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isaaccallan.bsky.social
Isaac Callan
@isaaccallan.bsky.social
1.7K followers 54 following 820 posts
Online Digital Broadcast Journalist for Global News Toronto focusing on Ontario politics. Tips? Snazzy spreadsheet? 📧[email protected]
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isaaccallan.bsky.social
As the Ford government barrels ahead with a feasibility study on whether a traffic-transit tunnel can be built under Highway 401, Ontario’s labour minister has already told a PC-friendly union that it would eventually benefit from the construction contract. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1152044...
Labour Minister tells Ford-friendly union it will be tapped to build Hwy. 401 tunnel | Globalnews.ca
In a video posted to social media, Labour Minister David Piccini told members of a private sector union they'd be tapped to build Hwy. 413 and the 401 tunnel.
globalnews.ca
November 11, 2025 at 6:32 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Last week, we confirmed that supervisors at Ontario school boards are expected to bill $350,000 per year for their work.

Now, we can confirm they'll also be eligible to claim up to $40,000 in expenses over two years. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1152049...
Ontario school board supervisors can claim up to $40K in expenses over 2 years | Globalnews.ca
The supervisors sent into Ontario school boards by the Ford government will be eligible to claim up to $40,000 over two years. The government says it will monitor closely.
globalnews.ca
November 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
Ontario has secured a one-year extension with the federal government for the national $10-a-day child-care program, giving parents reassurance their fees won’t rise for at least 12 more months, but with much hard work still to be done. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1152101...
Ontario, feds agree to 1-year child-care extension; average fee to stay $19/day | Globalnews.ca
The program that lowers parents' child-care fees — now $19 a day on average in Ontario as an interim step toward $10 — had been set to expire March 31.
globalnews.ca
November 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: 4 years ago, the government studied whether or not a tunnel under Highway 401 was doable, finding a risk of collapse and eventually pausing the work.

Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Ford government refuses to release completed work on Hwy. 401 tunnel idea | Globalnews.ca
Ontario is refusing to release already completed work on the viability of Premier Doug Ford's Highway 401 tunnel vision after signing a $9.1 million contract to study it again.
globalnews.ca
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: The Ford government is expecting supervisors at five school boards to charge the maximum $350,000 per year.

The money comes from board budgets, not the province.

That's technically a saving at TDSB, but not at smaller boards. #OnPoli
November 9, 2025 at 8:22 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Some of Ontario’s largest cities say that while new federal investments in housing and infrastructure are helpful, it’s still not enough to prevent another round of property tax hikes in 2026. #OnPoli

globalnews.ca/news/1151222...
Ontario property tax hikes loom as mayors battle ‘outdated’ funding structure | Globalnews.ca
Ontario’s largest cities say new federal funding falls short as they fight to keep 2026 property taxes down, warning the current system 'just isn’t enough.'
globalnews.ca
November 8, 2025 at 3:18 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Eight months after winning an election on the promise to shield the province from the impacts of trade war, the Ford government has only handed out $100 million from its signature fund.

Finance minister says applications are being processed #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151656...
Ontario ‘adjudicating’ more tariff loan applications, only $100M handed out so far | Globalnews.ca
The Fall Economic Statement, tabled Thursday, confirmed Ontario has given $100 million to tariff-battered Algoma Steel, but has not finalized agreements with any other companies.
globalnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Reposted by Isaac Callan
jeffreybgray.bsky.social
This story, on a controversial Ford government training fund the opposition calls a "slush fund," required a lot of work because the government has refused to just provide a single, complete list of who got money and how much. #ONpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Groups that got cash from Ontario training fund increasingly hired lobbyists, numbers show
The fund and role of lobbyists have been questioned by opposition since release of Auditor-General’s critical report
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:46 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Ontario Premier Doug Ford is celebrating a surprise boost in his province’s employment figures, the day after his government tabled a pessimistic fiscal update projecting persistent unemployment. #Onpoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151665...
Ontario gets surprise jobs boost as unemployment drops slightly | Globalnews.ca
Figures released by Statistics Canada show employment was up by 55,000 in Ontario during October, dropping the unemployment rate marginally to 7.6 per cent.
globalnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Ontario has finally awarded the feasibility study contract for the Highway 401 tunnel, paying a Canadian company $9.1M for the work.

Internal studies have already looked at the idea and concluded there was a “potential for roadway collapse.” #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151529...
Ontario awards $9.1M contract to study Hwy. 401 tunnel concept | Globalnews.ca
Internal studies into the concept at the Ministry of Transportation were paused in 2021 and found there was a 'potential for roadway collapse.'
globalnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 4:22 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Another fiscal update, and it's more bad news for housing starts.

The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
Ontario housing projections plummet again, hurting 1.5M goal | Globalnews.ca
Comparing the 2024 budget to 2025's Fall Economic Statement shows the number of new homes from 2024 to 2027 has been revised down by 82,000.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Weeks after the auditor general scolded Ontario for falling far behind its emissions goals, the government is scrapping the requirement to set targets or report on them publicly at all. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151465...
Ford government scrapping its own emissions targets and reporting requirements | Globalnews.ca
Buried in the Fall Economic Statement on Thursday was the news that the government would be repealing sections of existing legislation.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Ontario is waiving its portion of HST on new homes for first-time homebuyers under $1 million.

The government has earmarked $470 million for the program, but is placing no cap on the number of people who can take advantage. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151439...
First-time Ontario homebuyers are set to receive a major discount. Here’s how to get it | Globalnews.ca
Officials with the Ministry of Finance weren’t able to say how many people they expected to use the rebate, which will essentially waive sales tax for first-time buyers.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 6:47 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: For the first time in a decade, the LCBO is expecting to see less than $2 billion in revenue.

That's something workers at the Crown corporation warned could happen after alcohol liberalization was introduced. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151446...
LCBO revenue drops below $2B for 1st time in a decade after alcohol liberalization | Globalnews.ca
The Fall Economic Statement projects that for the first time in a decade, LCBO will take in less than $2 billion after changes to let convenience stores sell alcohol.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Ontario is predicting an increasingly grim financial future as U.S. tariffs bite, with rising unemployment and lower job creation figures. #onpoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151323...
Ontario predicts grim economic outlook with rising unemployment and lower job creation | Globalnews.ca
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy will unveil the fiscal update in the legislature around 1 p.m., parts of which have already been published.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is calling on the Ford government to change course on proposed landlord-tenant reform that is set to speed through the legislature, saying it “threatens the rights of renters in our city.” #OnPoli #ToPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151023...
‘Not how we build housing’: Toronto mayor blasts Ford government rental changes - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
Chow told reporters on Tuesday she was worried about Bill 60, which brings in changes to how tenants and landlords are able to raise and resolve rental disputes.
globalnews.ca
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
The City of Toronto expects to run out of landfill space by 2035, and despite approving a “long-term waste plan” in 2016, city officials are still searching for solutions. #Topoli
globalnews.ca/news/1150769...
Toronto is facing a ‘freeze’ as it looks to increase its landfill capacity | Globalnews.ca
The City of Toronto expects to run out of landfill space by 2035, and despite approving a “long term waste plan” in 2016, city officials are still searching for solutions.
globalnews.ca
November 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he doesn’t regret ripping up a contract with SpaceX for Starlink internet earlier this year, despite the fact his government will now fail to meet its broadband target, partly as a result of that decision. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151046...
Ford doesn’t regret ending Starlink contract, even with Ontario missing broadband target | Globalnews.ca
Earlier this year, the premier said he was ending a $100 million deal for Elon Musk's satellite internet service to hit back at tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.
globalnews.ca
November 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: The Ford government is moving to limit debate and public hearings on several pieces of legislation, including a bill which will make it easier for Queen’s Park to sideline trustees and take control of school boards. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151241...
Ford government bypassing debate on bill to more easily takeover school boards | Globalnews.ca
A motion from House Leader Steve Clark looks to speed several bills through the legislative process after the government shortened the fall sitting by more than a month.
globalnews.ca
November 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Ontario’s education minister expects the supervisors he has appointed at various school boards to bill $350,000 each per year, money which will come from the coffers of the local boards.#OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151063...
Ford government supervisors can charge $350K per year to school boards | Globalnews.ca
Several school boards in Ontario, including Toronto public, Toronto Catholic and Ottawa-Carleton, have been under the management of supervisors for months.
globalnews.ca
November 4, 2025 at 9:55 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has visited Washington D.C. several times and taken a central role on U.S. television, has acknowledged that trade negotiations fall on the prime minister and federal government. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151040...
Ford says trade negotiation ‘falls on’ federal government after commercial controversy | Globalnews.ca
Doug Ford appears to be falling in line behind Mark Carney as the federal government asserts its authority over high-stakes trade talks with the Trump administration.
globalnews.ca
November 4, 2025 at 7:32 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
Toronto is vowing to do better on its snow removal plans this year as winter approaches, promising the frustration across the city last year won’t be repeated. #Topoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151005...
Toronto promises improved, co-ordinated snow removal plan after issues last winter - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
Mayor Olivia Chow said the city would be overhauling how it handles major snow events this year, with a focus on co-ordination and communication.
globalnews.ca
November 4, 2025 at 6:50 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
NEW: The Ford government says consultation will be key to shaping its reforms of conservation authorities.

It cannot, however, promise not to rush the legislation through legislature or commit to not bypassing committee. #OnPoli

globalnews.ca/news/1150918...
Ford government can’t say if it will fast-track conservation authority legislation | Globalnews.ca
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy announced he would be creating a new central agency to oversee the province's conservation authorities.
globalnews.ca
November 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
How it started, how it ended: A chronology of Ontario’s ad blitz against U.S. tariffs #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1150917...
How it started, how it ended: A chronology of Ontario’s ad blitz against U.S. tariffs | Globalnews.ca
Here is a day-by-day chronology of the controversy over Ontario's advertising campaign against U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
globalnews.ca
November 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
isaaccallan.bsky.social
The Ministry of Natural Resources says nearly 6,000 square kilometres burned in Ontario this wildfire season, much more than last year and well above the province’s 10-year average. #Onpoli
globalnews.ca/news/1150871...
Ontario wildfires burned almost 6,000 square kilometres this year | Globalnews.ca
The Ontario government says 643 wildfires were recorded between April and October, with almost 6,000 square kilometres burned in 2025.
globalnews.ca
November 3, 2025 at 8:23 PM