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Wellington Advertiser Logo

Monday, December 8, 2025 | Vol 58 Issue 49

Community News
  • Elections 2025
    • Federal Election 2025
    • Provincial Election 2025
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Wellington-Halton Hills provincial conservative riding

Three contenders hope to fill MPP Ted Arnott’s shoes

Joanne Shuttleworth January 17, 2025News, Provincial Election 2025

WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS – Three individuals have tossed their name in the hat hoping to be the next Wellington-Halton Hills candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario after MPP Ted Arnott announced he will not run in the next election.

Select Your Region

Hanover theatre casting for School of Rock

HANOVER – Based on the hit 2003 film, School of Rock the musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed wannabe rock star who is down on his luck. 

Hanover Community Players thank all who made Bare, Bear Bones a success

HANOVER – Hanover Community Players are offering “A big thank you to all of our audience members who took the time from their busy schedules to attend and support our Bare, Bear Bones shows.”

See all Bruce County area articles.

It’s back to the drawing board for multi-use pad at Bissell Park

ELORA – The township did not receive a provincial grant to help with upgrades to the multi-use pad at Bissell Park, so the contentious issue returned to council on Dec. 2.

Centre Wellington council approves 3.7% tax increase in 2026

ELORA – The 2026 budget, approved by council on Dec. 2, includes operating expenses of $60.6 million and capital projects totalling $35.7 million.

See all Centre Wellington area articles.

Province mandates new ‘student and family support offices’

WELLINGTON COUNTY – All Ontario school boards must open “student and family support offices” by next September.

Public health’s infection control training program gaining popularity

GUELPH – What started as a measure during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of infection in long-term care and congregate setting homes, has become a regular program at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

See all Dufferin County area articles.

Erin draft budget proposes 2.5% tax increase

ERIN – Town staff presented the 2026 draft budget to Erin council on Nov. 27. It includes a proposed 2.5% tax increase to cover total operating expenses of $10.5 million and capital expenditures close to $9 million.

Erin staff can now issue conditional building permits

ERIN  – Council voted unanimously in favour of allowing town staff to issue conditional building permits prior to receiving a full building permit. 

See all Erin area articles.

Enbridge, Grand Valley fire department partner on Safe Community Project Zero

GRAND VALLEY – On Nov. 4, Enbridge Gas Ontario and the Grand Valley and District Fire Department worked together to improve home safety and attempt to bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

‘Gourd’ times to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair

GRAND VALLEY – “Gourd” times are sure to be had at this year’s Grand Valley Fall Fair.

See all Grand Valley area articles.

Hanover Community Players Drama Camp a success

HANOVER – The Hanover Community Players Drama Camp took place in July with mask making, drama games and auditions and a play.

Holstein to host an afternoon of bluegrass entertainment

HOLSTEIN – Residents of Holstein can look forward to an afternoon of bluegrass at the Love’s Sugarbush located at 392098 Grey Rd 109, on Aug. 17.

See all Grey County area articles.

Guelph Wish Fund for Children launches Season of Wishes campaign

FERGUS – If you need a reason to smile, look no further than Rowan Black, a bubbly four-year-old from Fergus who sports his signature red eyeglasses and an infectious smile.

School boards’ association could lose directors due to funding gaps

GUELPH – “Very important, significant governmental change is happening” at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), trustee Martha MacNeil said during an Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) meeting on Nov. 25. 

See all Guelph area articles.

Rockwood to welcome 33rd parade Dec. 11

ROCKWOOD  – The 33rd Rockwood Farmers’ Santa Claus Parade of Lights is slated for Dec. 11.

Guelph/Eramosa acquiring new tractor

BRUCEDALE – Guelph/Eramosa council has awarded the purchase of a new compact tractor to DeBoer’s Equipment in Salem. 

See all Guelph/Eramosa area articles.

Joseph Racinsky rides blue wave to Queen’s Park

WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS – The blue wave that swept across Ontario Thursday night, swept across Wellington-Halton Hills as well as Progressive Conservative candidate Joseph Racinsky was elected with a sweeping majority. 

Health care, roads, voter turnout, local knowledge dominate discussion at Aberfoyle debate

ABERFOYLE – The debate hosted by the Optimist Club of Puslinch on Feb. 20 gave voters the opportunity to ask their own questions.

See all Halton area articles.

Youth pack shoeboxes to help kids through Operation Christmas Child

HANOVER – Lita Ernest, a young member of 1st Hanover Guides, worked hard this season to organize the packing of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoe box gifts with her troop.

See all Huron County area articles.

Mapleton residents will vote online, by phone in 2026 municipal election

MAPLETON – Residents here will be voting online and by phone in next year’s municipal election. 

Drayton Heights sing O Canada in sign language

DRAYTON – Students in Mrs. Smith’s Grade 3 class at Drayton Heights Public School sang O Canada in sign language via recorded video for the Upper Grand District School Board meeting on Nov. 25. 

See all Mapleton area articles.

Clifford Firefighters Association hosts the Clifford Santa Claus parade

CLIFFORD – Santa Claus was back in Minto for his second appearance of the season on Nov. 29 during the Clifford Santa Claus parade, put on by the Clifford Firefighters Association.

Minto Minor Hockey’s U11 Mad Dogs place first at Regional Silver Stick Tournament

MINTO – Minto Minor Hockey’s U11 Mad Dogs came in first place at the Regional Silver Stick Tournament in Wingham on Nov. 30, winning the final game 4-3 in double overtime.

See all Minto area articles.

Credit Valley Conservation named one of Canada’s greenest employers

MISSISSAUGA  – Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive year.

See all Mississauga area articles.

Grand Valley business donates to food bank

ORANGEVILLE – Staff members from Grand Valley’s Clover Farm grocery store recently presented a $10,000 cheque to representatives from the Orangeville Food Bank’s Dufferin Food Share.

School board explores bringing IB diploma program to Wellington, Dufferin

GUELPH –  Some parents and students would like the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program to be offered in Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) schools in Wellington and Dufferin counties. 

See all Orangeville area articles.

Minto Optimist Club hosts Palmerston Breakfast with Santa

PALMERSTON – Kynnlee and  Paislee Hughes pose with Santa during Palmerston Breakfast with Santa on Nov. 16 at the Palmerston and District Community Centre.

All Aboard Palmerston hosts Kris Kringle market downtown

PALMERSTON – All Aboard Palmerston held its annual Kris Kringle Market on Nov. 20. 

See all Palmerston area articles.

Over $6.6 million in OMPF funding to be split by seven local municipalities

PERTH-WELLINGTON –  On Nov. 24, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced over $6.6 million for local municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) for 2026.

MPP Rae announces over $20 million in housing enabling infrastructure funding

PERTH-WELLINGTON – Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, announced the province has provided four municipalities with over $20.4 million through the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) program.

See all Perth County area articles.

Municipality hopes natural gas heating can come to Puslinch

ABERFOYLE – Enbridge Gas found a supportive audience at the Puslinch council meeting on Nov. 19 as it explained its plans for natural gas expansion across the province and possibly into the township.

Santa Claus arrives in Puslinch with reindeer – and joy

PUSLINCH – Puslinch was the first in Wellington County to hold its Santa Claus parade and the streets were lined with locals on Nov. 23 ready to greet the big guy.

See all Puslinch area articles.

Province releases fall economic statement

TORONTO – The Ontario government released its fall economic statement last week (Nov. 6) with a smaller than projected deficit of $13.5-billion – less than the $14.6 billion forecasted in this year’s budget, but still well above the $1.1 billion deficit carried in 2024-25.

Cheering from the big screen at World Series game

TORONTO – Callum Sweeting was on the big screen at game one of the World Series at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Oct. 24.

See all Toronto area articles.

Cardiac director: pace yourself when shovelling snow this winter

KITCHENER  – As heavy snow hits the region, local emergency departments are preparing for a spike in cardiac events. 

Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy announces youth theatre camps

WATERLOO – The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy has announced its lineup of march break and summer camps for 2026. 

See all Waterloo Region area articles.

Wheels of Hope in desperate need of volunteer drivers

WELLINGTON COUNTY –  The demand for volunteer drivers continues for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program.

Christmas tradition threatened by weather extremes: tree growers report harsher droughts

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Christmas tree growers in Wellington County and across southwestern Ontario are rethinking long-standing farming practices, and adapting how they farm to increasingly extreme weather patterns, including more drought events and intense rainfalls.

See all Wellington County area articles.

Council supports 3.2% tax increase in Wellington North

KENILWORTH – Taxpayers in Wellington North will likely see a 3.16 per cent increase in township property taxes next year. 

Arthur’s Santa Claus Parade lit up the night on Nov. 29

ARTHUR – Santa and his reindeer provide the grand finale during Arthur’s Christmas parade before heading to the fire hall for a meet-and-greet with excited children and their families on Nov. 29.

See all Wellington North area articles.

Editorial

The pickpocket

Travel anywhere crowds form and tourists are warned to watch for pickpockets.

In the darkness

Where there is one, there are usually more. That was the advice handed down in the truck as we headed off to practice. A good-sized buck ambled across the road not far from our farm.

Betcha

It was a long shot, but when the soccer ball landed in the dog kennel it was time to pay up.

Columnists

Palmerston railroad worker proved hard to track

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

Holiday spirit

By Kelly Waterhouse

I looked in the closet. I looked under the bed. I searched the cupboards, the drawers, and the shelves. 

Critic’s 1925 novel caused a sensation in Elora

By Stephen Thorning

The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…

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