Latest news with #Ontarians
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario reports another 96 outbreak-related measles cases over a week
Nearly 100 people became sick with measles in Ontario over the past week, with a large chunk of them being from the Algoma area. Public Health Ontario's latest measles update, released June 19, shows 96 new cases were reported during the past week — all connected to a multi-jurisdictional, travel-related outbreak first reported in New Brunswick on Oct. 18. This brings Ontario's outbreak-related total since Oct. 18 to 2,179 (1,871 confirmed, 308 probable) cases. Thirty-four of those new cases were reported by Algoma Public Health. Public Health Ontario released the information in its enhanced epidemiological summary, which includes information up to June 17 at 7 a.m. A week earlier, the province reported 74 new cases. Thus far in 2025, there have been 2,188 measles cases (1,906 confirmed, 282 probable) reported in Ontario, 46 of which were not linked to the multi-jurisdictional outbreak and are not included in the outbreak numbers. The latest summary shows among all outbreak cases, 73.8 per cent were infants, children and adolescents and 25.6 per cent were adults — the rest of the patients have an unknown age. Among the infants, children and adolescents, 96.3 per cent were unimmunized, while 67.6 per cent of the adult cases were among people who were not immunized. There were 149 people hospitalized, 136 of whom were not immunized, including 107 children. Eleven people were admitted to the intensive care unit. One person, an infant with a congenital case of measles and other underlying medical conditions, has died. There have been 44 outbreak cases among pregnant people and seven cases of congenital measles (measles diagnosed within the first 10 days of life). The Ontario summary includes the total number of outbreak-related cases since Oct. 18 reported by each public health unit. The case count and the number of new cases this week, as of June 10, was as follows. Ontarians can check the Public Health Ontario website to see potential exposure locations, including the time and date of possible exposure. U.S.-based National Foundation for Infectious Diseases said measles is the most contagious virus known to humans: Each infected person can potentially infect 18 people, each of whom can go on to infect another 18 people. It added, 90 per cent of unvaccinated people who are exposed will get measles. Measles is a contagious viral illness, spread through airborne particles. Initial symptoms include fever, red runny eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body, said the Public Health Agency of Canada. Diarrhea, pneumonia and ear infections are also common. Measles can lead to swelling of the brain, respiratory failure, blindness, deafness or death. Diagnosing measles is done through a nasal swab, blood or urine test. Most people with measles recover at home within two to three weeks by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. There are no specific antiviral treatments for a measles infection, but people with severe symptoms may require hospitalization. If you think you may have measles, do not go to a health-care facility or office without calling ahead first, Health Canada said. Ensure the facility knows you might have measles, so they can take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread to others as soon as you arrive. If you want to inquire about a measles vaccination, consult with a health-care provider or your local health unit. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Will Hurricane Erick 2025 impact weather in Ontario? Plus, does Canada have a hurricane season?
Hurricane Erick made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast as a Category 3 storm early Thursday. The powerful storm brought damaging winds and heavy rain. It's the first major hurricane, classified as a Category 3 or more, on record to hit Mexico before July, according to reporting by CNN . While Canadians, and Ontarians specifically, will be spared from direct impacts of the storm, we may experience some residual effect. Environment and Climate Change Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Steven Flisfeder explained once the storm makes landfall it will downgrade to a tropical cyclone, then a depression and finally a typical low pressure system, which will eventually dissipate. 'In the longer term — over the next week, week and a half — we may see some of that moisture make its way up toward Ontario,' he said. 'But we're not expecting anything major.' Earlier in June, Canada also dodged impact from Hurricane Barbara. Hurricane Erick made landfall in southern Mexico as a Category 3 storm on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Yes, Canada does have a hurricane season, and the 2025 hurricane season is expected to be worse than previous years. Only Canada's four eastern provinces in Atlantic Canada will ever experience a direct hit from a hurricane that's intact with the eye and its revolving winds still in place, explains Chris Fogarty, a meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax. In Canada, hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. On average, three or four tropical cyclone events impact Canada each hurricane season — with one or two making impact on Canadian soil and two or three threatening offshore waters, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Quebec and Ontario felt the brunt of hurricane season in Canada last year , slammed by the remnants of both Debby and Beryl. A week after Beryl, in July 2024, Ernesto came along. There were no direct landfalls in Canada last year. - With files from Norm Nelson Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Jaws' turns 50 – Here's where you can watch the classic shark thriller in Ontario this summer
'Jaws' is 50 years old this year. Steven Spielberg's classic thriller was released on June 20, 1975, just in time for the July 4 celebrations in the United States — the holiday during which the film is set. The film was an adaptation of Peter Benchley's novel of the same name. Luckily for Ontarians, they won't need to travel to the fictional New England beach community to get up close and personal with the great white shark that terrorized Amity Island's inhabitants. There are a few opportunities to see what is widely considered the first summer blockbuster on the big screen in Ontario this summer. Below are a few places around Ontario where you can catch the film on the big screen, whether at a cinema or community screening. The Little Prince Micro-Cinema in Stratford is screening the film on the actual 50th anniversary of the film's release date. The showing is on Friday, June 20 at 6 p.m. There will also be a special 30-minute screening of a making-of documentary following the film. General admission tickets cost $15. The Little Prince Micro-Cinema is located at 62 Wellington St. in Stratford. More information is available at The Timmins Museum is celebrating its own 50th anniversary with a community screening of 'Jaws.' Admission is free but tickets are required, which you can reserve online. The screening happens Thursday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. People are encouraged to have fun by dressing up as their favourite character, wearing their favourite beach gear, bring a floatie or a beach chair and enjoy the film in style. Snacks and refreshments will be sold at the event. The Timmins Museum National Exhibition Centre is located at 325 2nd Ave. in Timmins. More information is available at Oshawa's Regent Theatre has long-standing classic movie nights, and on July 3 the cinema will play 'Jaws.' The showing starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $7.50 in advance online or $5 at the door (cash only), with door sales beginning one hour before start time. Children and students get in free. Regent Theatre is located at 50 King St. E. in Oshawa. More information is available at You don't have to go to the movies to watch the movie. NBC will air 'Jaws' on Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. The network's streaming service, Peacock, also has 'Jaws' and its three sequels available to stream until July 14. Several other streaming platforms also have it available. You can stream it, rent it or buy it through Amazon Prime Video. You can also stream it on Crave, as well as through the Starz add-ons on both Crave and Amazon Prime. Furthermore, several services have it available for digital rent, including Apple TV and Cineplex Store. If you want a physical copy, there are plenty of DVDs of 'Jaws' circulating — just check your local thrift store and you may just find one. A special documentary film about the making of 'Jaws' will also be released this summer. The doc, titled 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,' features Spielberg's exclusive story on the making of the film. The film also features commentary from many other Hollywood big names who were clearly inspired by the film, including Emily Blunt, Jordan Peele, Guillermo del Toro, J.J. Abrams, James Cameron, George Lucas and many others. The film will air on National Geographic on Sunday, July 13 and Monday, July 14. Check with your station for local time. It will also stream on Disney+ and Hulu, starting July 10.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Union says private surgical clinics move the wealthy to the front of the line
As the province expands use of private surgical clinics , a union is raising alarm about research showing wealthy Ontarians going to the front of the line for cataract operations. 'The wealthiest have increased access to surgeries and middle-class and lower-class people do not,' Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU), said during a recent stop in Hamilton to raise awareness. 'What we're trying to do is deepen public understanding of the consequences of these surgeries. They redirect access to those who can afford it the most.' The union's claims are backed up by a study — involving a McMaster University researcher — that found the rate of cataract surgeries rose 22 per cent for patients with the highest socioeconomic status at private for-profit surgical centres. Meanwhile, the rate fell 8.5 per cent for those with the lowest socioeconomic status, concluded the study led by Ontario research institute ICES and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) in August 2024. In stark contrast, no difference in access between the wealthy and the poor was found in public hospitals by the research that examined 935,729 cataract surgeries in Ontario from January 2017 to March 2022. 'We observed a large difference in socioeconomic status of patients undergoing cataract surgery in private for-profit surgical centres compared with those treated in public hospitals,' concluded the study. The researchers stated that addressing this difference is 'vital to ensure access to surgery and maintain public confidence in the cataract surgery system.' Expanding the role of private for-profit surgical centres is one way the Progressive Conservative government is addressing surgical backlogs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, 32,000 Ontarians got their publicly-funded cataract surgery at a private clinic. Ontario's May budget earmarked $280 million over two years to further increase care paid by OHIP but provided at private clinics, including diagnostic imaging, endoscopy procedures and orthopedic surgeries. 'The business models of such centres in Canada have traditionally involved billing public insurance programs for the surgeon fee and also charging patients for extra services that are priced to offset overhead costs for operating rooms and generate profit,' the study stated about cataract surgeries. 'Consequently, moving surgical cases out of public hospitals and into private for-profit centres could have a negative effect on access to surgery for patients who are unable to pay.' An investigation by the Toronto Star published on June 7 found patients going for cataract surgery at private clinics felt they had to pay between a couple of hundred and thousands of dollars out of pocket to bypass reportedly long wait times or receive better treatment such as upgraded lenses. The story raised questions about whether there are sufficient guardrails in place to make sure patients don't feel pressured to pay out of pocket for upgrades they may not need. The ICES study also spoke about the need for increased 'safeguards' to ensure patients don't miss out on the chance to get timely care in a private facility because they can't afford to pay for extras and upgrades. 'Surgeons and private for-profit centres also have financial incentives to prioritize patients paying for extra services,' stated the study. 'Finally, surgeons working in private for-profit centres may have practices that focus on referrals for patients with a greater ability to pay for extra uninsured services.' Ontario has provisions through legislation that prohibit a patient from being charged for an OHIP-covered service. In addition, Bill 60 passed in 2023 with the aim of increasing transparency and ensuring there are no extra charges for OHIP-funded procedures. 'People are accessing the care they need with their OHIP card, never their credit card,' Ema Popovic, spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones, said in a statement. 'If someone has been charged for an OHIP-covered service, they can contact the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act program to open a review. Those who have been charged for an insured service will be reimbursed in full.' But many people have been 'manipulated' into paying for extras at private clinics, said OCHU, which is part of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). 'I strongly suspect that a big part of the factor of why there has been such inequality in access at the for-profit clinics is that there are these various charges that come along and that just naturally weeds out people,' said Doug Allan, a researcher with CUPE. The union commissioned Nanos Research to do an online survey of 1,017 Ontario adults between May 27 and June 1 that found two-thirds of respondents from the Golden Horseshoe West, which included Hamilton, agreed that expanded for-profit cataract surgeries will have a negative impact on access to care for the poorest people. The survey is accurate within 3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20. 'In Ontario public hospitals, it didn't matter what your income was in terms of treatment,' Hurley said. 'The whole point is supposed to be that irrespective of income, we're making decisions based upon medical need.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Ontarians have just lost core democratic protections — and few realize it
Shortly after 4 p.m. on June 4, Ontario took a sharp turn away from democracy. That's when Bill 5, ironically titled the 'Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' became law. Marketed as a way to protect jobs and respond to Trump -era tariffs, this legislation quietly hands Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet sweeping new powers. In a paradoxical twist, the premier has adopted elements of the Trump playbook — consolidating power, overriding laws and sidelining oversight — all while claiming to be protecting Ontario from Trump-style politics. Let's be clear: no one is claiming that Premier Ford is Trump. But Bill 5 echoes tactics associated with Trumpism — the centralization of authority, the bypassing of laws and norms, and the creation of opaque zones of exception. These are not just procedural changes. They represent a profound shift in how power operates in Ontario. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Contributors Opinion Doug Ford wants to create rules-free zones in Ontario. We shouldn't let him Mike Schreiner, Contributor Most Ontarians likely haven't heard much about Bill 5 — thanks to slick messaging from the premier's office. The limited coverage has mostly focused on opposition from First Nations leaders. But behind that, something more fundamental has changed. Ontarians have just lost core democratic protections — and few realize it. Here's what the bill actually does: it lets the premier designate any piece of land in Ontario a 'special economic zone.' Inside that zone, Ford and his cabinet can override any provincial law — environmental, labour, planning — you name it. They can then invite businesses to operate on terms they alone define. In effect, cabinet gets to pick which laws apply, to whom and where. That's not red tape reduction. That's rule-of-law suspension. Ford insists the bill is a necessary economic weapon against U.S. protectionism. He claims that cutting through bureaucracy will boost investment and jobs. But let's be honest: this isn't just about economic competitiveness. It's about centralizing power and removing constraints. And while regulatory systems often need reform, wholesale demolition isn't the answer. Improving laws is one thing; giving cabinet the power to selectively discard them is something else entirely. Until June 4, Ontario had a system designed to ensure no one — not even the premier — was above the law. Our legal frameworks were meant to apply equally. But with Bill 5, that principle is shattered. The premier now has the tools to govern by exception. What could go wrong? Consider this: a politically connected developer wants to build on environmentally sensitive land. Community members oppose it. Laws protect it. But now, the premier can designate it a 'special economic zone,' sidestep those laws and green light the project. There is no public appeal. No independent review. Or worse: suppose the government wants to target an individual or group it disfavours. With Bill 5, it could declare their property a special zone and strip away tenant protections, land use rights, or other safeguards. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Or just as bad: the premier could use Bill 5 to impose his pet projects wherever he pleases — our parks, cottage country, conservation areas, even the Greenbelt. Provincial Politics Doug Ford says 'people don't give two hoots' about the Greenbelt fiasco Robert Benzie This is not hypothetical. Ford has a pattern: he instituted 'strong mayor' powers that allow mayors to ignore their councils. He routinely uses ministerial zoning orders (MZOs). Just last month, he signalled interest in allowing ministers to override provincial planning laws at will. With each move, checks and balances are chipped away. Trust us, they say — we won't misuse these powers. But democracy doesn't rely on trusting the people in power. It relies on limits to power — on clear rules, transparent processes and institutions strong enough to say no. No premier — however popular or persuasive — should be allowed to choose which laws apply and to whom. Because once the precedent is set, it will outlast the government that set it. Ontarians who care about democracy can't afford to stay silent. If we don't speak up now, we may not have the tools to do so later. Doug Ford is not Donald Trump. But in adopting some of the same governing tactics — concentrating power, circumventing laws and undermining public protections — he is veering into dangerous territory. Ontario doesn't need a strongman to stand up to Trump. It needs strong democratic institutions. Bill 5 is a giant step in the wrong direction and must be repealed. Let's not pretend otherwise.
