Colin D’Mello

Queen’s Park Bureau Chief, Global News Toronto

Author Archives

• Grocery giant Loblaws pushing Ford government to change cannabis retail rules

  Documents obtained by Global News show Loblaws has been pushing for changes to the rules around how cannabis is sold in Ontario. The changes could help Loblaws to sell weed.

  Cannabis

  1 hour
• Ford government insists ‘no new’ agreements signed in ServiceOntario controversy

  The province has been under pressure after reports emerged that it was planning to close some ServiceOntario locations and open kiosks in Staples stores instead.

  Canada

  Jan 15
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• New Ontario cannabis rules could have ‘Amazon effect’ on industry

  Some small cannabis retailers in Ontario fear an increase in the cap on stores in the province could benefit a few big companies at the expense of the majority.

  Cannabis

  Jan 15
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• Bonnie Crombie set to step down as Mississauga mayor. What next?

  Newly appointed Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie is set to depart her role as mayor of Mississauga. Her departure leaves a wide-open mayoral race in the GTA.

  Politics

  Jan 12
• ‘Perfect storm’: Ontario cities looking for new deals after Toronto agreement

  Cities around Ontario are looking to piggyback on Toronto's new deal with the Ford government to address what they call a 'perfect storm' heading for local budgets.

  Politics

  Jan 10
• Ontario universities plead for increased funding amid Ford government tuition freeze

  Universities in Ontario are pleading with the Ford government for more funding as they feel the pinch of a freeze on tuition fees.

  Canada

  Jan 9
• Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles reflects on 2023: Greenbelt and internal governance

  In a year-end interview with Global News, Marit Stiles reflected on the Greenbelt scandal and removing rookie MPP Sarah Jama from her caucus.

  Politics

  Dec 28, 2023
• Ontario plans ‘massive amounts of density’ along transit lines

  Ontario is planning to build more housing at and around transit stations as it pushes to makeup ground on its 1.5 million homes strategy.

  Politics

  Dec 22, 2023
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• Ontario’s newest MPP sworn in at Queen’s Park

  In a brief ceremony at Queen's Park, Aislinn Clancy was officially inducted as the new Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre.

  Politics

  Dec 21, 2023
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• Ford government leaning on contingency funds to pay for extra health, justice costs

  Ontario's financial watchdog says the Ford government has started tapping into its $4 billion contingency fund to pay for health and justice costs in 2023.

  Canada

  Dec 19, 2023
• Ontario to protect Ornge ambulance flight paths from downtown Toronto construction

  As controversy around Minister's Zoning Orders continues, the province is planning to use the tool to protect emergency flight paths for hospitals in downtown Toronto.

  Politics

  Dec 15, 2023
• Eglinton West Extension LRT moves forward with new contract

  The Ford government is celebrating a milestone in the construction of a westward extension to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which has not yet been given a formal opening date.

  Canada

  Dec 15, 2023
• Ontario set to cancel some MZOs amidst housing policy reversals

  The Ford government has announced it will reverse a number of minister's zoning orders, taking away special permissions from some developers to bypass the planning process.

  Politics

  Dec 13, 2023
• Ontario cancels municipal audits launched to understand impacts of its housing laws

  The announcement came alongside confirmation the Ford government would reverse its decision to dissolve the Region of Peel and would revoke some minister’s zoning orders.

  Politics

  Dec 13, 2023
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• Ford government backtracks on Peel Region dissolution

  Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra announced the reversals Wednesday at Queen's Park.

  Politics

  Dec 13, 2023
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• Bonnie Crombie announces when she will resign as mayor of Mississauga

  According to the letter of resignation filed with the city clerk, Crombie is planning to resign on Jan. 12, 2024 and is asking that the seat be declared vacant as of Jan. 17.

  Politics

  Dec 13, 2023
• Ford government quizzing cities to find out which MZOs aren’t progressing

  The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is working to determine which developers have failed to take advantage of minister's zoning orders to begin building.

  Politics

  Dec 12, 2023
• Ford government facing new calls to fire Metrolinx CEO over Eglinton LRT ‘final insult’

  The NDP is calling on the Ford government to fire Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster after the executive failed to provide an opening date for the Eglinton LRT.

  Politics

  Dec 11, 2023
• Ford government to add new wind, solar generation 5 years after cancelling contracts

  The Independent Electricity System Operator is set to procure 2,000 megawatts of electricity from non-emitting sources including wind, solar and hydro.

  Politics

  Dec 11, 2023
• Ontario ombudsman to investigate education payments to parents

  The ombudsman announced Monday he would be launching a 'systemic investigation' into direct payments handed out by the Ministry of Education to parents.

  Education

  Dec 11, 2023
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• ‘Negative sentiment’: Ford government set aside $2M for Ontario Place advertisements

  Government documents show the advertising campaign was set in motion 'in response to some early negative sentiment toward limited aspects of the plan.'

  Politics

  Dec 7, 2023
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• Ford government promised dedicated parking for Ontario Place private spa: Auditor General

  The acting auditor general probed the 95-year contract between the government and a spa company. He found the province would face a financial penalty if it didn't provide parking.

  Politics

  Dec 6, 2023
• Ontario Science Centre relocation greenlit without full cost picture or consultations: AG

  The auditor general has taken a deep dive into the Ford government's decision to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place, finding issues with how the decision was made.

  Politics

  Dec 6, 2023
• Some Ontario drivers take their tests in ‘less complex’ rural areas. Report says they crash more

  A new report from Ontario's auditor general says some new drivers in cities are seeking out 'less complex' tests in rural parts of the province. Data suggests they also crash more.

  Politics

  Dec 6, 2023
• Staff shortages crippled some emergency departments in Ontario: auditor general

  A new probe into emergency departments by the auditor general found wait times are up, closures are increasingly common, and some hospitals are being crippled with staff shortages.

  Politics

  Dec 6, 2023