PERTH-WELLINGTON – Despite the finding of a federal commission that use of the Emergencies Act to quell the February 2022 “Freedom Convoy” protest in Ottawa was justified, local MP John Nater maintains the government “could have and should have” resolved the matter through other means.
Premier Doug Ford
MPP Matthew Rae sworn in June 23
QUEEN’S PARK – Newly-elected Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae took the Oath of Allegiance in a ceremony at Queen’s Park on June 23.
Arnott details Wellington-Halton Hills priorities in letter to Ford
FERGUS – The day after being re-elected to the legislature, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott wrote a letter to Premier Doug Ford to draw attention to issues in his riding.
Province reaches $10/day childcare deal, but what does that mean for local families?
ONTARIO – Following a federal pledge to make child care more affordable for families across the country, the Province of Ontario has finally reached a deal, but what does it mean for families in Wellington County?
Province reaches child care funding agreement with federal government
TORONTO – Ontario has struck an agreement with the Canadian government to establish $10-a-day child care by March 2026.
Province distributing 44 million free rapid antigen tests
TORONTO – The province is distributing 44 million rapid tests between Feb. 9 and April 6, an eight-week period.
Province accelerates timeline for lifting public health measures
TORONTO – The Ontario government has announced an accelerated timeline for lifting numerous public health measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, including ending provincial proof of vaccination requirements in most settings by March 1.
Students learning from home after province flip-flops on return to classrooms
WELLINGTON COUNTY - Students were supposed to be back in-class this week following a belated Christmas gift of a delayed return to school on Jan. 5.
Schools closed, hospitals limit surgeries as Omicron variant spreads
TORONTO – With case rates skyrocketing due to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant as the…
Local school boards wait for further guidance on case management in schools
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Following the provincial government’s decision to suspend COVID-19 case reporting in schools and child care settings, schools across the province have been left in the dark while they await further guidance from the province.
‘It can’t be stopped’: province introduces restrictions, delays in-class learning
TORONTO - The province will enter a modified version of stage two of Ontario's Roadmap to Reopen on Jan. 5. Students will wait until at least Jan. 17 to return to in-class learning, gatherings will be limited and indoor dining and other businesses and facilities will be closed.
County municipalities benefit from big bump in 2022 OCIF funding
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local municipalities will receive almost $12 million from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) this year, more than double the collective 2021 allocation of about $5.9 million.
Ontario moving to step three of ‘Roadmap to Reopen’ on July 16
TORONTO — The Ontario government is moving the province into step three of the Roadmap to Reopen on July 16. The province announced the move on July 9, with key public health and health care indicators continuing to improve.
Hair salons, barbers set for busy reopening after difficult year
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Staff members at spas, salons and barber shops across the county are thrilled to be back on the job this week. Premier Doug Ford announced on June 24 the province would enter stage two of its reopening plan on June 30.
Province scaling back visitor restrictions at long-term care homes
TORONTO – Residents living in long-term care facilities across the province will soon be able to see more of their loved ones.