BarrieNewsPhase 1 of Innisfil Beach Park construction underwayBy Julianna BalsamoPublished: May 05, 2025 at 12:13PM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved The Town of Innisfil is excited to announce that construction on Phase 1 of the Innisfil Beach Park improvements is scheduled to begin this week "After years of careful planning and valuable input from our residents it's exciting to see the revitalization of Innisfil Beach Park take shape," says Mayor Lynn Dollin "Construction has been scheduled to minimize disruptions to current park usage as much as possible as we work to build more recreational opportunities and beautiful natural spaces for decades to come." By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact Based on the Innisfil Beach Park Master Plan the implementation plan outlines nearly 50 phased projects to improve traffic flow and introduce new recreational amenities to activate underutilized sections of the park The revitalization is the result of more than five years of planning and design with thousands of residents helping to shape the park’s future The park will remain open throughout construction with temporary closure zones in place for public safety Closure zones will be based on active construction with rolling start dates throughout the summer and infrastructure upgrades to support future park facilities Council approved the Final Concept for the Innisfil Beach Park Implementation Plan in May 2023 2-vehicle crash leaves one vehicle flipped on its roof in Innisfil Multi-vehicle crash closes Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte Surgical wait times down thanks to partnership between Barrie and Midland hospitals Bradford bylaw officer assaulted while issuing tickets to motorists parked near school Emergency Preparedness Week: What the ice storm taught us — and how to get ready for what’s next Pedestrian injured in hit-and-run crash in Midland ©2025 Central Ontario Broadcasting Website by TALIS Creative Sign in Join now, it's FREE! For a full list of waste facility locations and hours, please click here Compost is a soil amendment used in gardens to add nutrients, or as top dressing for lawns to help retain moisture, and is produced in house using leaf and yard waste material generated throughout the County of Simcoe. Learn more about how the county uses your leaf and yard waste to make compost and residents should bring their shovels to load bins Cost is $5 per carload or $20 per truck or trailer load Mulch is also available free of charge while quantities last at county waste facilities and as top dressing for flower and vegetable gardens “This is a very significant step in the hospital’s journey to build a much-needed new facility for our patients staff and community,” said Eric Hanna “An incredible amount of work and planning has gone into this project over the years and we are closer than ever to bringing a new state-of-the-art health care facility to this growing community providing high quality health care close to home.” Following the competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that began in Aug three companies were shortlisted based on criteria identified including construction expertise and financial capacity to undertake a project of this size and scope The following prequalified teams are as follows: These prequalified companies will begin preparing proposals that detail how they will deliver the project through IO’s Design-Bid-Build (DBB) model Key features of a DBB model include increased owner control over the project as well as a high level of flexibility to respond to changing conditions and concerns select a preferred company and then negotiate a final contract A fairness monitor will oversee the entire procurement process The successful company is expected to be announced early 2026 Preliminary site preparations are underway and will continue throughout 2025 a new parking lot and the construction of a new elevated helipad Learn more about Stevenson Memorial Hospital’s future new facility The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Sir John Franklin’s Arctic expedition has captured people’s attention for nearly two centuries The questions surrounding the fate of Franklin and the sailors manning his two vessels have so firmly fixed our attentions on the frigid northern water where they met their demise that we lose sight of more local connections to the explorer and his epic expeditions Franklin passed Innisfil during his second expedition to the Arctic another man of legendary status — even if his legend was far more localized Franklin entered the Royal Navy at the age of 14 His first taste of exploration came in 1801-03 Franklin developed a passion for the Arctic when he served as second in command of an Arctic hydrographic cruise in 1818 The ambitious sailor developed an obsession with finding the Northwest Passage the near-legendary Arctic route linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans Franklin returned to the Arctic for his first independent command an explorative journey into Canada’s North during which his party surveyed the western shores of Hudson Bay one that would tie him to Innisfil forever The expedition jumped off from Toronto in early April and progressed north along Yonge Street to Holland Landing The expedition entered Lake Simcoe in April a War of 1812 veteran who had settled Big Bay Point two years prior Soules’s farm was one of the few clearings in Innisfil that were still largely wilderness He warmly welcomed Franklin and encouraged him to camp among his stump-riddled fields The party remained at the Soules farm for a few days Franklin decided to proceed by breaking channels in the ice with axes Soules accompanied him; Franklin was in need of his services they planned on traversing the Nine Mile Portage an overland route linking Lake Simcoe to the Nottawasaga River and who had spent part of the War of 1812 building batteaux at Fort Willow on the western end of the portage But it wasn’t just Soules’s knowledge of the terrain that Franklin desired; the explorer also coveted his pair of sturdy oxen the only draft animals for many miles around without which pulling the expedition’s heavy boats overland would have been all but impossible When Franklin’s party slipped their boats into Willow Creek and disappeared from view He continued to lead a colourful life as a prolific hunter almost fighting a duel with neighbour Frederick Warnica apparently sighting Lake Simcoe’s elusive cryptid known today as Kempenfelt Kelly He and his men surveyed 2,028 kilometres of northwestern North America’s coastline from the Mackenzie River to Point Beechey in Alaska in so doing proving the existence of the Northwest Passage an achievement for which he was justly knighted Franklin’s success only fuelled his obsession with the Arctic This ultimately led to his death and the birth of an enduring mystery two decades later improper passing and driver inattention were leading causes or contributing factors in last year's motorcyclist fatalities The 18 riders who were not at fault in the fatal collisions that took their lives are a stark reminder that even the safest of motorcyclists are vulnerable to motorists who fail to share the road safely with them.   "2024 was a tragic reminder of what happens when motorcyclists and motorists drive aggressively or engage in careless behaviours when sharing our highways and roads Motorcycle season commands our absolute safest driving practices heightened vigilance and adherence to traffic laws that are designed to keep all road users safe - especially vulnerable motorcyclists and their passengers."  "With the longer days and warmer weather there will be more motorcycles on Ontario streets and highways Last year's devastating losses serve as a stark reminder to motorists and motorcyclists alike - stay alert and follow the rules of the road to create a safe environment for everyone." we all share the responsibility to follow traffic rules and ensure our roads are safe for everyone Our government will continue to combat aggressive and unsafe driving by enforcing mandatory license suspensions for stunt driving and a zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving Reckless drivers who endanger lives must face the full consequences of their actions." Riders between 25-34 years of age accounted for the highest number of motorcyclist deaths (15) on OPP-patrolled roads in 2024 followed by riders in the 65-74 age group (12) Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week runs from May 1-7 "After years of careful planning and valuable input from our residents it's exciting to see the revitalization of Innisfil Beach Park take shape," said Mayor Lynn Dollin "Construction has been scheduled to minimize disruptions to current park usage as much as possible as we work to build more recreational opportunities and beautiful natural spaces for decades to come." and design with thousands of residents helping to shape the park’s future For full details, please visit the project page at getinvolvedinnisfil.ca/ibp Teens who dance to the beat of their own drum are invited to learn more about drums their cultural significance and rich history in a complimentary event tomorrow evening (May 6) from 6 to 7:30 p.m Held at the Lakeshore branch of the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library (967 Innisfil Beach Rd.) teens aged 13 to 18 can take part in Drumming with Rudi Quammie Williams. It is a Culture Lab event presented by the Innisfil Arts Culture and Heritage Council as part of the Town of Innisfil's local National Youth Week initiative “We’re proud to host this experience as part of our ongoing commitment to cultural learning and youth engagement Drumming with Quammie is more than a workshop — it’s an invitation to explore identity and community through rhythm,” arts council member Sara Werkee said A graduate of York University’s Honours Fine Arts and MBA programs Williams has an extensive history in the arts and theatre he founded the Department of Culture in the city of Barrie in 2008 for which he served as its director until 2016 Williams will share his knowledge of the evolution of drums and their role in various traditions and ceremonies through storytelling He has been sharing his love of African and African Diasporik Musik with for three decades as a mentor to youth As a business consultant and facilitator of discussions on diversity equity and inclusion and countering anti-Black racism Williams has a passion for community development and entrepreneurship “I am dedicated to celebrating my ancestors’ knowledge and understanding of the healing properties of rhythm I greatly respect and celebrate their immense creativity that is today manifested in the instruments musical and dance traditions that have been passed on to us,” Williams said Registration is not required, but you can learn more about the Culture Lab here Youth Week continues with a Teen Nights Open House and Youth Game Night on May 7 and concludes on May 8 with a 'Get to Know Your Local Government' session If you’re riding an off-roader on an Innisfil street South Simcoe police report they’ve been called to "several" incidents involving off-road vehicles — including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes town rules allow ATVs to be driven on some Innisfil roads under certain conditions — it must have a single rider with an Ontario G2 licence or higher who is wearing an approved helmet and the vehicle must have running headlights and taillights and cannot be operated between the hours of 11 p.m “They must also have an Ontario licence plate and have insurance to operate on our roadways,” police said in a social-media post. “Please refer to the Town of Innisfil ATV bylaw for more information.” Dirt bikes cannot be operated within the town unless done so on private property Dirt bikes driven on the road can be treated as motor vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act which requires proper licensing and insurance “Any rider operating off-road vehicles on private property without permission from the owner is subject to action under the Trespass to Property Act,” the department said More Spotlight > A case involving five men and one woman accused by South Simcoe Police as being involved in a human and drug trafficking ring is expected to go to trial soon Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Don't have an account? Create Account We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentLawyers for the accused appeared in a virtual courtroom last Friday for a judicial pre-trial, CTV News Barrie reported. Three of the accused — Jashyna Singh, 29, of Brampton, and Oneil Hopkinson, 37, and Tyrone Dias, 38, both of Innisfil — face human trafficking charges, while the others — Hung Lam, 54, of Wasaga Beach, Joseph Carvalho, 44, of Newmarket, and Edgar Martinez, 36, of Innisfil — remain out on bail. They’re accused of human trafficking charges including advertising, materially benefiting from and procuring persons for trafficking. Additionally, Hopkinson is accused of sexually assaulting a woman police alleged was being pimped out of a home where investigators carried out a raid in November 2023. None of the allegations against any of the accused have been tested in court. Another man accused of drug trafficking and possession, Royden Reis, had his charges withdrawn by the Crown in February in Barrie. South Simcoe Police said three women were safely removed from the Innisfil home. Cops alleged $30,000 worth of drugs was recovered including fentanyl, crystal meth, cocaine and pills believed to be oxycodone. Police said investigators received an initial report of a woman being held captive in an Innisfil home in May 2023 for the purpose of providing sexual services. The matter goes back to court in two weeks at which time trial dates are expected to be put on the record. transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter Barrie South—Innisfil 2025 federal election live results. Browse live results for all 343 ridings 184 of 184 polls are reporting as of 4:20 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election 184 of 184 polls are reporting as of 4:20 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election is projected to be re-elected in Barrie South—Innisfil Brassard has 38,843 of 67,254 votes (57.76%) is in second place with 25,547 votes (37.99%) and Andrew Harrigan Brassard has represented the riding since 2015 Barrie South—Innisfil used to be named Barrie—Innisfil The riding’s boundaries were updated for the 2025 federal election 26,080 voters cast ballots at advance polls Looking for another riding? Here are the full results for the 2025 federal election. The Liberals have 169 races called in their favour They have 8,535,128 votes and 43.69 per cent of the popular vote The Conservatives have 144 races called in their favour They have 8,059,938 votes and 41.26 per cent of the popular vote The Bloc Québécois have 22 races called in their favour They have 1,232,095 votes and 6.31 per cent of the popular vote The New Democrats have seven races called in their favour They have 1,231,198 votes and 6.3 per cent of the popular vote The Greens have one race called in their favour They have 243,471 votes and 1.25 per cent of the popular vote There were three independents and four vacancies in the 338-seat Commons the Commons has grown by five ridings starting with this election This article was automatically generated using data provided by Canadian Press and will update as riding results become available Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Barrie WatchBarrie South-Innisfil candidate called out for online commentThe Liberal candidate in the Barrie South-Innisfil riding was called out by local PC candidates for a comment posted on social media. A Bradford man has been accused of assaulting a bylaw officer in March South Simcoe police say bylaw officers asked drivers of vehicles parked in no-stopping areas near a crosswalk by a school entrance to move Soon after they returned to the area to find some of the vehicles had stayed put “As one of the bylaw officers prepared to issue a ticket for the parking violation operating a black GMC Sierra began to use profanities and struck the bylaw officer with his vehicle door,” said police in a news release Police say the suspect then took off in the pickup truck the suspect returned to the area and parked in a driveway,” police added “South Simcoe Police were able to positively identify the male suspect and vehicle.” a 47-year-old Bradford West Gwillimbury man was charged with assaulting a peace officer None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty “The South Simcoe Police Service takes all reports of assault very seriously and will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation against any individual,” said police Delicious vegetarian Indian food is on the move in Innisfil as Dilli Chaat's food truck will celebrate its grand opening at 1508 Shore Acres Dr Seema Vashista started her family's business in the food court of the Etobicoke flea market Axhat, have attended the Taste of India food festival in Toronto and Brampton which was presented by the Innisfil Indian Association Seema explained that they offer vegetarian fare that is fish and egg-free Their recipes are "traditional" and provide "an authentic taste of India." With fresh preservative-free ingredients and some vegan options they will be offering poutine Chaska and samosa chaat among many other dishes There will be a pani puri eating challenge the first 30 customers will receive free fries with purchase and customers are encouraged to take advantage of their buy one get one (of the same or lesser value) for half price deal When asked why she chose to open a food truck in Innisfil "We were missing the authentic taste of India in Canada .. I found that the town has spots for food (trucks) and (trailers) vegetarian options available in (Innisfil). And here we are with the long-awaited Dilli Chaat food truck serving the authentic taste from the streets of Delhi." Seema's professional background is in the pharmaceutical industry but she said that cooking has been her passion since childhood She has a nine-year-old daughter, and her son will be starting university this September "I am a resident of Innisfil and have been living here for more than two years now," Seema said People here are always so kind and helpful I could not think of any other place that comes close to this town The beauty of this town lies in its people "(The) Dilli Chaat team is excited to see you all on May 3rd," Seema said Follow Dilli Chaat on Facebook and Instagram for their hours of operation Ellie Gugula has skipped the last few weeks of school, but she’s had a pretty great excuse The 13-year-old Barrie girl has instead been spending her days as a page in the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto Currently in Grade 8 at West Bayfield Elementary School in the city’s north end she told Village Media that a teacher recommended the program — which provides Ontario students an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature — and she knew she’d be perfect for it so this would be really good on a resume or application to a university or college," Gugula said.  Gugula started her term as a page two weeks ago returning April 28 after the legislature returned from a one-week break and typically doesn’t end until after 6 p.m. during which time she and her fellow pages have the chance to meet key parliamentary and political figures and learn first-hand about Ontario’s parliament and the legislative process Gugula said when she first heard she had been selected that she was “in shock.” “I didn’t really know how to respond Gugula has put in countless hours learning the names of MPPs and which riding they represent as well as learning the history of the legislative process.  you can just walk behind the (Speaker’s) dais and there is a seating chart if you’re looking for someone to deliver papers to or if you’re delivering water you just have to remember where they are,” she said “There is a test about a week in that is about half of your overall mark was some of the behaviour she’s witnessed in the house These are full grown adults heckling like children almost.” “It’s awesome,” said Gugula admitting she had a difficult time putting into words exactly how much she’s enjoying it Getting to know the other pages has been one of the best parts of the whole experience “They’re really kind and are similar to me so I can really relate to things they talk about Just seeing it all happen … that’s where they make the laws of Ontario The teen says she hopes to pursue a career in criminal law and hopes to one day toss her hat into the political arena saying she feels that she would have a lot to offer “I feel like so much more that could happen in the government of Ontario and and I feel like I could really contribute to that … and I am interested in serving the community," she said.  is beyond proud of the commitment her daughter has shown both leading up to her time in Toronto and during she’s been studying for weeks,” Collins said “Even during the application process … she initially applied in Grade 7 In order to get in she has to have strong marks "That piece of the perseverance of applying last year putting in the time at school … and being here and doing it as parents we are just so proud of her," she added.  Collins said while she expects it will take her daughter a little bit of time to fully absorb her experience she’s confident she will walk away with a lot of new skills that will serve her well into her future.  “What she’s gotten out of it is pretty incredible,” Collins said “She’s learning discipline in having to fulfil the responsibilities and be part of the process is something she will definitely take with her is a pretty incredible skill to learn that I think she can apply in any job as she gets older." A woman told the sexual assault trial of five hockey players Monday that she felt "numb and on autopilot" going through sexual acts with a group of men she didn't know in a hotel room seven years ago whose identity is protected by a publication ban drunk and scared when men started coming into the hotel room where she had just had sex with Michael McLeod Some of them seemed like those she saw at the bar where she met McLeod earlier that night but she didn't know their names or keep track of who stayed and left as the night went on The men wanted her to lie down on a bedsheet on the floor of the room and seemed to be laughing at her as they discussed sexual acts they wanted her to perform including some involving golf balls and golf clubs She described feeling as though she was watching everything happen from outside her own body "I felt like I didn't really have any other option," she said explaining she didn't know how they would react if she tried to say no or leave "It seemed like the only safe thing to do was to give them what they were wanting." Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault All five were members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team Court has heard many of the team's members were in London the night of the encounter for a gala celebrating their gold-medal win at that year's championship CAUTION: The following paragraphs contain graphic content some readers may find disturbing The woman said men towered over her as she lay on the sheet and three pulled down their pants "They just started putting penises in my face," she testified Some shouted commands as she performed oral sex and a fourth man did the splits right over her head The woman said she heard some of the men encouraging each other saying one of them should have sex with her It felt like she didn't have control over the situation She said she cried and tried to leave at various points She didn't see McLeod much after their initial one-on-one encounter adding he briefly left and came back with food the woman testified that she had oral sex with McLeod again and multiple people slapped her while that was happening It seemed like they were trying to hit as hard as they could The woman was shown two cellphone videos taken about an hour apart in the early morning of June 19 Prosecutors have said both were taken by McLeod someone asks the woman twice if she's "OK with this," and she agrees both times She testified Monday that her words in the video did not reflect her feelings at the time that she was "going along" with what she was being told the woman smiles as she holds a towel against her body and says it was "all consensual." The woman told the court Monday that McLeod had been "hounding" her to say it before the recording was made and it "definitely wasn't" how she truly felt She testified that she believed she was holding a towel because she had gotten in the shower with McLeod at his request They'd had vaginal and oral sex again in the bathroom one last thing she felt she needed to do before she could leave her mind seemed to re-enter her body and the emotions she'd been blocking came flooding back "crying uncontrollably," feeling ashamed and wishing she had responded differently in the moment She took an Uber home and showered when she arrived McLeod later reached out to her on Instagram McLeod expressed concern that the woman had spoken to police and asked her what she could do to "make this go away." The woman replied that she was "not trying to push this any farther" and apologized for "any trouble it might have already caused." McLeod checked in a few more times to see if she had spoken to police again He thanked the woman when she confirmed she told police it was "a mistake." The woman testified Monday she felt nervous and scared when McLeod reached out to her and was telling him what he wanted to hear so he would leave her alone One of McLeod's lawyers suggested during cross-examination that the woman was happy to hear from his client adding she could have blocked him or not answered if that wasn't the case David Humphrey also suggested the woman was upset when she left the room because she had cheated on her boyfriend and felt guilty The woman maintained that she felt worried after McLeod contacted her She agreed that she felt guilty for cheating on her boyfriend but said she told him what happened in the days that followed Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia told jurors Monday that they could only make limited use of evidence related to the woman's initial encounter with McLeod She told them they must not infer that if the woman willingly left the bar with McLeod and had consensual sex with him it is more likely that she consented to other sexual activity or she is less worthy of belief Hart and Dube are accused of obtaining oral sex from the woman without her consent and Dube is also accused of slapping her buttocks while she was engaged in a sexual act with someone else Formenton is alleged to have had vaginal sex with the complainant without her consent inside the bathroom Foote is alleged to have done the splits over her face and grazed his genitals on it without her consent The Crown alleges McLeod also vaginally penetrated her without her consent at the end of the night This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5 Check out Village Report - the news that matters most to Canada, updated throughout the day.  Or, subscribe to Village Report's free daily newsletter: a compilation of the news you need to know Subscribe ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Marc-Andre Fleury has exited the NHL after 21 seasons in the net, eager for more family time and an end to the on-ice tributes while fully accepting at age 40 that he's no longer at his best so he's not quite ready to completely call it quits Fleury revealed on Monday during a season-ending interview in Minnesota that he has agreed to join Team Canada for the ice hockey world championship later this month. With the Wild eliminated four days ago from the NHL playoffs I’ve got to keep playing,'" Fleury said jokingly After apologizing aloud if he wasn't supposed to announce his participation yet Fleury said he was looking forward to reuniting with Sidney Crosby his former Pittsburgh teammate who was the first celebrity addition to Canada's squad “I think it'll be fun to go spend some time together and yell at him in practice a bit whose postseason action was limited to the third period and overtime of Game 5 against Vegas when an illness forced Wild starter Filip Gustavsson out The tournament takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, starting on Friday and running through May 25. Hockey Canada announced Sunday that Crosby would join the team coached by Dean Evason Fleury's former coach with the Wild who's now with Columbus The only goalie who'd been announced previously was New York Rangers prospect Dylan Garand though another regular NHL netminder surely will be next Those who go deep into the NHL playoffs can't participate in the world championship which is largely why this will be Fleury's first time on the roster playing on three Stanley Cup winners with the Penguins and reaching a fourth finals with the Golden Knights Fleury played in the Olympics for Team Canada in 2010 as the third-stringer behind Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL Ontario’s manufacturing base, particularly in southwestern Ontario, is expected to be hit the hardest by the impact of U.S. tariffs, according to a new report released by the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO). tariffs reduce demand for Ontario’s exports expect a “modest recession” to occur as Ontario’s real GDP growth is projected to be 0.6 per cent this year less than half the 1.7 per cent growth that was expected in a no-tariff environment compared to 1.9 per cent with a no-tariff outlook The FAO report analyzes the impact of tariffs based on Canadian and U.S automobiles and automobile parts and corresponding Canadian retaliatory tariffs accounts for 77 per cent of the province’s goods exported and 60 per cent of its services exported in 2024 which impacts one in every nine jobs in Ontario.  Ontario’s manufacturing sector is particularly reliant on U.S with 40 per cent of its production exported to the U.S.  tariffs on Ontario’s economy will result in 119,200 fewer jobs in Ontario in 2026 including 57,700 fewer jobs in manufacturing next year All the related supply chain sectors would be also be affected in areas such as trade and transport The motor vehicle industry is the most integrated with the U.S. shipping 80 per cent of its output to the U.S. primary metals of steel and aluminum manufacturing (25 per cents) and food and beverage (19 per cent) those communities more exposed to export-focused manufacturing would be the most impacted.  Windsor would be the most impacted  with employment down 1.6 per cent  in 2026 compared to a no-tariff scenario Employment would be down 0.9 per cent in Sudbury and 0.8 per cent in Thunder Bay A new concept plan for Sam Cancilla Park appears to be on Barrie councillors’ radar presented a plan at Wednesday evening’s infrastructure and community investment committee meeting — with hopes of stimulating talk in the downtown community about revitalizing the Dunlop Street East park “Our goal is to spark a discussion about transforming this under-utilized waterfront park especially as the city plans to decommission the old water reservoir on site,” said Hassey Barrie councillors have approved a new capital project to decommission the Bayview Park reservoir and complete the removal of the booster pumping station at Sam Cancilla Park uninviting and fails to serve our growing downtown.” Key features for a new park could include pedestrian access from Dunlop Street to the parkland and North Shore Trail reintroducing a playground and having elements of public art Webster said the current park lacks modern amenities and feels disconnected from the waterfront outdated infrastructure and lack of lighting,” he said families or people with mobility challenges “Our concept addresses these challenges by creating an inviting accessible park that serves diverse users — residents businesses and tourists alike," Webster added.  Hassey and Webster urged the committee to consider their concept plan as a starting point to the park’s revitalization and to prioritize the project in upcoming budgets and city plans But Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson wondered aloud why decommissioning the Bayview Park reservoir and completing removal of the booster pumping station at Sam Cancilla Park couldn’t be done at the same time as a park project there Staff noted proposed work on Sam Cancilla Park in 2028 that a design and budget are working their way through the city It would need to be moved up to be done together “If we put the two projects together we’re probably saving money,” said Coun Mayor Alex Nuttall said there is a third element to these plans that needs attention — the former Hooters restaurant site at Dunlop and Mulcaster streets. The city is looking at acquiring this property and the feasibility of establishing a park from Mulcaster to the eastern border of Sam Cancilla Park “The corner property’s still a question mark,” Nuttall said “but I think that we should send staff off to make it an exclamation mark because the conversation you’re having all started because there was a little bit of a thing happening with the decommissioning and then there was already a want for an improvement of the park itself and the reality is that it could end up being much larger.  “I’m guessing if council were to purchase said property if there was a willing buyer and a willing seller we wouldn’t leave it as a commercial building,” Nuttall added “Because if it (the corner property) had been an option when the work was being done by Mr they probably would have incorporated it in the potential design that was being brought forward.” Committee passed a motion that included the creation of a new capital project for the decommissioning of Bayview Park that the capital project concerning Sam Cancilla Park be moved to commence work in 2025 simultaneously with the Bayview Park restoration project that is part of the Sam Cancilla Park project and that staff review the design concept as presented by Hassey and that staff also engage with the property owner at the corner of Dunlop Street East and Mulcaster with respect to both projects and 5 Mulcaster St. It has applied to the city for a rezoning needed to build a 25-storey residential tower of 160 units on the 0.38-acre property Sam Cancilla Park lies east of this property There has been no public mention of the cost to acquire former Hooters property nor would there be as land-acquisition matters are normally discussed behind closed doors by city council — although the final decision would be public if land is purchased The reservoir and pumping station were removed from operation 20 years ago and this infrastructure is not required to be connected to the drinking water system in the future Due to the structure’s age — it was built in the 1950s — and physical location beneath a public park a structural condition assessment of the site was carried out last April to understand the associated risks and focus on identifying structural deficiencies testing the structural components and conducting a structural analysis to determine load capacity of the reservoir roof It was determined that the reservoir’s existing underground roof is over-stressed and does not meet the required design load specifications city staff say the roof's condition poses a risk to public safety The analysis further concluded that the roof structure is inadequate to support public assembly TORONTO — The family of a mentally ill man who died in a provincial jail is demanding to know if the Ontario government has implemented any recommendations that came out of a coroner's inquest Several dozen civil liberty and mental health organizations have also called for action in a letter to Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner following the death of Soleiman Faqiri and the subsequent inquest inquest jurors issued 57 recommendations meant to improve oversight of the correctional service and access to mental health care within it It is unclear if the province has implemented any of the jury's recommendations said it appears the government has done nothing No charges have been laid in his brother's death Kerzner's office did not respond to questions about what specific recommendations it has implemented "More than 16 months have passed since that coroner's inquest not one of those recommendations have been implemented including the one with a simple public statement saying that individuals suffering from mental health challenges should not be in jails," Yusuf Faqiri said at a news conference at Queen's Park The family has also demanded an apology from the province "No one in your government has reached out to my family to issue an apology into his tragic death," Faqiri said in a plea to Ford and Kerzner "The system that killed my late brother continues unchanged Our work and this fight for change must continue and will continue." Kerzner's office also did not answer questions about an apology to the Faqiri family "Our thoughts are with his family and all those who have lost loved ones in the correctional system." Moniz said the province has made "record investments" into the provincial correctional system which includes $500 million to update and build new jails and hire more correctional officers "We have also established a new Health Services Division to ensure those in custody receive the care they need including support with mental health and addiction issues delivered by social workers mental health nurses and addictions counsellors," Moniz said The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has also called on the province to implement the jury's recommendations which it says would treat inmates better while also protecting society "The crisis in Ontario prisons undermines the basic human dignity of those in custody the vast majority of whom are waiting for their day in court and presumed innocent," said Shakir Rahim director of the association's criminal justice program NDP justice critic Kristyn Wong-Tam called on the government to be transparent about its work on the issue — if it has done any on an issue as important as the inquest recommendations that solve very broad structural failing of the correction system tells us that they just simply don't have an answer and that they're not taking the inquest's recommendations seriously," Wong-Tam said the Faqiri family demanded similar actions from the government to act on the recommendations Kerzner said his government was reviewing the inquest jury's report appeared increasingly unwell during his time at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay and many correctional and medical staff members expressed concerns about him a fight broke out between Faqiri and jail guards as they escorted him back from a shower The inquest heard guards struck Faqiri numerous times pepper sprayed him and eventually handcuffed him covered his head in a spit hood and left him face down on a cell floor The jury's recommendations included creating an independent inspectorate for corrections that would have the ability to launch investigations and adding an independent rights adviser and prisoner advocate in all correctional facilities Other recommendations included establishing a provincial agency to oversee and deliver health care in correctional facilities and ensuring people in custody who have acute mental health issues are assessed by a mental health professional within 24 hours of a court order or remand Recommendations issued in a coroner's inquest are not binding and the finding of homicide carries no legal liability MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens may be ahead of schedule in their rebuild but Jeff Gorton believes the plan is far from complete Doing it year after year — and becoming a perennial Stanley Cup contender — is another “There's a lot of benefits in what players were able to do this season but we're certainly not done,” said Gorton the team’s executive vice president of hockey operations Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes delivered a state of the union Monday at the Bell Centre five days after the Washington Capitals ended a special Canadiens season with a first-round victory in five games Montreal made the playoffs for the first time since 2021 an unexpected appearance after the franchise began a teardown following a disastrous 2021-22 campaign The playoff berth exceeded Hughes and Gorton’s pre-season goal of simply being “in the mix” and electrified a hockey-crazed fan base starved of post-season action Now the question is how the Canadiens stay there and how Hughes and Gorton strike a balance between injecting more youth for the future and adding veteran experience to strengthen playoff hopes "That's probably the million-dollar question is how to put these pieces together?” Gorton said “We have some players that we think are knocking on the door — what kind of opportunity are we going to provide them Can we wait out a summer and give them training camp to earn a spot “We all understand that it's possible we'll be younger but we need to balance the youth part with experience and I look forward to how he comes up with those answers." said he’s not swaying from his long-term plan of building a sustainable Cup-calibre roster there’s always a balance between today and the future,” Hughes said “We recognize the value of having experience we don’t want to create long-term obstacles for our young players “We’re continuing to build toward something." The Canadiens will have roster spots to fill next season Veteran defenceman David Savard is retiring Depth forwards Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia — and seldom-used Michael Pezzetta — could become unrestricted free agents on July 1 Hughes said the Canadiens are still discussing how they’ll approach each case Montreal also has enough salary cap space to pursue other free agents several prospects will arrive next September hoping to crack the NHL lineup Defencemen David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux — both first-round picks currently playing for Laval in the American Hockey League playoffs — could be in the mix to replace Savard could push for a spot lower in the lineup if Dvorak or Armia don’t return The Canadiens also hold a boatload of draft capital including nine picks in the first four rounds this year Captain Nick Suzuki understands that Montreal’s rebuild is ongoing but he’s eager for a return to the playoffs “We don't want to see this go backwards in any way,” he said Friday “We were already the youngest team to make the playoffs and technically we might get younger next year “Whatever is in the cards for Gorts and Kent this summer I think we made it a lot harder on them to try to go out and not get younger next year." the Canadiens were the last team to qualify They entered the post-season with the fewest points (91) and the worst goal differential (-20) of all 16 teams Gorton identified “compete” and size as key areas in need of improvement after a physical series against the Capitals but also said the Canadiens are trying to get better in all areas this off-season “There's not one area of our team where we're saying we're done there so we'll continue to look at everything and try to build it up.” The lack of a reliable second-line centre behind Nick Suzuki remains a glaring hole in the Canadiens' lineup Kirby Dach was expected to grow into that role but managed just 22 points and a minus-29 rating in 57 games before sustaining a second consecutive season-ending knee injury “There's certainly a place for him in our lineup It's going to be up to him where that's going to be,” Gorton said of the 24-year-old “He’s going to need a big camp to get himself going." Questions are also swirling around Patrik Laine and his fit in Montreal next season The 27-year-old winger caught fire after returning from injury in December but his performance dipped down the stretch The Canadiens’ power play also thrived when he missed the final three playoff games with a broken finger “We’re not in the playoffs without Patrik Laine,” Hughes said “He gave us critical goals in critical moments He had struggles in his five-on-five game as well But I was impressed by Patrik and his willingness to learn." TORONTO — Scott Laughton was probably still feeling it The Maple Leafs forward blocked a shot in the dying moments of Toronto's Game 6 victory over the Ottawa Senators to clinch a spot in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs The puck off Jack Sanderson's stick appeared to get him somewhere on his right arm William Nylander had given Toronto a 2-0 lead in the second period before Ottawa pushed back to eventually even the score in the third Max Pacioretty then buried the winner for the Leafs a few minutes later was singled out by captain Auston Matthews in the locker room celebration after that shot block led to Nylander's second goal into an empty net to seal a 4-2 final "Very grateful for you guys," Laughton said on a team-produced video that included deleted expletives Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers at the NHL's March trade deadline Laughton took awhile to get going in Toronto But the gritty centre from nearby Oakville is showing why general manager Brad Treliving brought him in as the club turns its attention to the Florida Panthers "I feel super fortunate," Laughton said ahead of Game 1 against the defending Stanley Cup champions at Scotiabank Arena to have a chance at this point my career … being in this market brings out the best in you who isn't necessarily counted on for scoring had one goal and one assist through 18 games for the team he supported growing up There were a lot of people from his past coming out of the woodwork — he also looked far from a finished product some nights trying to grasp a new system — before the 20th overall pick in 2012 finally steadied himself down the stretch on Toronto's fourth line between Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok "A guy that knows his role," Matthews said also a key member of a penalty kill that held Ottawa to three power-play goals said "getting out of my own head" was key in solidifying the transition "I was overthinking everything," he said after almost 13 years with the Flyers "(Lorentz and Jarnkrok) have helped me in just going out and playing simple and getting to our role right away." signed through next season with a salary cap hit of US$3 million is too good to struggle for long stretches "The comfort level sets in and your role and identity within the team comes to fruition," said the fellow Oakville product "He's already become a big part of the room." Laughton spent his first month in Toronto at a hotel before wife Chloe and the couple's first child A settled home life is something he also credits with getting comfortable "It takes time sometimes with guys when you make trades," Leafs head coach Craig Berube said "It doesn't happen overnight … he's definitely a big part of our success." including for a number of teams coached by the brother of Leafs president Brendan Shanahan Laughton's mom recently dug up a picture of the pair when Shanahan who guessed the shot was roughly 25 years old Now suiting up for another Shanahan with a much bigger prize at the end of the post-season marathon he said getting recognized for his Game 6 shot block was a special moment "We get contributions from all over the lineup," Laughton added of his most painful NHL assist "He's someone we brought over for this exact reason," Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz added Laughton attended a Battle of Ontario playoff game in the early 2000s with his dad He's now making new ones on the other side of the glass There's also still pinch-yourself element Laughton hasn't quite been able to shake "It's a weird feeling to come home and you've got family around Barrie South-Innisfil’s incumbent Conservative MP is returning to Parliament Hill after winning his fourth federal election Brassard was ahead by a sizable amount with 167 of 184 polls reporting early Tuesday morning over 11,000 more than second-place finisher John Olthuis from the Liberal Party.  Brassard arrived at his election after-party at Linx Kitchen + Social on King Street in south-end Barrie just after 10 p.m. about a half-hour after polls had closed.  He quietly greeted every one of his supporters with a handshake or a hug There were around 70 people in attendance sipping beer and eating chicken wings as they watched the results slowly trickle in A handful of Barrie and Innisfil councillors were there celebrating with Brassard a former MP himself in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte He soon after took to the mic and thanked his family, including his wife Brassard also thanked the roughly 200 supporters who volunteered to work on his campaign did all of you work hard … and I can’t thank you enough but obviously that message didn’t resonate in the way that we thought it would,” he said of the Conservative Party’s overall loss nationally “I’m very proud of the campaign that Pierre Poilievre ran,” he said of the the Conservative leader “And depending what screen you are looking at Brassard said the gap in seat wins began to shrink in the televised results as the chances of a Liberal majority began to fade “Our job as the Opposition is to hold is to hold the government to account to experience an election celebration with his father for the first time as he was always tied tied up with hockey playing “I get to see all my family and this was the cherry on the top,” Matt told BarrieToday “John is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known,” said Doreen adding she believes the trait came from herself as both my husband and I are hard-working people.” Doreen took part in the local campaign as the volunteer co-ordinator while Brassard’s father planted signs all over the riding for his son “He went out there with a ruler,” she added with a laugh “All of the straight signs are his.” TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel approved plans Monday to seize the Gaza Strip and to stay in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified amount of time, two Israeli officials said, a move that, if implemented, would vastly expand Israel’s operations there and likely draw fierce international opposition which was approved in an early morning vote by Israeli Cabinet ministers also calls for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to move to Gaza’s south That would likely amount to their forcible displacement and exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis Details of the plan were not formally announced and its exact timing and implementation were not clear Its approval came hours after the Israeli military chief said the army was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers The plan may be another measure by Israel to try to pressure Hamas into making concessions in ceasefire negotiations said the new plan would not begin until after U.S President Donald Trump wraps up his expected visit to the Middle East this month allowing for the possibility that Israel might agree to a ceasefire in the meantime All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing military plans Later Monday, the Israeli military targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen’s Red Sea city of Hodeida with a punishing round of airstrikes. The strikes came a day after the Iranian-backed rebels launched a missile that hit Israel’s main airport The rebels’ media office said at least six strikes hit the Hodeida port setting off what is believed to the be the worst humanitarian crisis in nearly 19 months of war The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages Israel’s offensive has displaced more than 90% of Gaza’s population and The officials do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count At least 42 people were killed by Israeli strikes from Sunday through Monday afternoon according to hospitals and the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza The Israeli military offered no immediate comment on the strikes Israel is trying to ratchet up pressure on Hamas Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday cabinet ministers had decided on a “powerful operation in Gaza," including “a movement of the population to protect it.” The plan also imposes Israeli control over aid distribution Israel accuses Hamas of diverting aid for its own use or to distribute to strengthen its rule in Gaza denied there was significant diversion of aid employs “a solid system to monitor and prevent” such theft The officials said Israel was in touch with several countries about Trump's plan to take over Gaza and relocate its population under what Israel has termed “voluntary emigration." That proposal has drawn widespread condemnation and rights groups have warned it could be a war crime under international law Israel has been trying to ratchet up pressure on Hamas to get the group to agree to its terms in ceasefire negotiations But the measures do not appear to have moved Hamas away from its negotiating positions The previous ceasefire was meant to lead the sides to negotiate an end to the war Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas' governing and military capabilities are dismantled has sought an agreement that winds down the war without agreeing to disarm Israel's expansion announcement angered families of hostages who fear that any extension of the conflict endangers their loved ones urged Israel's decision-makers to prioritize the hostages and secure a deal quickly called on soldiers “not to report for reserve duty for moral and ethical reasons." Some reservists have indicated they will refuse to serve in a war they increasingly view as politically motivated Israel wants to prevent Hamas from handling aid The defense official said the plan would “separate” Hamas from the aid by using private firms and by using specified areas secured by the Israeli military The official added that Palestinians would be screened to prevent Hamas from accessing the aid According to a memo circulated among aid groups and seen by The Associated Press, Israel told the United Nations that it will use private security companies to control aid distribution in Gaza said it would not participate in the plan as presented The memo summarized a meeting between the Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza It was written by a group briefed on the meeting and sent Sunday to aid organizations all aid will enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing Some 500 trucks entered Gaza every day before the war The memo said that facial-recognition technology will be used to identify Palestinians at logistics hubs and text message alerts will notify people in the area that they can collect aid COGAT did not immediately respond to a request for comment The UN accuses Israel of wanting to control aid as a ‘pressure tactic’ After Israel said it was going to assert more control over aid distribution in Gaza Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs sent an email to aid groups urging them to reject any “draconian restrictions on humanitarian work." which OCHA sent Monday to aid groups and was shared with the AP further stated that there are mechanisms in place to ensure aid is not diverted OCHA said in a statement that the plan would leave large parts of the population It said the plan “appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy.” Aid groups have said they are opposed to using any armed or uniformed personnel to distribute aid that could potentially intimidate Palestinians or put them at risk Hamas decried Israel’s efforts to control distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza as a violation of international law the militant group said the effort is “an extension of the starvation policy” adopted by the Israeli government in Gaza Associated Press reporters Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al-Balah and Josef Federman contributed to this report Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war A one-year pilot project will introduce a new Innisfil Transit hub at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 547 in Belle Ewart The local legion will join eight other hubs in the municipality which are subject to a flat fare for Innisfil Transit users who travel to or from those locations thanks in part to pleas from the branch executive and other supporters Staff had been directed to investigate adding the legion as a hub at the Feb 26 council meeting and initially recommended against its addition in a report to council included in the April 23 meeting agenda “A narrow focus on one specific location may overlook the broader transit challenges faced by the community,” the staff report stated “In assessing the potential demand for trips to and from the legion and lands within the vicinity staff note that this location would not serve as a natural transit hub for nearby services these needs are met with the existing Morgan Russell Memorial Arena & Community Centre hub.” The legion is slightly more than two kilometres away from the community centre The cost of creating a new hub also gave staff pause Staff estimate that including the legion as a hub could cost between $12,000 and $20,000 which is not accounted for in Innisfil Transit’s 2025 operating budget “We do have some gas-tax reserves that could help us fund this without a (property) tax implication however it would take our reserve very close to zero,” planning manager Brandon Correia said With staff’s recommendation available to the public prior to the meeting many supporters of the plan were in council chambers for the discussion Two members of the branch 547 executive spoke in open forum giving nearly identical speeches to sway council’s opinion from following the staff recommendation “The legion plays an important role in our town’s well-being and yet the town staff’s current position would be to exclude the legion from the transit network in what they consider a low-density area where they anticipate limited demand,” said branch president Denis Mainville Staff analysis is based on the existing transit patterns … but this data cannot accurately predict demands for services that are currently underutilized.” “It is a classic case of ‘if you build it they will come,’” added branch secretary Karlene Doyle “The legion already serves as a vital link for many individuals and their families but its complete potential is hidden by transportation obstacles.” Mainville and Doyle stressed the community service functions provided by the legion which supports the well-being of area seniors and veterans The legion also acts as a community meeting place “This initiative has the potential to enhance the quality of life for seniors and foster a more connected and inclusive community,” Doyle said The support for the legion was unanimous among councillors — even if the minutes show only three were able to vote Council was already short a member at the April 23 meeting as Coun When it was time for counicllors to declare any conflicts of interest on any agenda items Robert Saunders declared a conflict on this item as each is a member of branch 547 with Richardson being an executive member and Drodge a voting affiliate “Welcome to small-town Ontario,” the mayor quipped Clerk Patty Thoma confirmed the item could still be discussed The quorum needed to continue the debate would shrink with each conflict declared council would be comprised of three members Kevin Eisses and Deputy Mayor Kenneth Fowler remained around the table for the debate on the matter Waters pitched the idea of adding the legion as a hub on a pilot basis “I appreciate staff looking after the financial resources of the town in terms of how we spend our money and the implications this might have however I disagree with its conclusion,” Waters said I would request that we do at least a pilot project for a year see what the costs are and then have this debate again at the end of next year.” Eisses was appreciative of the support from the community on the proposal and the due diligence staff put in “The legion is a really strong part of the community and staff is not doing anything intentional against the legion,” he said “But they are here to protect our finances and not to create a precedent where every group in Innisfil wants a transit stop.” Fowler believed the money would be well-spent because of the primary audience it would serve “We’re taking care of our veterans the people that go out on the global stage and represent Canada … When they come home they need the support the legion gives,” Fowler said “I will always stand behind our armed forces and this is the best way to do it.” Council further rejected a staff option to institute a voucher program for veterans and seniors rather than making the legion a full hub The vouchers would cost less than $10,000 but would exclude other community members from a larger subsidy when travelling to and from the branch You can certainly tell it’s spring by the events on this weekend’s calendar I swear I felt a shift in the weather just by seeing a car wash and a trunk sale on the agenda Does anything say spring temperatures quite like outdoor shopping and making your best ride look its nicest?  Here’s what’s happening in Bradford and Innisfil in the coming days: deputy mayor and ward representative in a relaxed space and gain insight into upcoming community projects and initiatives Free refreshments and snacks will be provided Activities at Bradford’s Youth Recreation Centre The tournament runs from noon to 4 p.m.; prizes will be awarded to the winner Ice cream will be available from 1 to 3 p.m Got an upcoming event or news tip to share? Email it to [email protected] Update (11:15 p.m.): Conservative incumbent John Brassard is pulling away from Liberal candidate John Olthuis as more polls report local results tonight en route to securing a fourth term in the House of Commons.  With 60 of 184 polls reporting in Barrie South-Innisfil Brassard continued to distance himself from Olthuis Brassard had 9,657 votes compared to 5,985 for Olthuis was the NDP's Andrew Harrigan with 520 votes and Mark Sampson from the People's Party with 191.  With 40 of 184 polls reporting in Barrie South-Innisfil tonight, it's clearly a two-horse race between the Conservatives and the Liberals — just as it is across most of the country.  Conservative incumbent John Brassard was leading with 6,605 votes (59.29 per cent) followed by Liberal candidate John Olthuis with 4,055 votes (36.40 per cent) Other candidates on the ballot include the NDP's Andrew Harrigan and Mark Sampson from the People's Party.  Barrie South-Innisfil has 120,378 residents Advance polls were open from April 18 to 21 and, according to Elections Canada’s preliminary estimates approximately 7.3 million electors have already cast their vote. That's up 25 per cent from the 5.8 million valid votes cast at advance polls in the previous general election in 2021 26,080 voters cast their ballots early in the Barrie South-Innisfil riding BarrieToday will more coverage throughout the night.  To follow along with live results, click here.  Editor's note: This story was updated on April 14 at 12:15 p.m. A large power outage knocked out hydro to much of Innisfil this morning — and you may be surprised by the cause InnPower's outage map reported an "unplanned" incident affecting more than 8,400 customers The outage seemed to have implications on a significant portion of the town between Gilford and Alcona it appeared to be restored to all areas shortly before noon.  InnPower president and chief executive officer Danny Persaud says a bird prey is the culprit.  "This morning‘s outage was a direct result of an osprey attempting to form a nest on supply circuits coming into Innisfil," he said.  This comes about two weeks after an ice storm caused significant damage and wide-scale outages across the municipality That’s when InnPower hopes to have hydro restored to all but a handful of pockets of Innisfil power has returned to about 50 per cent of the electricity distributor’s coverage area There were multiple issues at play here — InnPower lost all four primary feeder source connections from Hydro One while a combination of ice accretion on power lines and ice build up on trees that then fell over into lines caused damage within InnPower’s territory “Not only did we have damage within our own distribution area but we weren’t getting any service in through our feeder lines,” Dollin said noting a storm-related explosion also occurred in Fennell's Corners “We’re hoping to have almost everyone online by the end of the day We’re working our way through those systems.” She said eight of InnPower’s 10 distribution stations are now operational.  Dollin also thanked crews from K-Line and Enova Power who were called in to help town operations department staff with tree removal The towns of Bradford and New Tecumseth lent chippers and trucks “We’re attempting to get all of the roads cleared,” Dollin said “We started with arterial and moved to residential We’re thankful to our neighbours for their assistance We’re still a rural community with lots of vegetation It would have been worse if there was more wind.” About a day after a tree in Marco Colamargino’s backyard came crashing down over his fence “I called InnPower and they said they’d send someone out,” he said “We’ve been dealing with the sump pump and insurance Evans looked at the task that stood in front of him and joked: “This is going to be good.” the Town of Bradford is reporting limited damage from the storm “BWG Fire & Emergency Services responded to approximately a dozen calls on Sunday related to trees on power lines and downed power lines,” Bradford communications officer Jenny Duffy said in an email “While the damage was relatively minor We are pleased to report that there has been no damage to town-owned facilities The town is committed to supporting Hydro One and Alectra in their ongoing efforts to restore any remaining power outages and will provide whatever assistance is needed.” Dollin noted the town has asked InnPower to improve its communication and notify any residents who won’t have power by tonight so they can “make an informed choice whether they want to go to a friend’s house or a kid’s house Not the information you want to hear is still better than no information at all.” “We talked to InnPower … to make sure there’s more communication more social-media reachouts,” she said “We heard there was a problem with the outage map The issue is that it can only handle so many (visitors) The town has also closed Innisfil Beach Park due to storm-related tree damage while other parks are being inspected.  Morgan Russell Memorial Arena and Community Centre and Stroud Innisfil Community Centre (Stroud Arena) have been shuttered today.  Multiple roads — Arnold Street (Belle Aire Beach Road to Ewart Street) Lakelands Avenue (25th Sideroad to Innisfil Beach Road) and Mapleview Drive (20th to 25th sideroads) — are blocked off indefinitely with only partial access granted to local traffic and emergency services though “many smaller streets are also impacted particularly those with mature trees,” the town says.  But Dollin urged anyone who needs to warm up or charge their cell phone to head to town hall “I know people have been frustrated that the place across the street got hydro,” Dollin said is a word people don’t want to hear for this length of time but it’s not without us doing everything within our power to get everybody up and running again We’re working on getting everybody back up.” Barrie WatchAccused in Innisfil trafficking ring appear in court ahead of trialCourt proceedings advance in the Project Chameleon trafficking investigation. The YMCA is pleased to announce that the event exceeded their fundraising goal raising over $135,000 with more donations still coming in thanks to the community’s overwhelming generosity Funds raised go directly to supporting the communities the Y serves across Simcoe and Parry Sound joined together to take part in customized signature community events across the region in April These events included pickleball tournaments a mini ‘prom’ for childcare participants and their parents all in support of the YMCA’s programs and services “It was incredible to see the support from our communities once again for this exciting fundraising event,” said Jill Tettmann president and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka “Participants of all ages came together to celebrate and support the YMCA We are deeply moved by the support and generosity of the community Thanks to all who made this year’s Move to Give event such a resounding success.” Move to Give has raised over $1 million and brought together thousands of people across Simcoe all working towards achieving the same goal — building vibrant and connected communities where everyone belongs Move to Give not only raises funds to provide participants in need with financial assistance each year but it also raises awareness about the YMCA’s programs the success of Move to Give has a tremendous impact on the communities we serve” senior director of philanthropy at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka A Move to Give participant shared how this impact influenced their life and why they participated in this year: “The Y provided us with a really safe space The idea of giving back through a fundraiser is the least that we could do.” The YMCA also received the support of many local businesses through sponsorship of the event: “We are truly grateful for the generosity and support of our community who have demonstrated their commitment to our mission of promoting health and community development,” remarked Tettmann Tettmann also acknowledged the hard work and dedication that YMCA staff and volunteers put into planning and running the 11th annual Move to Give fundraising event and our incredible staff and volunteer teams are a vital part of making Move to Give a success Thank you for sharing your passion for the Y with everyone who participated,” praised Tettmann If you would like to support Move to Give and haven’t had a chance to do so yet, it’s not too late — visit their website at www.MoveToGive.ca to learn more Barrie WatchBarrie South-Innisfil race heats up amid campaign controversyThe race for Barrie South-Innisfil heats up amid campaign controversy. your must-see briefing from Village Media’s team of journalists at the Ontario Legislature.  Every Sunday morning, Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our staffers at The Trillium to talk about the week that was at Queen's Park — and the week ahead On the show today is reporter Jack Hauen, who tries to do justice to Premier Doug Ford's now-viral "rant" against "terrible terrible bleeding-heart judges." (If you missed it SEE: Doug Ford's judges 'rant' again sparks fears over judicial independence Hauen also breaks downs the Ford government's “tough-on-crime” proposals aimed at protecting families supporting human trafficking victims and bolstering Ontario's court system One more thing: Budget Day has been set for May 15 COLUMN: Retired judge objects to premier's 'rant' on judiciary Looking for back episodes of Trillium Talk? You can find those HERE Passionate and plugged in, The Trillium delivers the major political headlines of the day while unpacking complex policy changes and digging deeper into key issues that impact every Ontarian Our dogged journalists also keep a close watch on legislative debates lobbying activity and regulatory proposals The Trillium is a subscription-based news service designed especially for Queen’s Park stakeholders But the site also features free content that is regularly published across our chain of local news sites “We’re excited to continue the conversation with our community as we plan the next chapter for public transit in Innisfil,” says Mayor Lynn Dollin “Your feedback in Round 1 helped shape the options we’re now presenting to help ensure our transit system grows in a way that reflects your needs.” Drop-in public open houses are scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m Light refreshments will be provided and participants are encouraged to pre-register. To accommodate community members who are unable to attend in person, a virtual open house is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 from 12 to 1 p.m. Participants must register online Building on the first round of public engagement these open houses will give participants the opportunity to: In addition to the public open houses, the Town will also host a second survey with more detailed questions on the proposed options and opportunities to provide feedback on each of them. Visit getinvolvedinnisfil.ca/transit to sign up for project updates and learn more about the TMP Changes are coming to Innisfil’s overnight parking bylaw council agreed to amend the municipal parking bylaw to shorten the timeframe when overnight parking is banned no parking is allowed on town roads between midnight and 7 a.m 1,762 parking penalties were handed out in accordance with the winter parking bylaw “Staff have heard from several residents that the town’s overnight regulations are too restrictive and warrant a review to ensure the town is consistent with other neighbouring municipalities,” the staff report on the matter stated That review found that Innisfil was “among the most restrictive” in Simcoe County Staff looked at 17 other municipalities in Simcoe as well as the cities of Barrie and Orillia and found that all but three were less restrictive in their bylaws than Innisfil Essa and Springwater — were found to be equal in their restrictions Most municipalities end their winter parking restrictions March 31 or April 1 only Innisfil and Essa held out until May 1 The new bylaw chops off 15 days on either side of the current regulations allowing for the town’s director of operations to declare a winter maintenance event at any time before Nov which would temporarily prohibit overnight parking on any highway in the municipality Signs outlining the current restrictions will remain in place until closer to the start of the 2025-26 winter season however staff are expected to cease enforcement of overnight parking restrictions as of April 15 council approved a staff recommendation to amend the Administrative Monetary Penalty bylaw to include wording on overnight parking restrictions Councillors also got a view of how many parking tickets were issued in 2024 during the meeting A staff report on overall municipal bylaw action for the year showed that town staff levied 6,451 parking penalties in 2024 The vast majority were for failing to display a residential permit (1,766) Last year was also the first full year that parking fines fell under the administrative penalty system (APS) contested parking tickets are no longer heard by a Provincial Offences Court but rather administered by town staff About 35 per cent of tickets issued in 2024 were contested going through a screening process with a town staff member More than 1,000 of those tickets ended up being cancelled most commonly for residents who forgot to display their parking passes undue financial hardship or in emergency circumstances The hearing officer is a third party and will consider the evidence provided by the town and the penalized with 77 fines being reduced and six being cancelled outright A further 18 remain pending from the fourth quarter Not paying the fines can still result in hardship for the penalized the town sent out 2,194 reminder notices and 1,224 final notices A further 638 parking penalties were forwarded to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation where they are placed on the licence plate to be paid upon plate renewal Council required a bit of clarity on how that still works in Ontario “If you have outstanding parking fines and you go to renew your plate you can’t unless you pay your parking fees; that’s kind of how it’s been but now there’s no fee to get a licence plate so how does that work?” Mayor Lynn Dollin asked “Has it impacted whether or not people are actually paying for their parking tickets?” if they don’t pay their parking fines they could be driving around with expired plates “We do still apply outstanding fees to plate denial,” town community standards leader Mitchel Harris said “What would happen is a vehicle owner that has fees would have to pay those before the renewal happens that renewal would be automatic; if there are fees owing (they) would have to be paid before the licence plate is renewed.” Both staff and council agreed most people might not realize that nuance Harris said it was too early in the APS program to determine if there was an impact on people ignoring their fines TORONTO — Manager John Schneider has faith the Toronto Blue Jays offence will emerge from its early-season funk The Blue Jays dropped the final two outings of their three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians because of a lack of clutch hitting Schneider's lineup left a whopping 25 runners on base in the series but dropped 5-3 and 5-4 decisions to close against the Guardians The Blue Jays especially struggled to score late on Saturday and Sunday against the Guardians' strong bullpen After snatching a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning on Saturday their final 12 hitters were retired in order the Blue Jays left runners on third in the eighth and ninth innings The eighth inning was particularly painful because Toronto had runners on second and third after an Ernie Clement sacrifice run for the first out But Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes popped up for the final two outs "You're trying to scrap across a run there," Schneider said "You get a good bunt from Ern and we just couldn't get it done there with those with those pop-ups there's going to be match-ups you like and there's going to be match-ups that are going to be tough The Blue Jays also got caught taking chances early After Bo Bichette led off the first inning with a double and moved to third on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s single a potential big inning was snuffed out by a Guardians double play and then Bichette got caught in a rundown between third and home I think the best possible outcome was Bo stays at third But you're trying to score early and those things happen." Gold-glove outfielder Daulton Varsho was given the series finale off to rest his lower back Varsho missed the first 28 games after offseason right shoulder surgery He played in five straight before taking Sunday off to rest and I'm not taking any chances with him after what he's been through," Schneider said The Blue Jays have yet to confirm they have signed veteran right-handed pitchers Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena before we hit the (plane)," replied Schneider when asked if he'll have some additional help when his club begins a six-game trip on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4 Try searching for your content, or return to the homepage The Town is urging residents to stay off the roads due to dangerous conditions caused by a severe ice storm and hazardous driving conditions across the region Operations staff have been deployed to clear debris and open roads, with priority given to main roads before addressing residential streets. Residents who encounter fallen trees or blocked roads are encouraged to report them by calling the Town’s Customer Service team at 705-436-3710 or using the online reporting portal Power outages have disrupted traffic signals, requiring motorists to follow four-way stop procedures where necessary and proceed with caution. Any power outages should be reported directly to InnPower by calling 1-855-300-2990. InnPower’s outage map will be updated throughout the major outage event with status updates within the service territory Due to power outages, all Town-managed facilities will remain closed until further notice. Further updates will be communicated on the Town’s website and social media channels as the situation develops The temporary site will only accept brush and tree-related debris free of charge. No other waste or debris materials can be accepted at this location. (Please utilize other county waste drop-off locations.) County of Simcoe residents and contractors will not be charged for brush until the end of May All users of the site should be prepared to confirm a County of Simcoe address Contractors may be asked to confirm that their brush material is from a County of Simcoe address Residents and contractors within the City of Barrie City of Orillia or communities located outside the County of Simcoe should use their own municipal sites This new temporary site is located at 675 Big Bay Point Rd. which is a property owned and managed by the Town of Innisfil the site will be open Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday) from 8:30 a.m The Town of Innisfil is working to update nearby neighbours to the site due to the expected temporary increase in traffic volume We thank the community for their understanding during this time of need the county has extended operating days and schedules at the majority of its waste-drop off locations and opened the additional following temporary brush drop off sites to assist residents with clean-up: As hours of operation may change, residents are asked to visit simcoe.ca or download the Simcoe County Collects App and monitor schedules A reminder that curbside brush collection continues with our regular leaf and yard vehicles as well as increased chipping crews that can handle larger brush debris Please be patient as this will impact regular spring leaf and yard waste collection “After dealing with the initial response to the ice storm we continue to support recovery efforts including the long-term clean-up of brush and debris,” says Warden Basil Clarke “We know that other communities in Simcoe County were hit hard by the storm and we’re extending our support to help more residents and communities as best we can Curbside collection of brush will take time so we urge residents who can access a truck or trailer to utilize the free brush drop off-sites as much as you can Thank you to our partners at the Town of Innisfil for supporting this temporary solution.” “We know the clean up from the ice storm has been challenging for those impacted and Town of Innisfil staff continue with their efforts,” says Mayor Lynn Dollin “We are pleased to offer a way for residents to dispose of brush in partnership with the County of Simcoe to assist with storm debris you may have on your property.” For up-to-date information on storm-related impacts and services affecting the County of Simcoe, please visit simcoe.ca/IceStorm or download the Simcoe County Collects App for waste and brush disposal information Innisfil continues to clean up from the ice storm that struck the region in late March The town says it is still waiting to hear back from the County of Simcoe regarding further assistance as Innisfil operations crews are “doing their very best” to make municipal parks and public spaces safe again.  “We know the ice storm caused significant damage to many areas of Innisfil,” Mayor Lynn Dollin said “Although Innisfil was badly impacted areas outside our community sustained significant losses The county … is prioritizing those communities They are also determining if additional supports can be offered within Innisfil Our operations staff ... have been deployed to clean up public areas and ensure they are safe for use this will take some time and we do appreciate your patience as we continue to manage this.” The storm, which at its peak took out hydro to nearly all 23,000 InnPower customers, caused unprecedented damage in town As of noon yesterday, almost 1,000 Hydro One customers remained in the dark in the Sunshine City. Meanwhile, Oro-Medonte still has a few road closures in place and some of its residents remain without electricity today The harm in Innisfil was extensive, however. InnPower was still restoring hydro to some of its customers late last week The storm caused the electricity distributor to lose all four primary feeder source connections from Hydro One including an explosion in the Fennell’s Corners area The town also closed for periods Innisfil Beach Park several community centres and multiple roads and taped off or barricaded other parks that were deemed hazardous Storm-related power outages and equipment damage also affected cellular and internet networks in the area This all prompted Innisfil to declare a significant weather event, which has since been lifted And enough damage was caused to prompt Premier Doug Ford to meet with local staff and dignitaries during a tour of the region on April 4.  A representative from the town said Ford did not make any specific commitments on assistance for Innisfil InnPower is encouraging anyone who still doesn’t have hydro to call 705-431-4321 “We've successfully restored power to all customers who do not require customer-side electrical work and ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) certification,” InnPower said in a social-media post earlier this week “If you or someone you know is still without power — and believe that you have met all restoration requirements — we want to hear from you Thank you again to our community for your patience and resilience throughout this storm.” An Innisfil resident is one of two people charged after alleged smuggling attempts went south at the Canadian-American border recently The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced March 20 the seizure of about 419 kilograms of suspected cocaine from two separate incidents at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $11 million the CBSA’s National Targeting Centre identified two commercial shipments potentially containing narcotics bound for Canada from the United States border services officers seized four duffel bags containing about 86 kg of suspected cocaine was charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with importation of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking the CBSA referred another tractor-trailer coming from the U.S Border services officers seized 333 kg of suspected cocaine from the trailer of the commercial load with importation of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking The drivers and the suspected narcotics were transferred into the custody of the RCMP None of the allegations have been tested in court. Both matters are currently before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sarnia “This is a prime example of the strength that our law enforcement organizations provide to Ontario and Canada through partnerships and co-operation,” RCMP Supt “We value these partnerships and continue to serve Canadians in combatting the illegal importing of drugs into Canada and the Southern Ontario CBSA region has seized more than $68 million worth of narcotics coming from the U.S “I want to thank our border services officers our intelligence team and the National Targeting Centre and our RCMP partners who have been ever-vigilant in detecting and stopping illegal drugs from entering our country,” CBSA acting regional director general Michael Prosia said Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police department the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 Those with details about suspicious cross-border activity should call the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060 The polls are set to close in Ontario at 9:30 p.m with the first polls closing in Newfoundland at 8:30 p.m. NDT (7 p.m EDT) and the last polls closing in the west at 7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m About one in four eligible voters cast their ballots before election day According to preliminary figures from Elections Canada 7.3 million people voted in advance polls — a 25 per cent increase from 2021 The candidates in Barrie South-Innisfil are incumbent John Brassard (Conservative), Andrew Harrigan (NDP) John Olthuis (Liberal) and Mark Sampson (People's Party) The candidates in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte (BSOM) are incumbent Doug Shipley (Conservative), Michael Speers (Communist) The candidates in Simcoe-Grey include Jasleen Bains (NDP), incumbent Terry Dowdall (Conservative) Allan Kuhn (Green), Giorgio Mammoliti (People's Party) and Bren Munro (Liberal).  Liberal Leader Mark Carney triggered the election on March 22 after serving as prime minister for just over a week he has positioned himself as the best person to take on U.S President Donald Trump and lead the country through an economic crisis Carney said the question voters must answer is this: "Who's going to be negotiating with President Trump and who's going to be managing the finances of this country?" Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has run on a platform of change asking voters to deny the Liberals four more years in power change," he said in Hamilton last week "Change so you can afford food and housing Change so we can bring home our jobs and strength Public polling shows that the Liberals opened up a lead over the Conservatives at the outset of the campaign Those polls have not been kind to Jagmeet Singh's New Democratic Party which has been polling in a distant third place Singh has been urging voters to rally around NDP incumbents and send them back to Ottawa to hold what he expects to be a Liberal government accountable The Green Party and its co-leaders, Jonathan Pedneault and Elizabeth May are hoping to protect the party's incumbents May in Saanich-Gulf Islands and Mike Morrice in Kitchener Centre and re-elect former MP Paul Manly in Nanaimo-Ladysmith The party has also singled out Pedneault's riding of Outremont as well as Fredericton-Oromocto and Guelph Meanwhile, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet recently made headlines for riling up his sovereigntist base for calling Canada "an artificial country with very little meaning." You can follow the results of the election as they come in here, and on our Canada Votes home page You’ll also receive a free digital 72-hour Emergency Preparedness Workbook to help you build your pet’s survival kit Whether you’re evacuating due to a natural disaster such as a forest fire having an emergency preparedness kit is essential for the safety and comfort of your furry family members The Ontario SPCA is also giving away free emergency decals and wallet cards Place a decal on your front door to alert first responders that pets are inside your home this simple step can help increase the chances of rescuing them Wallet cards let first responders know that you have pets at home who will need care if you’re ill or injured “Emergencies can happen without warning Having a plan in place that includes your pets can make all the difference,” says Krista Grant Ontario SPCA Midland & District Animal Centre “Taking a few simple steps today means you’ll be ready to act quickly and confidently to protect every member of your family when it matters most.” state-of-the-art warehousing facility, which will be 1.3 million square feet and create about 225 jobs, should open this summer including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin joined a few dozen representatives of the Denmark-based DSV global transport and logistics company to break ground at the facility’s new site on the southeast corner of Innisfil Beach Road and the 5th Sideroad “I’m just so proud to be here,” Ford said at the time “We have now become an economic powerhouse around North America You don’t take money out of people's pockets you make money on businesses.”  It is the second-largest facility the company has built in Canada to date and a key cog in its expansion into the Ontario market DSV Solutions’ Canadian managing director “The construction has been progressing right on schedule despite slightly more rain than expected during the late summer months,” Chanona told Village Media via email on Dec “The support from the Town of Innisfil has been instrumental in staying on schedule with the various site planning permits We expect to commence operations in July 2025 as planned.” The location was chosen for its seamless access to Highway 400 which will give its clients an option beyond the constricted Greater Toronto Area industrial market Construction is being handled by the development firm Broccolini “The flatness of the floor is essential for the automation we plan on incorporating in our business plans for the building but there is quite a science behind achieving a truly 'flat' floor,” Chanona explained “The Broccolini construction team is exceeding our expectations in this specific area.” A resource from the Concrete Floor Contractors Association he provided states: “Conventional methods of construction are not adequate to produce floor surfaces that are flat or level enough to support the operation of the sophisticated lift trucks in these wire guided Dollin said that the addition of the DSV warehouse to Innisfil "means more jobs and boosts to our local economy.” "The town is committed to growth in a responsible and sustainable way — we’re so impressed with DSV’s approach to both of those concepts By putting a shovel in the ground ... we’re making history as well as shaping our future.” the town said the 1,600 acres that comprise Innisfil Heights include “various lot sizes that can accommodate industrial commercial and tourism-related uses.” Once the area is developed — it is expected to be fully serviced by 2028 — Innisfil Heights has the potential to create more than 16,000 jobs Innisfil continues to map out the future of its transit system A second series of open houses on Innisfil’s draft transit master plan concludes with a virtual session today from noon to 1 p.m. following in-person meetings April 15 in Belle Ewart and April 17 in Alcona Pre-registration for the online session remains open Four options were presented to residents during the sessions last week ranging from keeping the transit system the way it is today to a complete re-imagination that hopes to reflect the municipality's growth but it needs to be able to meet the needs of residents over the next 10 years while maintaining some semblance of fiscal responsibility “One thing we’re trying to do today is assess how aspirational do we want to be versus feasible in the sense of should the town be spending more on transit?” he said during the April 17 open house at the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library’s Lakeshore branch does that work long-term over the next 10-plus years?” The four options were developed by the transit consultants Left Turn Right Turn As Transit Innovator Christina Sugiura explained at the Cookstown open house held in January, feedback from the public compiled from the initial open houses and online survey was analyzed alongside the current performance of Innisfil’s transit system to create concept options She stressed in January that those options would be designed to allow further refinement based on feedback from residents and the municipality “They would just be ones that we can bring back to the public and have more opinion on and kind of say ‘is this kind of the ballpark of what you're thinking or is this The town’s partnership with Uber began in 2017 and has been lauded for being a cost-efficient method of bringing public transit to smaller communities since being emulated in municipalities across North America The town has continued to grow over the past eight years Innisfil’s population is expected to reach 63,000 Keeping Innisfil Transit as-is might not make the most sense particularly as higher-density developments come online and Metrolinx opens the long-promised GO station in the Orbit development And as successful as Innisfil Transit has been many people still seem to think of public transit as a more static operation As part of the public consultation in the first stage of development a survey was conducted which found that nearly three-quarters of respondents expressed interest in other transit services “Part of the reason why we have so much engagement is because there’s no one-size-fits-all there’s no cookie-cutter template for transit,” Sugiura said The first option created by Left Turn Right Turn maintains the status quo relying on a rideshare model for Innisfil Transit supplemented by existing GO Transit options and the proposed Simcoe County LINX Transit route from Barrie South GO through Alcona Lefroy and Cookstown to Bradford West Gwillimbury About 170,000 riders are expected to utilize the service each year at a per trip cost of $10.60 to the municipality Options two and three introduce new services to Innisfil Transit’s portfolio including four fixed routes in urban areas and the addition of an on-demand service in option three similar to what was recently launched in Bradford with costs to the town being as low as $7.60 per trip in option two The final option would re-create Innisfil Transit in its entirety The rideshare option would be removed entirely replaced with three fixed routes and an on-demand option that encompasses the entire municipality This cost per trip is lowest in this option for passengers Annual ridership would be about 190,000 passengers Innisfil’s uniqueness makes this plan much more complex “It’s such a large geography and there are several rural areas that probably aren’t best served by our fixed routes,” Correia said and we still think there’s a role for rideshare the journey won’t be completed overnight “Whatever option is chosen at the end of all this we’ll have to work on implementation and business planning ... How do we implement that over the next 10 years or so?” Correia said and could it be more cost-effective for the town It’s a matter of when and how much money what makes sense for a town like Innisfil?” Left Turn Right Turn will take the feedback from the current sessions and work with town staff on a preferred option to formalize in the new master plan. That document is expected to be presented to council later this year Before that, additional feedback is being sought from residents, Correia said. In the next week or so, a new survey will be launched on the Get Involved Innisfil page EDMONTON — Katheryn Speck said she used to be a Canadian nationalist travelled the world with a maple leaf on her backpack and once lived in Quebec so she could become fluently bilingual But on Saturday she was among hundreds of people who rallied at the Alberta legislature to support separation from Canada with many in the crowd waving Alberta flags and a few even displaying the U.S I'm literally crushed that we'll never be represented in this country and there's never a chance of changing the government," Speck said Premier Danielle Smith's government proposed legislation that would lower the bar for holding a referendum While Smith told reporters she won't presuppose what questions Albertans might bring to a ballot the move would make it easier for citizens to call for a vote to secede from Canada The federal Liberals' election win Monday has also prompted some people in the province to demand an exit Speck said the National Energy Policy of the 1980s eroded her Canadian pride Now a decade of Liberal policies that she said have blocked pipelines and stymied the province's energy industry have her thinking there's no fix under Confederation a 17-year-old who attended Saturday's rally said she might have felt differently about separation if the Conservatives had won I feel we'd have a lot more hope than a third or fourth Liberal term which is just going to ruin our country," Henze said said Canadians are worried about losing auto manufacturing jobs due to U.S but they don't seem concerned about protecting jobs in Alberta's oil and gas sector "I don't see how a province like Quebec takes all of our dirty money but they won't let a dirty pipeline go through Quebec to aid an oil refinery in New Brunswick," Jensen said A few dozen counter-protesters attempted to drown out the rally many holding signs saying that separation would violate treaties with First Nations Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton said in a letter earlier this week that it's understandable many in the West are frustrated their rejection of the federal Liberal party in the election didn't play out elsewhere But he said Alberta doesn't have the authority to interfere with or negate treaties On her provincewide radio call-in show on Saturday the premier said she fully respects treaty rights "Everything I do is changing Alberta's relationship with Ottawa First Nations have their own relationship with Ottawa and that's enshrined in treaty Smith threatened a "national unity crisis" if the next prime minister doesn't acquiesce to a list of her demands within six months but reiterated this week that she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada Rally attendee Susan Westernaier said she believed everything would be better if Alberta separated noting she believed Monday's election was rigged This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3 OTTAWA — Ontario's Milton East–Halton Hills South riding has flipped to the Liberals after a vote validation process Elections Canada's validated results indicate that Liberal candidate Kristina Tesser Derksen received 32,130 votes while Conservative candidate Parm Gill received 32,101 votes – a difference of 29 votes The Liberals' minority government is now back up to 169 seats while the Conservatives now count 143 seats the federal riding of Terrebonne in Quebec went from the Liberals' win column back to the Bloc Québécois after a postelection vote-validation process Milton East–Halton Hills South is a new federal riding created as part of the redistribution process It includes parts of the previous ridings of Milton Preliminary results showed that Gill had won the riding with 32,186 votes with Tesser Derksen coming in second with 31,888 votes – a difference of 298 votes The validated results indicate there were 412 rejected ballots in the riding Elections Canada spokesperson Matthew McKenna says the validation process involves a returning officer examining the record of votes counted at polling stations to catch and correct any data entry or calculation errors in a riding McKenna says a recount happens automatically if the difference in votes between the first- and second-place candidates is within one one-thousandth of the total number of votes received This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2