provide an update of plans for the 2025 marine navigation season.

44. Minister Anandasangaree highlights the government’s tax break for all Canadians and new Working Canadians Benefit

    Today in Scarborough, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, met with Canadians to highlight the government’s plan to put more money in Canadians’ pockets.

45. Minister Ien and Minister Ng highlight the government’s tax break for all Canadians and new Working Canadians Benefit

    Today in St. Catharines, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, and Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines visited The Twisted Pig to highlight the government’s efforts to put more money in Canadians’ pockets.

46. The Government of Canada and the City of London sign agreement to address unsheltered homelessness 

    Today, the federal government announced an agreement to support people living without homes, including in encampments, in London.

47. Minister Anandasangaree to announce tax break for all Canadians

    The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, will make an announcement that will put more money in your pocket, so you can buy the things you need and save for the things you want.

48. Investing in the Wauzhushk Onigum Multipurpose Centre

    Wauzhushk Onigum Nation is building a state-of-the-art Community Living and Wellness Centre with the support of an $8.6 million investment from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. This facility will meet the community's needs while prioritizing sustainability through its eco-friendly design.

49. 2024 Year in review: CBSA protecting Canadians and supporting our economy

    2024 Year in review: Day in and day out, some 8,500 frontline employees play a crucial role protecting our communities by preventing illegal goods and inadmissible people from entering Canada.

50. 2024 Year in review for Southern Ontario Region: CBSA intercepts over 3,000 weapons and firearms and seizes over 4 tonnes of illegal drugs

    Today, we are proud to report on the Canada Border Services Agency’s enforcement and operational activities in the Southern Ontario Region (SOR), from January 1 to October 31, 2024.