Allison Jones

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Allison Jones.

If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

TORONTO -- The interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party says a nomination race this weekend to select a byelection candidate was fair, and if the unsuccessful contestant -- Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith -- wants to call that into question, he should "prove it."

If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

The interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party says a nomination race this weekend to select a byelection candidate was fair, and if the unsuccessful contestant -- Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith -- wants to call that into question, he should "prove it." Erskine-Smith was vying to represent the provincial party in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest byelection ahead of an intended...

If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

TORONTO -- The interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party says a nomination race this weekend to select a byelection candidate was fair, and if the unsuccessful contestant -- Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith -- wants to call that into question, he should "prove it."

Ontario Liberal interim leader says nomination was fair, despite candidate's comments

Ontario Liberal interim leader says nomination was fair, despite candidate's comments

TORONTO -- The interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party says a nomination race this weekend to select a byelection candidate was fair, open and transparent, despite suspicion being raised by Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith.

Ontario allowing pharmacists to treat more conditions, administer more vaccines

Ontario allowing pharmacists to treat more conditions, administer more vaccines

TORONTO -- Ontario pharmacists will soon be allowed to administer more vaccines and treat more common ailments, as part of the government's continuing moves to expand their scope of practice.

Liberal MP Erskine-Smith loses nomination battle for Ontario provincial byelection

Liberal MP Erskine-Smith loses nomination battle for Ontario provincial byelection

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith lost a provincial nomination race Saturday, failing to clear the first of several hurdles toward the leadership of the Ontario Liberals. Ontario Liberal members in the riding of Scarborough Southwest selected business owner Ahsanul Hafiz as their candidate for an upcoming byelection. Erskine-Smith, who represents the neighbouring federal riding of Beaches-East York, had indicated he was...

Liberal MP Erskine-Smith loses nomination battle for Ontario provincial byelection

Liberal MP Erskine-Smith loses nomination battle for Ontario provincial byelection

TORONTO -- Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith lost a provincial nomination race Saturday, failing to clear the first of several hurdles toward the leadership of the Ontario Liberals.

Ontario Liberals to pick byelection candidate in heated race

Ontario Liberals to pick byelection candidate in heated race

Ontario Liberal members in the riding of Scarborough Southwest are set to select their candidate today for an upcoming byelection. Nomination races don't often generate a lot of attention outside the party, but today's vote marks a clear first test for one leadership hopeful. Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, who currently represents the neighbouring riding of Beaches-East York, has made no...

Ontario Liberals to pick byelection candidate in heated race

Ontario Liberals to pick byelection candidate in heated race

TORONTO -- Ontario Liberal members in the riding of Scarborough Southwest are set to select their candidate today for an upcoming byelection.

Hantavirus questions and answers with Ontario's chief medical officer of health

Hantavirus questions and answers with Ontario's chief medical officer of health

TORONTO -- Two Ontario residents are isolating at home in their rural community after disembarking late last month from a cruise ship that is now the site of a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said the couple has no symptoms and the risk in the province is very low.

Ontario Liberals set to pick byelection candidate amid jabs in nomination race

Ontario Liberals set to pick byelection candidate amid jabs in nomination race

An Ontario Liberal nomination race that has seen some candidates trade jabs and question others' community bona fides is set to culminate Saturday with members selecting their pick for an upcoming byelection. The riding of Scarborough Southwest is vacant provincially, after the former representative successfully made the jump to federal politics. A byelection has not yet been called, but the...

Ontario Liberals set to pick byelection candidate amid jabs in nomination race

Ontario Liberals set to pick byelection candidate amid jabs in nomination race

TORONTO -- An Ontario Liberal nomination race that has seen some candidates trade jabs and question others' community bona fides is set to culminate Saturday with members selecting their pick for an upcoming byelection.

Ontario won't pave park for island airport expansion, Premier Doug Ford says

Ontario won't pave park for island airport expansion, Premier Doug Ford says

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says that while his government could appropriate one third of a waterfront park under legislation to enable expansion of Toronto's island airport, it will remain as a park.

Provinces eye youth social media bans as federal government weighs action

Provinces eye youth social media bans as federal government weighs action

TORONTO -- Provincial governments across Canada are looking at tighter restrictions for youth on social media, artificial intelligence chatbots, and cellphone use in schools amid growing concerns over their impact on young people.

Ontario considering ban of cellphones on school property

Ontario considering ban of cellphones on school property

TORONTO -- Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra says he is looking at a social media ban in schools and would like to go further than what Manitoba has planned.

Ontario hospitals announce job cuts, nearly three-quarters of hospitals in deficit

Ontario hospitals announce job cuts, nearly three-quarters of hospitals in deficit

TORONTO -- Several Ontario hospitals have announced job cuts in recent months as they try to climb out of financial holes, a situation critics say will likely keep repeating.

Ontario tables bill to allow provincial takeover of Toronto island airport

Ontario tables bill to allow provincial takeover of Toronto island airport

TORONTO -- Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria has introduced a bill that would allow the province to take over the City of Toronto's role in the island airport.

Ontario Liberals have first official leadership contender

Ontario Liberals have first official leadership contender

TORONTO -- The race to become the Ontario Liberals' next leader has its first official entrant.

Ford government to bypass public hearings on freedom-of-information clampdown

Ford government to bypass public hearings on freedom-of-information clampdown

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is planning to pass its omnibus budget bill that contains a retroactive clampdown on access to his cellphone records without allowing public hearings.

Ontario to make attendance count for sizable portion of high school final grades

Ontario to make attendance count for sizable portion of high school final grades

TORONTO -- Ontario high school students will soon have their attendance count for a sizable portion of their final grades, one of a set of upcoming changes to how students are assessed.

Ontario to cut length of teachers' college, increase practical element

Ontario to cut length of teachers' college, increase practical element

TORONTO -- The length of teachers' college in Ontario will soon be cut in half, from two years to one.

Ontario to build on 'strong mayor' system by appointing 'strong' regional chairs

Ontario to build on 'strong mayor' system by appointing 'strong' regional chairs

TORONTO -- Ontario's municipal affairs minister is proposing to appoint a slate of regional council chairs and give them additional powers, as the government has done with so-called strong mayors.

Ontario Power Generation CEO, former CEO top Sunshine List of highest public earners

Ontario Power Generation CEO, former CEO top Sunshine List of highest public earners

TORONTO -- Ontario Power Generation's former CEO is at the top of the list of high-earning public servants for the year after he retired.

Outlook for Ontario housing starts weakens further away from 1.5 million goal

Outlook for Ontario housing starts weakens further away from 1.5 million goal

TORONTO -- Ontario's housing start projections have been revised downward once again in the province's budget, putting the government even farther off track from building 1.5 million homes over 10 years.

Ontario delays path to balance, pumps billions into research and innovation in budget

Ontario delays path to balance, pumps billions into research and innovation in budget

Ontario is delaying a path to balance once more, as one of several shock absorbers meant to ease the province down a potentially bumpy economic road ahead, though it is currently faring better than previously feared in the face of U.S. tariffs. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy is for the third year in a row delaying a surplus, now projecting black...

Ontario to unveil budget amid global economic uncertainty

Ontario to unveil budget amid global economic uncertainty

Ontario's finance minister will unveil the province's budget today, which is not expected to have any tax increases. Peter Bethlenfalvy has signalled Ontarians must plan for tougher times ahead as U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war continues and global conflicts push strong headwinds against Ontario's economy. Ontario's deficit earlier this year stood at $13.4 billion and its overall debt as...

Ontario must prepare for 'tougher times' ahead, finance minister says before budget

Ontario must prepare for 'tougher times' ahead, finance minister says before budget

TORONTO -- Ontario should be prepared for "tougher times" amid global economic disruption, but the government won't slash public sector jobs to buttress the budget amid uncertainty, the finance minister is signalling ahead of Thursday's fiscal update.

Ontario plans temporary boost to HST rebates on new homes in bid to energize sector

Ontario plans temporary boost to HST rebates on new homes in bid to energize sector

Ontario is planning to temporarily expand HST rebates on the purchase of new homes, in a bid to boost a struggling home construction sector. The government previously introduced rebates for first-time homebuyers on new homes valued up to $1.5 million, with homes valued at $1 million or less qualifying for the maximum amount of $130,000 when combined with a federal rebate.

Ontario plans temporary boost to HST rebates on new homes in bid to energize sector

Ontario plans temporary boost to HST rebates on new homes in bid to energize sector

TORONTO -- Ontario is planning to temporarily expand HST rebates on the purchase of new homes, in a bid to boost a struggling home construction sector.

Ford says privacy commissioner opposing record restrictions 'politically driven'

Ford says privacy commissioner opposing record restrictions 'politically driven'

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday he believes the information and privacy commissioner, who is speaking out about changes he is making to freedom-of-information laws, is "politically driven."

Four premiers ask for greater say in superior, appeal court judge appointments

Four premiers ask for greater say in superior, appeal court judge appointments

The premiers of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan are jointly calling on the federal government to give them more of a say in judges who are appointed to their superior and appeal courts. They say in a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney that having their governments actively engaged in the process will help ensure judicial appointments "appropriately reflect the...

Four premiers ask for greater say in superior, appeal court judge appointments

Four premiers ask for greater say in superior, appeal court judge appointments

The premiers of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan are jointly calling on the federal government to give them more of a say in judges who are appointed to their superior and appeal courts.

Ontario legislature resumes, access to Premier Doug Ford's cellphone records at issue

Ontario legislature resumes, access to Premier Doug Ford's cellphone records at issue

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's cellphone records took centre stage as the provincial legislature resumed sitting Monday for the first time since December, with the opposition accusing the premier of having something to hide.

Ontario legislature resumes; questions on transparency, OSAP expected

Ontario legislature resumes; questions on transparency, OSAP expected

TORONTO -- Ontario's provincial members of parliament are heading back to Queen's Park today, as the legislature sits for the first time since December.

Queen's Park resumes sitting after 14-week break, straight into budget season

Queen's Park resumes sitting after 14-week break, straight into budget season

Ontario's legislature is set to resume sitting Monday after a 14-week break that ended in a veritable deluge of news, partial proposals and headline-grabbing musings from Premier Doug Ford and his government. It is a flood-the-zone strategy, opposition parties say, in an attempt to drown out criticism over a government plan to keep records of cabinet ministers and the premier...

Queen's Park resumes sitting after 14-week break, straight into budget season

Queen's Park resumes sitting after 14-week break, straight into budget season

TORONTO -- Ontario's legislature is set to resume sitting Monday after a 14-week break that ended in a veritable deluge of news, partial proposals and headline-grabbing musings from Premier Doug Ford and his government.

Ontario plans to cap ticket resale prices at original value

Ontario plans to cap ticket resale prices at original value

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is planning to amend ticket sales legislation to cap resale prices, seven years after it cancelled similar planned changes. The legislature is set to resume sitting Monday after a 14-week break and the government says it plans to table proposed changes to the Ticket Sales Act in the coming days.

Ontario plans to cap ticket resale prices at original value

Ontario plans to cap ticket resale prices at original value

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is planning to amend ticket sales legislation to cap resale prices, seven years after it cancelled similar planned changes.

Ontario to miss federal deadline for publicly funding nurse practitioners

Ontario to miss federal deadline for publicly funding nurse practitioners

Ontario will not have a policy in place to publicly fund all medically necessary services from nurse practitioners by April 1, as ordered by the federal government, leaving some patients paying out of pocket for primary care. Health Minister Sylvia Jones pushed the federal government years ago to close what she called a loophole in the Canada Health Act that...

Ontario to miss federal deadline for publicly funding nurse practitioners

Ontario to miss federal deadline for publicly funding nurse practitioners

TORONTO -- Ontario will not have a policy in place to publicly fund all medically necessary services from nurse practitioners by April 1, as ordered by the federal government, leaving some patients paying out of pocket for primary care.

Ford 'keen' on Niagara amalgamations; but his office says he'll respect mayors' will

Ford 'keen' on Niagara amalgamations; but his office says he'll respect mayors' will

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday he is still keen on amalgamations in the Niagara Region despite not meeting his previously stated threshold for moving forward, though his office later poured some cold water on the idea.

Ford still 'keen' on Niagara amalgamations, plans to review governance in the region

Ford still 'keen' on Niagara amalgamations, plans to review governance in the region

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford appears to be leaving the door open to possible amalgamations in the Niagara Region, despite not meeting his previously stated threshold for moving forward.

Ontario plans to open high-occupancy vehicle lanes to all outside peak traffic times

Ontario plans to open high-occupancy vehicle lanes to all outside peak traffic times

TORONTO -- Ontario drivers may soon be able to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes at times, even if they are all by themselves.

Ford urges federal government to legalize use of pepper spray for self-defence

Ford urges federal government to legalize use of pepper spray for self-defence

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is urging the federal government to legalize the use of pepper spray for self-defence purposes.

Ontario to make premier, cabinet ministers' records secret as it tightens FOI laws

Ontario to make premier, cabinet ministers' records secret as it tightens FOI laws

Ontario is set to make Premier Doug Ford and cabinet members' records secret as it "modernizes" freedom-of-information laws. Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Minister Stephen Crawford says the province is also updating its cybersecurity protections. Crawford says the changes will help protect cabinet confidentiality. He says the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act has not been...

Make teaching more attractive for tradespeople, teachers' federation tells Ontario

Make teaching more attractive for tradespeople, teachers' federation tells Ontario

TORONTO -- Ontario must make entering the teaching profession more attractive to skilled tradespeople if it hopes to address a long-standing shortage of technological education teachers and ultimately get more students into the trades, a teachers organization says.

Ontario to table budget March 26, with eye to productivity, competitiveness: minister

Ontario to table budget March 26, with eye to productivity, competitiveness: minister

TORONTO -- Ontario's provincial budget will be tabled on March 26, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced Tuesday, signalling a focus on mitigating economic risks by spending on innovation, competitiveness and infrastructure.

Niagara regional chair backs away from proposal to explore amalgamations

Niagara regional chair backs away from proposal to explore amalgamations

Niagara's regional chair has backed away from a proposal that included possible amalgamations.

Niagara councillors vote to slow regional chair's governance consultations

Niagara councillors vote to slow regional chair's governance consultations

A move by the Niagara regional chair to review municipal governance with an eye to possible amalgamations appears to have hit a snag after an at-times testy council meeting.

Ontario family health teams urge funding to retain nurses, health professionals

Ontario family health teams urge funding to retain nurses, health professionals

TORONTO -- Ontario is working toward attaching everyone in the province to a primary care provider, but family health teams are warning that as the government has its sights set on that laudable goal, the foundation of primary care is crumbling.

Company countersues Ontario government, alleging reputational harm

Company countersues Ontario government, alleging reputational harm

TORONTO -- A mental health company being sued by the Ontario government over alleged fraudulent misrepresentation has filed a statement of defence and a counterclaim against the province, alleging it has damaged the company's reputation.

Ontario lifting post-secondary tuition freeze, boosting funding

Ontario lifting post-secondary tuition freeze, boosting funding

TORONTO -- Ontario is giving colleges and universities billions in new funding, while lifting a seven-year tuition fee freeze and cutting back on the amount of student assistance grants.

NDP MPP jumps to federal Liberals as Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith eyes provincial seat and leadership

NDP MPP jumps to federal Liberals as Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith eyes provincial seat and leadership

The resignation of longtime MP Bill Blair has triggered a potential round of political musical chairs, as the federal Liberals poach a provincial NDP representative to run for his seat and a Liberal MP looks to fill that provincial void. The Liberals named Ontario NDP member of provincial parliament Doly Begum as their candidate Tuesday for Scarborough Southwest following Blair's...

Nuclear refurbishment done and under budget at Ontario's Darlington plant: minister

Nuclear refurbishment done and under budget at Ontario's Darlington plant: minister

A nuclear refurbishment at the Darlington power plant is now complete and the unit is set to soon return to service.

Advocates call for federal, provincial governments to strengthen child-care system

Advocates call for federal, provincial governments to strengthen child-care system

Child-care advocates are calling on the federal and provincial governments to commit today to strengthening the $10-a-day system, as the ministers responsible meet in Ottawa.

Ontario Liberal caucus names John Fraser as pick for interim leader

Ontario Liberal caucus names John Fraser as pick for interim leader

TORONTO -- The Ontario Liberal caucus has named John Fraser as their pick for interim leader, a role he is poised to hold for a third time.

Ontario proposes to pause rule that lets cities require affordable housing units

Ontario proposes to pause rule that lets cities require affordable housing units

TORONTO -- Ontario is proposing to temporarily ban three major cities from requiring a certain percentage of affordable units in new buildings near transit stations, citing a downturn in the housing market.

Bonnie Crombie resigns as leader of Ontario Liberal Party, effective immediately

Bonnie Crombie resigns as leader of Ontario Liberal Party, effective immediately

Bonnie Crombie resigned Wednesday as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, months after saying she would leave following a tepid leadership vote in the fall. She initially said she would stay until a successor is chosen, but has now decided on an early exit. "As we begin a new year, I believe this is the right moment for me and...

Ontario marks progress in attaching everyone in the province to primary care

Ontario marks progress in attaching everyone in the province to primary care

TORONTO -- Ontario's health minister says the province is on track to connect all Ontarians to a primary care provider by 2029, thanks in part to mostly clearing a wait list backlog.

Some alcohol prices in Ontario could rise in the new year

Some alcohol prices in Ontario could rise in the new year

TORONTO -- Some alcohol prices in Ontario could rise in the new year, with several changes to the alcohol marketplace set to take effect.