The Ontario government is strengthening the rules for Ontario’s social assistance programs to ensure that only people who are living in Canada legally can receive financial assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. The new regulations, which take effect immediately, will protect taxpayer dollars and ensure Ontario’s social assistance programs are focused on supporting only families and individuals facing financial hardship who are legally authorized to live in Canada.

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Working in close coordination with government agencies, communities, emergency response agencies, local municipalities, housing and social service providers, local Northern rescues, and regional animal welfare partners across the province, the Ontario SPCA is delivering comprehensive support to families displaced by the Northern Ontario wildfires and the animals in their care. The charity is helping keep people and their pets together by providing access to emergency sheltering, pet food and supplies, veterinary care, temporary accommodations and other essential supports.

“The needs of communities affected by the Northern Ontario wildfires continue to evolve, and so does our response,” says Jennifer Bluhm, Vice President of Community Outreach Services, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “This grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada provides valuable support as we work alongside our partners to keep people and their pets together and ensure animals receive the care they need throughout this emergency.”

“When families are impacted by disaster, pets are too. PetSmart Charities of Canada is proud to support the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s ongoing wildfire relief efforts through emergency grant funding,” says Marieke van der Velden, Manager, Canada Initiatives at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “Pets are family, and in times of crisis they need access to safe shelter, medical care, nutritious food and compassionate support. This funding will help provide those essential resources when they’re needed most.”

Anyone affected by the wildfires who needs support with their pets is encouraged to call 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) and follow the prompts to be connected with available services. To learn more, visit ontarioscpaca.ca/emergency-response

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Ontario Investing $55.8 Million to Open the First Medical School for Family Doctors | Ontario Newsroom

York University School of Medicine will train more primary care providers to deliver connected health care, close to home.

To protect Ontario’s health-care workforce, the Ontario government is investing $55.8 million to support the planning and operations of York University’s new school of medicine. As the first medical school in Ontario that is focused on training family doctors, the York School of Medicine is expected to open in 2028 and will bolster Ontario’s pipeline of highly skilled primary care providers, helping fulfill Ontario’s commitment to ensure that everyone who wants to have a primary care provider can access one.

“Ontario-trained family doctors are the backbone of our health-care system, providing compassionate care for our loved ones from everyday checkups to life’s greatest challenges,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This investment will ensure that Ontario has a strong pipeline of family care providers to deliver excellent care for decades to come.”

This investment will fund initial planning for the York School of Medicine such as accreditation, curriculum development, faculty recruitment, establishing a medical library, training costs and operating costs for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. When the school opens, it will have 80 undergraduate seats and 102 postgraduate seats, growing to 240 undergraduate seats and 293 postgraduate seats at full capacity.

“Our government is strengthening Ontario’s world-class physician workforce through the largest medical education expansion in over a decade,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Today’s $55.8 million investment in planning and operations at the new York School of Medicine brings us a step closer to adding hundreds of new family medicine seats, which will support the primary care needs of our province for generations to come.”

The Ontario government is leading the largest expansion of medical education in the province in over a decade. The expansion includes additional seats at all six medical schools across Ontario, as well as the establishment of two new medical schools, the Toronto Metropolitan University Medical School, which welcomed its inaugural cohort last fall, and York, which is slated to open in 2028. Today’s investment is on top of the initial $9 million invested by the Ontario government to begin the design and planning for York’s Medical School in 2024.

“We are deeply grateful for this $55.8 million investment from the Government of Ontario, which serves as a powerful vote of confidence in our vision for the York University School of Medicine,” said Lisa Philipps, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of York University. “This will be a school where physicians are trained for the health system Ontarians need. Together with our hospital and other health care partners, we are building a community-based model of medical education that will expand access to care across northern Toronto, York Region, Simcoe County, Muskoka and beyond as we move toward accreditation and prepare to welcome our inaugural class in 2028.”

Ontario will continue to take bold and decisive action to protect Ontario’s health-care system and grow the province’s highly skilled health-care workforce and ensure people and their families have access to high-quality care, closer to home, for generations to come.

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Drugs Seized Valued at More Than $139 Million

 A multi-jurisdictional, cross-border investigation resulted in the seizure of nearly 1.7 tonnes of illegal drugs, including suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and opium marking one of the most significant drug seizures in a single investigation in Ontario. This intelligence-led joint forces investigation, named Project Bay, focused on disrupting the importation and trafficking of illegal drugs with a nexus to the international border.

In January 2025, the Windsor Police Service (WPS) initiated a drug-trafficking investigation. In February 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) collaborated with WPS to advance the investigation and identify the cross-border trafficking network. As the scope and complexity of the investigation expanded, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was engaged to support the cross-border and interprovincial components of the investigation through the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) and the OPP-led Border Drug Interdiction Task Force (BDIT).

As the investigation progressed, law enforcement partners provided critical support. US agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted with international aspects of the investigation, while the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and Peel Regional Police (PRP) provided operational and investigative support.

The investigation revealed the use of a broker-style model within the commercial transportation sector. It leveraged established connections to facilitate the cross-border movement of illegal drugs, including the arrangement of drivers to knowingly transport illicit commodities within legitimate supply chains.

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, 18 search warrants were executed at residences and businesses in Windsor, Corunna, LaSalle, Brampton and Kleinburg, by members from:

• OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
• WPS
• WPS Emergency Services Unit
• OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
• OPP Emergency Response Team
• OPP Canine Unit
• OPP Community Street Crime Unit
• CBSA
• TPS
• PRP
• PRP Tactical and Rescue Unit
• London Police Service Emergency Response Unit
• Chatham-Kent Police Service Emergency Response Team
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Canine

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, two search warrants were executed in Markham and Caledon.

On Monday, July 20, 2026, two search warrants were executed in Brampton.

Throughout the investigation and as a result of the search warrants, the following items were seized with approximate quantities:

• 973 kg suspected cocaine
• 660 kg suspected methamphetamine
• 49 kg opium
• 230 oxycodone tablets (5mg)
• 17 firearms, including an anti-tank rifle
• Ammunition
• Prohibited devices and weapons including brass knuckles, magazines and baton
• C$80,000
• US$10,000
• One vehicle as offence-related property
• High-end jewellery
• Money counters
• 43 cell phones and six laptops

The estimated street value of the drugs seized is more than $139 million, representing a significant disruption to the illegal drug supply chain in Ontario.

The OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit has been engaged to investigate any proceeds of crime offences and assist in the seizure of offence-related property.

Twenty-one individuals have been charged with 102 offences contrary to the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Nineteen of the accused were arrested and two remain outstanding. Arrest warrants have been issued. Information on the accused and their respective charges are included in the attached Addendum of Charged Persons.

Cocaine is not produced domestically and enters Canada through international drug trafficking networks. Methamphetamine seized in recent OPP investigations originates from multiple sources and is either produced in clandestine domestic laboratories or imported into Canada. The investigation into the source and full scope of the trafficking network remain ongoing.

Anyone with any information about illegal firearms or the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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Every week, Canadian Blood Services needs approximately 18,000 booked blood donation appointments to keep pace with hospital demand. Over the past six weeks, appointments have fallen short by 1,500 to 2,500 each week, requiring a draw on existing inventory to meet patient needs. While a seasonal decline in donations is expected during the summer months and factored into planning, appointment bookings have fallen well below typical summer patterns. Donors of all blood types are needed now to help replenish the blood supply and keep pace with hospital demand.

“We’ve seen the blood supply decline by about 20 per cent in just a matter of weeks and we need more donors to come forward now to reverse this decline,” said Ron Vezina, vice-president, donor engagement and corporate reputation, Canadian Blood Services. “Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days, so today’s donation will quickly make its way to a patient. We need to ensure hospitals have the blood they need for everyday care and emergencies, especially as we head into the August long weekend when trauma cases and other urgent care needs could see an increase.”

To provide more opportunities to give, additional weekend appointments have been added at many donor centres and whole blood donation appointments are available at several plasma donor centres.

“A strong, healthy Canada depends on people showing up for one another,” added Vezina. “Whether you’re a new or returning donor, now is the time to book an appointment. Better yet, bring a friend and experience what you get when you give together. It’s a rewarding way to connect during the summer.”

If you’ve already booked an appointment, keeping it is essential. If you can’t make your appointment, cancelling in advance allows someone else to donate in your place.

Eligible donors are urged to book an appointment as soon as possible at blood.ca, through the GiveBlood app or by calling 1-888-2-DONATE. If you’re unable to donate today, please make an appointment sometime this summer.

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Working alongside the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response, the Red Cross, municipalities, Airbnb, 211Ontario, and animal welfare partners across Ontario, the Ontario SPCA is providing a range of services to support evacuated families and their animals, including:

• Pet-friendly housing: Working with Airbnb to help displaced families find temporary accommodations where they can stay with their pets.
• 211Ontario support: Connecting people affected by the wildfires with pet-related resources.
• Emergency boarding: Adoptable animals from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Northwest Animal Centre in Thunder Bay have been moved south to provide temporary shelter at the centre for displaced animals while families get settled.
• Emergency pet food and supplies: Approximately 75,000 lbs of emergency dog food is on its way to Northern Ontario to replenish supplies that have already been distributed to feed pets impacted by the wildfires. Families are also receiving crates, leashes, collars, harnesses, bowls, and other essential pet supplies.
• Veterinary care: Offering wildfire telehealth support for pets, as well as free in-person veterinary services for animals impacted by the wildfires, including health checks, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services when needed.
• Additional supports: Working with partners to identify temporary RV parking for families travelling with animals and coordinating support for livestock if required.

Anyone affected by the wildfires who needs support with their pets is encouraged to call 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) and follow the prompts to be connected with available services.

“The situation continues to evolve every day, and we know more families may need support in the days and weeks ahead,” says Shawna Beaulieu, Regional Director, Northwestern Ontario, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “When families arrive at evacuation centres, we want to make sure they have the pet food, supplies, veterinary care, and other support they need to stay together while they focus on getting through this emergency.”

To learn more or donate to the Ontario SPCA’s Emergency Response Fund, visit ontariospca.ca/emergency-response

The post OSPCA Expands Support For Pets Displaced By Northern Ontario Wildfires appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Ontario government is providing financial assistance for communities affected by recent flooding from lakes, rivers and creeks. Residents, small businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations in certain areas of Ottawa, Armour, Burk’s Falls, French River, Sudbury, Orillia, Ramara and Kawartha Lakes can apply to the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program for damage caused by the flooding that is not covered by insurance.

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To make it easier for anglers and hunters to purchase licences and tags, the Ontario government is creating a new licensing system, FishHuntON. Launching in early 2027, FishHuntON will provide residents with more convenient and flexible ways to access licensing services, including a new easy-to-use mobile app. The new system will operate alongside existing service channels, ensuring residents can continue to access licensing services that work best for them.

The post Province Creating New Digital Licensing System To Make Fishing And Hunting Easier appeared first on Muskoka411.

• $848,074 for Wasauksing Maple Products to broaden operations by renovating its processing facility, building a new kitchen and retail space, buying new equipment and investing in marketing and training.
• $200,000 for Wasauksing First Nation to remove the playground structure outside of its community building and purchase and install new playground equipment, which includes a swing set, outdoor musical instruments and several play structures.
• $167,787 for Migizi Gardens to obtain and install a compact, indoor garden system for growing plants without soil, providing enhanced food security through a new supply of affordable and healthy local produce that is available year-round.

The post Ontario Investing More Than $1.2M In Economic Development And Community Projects In Wasauksing First Nation appeared first on Muskoka411.

To celebrate Canada Day and encourage more people to enjoy Ontario’s world-class outdoors, Canadian residents can fish for free across the province from June 27 to July 5 without purchasing a fishing licence or Outdoors Card.

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