Ontario

Ontario Measles Outbreak Spreads, Alarming New York Health Officials

Ontario’s measles outbreak, exceeding 650 cases in 2025, primarily affects unvaccinated individuals in southwestern Ontario, prompting a New York State travel advisory urging vaccination before visiting. The highly contagious virus has led to a significant increase in cases this year, surpassing the annual total for the past decade by April. New York health officials stress the importance of MMR vaccination, noting the severity of measles, which can cause pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death, and emphasizing that two doses offer nearly 100% protection. The advisory highlights a global rise in measles cases and encourages timely vaccination before travel.

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Ontario Bans US Firms from Public Contracts

In response to protectionist measures, Ontario is implementing a ban on US firms bidding on public sector contracts. This action will exclude American companies from approximately $139.7 billion in infrastructure projects. The ban specifically targets American contractors, engineers, and consultants within the province. This decision reflects a shift toward prioritizing domestic businesses in Ontario’s public procurement.

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Ford Cancels Starlink Deal: No Trust, No Deal

Ontario Premier Doug Ford permanently cancelled a $100 million contract with SpaceX for Starlink internet service, citing Musk’s role in the Trump administration and the ongoing trade war with the U.S. This decision, made in response to new tariffs, reverses an earlier reinstatement of the contract. Ford maintains the cancellation is final, regardless of future tariff resolutions, prioritizing a “point of principle” over potential financial penalties. The opposition parties have criticized both the initial contract and its subsequent cancellation.

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Ontario Cancels $100M Starlink Contract: National Security Concerns Override Tariffs

Ontario Premier Doug Ford cancelled a $100 million contract with Starlink, a US-based company, and implemented a province-wide ban on US companies participating in provincial procurement. This action, a response to perceived economic attacks by the US, is part of a broader strategy to prioritize Canadian businesses and includes a potential 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to neighboring states and control over high-grade nickel exports. Ford defended the decision, stating that contracts will not be awarded to entities encouraging economic attacks on Canada and that legal challenges will be met. The province’s annual $30 billion procurement budget will be significantly impacted by this policy shift.

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Ontario’s 25% Electricity Tariff: A Trade War with the US?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a 25% export tax on electricity to the United States, contingent on the persistence of US tariffs. This action, coupled with threats to halt all electricity exports and nickel shipments by April 2nd, escalates the province’s retaliatory measures against potential further US tariffs. Ford also intends to ban US companies from provincial procurement and cancel a contract with Starlink. These aggressive actions follow his recent election victory, dispelling earlier suggestions that his tough stance was solely electioneering.

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Ontario Measles Outbreak: Vaccination Rates Plummet, Sparking Public Health Crisis

Ontario is currently experiencing a significant measles outbreak, one of the province’s largest in recent history. The surge in cases highlights the importance of vaccination. Public health officials are urging Ontarians to check their immunization status and ensure they are up-to-date on their MMR vaccine. This outbreak underscores the ongoing need for robust vaccination programs to prevent the spread of preventable diseases.

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Ontario Measles Outbreak Nearly Doubles, Sparking Vaccination Debate

Ontario is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in nearly 30 years, with 78 new cases identified in the past two weeks, bringing the provincial total to over 140. This surge surpasses the combined total of cases from 2013 to 2023 and is linked to an interprovincial outbreak affecting multiple Canadian provinces. The outbreak, concentrated among unvaccinated children and teenagers, has resulted in 18 hospitalizations, highlighting the severity and contagious nature of the disease. Experts warn that declining vaccination rates increase the risk of measles resurgence, jeopardizing Canada’s elimination status achieved in 1998.

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Ontario’s Starlink Deal: U-Turn After Musk Threat

Doug Ford’s initial plan to cancel Ontario’s $100 million Starlink contract in response to potential US tariffs was swiftly reversed following a temporary suspension of those tariffs. The cancellation, announced as a retaliatory measure, was intended to provide high-speed internet to rural areas but was quickly put on hold when the tariff threat was paused. With the temporary reprieve, the Starlink contract will proceed, though the PCs have stated they may still cancel it if tariffs are reinstated. The Ontario Liberals, however, continue to advocate for the contract’s termination, criticizing both the deal itself and Musk’s close ties to President Trump.

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Mom fights back in grizzly bear attack: ‘I’m not ready to leave my daughter’

I stood face-to-face with three grizzly bears, ready to fight for my life. The headline may have downplayed the intensity of the situation, as the reality hit me like a ton of bricks. The thought of leaving my daughter behind was not an option I was willing to entertain. In that moment, my motherly instincts kicked in, and I knew I had to do everything in my power to survive for her sake.

It’s incredible how quickly life can change in the blink of an eye. That day, in the wilderness of Ontario (despite the confusion in the article), I found myself in a life-or-death situation.… Continue reading