‘Heart of It All’ campaign reaches $1.2M in donations to help Rouge Valley hospitals
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
With the help of generous donors, Rouge Valley Health has raised $1.2 million to pay for new echocardiogram machines at the Ajax-Pickering and Scarborough hospitals. The ‘Heart of It All’ campaign was able to reach its goal after only two years. The machines speed up diagnosis of heart problems. Co-chairman doctor Paul Galiwango says without contributions from the public, improving care at these hospitals wouldn’t have been possible. The hospitals now have permanent machines at their disposal as well as a portable machine for emergencies.
Woman in alleged Rob Ford juice incident will ‘vigorously defend charges’, says lawyer
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The lawyer who’s representing a woman accused of throwing a drink at Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says her client will fight hard against the charges. She says Shannon Everett is a yoga teacher and multimedia developer who’s never had any involvement with police until this alleged incident. The 27-year-old has been charged with assault after apparently tossing a cup of juice at the mayor’s face at The Taste of Little Italy street festival, Saturday. She’s scheduled to appear in court on July 23rd.
Toronto police release security camera footage of suspect vehicle connected to daylight murder
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The investigation into a brazen daytime shooting in Toronto is continuing. Officials say 38 year-old Surendra Vaithilingam was gunned down in his backyard on May 29th. Police have yet to identify the suspects and so far, there’s been no word on a possible motive. Officials say the suspects drove by the man’s house to make sure he was there in the moments before the attack. Security camera footage from several neighbours has been turned over to officers, and can be seen by clicking here.
Bob Rae resigns as an MP following 35 year political career
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Former interim Liberal leader and one-time NDP premier of Ontario Bob Rae, is resigning as an MP. This winds up a 35 year political career with two parties. Rae began in politics as a New Democrat and later shifted to the federal Liberals, even seeking the party leadership at one point. He was first elected to the Commons in a 1978 byelection, but moved to Ontario provincial politics four years later, when he became provincial NDP leader. Rae left a controversial legacy serving as Ontario’s premier in the early 1990s during troubled economic times. He unsuccessfully sought the Federal Liberal leadership in 2006 but would win a seat in the house of commons in 2008 He became the party’s interim leader after Michael Ignatieff lost his seat in the 2011 election. Rae says he is leaving in order to focus on his new role as chief negotiator for First Nations in talks with the province about development of the Ring of Fire mining development in northern Ontario.
Global economy heading for a stronger year in 2014 according to BMO’s chief economist
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
BMO’s chief economist Doug Porter says the global economy is heading into a stronger year in 2014. This, among other comments were made at a Toronto Region Board of Trade event on Wednesday. He also predicts growth in the American economy will happen at a faster rate than Canada’s over the next few years. Porter cites this growth coming from a comeback in the American housing market. Porter also says he expects the Bank of Canada will keep hold rates at one per cent for at least another year.
Canada Border Services Agency warns residents about telephone scam
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Canada Border Services Agency is warning citizens of a telephone scam. The agency says there have been calls to Canadians requesting personal information and payment over the phone. These calls are being made by people claiming to be employed at the agency’s Border Information Service. The agency says the service is not mandated to make such calls and anyone receiving one should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
First Nations child poverty triples national average
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A study finds 50 per cent of First Nations children are living in poverty. The study conducted by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows First Nations children are living three times below the national average. They fall behind the rest of Canada in measures such as family income, education and health. The information is based off of 2006 census data. The study also puts a bad light to children of Metis, Inuit and Immigrants.
Spring sitting of Parliament ends abruptly, a few days earlier than expected
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Parliament is out for summer. The spring sitting ended abruptly on Tuesday night, a few days earlier than the House of Commons calendar had indicated. All parties agreed to adjourn for the summer after nearly a month of late-night sittings. The Conservative government remains under a dark cloud over a $90,000 cheque that was issued by Prime Minister Harper’s former chief of staff to pay off Senator Mike Duffy’s improper housing claims. The Tories fired by at the Liberals by criticizing leader Justin Trudeau for working as a paid public speaker.
Deal reached between General Motors of Canada and CAW Local 222 for advanced retirement opportunities for hundreds of workers
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A new deal between General Motors of Canada and the CAW in Oshawa could have significant positive employment results. Local 222 President Ron Svajlenko says the agreement provides retirement incentives for up to 350 hourly production workers and an additional 20 Skilled Trades workers. The move that would allow for laid off workers to be recalled and even bring the potential for new hiring. The deal was possible thanks to a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that allowed incentives if the Oshawa plant lost a product. That occurred when GM announced that Camaro production will move to Michigan next year.
Two Whitby teens charged for trying to sell a stolen bike online
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Durham police caught some teenaged thieves red handed in Whitby. The 12 and 13 year olds were trying to sell a stolen bicycle online. Police say the expensive mountain bike was taken from the garage of Whitby home on June 1st. The owner reported it to police but also searched for it online where he found it in an ad. Officers arranged to meet the suspects and confirmed it was the stolen bike.
20 year-old man facing numerous charges after accident in Oshawa
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A Clarington man is facing charges for failing to remain at the scene of an accident. Durham police say a driver and passenger fled after hitting two trees and knocking over a concrete hydro pole last Friday. The vehicle flipped over and landed on its side in the Grandview and Townline Road area and witnesses say they saw two people running away. 20 year old Dustin Smith is facings numerous charges including one for impaired driving.
Durham police homicide unit investigating suspicious death in Oshawa
June 19th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Durham police homicide unit is investigating a suspicious death in Oshawa. On Tuesday morning at 7:11am, officers were called to a residence in North Oshawa to assist with an ambulance call. A deceased man was found inside and police classified his death as suspicious. Few details about the victim are known at this time. Anyone with more information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).