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Isaac Callan

@isaaccallan.bsky.social
2.3K followers 65 following 1.9K posts

Municipal Affairs reporter covering Toronto city hall for CBC News. Tips? Snazzy spreadsheet? 📧isaac.callan@cbc.ca

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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 5h
Olivia Chow today announcing plans to expand the Toronto library’s attraction pass if she’s re-elected. Currently, library has a certain number of free passes to places like the ROM to hand out every month. Chow says she’ll add an extra 1,000 per month. #ToPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 6h
NEW: Brad Bradford pitched what he called a vision for how to redo Toronto's finances, moving toward more debt for infrastructure in the long-term. One expert says it would be a total change for city hall, but possible. Critics say it's reckless. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Bradford pitches a 'vision' for Toronto's budget. His opponents call it 'reckless' | CBC News
With less than a month until voters cast their ballots for Toronto's next mayor, Brad Bradford has unveiled a flurry of financial promises amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Want to know where the candidates stand? CBC has pulled together a summary of their plans and policies across various categories from affordability to public safety, transit and tenants issues. #ToPoli Bookmark it for election day. newsinteractives.cbc.ca/qa/features/...
newsinteractives.cbc.ca
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A new poll suggests Olivia Chow continues to lead the race for Toronto’s top job as the mayoral campaign enters its final month, but the race is far from over. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Chow leads Toronto's mayoral race by 6 points as campaign enters final month: poll | CBC News
A new poll suggests Olivia Chow continues to lead the race for Toronto’s top job as the mayoral campaign enters its final month, but the race is far from over.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The mayors of Ontario's big cities have a group chat. The Star got a copy of the chat's transcript after a protracted freedom of information battle and included the entire chat at the bottom of the story if you're curious. #ToPoli #OnPoli www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
thestar.com
We fought 2 years to see the Ontario mayors’ group chat. Here’s what we found
One organization fought ceaselessly, with the help of a large, well-respected Bay Street law firm, to conceal this correspondence from the public.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The TTC says more than 60,000 used the Scarborough Busway on its first day of operations this week. The four-kilometer route runs from Kennedy Station to Ellesmere along the route of the decommissioned Scarborough RT. #ToPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Brad Bradford's plan to fight the housing crisis by scaling back a major cash source for the city has some experts warning Toronto needs to once again push for more ways to raise money to pay for essential services.  @shawnjeffords.bsky.social digs in. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Tax cut pledge raises questions about Toronto's fiscal footing | CBC News
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford's plan to fight the housing crisis by scaling back a major cash source for the city has some experts warning Toronto needs to once again push for more ways to raise mon...
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Olivia Chow makes an early morning visit to the Scarborough busway. Her campaign pushing transit policy and her fare cap promise particularly hard. “We have to keep moving forward by lowering TTC fares and building more rapid transit,” Chow said. #Topoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Affordability, safety and support for entrepreneurs are top of the list of asks from small businesses in Toronto as mayoral candidates court their votes and support ahead of the election #ToPoli cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Toronto's small businesses want affordability, safety and support from the next mayor: TABIA | CBC News
Small businesses across the city are watching the Toronto mayoral campaign closely. From affordability to safety and navigating tariffs, neighbourhood business improvement associations have laid out s...
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Three of Toronto’s top mayoral candidates will step inside the CBC Broadcasting Centre on Oct. 8 for a pivotal debate ahead of the city’s election. Here's how to watch it. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
How to watch CBC Toronto’s mayoral debate | CBC News
Three of Toronto’s top mayoral candidates will step inside the CBC Broadcasting Centre on Oct. 8 for a pivotal debate ahead of the city’s election.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A Toronto hospital network is set to greatly expand its unique permanent housing program that largely serves homeless people who visit hospital emergency departments an inordinate amount of time. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Toronto hospital to greatly expand permanent housing program that reduces ER visits | CBC News
A Toronto hospital network is set to greatly expand its unique permanent housing program that largely serves homeless people who visit hospital emergency departments an inordinate amount of time.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Brad Bradford holding a news conference today to break down some of the calculations behind his land transfer tax cut and the water utility plan he is pitching. His campaign has been fielding a few questions over the past few days on how the cost neutral promises work. #ToPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
At an event this morning, Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow says her volunteers put up 4,000 purple signs for her campaign overnight as the election approaches. #ToPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Warren Kinsella, a key campaign operative for mayoral candidate Brad Bradford, is no longer listed as a senior member of his team, the Toronto Star reports. #TOpoli www.thestar.com/news/gta/war...
thestar.com
Warren Kinsella leaves Brad Bradford’s campaign as a senior adviser in Toronto mayoral race
The controversial campaign operative, who the Star reported in July was part of Bradford's senior team, was not on the list of senior staff the campaign shared in a recent
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
NEW: A series of high-profile crimes grabbed headlines in Toronto over the past year, even as data from police shows serious crime is down and the city is broadly getting safer. This is how it’s playing into the mayoral race. #Topoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
How a perceived lack of safety is shaping the Toronto election | CBC News
Public opinion polling appears to indicate that, even if Toronto is statistically safer, people don’t feel that way and are concerned about the issue ahead of voting day.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Some Scarborough commuters will have their travel time shortened, the TTC says, thanks to the Wednesday opening of the new Scarborough Busway. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
New busway opens up along former Scarborough RT route | CBC News
Some Scarborough commuters will have their travel time shortened, the TTC says, thanks to the opening of the new Scarborough Busway on Wednesday.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Toronto mayoral candidate Chris Alexander will launch his plan "for basic dignity and housing stability." Expect the plan to focus on centralizing work for unhoused people under a single leader to coordinate the existing money and resources. #ToPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Is the TTC a key election issue for you? Here’s what the three leading candidates are offering on how the current transit system works. From fare capping to a rush-hour surcharge or an audit of the system. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
What Toronto's top mayoral candidates have to say about making transit more affordable | CBC News
With less than a month until voters head to the polls, Toronto's mayoral candidates promise a wide range of value propositions for the TTC, including continued fare freezes, refunds for late vehicles ...
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Scarborough Busway officially opens to the public today, a new rapid transitway line along the route of the decommissioned Scarborough RT. Advocacy group TTCRiders calls the four-kilometre route a “victory” for transit users. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Scarborough busway opening Sept. 30: TTC | CBC News
The Scarborough busway, a dedicated transit corridor being built to replace the area's defunct Line 3 train service, is opening Sept. 30, the TTC says.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A coalition of Ontario health-care workers gathered in downtown Toronto on Tuesday to denounce the provincial government’s plan to remove bike lanes on three major roadways across the city. #ToPoli #OnPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Ontario health-care coalition denounces province's plan to remove bike lanes across Toronto | CBC News
A coalition of Ontario health-care workers gathered in downtown Toronto on Tuesday to denounce the provincial government’s plan to remove bike lanes on three major roadways across the city.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
ICYMI: Rush frontman Geddy Lee endorsed Brad Bradford in Toronto's mayoral race. The Canadian vocalist and bassist posted photos of himself holding a small dog alongside Bradford, with a caption explaining his support for the councillor. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Rush frontman Geddy Lee endorses Brad Bradford in Toronto mayoral race | CBC News
Canadian vocalist and bassist is openly endorsing the city councillor for Toronto's top job, saying the city needs new leadership.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
NEW: Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is pitching a major reduction in the city’s land transfer tax, pledging to scrap the charge altogether for homes under $1.1 million if he is elected in October. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford promises to scrap land transfer tax on some Toronto homes | CBC News
Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is pitching a major reduction in the city’s land transfer tax, pledging to scrap the charge altogether for homes under $1.1 million if he is elected in October.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Olivia Chow announcing a plan for seniors today to offer more homemaking services, mobile dental clinics and recreation. Campaign estimates plan will cost $5.61M - pointing to shared operating costs, saying details would be finalized in 2027 budget. #ToPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Brad Bradford announcing today he will remove the land transfer tax on homes worth $1.1 million or less. The plan would apply to principal residences and therefore not landlords or investors. Policy would be retroactive to today if passed and Bradford elected. #ToPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Is AI levelling the playing field in the Toronto mayoral race or raising ethical issues? @shawnjeffords.bsky.social dives into the fallout from Brad Bradford’s use of the campaign app Victory, and how the new technology impacting the election #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Authenticity is on the ballot as Toronto's mayoral hopefuls clash over AI use, experts say | CBC News
A Toronto mayoral candidate is defending his campaign’s use of artificial intelligence, but experts in the emerging technology say while it could act as an equalizer for under-resourced teams, it's no...
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
READ: Brad Bradford has promised to cut Torontonians' water bills by 25 per cent in his latest campaign announcement. The candidate also said he wants to make Toronto Water a public utility by banning private investment. #ToPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Brad Bradford promises to cut water bills by 25% if elected mayor | CBC News
Mayoral hopeful Brad Bradford has promised to cut Torontonians' water bills by 25 per cent in his latest campaign announcement.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford announcing today he will cut water bills 25 per cent, if he's elected mayor. Specifically, the cut would apply to the first $1,500 a household pays for water. His campaign says it would mean a $300 saving, on average. #TOPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Today is officially my first day as the CBC's Toronto City Hall Reporter. Reach out if you want to chat municipal politics, transit and local elections. #ToPoli Email: isaac.callan@cbc.ca DMs open, message for phone/WhatsApp number.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Some personal news: After four-plus wonderful years, today is my last day with Global News. Working at Global has been incredible, and I am so lucky to have had such a supportive environment to report on politics, chase freedom of information requests and dig into documents.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEW: Ontario’s finance minister is strongly signalling that deficit spending will continue under his watch as the province’s economy continues to adjust to the prolonged trade war with the United States. #ONPoli globalnews.ca/news/1207207...
globalnews.ca
‘The world we are in’: Ford government signals deficits will continue | Globalnews.ca
At the same time, Peter Bethlenfalvy is also warning taxpayers that service cuts could be on the horizon if Ottawa scales back financial transfers in the upcoming federal budget.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEW: Ontario's new treasury board president still won't say how much the Ford government spent cancelling a $100 million deal with Elon Musk's Starlink internet service, as public accounts show the decision has hampered rural broadband rollout. #onpOLI globalnews.ca/news/1207175...
globalnews.ca
Ford government says ‘people voted’ to cancel Starlink deal, won’t reveal cost | Globalnews.ca
At the start of the trade war with the United States, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced he would rip up a deal with Musk, then a close ally of President Donald Trump.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEW: Mississauga mayoral hopeful Bonnie Crombie is pitching the idea of extending Toronto’s subway network into her city, hoping that, if she wins, she can convince Premier Doug Ford to fund the plan. globalnews.ca/news/1207167...
globalnews.ca
Crombie proposes subway extension into Mississauga in election bid - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
Unveiling her transit proposals on Thursday, Crombie said she wanted to see Line 2 extended eastward from Kipling Station into downtown Mississauga.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
What input did Therme or Live Nation have (if any) crafting the MZO that was eventually issued to bypass approvals for Ontario Place? We’ll never know. And somehow it took the government two years to decide those communications were privileged. #OnPoli
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
NEW: The number of long-term care homes in Ontario requiring emergency bailouts from the Ford government is growing, a trend some of the industry say is a major early warning sign #onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1206787...
globalnews.ca
Number of Ontario LTC homes requiring ‘exceptional circumstance’ bail outs growing | Globalnews.ca
Data shows how much money Ontario spends every year from its "homes in distress" fund, a pot set aside for long-term care operations on the brink of collapse.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A fourth whale that was moved out of Marineland in July has died after struggling with its health since arriving at its new home in Chicago, Shedd Aquarium said Monday. globalnews.ca/news/1206828...
globalnews.ca
Fourth Marineland whale dies after relocation, third at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago | Globalnews.ca
A fourth whale that was moved out of Marineland in July has died after struggling with its health after arriving at her new home in Chicago, Shedd Aquarium said Monday.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The Ford government has fined another ticket resale platform for allegedly violating its new ban on selling seats for more than face value. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206767...
globalnews.ca
StubHub fined for allegedly violating Ontario ticket resale law, plans to appeal | Globalnews.ca
Ontario's Consumer Beware List showed Monday that StubHub was being fined a total of $20,000 for two alleged contraventions of a new ticketing law brought in during the spring.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
NEW: A third Ontario education union has scheduled a strike vote for its members, as pressure grows on contract talks with the Ford government. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206703...
globalnews.ca
Ontario education unions promise ‘proportional response,’ schedule 3rd strike vote | Globalnews.ca
On Sunday, the Ontario School Board Council of Unions, a part of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, announced it would hold a strike vote in November.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The National Observer reports that Brad Bradford is using LogiVote's Al system, which analyzes social media posts about a candidate and recommends "Digital Fighter Tasks" for their supporters, like replies to share to their posts. #TOPoli www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/21/i...
nationalobserver.com
Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments
The Victory App, a campaign tool built by the Israeli company LogiVote, prompted users to participate in a mission to post AI-written comments supportive of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Ottawa mayoral candidate Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas has been charged with harassment and threats to cause death related to online posts about Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. globalnews.ca/news/1206458...
globalnews.ca
Ottawa mayoral candidate charged for alleged death threats against Sutcliffe, Ford | Globalnews.ca
Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas is listed as a certified candidate in Ottawa's mayoral election under the name 'Geoff Nicholas' and is one of 14 mayoral candidates.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A third beluga that was a part of a massive move of whales from Marineland has died. Jelly Bean, 19, died “suddenly and unexpectedly” on Friday, said Oceanografic Valencia. globalnews.ca/news/1206433...
globalnews.ca
Third Marineland beluga dies after move, this time in Spain | Globalnews.ca
The Spanish aquarium took in Jelly Bean and another beluga named Cleopatra in late August from the shuttered theme park in Niagara Falls, Ont., along with four bottlenose dolphins.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The last time an Ontario labour minister took over the Skills Development Fund from his predecessor, his office granted several recipients more funding before they’d reported back to the ministry on how successful their training program had been. #Onpoli www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
thetrillium.ca
Millions from Ford government training fund went to recipients that hadn't submitted final reports on previous projects
Ministry kept up with projects in other ways: labour minister’s office
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
NEW: One of the new Northlander trains ordered by the Ford government to restart rail service to northern Ontario has been out of commission for two months, since it crashed into a tow truck near Bracebridge, Ont. globalnews.ca/news/1206377...
globalnews.ca
Northlander train still being repaired months after crash during testing | Globalnews.ca
In early July, one of the Northlander trains ploughed into a vehicle at the rail crossing on High Falls Road when the lights were active to stop cars entering the track.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: Elections Ontario has cleared a Progressive Conservative MPP after a complaint was submitted stating that he had failed to declare advertisements placed in his father’s newspaper during the 2022 election. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206201...
globalnews.ca
Elections Ontario closes complaint into Progressive Conservative MPP over newspaper ads | Globalnews.ca
Grewal unseated the NDP’s Gurratan Singh more than four years ago in Brampton East, winning the riding again in the 2025 snap election.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: The spring 2025 sitting of the legislature was dominated by controversy over Bill 5 and special economic zones, where laws could be set aside. Days after the law passed, the government started asking staff what it should actually use it for. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206221...
globalnews.ca
After passing Bill 5, Ford government asked staff for suggestions on how to use law | Globalnews.ca
The spring 2025 sitting of the legislature was dominated by Bill 5, a law that would allow cabinet to designate areas where provincial and municipal laws could be suspended.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
NEW: The Ford government has written to towns and cities in Ontario, threatening to cut funding if they fail to follow procurement rules designed to boost spending on Canadian businesses. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1206189...
globalnews.ca
Ford government threatens to cut funding to towns, cities that break ‘Buy Ontario’ rules | Globalnews.ca
The government wrote to the heads of council "to make clear our government’s expectation" that they would follow a series of rules prioritizing local bids for contracts.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
NEW: A local group says that new data from the City of Toronto proves that a moratorium on automated speed enforcement cameras could be leading to a massive spike in the number of drivers breaking the speed limit on a key road. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206176...
globalnews.ca
Group blames speed camera removal for 560% increase in speeding on Toronto road - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
New figures recorded from light-up speed signs around the city show the number of people speeding on Parkside Drive has increased significantly since speed cameras were banned.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
NEW: Doug Ford’s plans to boost tourism to Niagara Falls could face another wave of local pushback as opponents look to capitalize on the government’s decision to cancel a proposal to build a second ferris wheel in the middle of a popular park. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206061...
globalnews.ca
After Niagara Falls ferris wheel cancellation, opponents set sights on other Ford government proposals | Globalnews.ca
Buoyed by the victory, opponents are now looking at the Ford government's second proposal for Queen Victoria Park: an all-season, 3.8-kilometre, automated electric tram.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
NEW: Ontario Premier Doug Ford went to the very edge of endorsing incumbent Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, praising her leadership at city hall in the middle of a municipal election campaign. #ToPoli #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206151...
globalnews.ca
Ford comes close to endorsing Chow in Toronto mayoral race: ‘Read between the lines’ - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
Speaking at an unrelated event in Toronto on Wednesday, Doug Ford shared positive words for Olivia Chow's leadership at city hall as she stood behind him at the podium.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
NEW: The Ontario government has fined the ticket resale platform SeatGeek $25,000 for allegedly breaking its new ban on selling tickets for more than face value. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1206129...
globalnews.ca
Ontario fines SeatGeek $25K for allegedly violating new ticket resale law | Globalnews.ca
The fine was levied against the company on Aug. 28 and, according to the province, it did not file an appeal in the two weeks that followed.
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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A new study suggests emergency department visits for gambling disorders have doubled in Ontario since the expansion of online gambling and legalization of single-event sports betting a few years ago. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1206135...
globalnews.ca
ER visits for gambling rise in Ontario since expansion of online betting: study | Globalnews.ca
The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences says between January 2012 to September 2025 there was an increase in gambling-related emergency department visits among boys and men.
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