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.

Four small modular reactors at Darlington to cost $21 billion to build

Four small modular reactors at Darlington to cost $21 billion to build

Ontario is set to spend nearly $21 billion to build four small modular reactors east of Toronto. Officials say construction on the first modular reactor at the site of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station will begin this year and should be completed by 2030. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved Ontario Power Generation's plan last month to build the first...

Ontario has new path to budget balance, Ford signals amid need for tariff relief

Ontario has new path to budget balance, Ford signals amid need for tariff relief

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is signalling that his government's upcoming budget may not be balanced, as the province needs to support people in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Ontario to include expanded manufacturing tax credit in upcoming budget

Ontario to include expanded manufacturing tax credit in upcoming budget

TORONTO -- Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy has offered a first glimpse at his upcoming budget, announcing an expanded Ontario manufacturing tax credit.

Doug Ford asks Mark Carney to prioritize 'nation-building' Highway 401 tunnel

Doug Ford asks Mark Carney to prioritize 'nation-building' Highway 401 tunnel

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is seeking Prime Minister Mark Carney's support for his idea to build a tunnel under Highway 401. Ford sent the prime minister a letter today setting out a series of Ontario priorities that he hopes Carney will address, including accessing critical minerals, building an electric-vehicle supply chain and enacting bail reforms. Ford says in his letter...

Doug Ford asks Mark Carney to prioritize 'nation-building' Highway 401 tunnel

Doug Ford asks Mark Carney to prioritize 'nation-building' Highway 401 tunnel

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford is seeking Prime Minister Mark Carney's support for his idea to build a tunnel under Highway 401.

Ontario government to table budget on May 15 amid impacts of U.S. tariffs

Ontario government to table budget on May 15 amid impacts of U.S. tariffs

TORONTO -- Ontario is set to table its 2025-26 budget on May 15, with the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs likely to take centre stage.

Ontario to table budget on May 15 amid impacts of U.S. tariffs

Ontario to table budget on May 15 amid impacts of U.S. tariffs

TORONTO -- Ontario is set to table its 2025-26 budget on May 15.

Ontario considering change to length of teachers' college, documents suggest

Ontario considering change to length of teachers' college, documents suggest

TORONTO -- The Ontario government is considering shortening the length of teachers' college in order to address a worsening shortage of educators, documents obtained by The Canadian Press suggest.

Doug Ford says he is focused on post-election unity, after MP accuses him of sabotage

Doug Ford says he is focused on post-election unity, after MP accuses him of sabotage

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to focus on unity the day after the federal election, refusing to shoot back at comments from a Conservative MP calling the premier a "problem" and an opportunist. Jamil Jivani, who won Bowmanville-Oshawa North, said in an interview with CBC on election night that Ford inserted himself in the federal campaign and Conservatives...

Ontario child-care fees could rise without new federal funding: provincial minister

Ontario child-care fees could rise without new federal funding: provincial minister

TORONTO -- Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra is warning that if the next federal government does not increase funding for the $10-a-day child-care program, the fees parents pay will rise.

Members of Ontario's legislature choose Donna Skelly as first female Speaker

Members of Ontario's legislature choose Donna Skelly as first female Speaker

TORONTO -- The members of Ontario's legislature have chosen Donna Skelly as the province's first female Speaker.

'It is a next chapter': Ontario legislature set to choose first female Speaker

'It is a next chapter': Ontario legislature set to choose first female Speaker

TORONTO -- The members of Ontario's legislature are set to make history today by selecting the province's first female Speaker -- but just who will take up the mantle remains to be seen.

Ontario seeks 80 primary care teams for 300,000 patients

Ontario seeks 80 primary care teams for 300,000 patients

TORONTO -- Ontario is looking for up to 80 new or expanded primary care teams to serve 300,000 patients, as it plans to build a system that automatically attaches people to a family doctor or nurse practitioner team based on their postal code.

Ontario plans to apply 'strong mayor' powers in 169 more communities

Ontario plans to apply 'strong mayor' powers in 169 more communities

TORONTO -- Ontario is proposing to more than triple the number of mayors who have so-called strong mayor powers, looking to add 169 municipalities to the list.

Doug Ford aide-turned Greenbelt lobbyist broke rules, ethics watchdog says

Doug Ford aide-turned Greenbelt lobbyist broke rules, ethics watchdog says

TORONTO -- Ontario's integrity commissioner has found that a lobbyist who used to work for Premier Doug Ford failed to comply with some rules while asking for a client's land to be removed from the Greenbelt.

List of Ontario public employees making over $100,000 grows

List of Ontario public employees making over $100,000 grows

TORONTO -- The number of public provincial employees in Ontario earning more than $100,000 a year has grown to more than 377,000, with the top spot again going to the CEO of Ontario Power Generation.

Ford talks to Carney, premiers ahead of trade meeting in Washington

Ford talks to Carney, premiers ahead of trade meeting in Washington

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was spending Wednesday meeting with Canada's incoming prime minister and speaking to his fellow premiers ahead of a trip Thursday to Washington, D.C., to talk trade with a top U.S. official. Ford, federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the United States, are set to meet with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard...

Ford talks to Carney, premiers ahead of trade meeting in Washington

Ford talks to Carney, premiers ahead of trade meeting in Washington

Toronto -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc suggested Wednesday they want to come out of a meeting with a top U.S. official with a "coherent plan" for the tariff road ahead.

Ontario slaps 25 per cent surcharge on electricity to U.S., warns it could go higher

Ontario slaps 25 per cent surcharge on electricity to U.S., warns it could go higher

Ontario's surcharge of 25 per cent on electricity exported to the United States goes into effect today, and the government says it could raise that amount even higher in response to further American escalation. Premier Doug Ford has announced the price increase on the electricity the province sends to 1.5 million homes in three U.S. states as one of Ontario's...

Ontario slaps 25 per cent surcharge on electricity to U.S., warns it could go higher

Ontario slaps 25 per cent surcharge on electricity to U.S., warns it could go higher

TORONTO -- Ontario's surcharge of 25 per cent on electricity exported to the United States goes into effect today, and the government says it could raise that amount even higher in response to further American escalation.

Trudeau aiming to secure extension to 2031 for signature $10-a-day child-care program

Trudeau aiming to secure extension to 2031 for signature $10-a-day child-care program

The federal government is trying to secure extensions through to 2031 for its national $10-a-day child-care program ahead of an expected election.

Ontario putting 25 per cent surcharge on U.S.-bound electricity Monday: Ford

Ontario putting 25 per cent surcharge on U.S.-bound electricity Monday: Ford

Toronto -- Ontario will charge 25 per cent more for electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans starting Monday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Premier Doug Ford said Thursday.

Crombie says she won't ask any Ontario Liberals to step aside so she can have a seat

Crombie says she won't ask any Ontario Liberals to step aside so she can have a seat

TORONTO -- Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie says she intends to try again to win a seat in the legislature, but she won't ask any caucus members to step aside to open up a riding for her.

Independent Ontario candidate wins rare and resounding second election victory

Independent Ontario candidate wins rare and resounding second election victory

Bobbi Ann Brady says she set out in this Ontario election to prove that her win in Haldimand-Norfolk as an independent in 2022 was not a fluke.

Doug Ford's Ontario PCs win re-election, with tariff threats around the corner

Doug Ford's Ontario PCs win re-election, with tariff threats around the corner

TORONTO -- Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives won't have long to sit back and bask in the glow of winning a third majority government, with an imminent tariff threat around the corner.

Doug Ford's PCs to form third majority government in snap Ontario election

Doug Ford's PCs to form third majority government in snap Ontario election

TORONTO -- Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives chugged to a third majority government Thursday, propelled by his visible crusade against economic uncertainty emanating from the U.S., though falling short of the increased majority he urged.

Doug Ford's PCs projected to form majority government in snap Ontario election

Doug Ford's PCs projected to form majority government in snap Ontario election

TORONTO -- The Canadian Press is projecting a majority Progressive Conservative government in Ontario.

Ontario voters head to the polls for election day after snap winter campaign

Ontario voters head to the polls for election day after snap winter campaign

Ontario's political party leaders have criss-crossed the province, released their platforms and made their pitches over the past month -- now it's decision day for voters. It has been an unusual election, with candidates battling icy stairs, brutal snow storms and frigid temperatures while canvassing in the first winter campaign since 1981. Most Ontario elections also haven't included a party...

Ontario voters head to the polls for election day after snap winter campaign

Ontario voters head to the polls for election day after snap winter campaign

TORONTO -- Ontario's political party leaders have criss-crossed the province, released their platforms and made their pitches over the past month -- now it's decision day for voters.

10 ridings to watch on election day in Ontario

10 ridings to watch on election day in Ontario

TORONTO -- Thursday is election day in Ontario, and while the polls have consistently had the Progressive Conservatives cruising to re-election, there are various ridings across the province in which the results may come down to the wire or have broader implications. Here are 10 ridings to watch on election night:

Ontario PCs make $40B in platform promises, pledge to axe floor price for alcohol

Ontario PCs make $40B in platform promises, pledge to axe floor price for alcohol

TORONTO -- Ontario's Progressive Conservatives have released their platform today, with three days until election day, and it contains $40 billion in promises plus a proposal to get rid of the minimum retail price for liquor.

Ontario NDP promises $70B in new spending over 3 years; $37B in new revenue, savings

Ontario NDP promises $70B in new spending over 3 years; $37B in new revenue, savings

TORONTO -- Ontario's NDP is promising $70 billion in new spending over three years along with $37 billion in new revenue and savings, including increasing capital gains taxes, creating new tax brackets for ultra-high earners and imposing a luxury residence tax.

Liberals pledge mental health coverage, PCs take on trade barriers

Liberals pledge mental health coverage, PCs take on trade barriers

MILTON, Ont. -- Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles cast her ballot in the advance polls that opened Thursday, as her party lost a second election candidate, while the other party leaders talked mental health, interprovincial trade and rental housing policies.

Advance voting opens Thursday in Ontario election with only 1 of 4 full platforms out

Advance voting opens Thursday in Ontario election with only 1 of 4 full platforms out

Advance voting opens Thursday in Ontario's election, and only the Green Party has released a full platform.

'Energizer Bonnie' Crombie won't back down from a fight, friends and loved ones say

'Energizer Bonnie' Crombie won't back down from a fight, friends and loved ones say

TORONTO -- Bonnie Crombie recently celebrated a milestone birthday -- the kind that usually prompts a big party, or at the very least a special gathering with family and close friends -- but instead she sat in an office doing debate prep.

Liberals hope Crombie's name can flip Mississauga seats. It may be an uphill battle

Liberals hope Crombie's name can flip Mississauga seats. It may be an uphill battle

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie jogs up to a door on a recent Saturday morning canvass in Mississauga, where she is warmly greeted in Polish by a woman who expresses her support and wishes the politician good luck.

Ontario NDP candidate withdraws in Eglinton-Lawrence, citing close PC-Liberal race

Ontario NDP candidate withdraws in Eglinton-Lawrence, citing close PC-Liberal race

TORONTO -- The candidate nominated by the Ontario NDP for Toronto riding Eglinton-Lawrence has pulled out of the election and is throwing her support behind the Liberals.

NDP asking integrity commissioner to investigate Ford video of trip to Washington

NDP asking integrity commissioner to investigate Ford video of trip to Washington

TORONTO -- Ontario's NDP and Liberal party leaders cried foul Thursday over a trip Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford took to Washington, D.C., in the middle of a snap election he called, saying he's touting that visit for partisan purposes.

Ontario NDP asking integrity commissioner to investigate Ford's trip to Washington

Ontario NDP asking integrity commissioner to investigate Ford's trip to Washington

TORONTO -- Ontario's NDP and Liberal party leaders cried foul Thursday over a trip Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford took to Washington, D.C., in the middle of a snap election he called, saying he's touting that visit for partisan purposes.

NDP asking integrity commissioner to investigate Ford's trip to Washington

NDP asking integrity commissioner to investigate Ford's trip to Washington

TORONTO -- Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles says she is planning to write to the province's integrity commissioner to ask him to look into Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford's trip to Washington, D.C.

Ontario NDP, Liberals focus on health care as tariffs threaten to draw attention away

Ontario NDP, Liberals focus on health care as tariffs threaten to draw attention away

TORONTO -- Ontario's NDP and Liberal leaders tried to keep voters focused on health care Monday, even as actions by the U.S. president threatened to once again draw attention elsewhere in the provincial election campaign.

Ford aims to keep tariff focus in election as Liberals, NDP tout health, education

Ford aims to keep tariff focus in election as Liberals, NDP tout health, education

Ontario's Liberals and NDP are using a pause in the tariff threat from the United States to begin a new chapter in the provincial election, focusing on issues such as health care and education, but Doug Ford doesn't appear ready to turn the page.

Tariff fight takes centre stage as Ontario election campaign kicks off

Tariff fight takes centre stage as Ontario election campaign kicks off

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is starting the provincial election campaign by focusing on international tariffs, pitching himself as the best steward of Ontario's economy. He says he needs the strongest majority in Ontario history in order to effectively deal with the threatened 25 per cent tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Tariff fight takes centre stage as Ontario election campaign kicks off

Tariff fight takes centre stage as Ontario election campaign kicks off

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is starting the provincial election campaign by focusing on international tariffs, pitching himself as the best steward of Ontario's economy.

Ontario party leaders hit campaign trail as snap winter election begins

Ontario party leaders hit campaign trail as snap winter election begins

Ontario's political party leaders are fanning out across the province today for their first official day on the snowy campaign trail.

Ontario party leaders hit campaign trail as snap winter election begins

Ontario party leaders hit campaign trail as snap winter election begins

Ontario's political party leaders are fanning out across the province today for their first official day on the snowy campaign trail. Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford triggered the snap election more than a year before the next fixed date, plunging the province into a rare winter campaign that opposition parties say is unnecessary.

Here are three key issues to watch for in the Ontario election campaign

Here are three key issues to watch for in the Ontario election campaign

TORONTO -- Ontario voters are set to head to the polls in a rare winter election.

Ford's decision to speed up alcohol sales expansion will cost province $612M: report

Ford's decision to speed up alcohol sales expansion will cost province $612M: report

Premier Doug Ford's decision to speed up the rollout of alcohol sales in corner stores - which first sparked early election speculation last spring - will cost the province more than $600 million, Ontario's budget watchdog said Monday. That's nearly three times the amount the Progressive Conservative government said it would cost to accelerate the timeline.

Ford's decision to speed up alcohol sales expansion will cost province $612M: report

Ford's decision to speed up alcohol sales expansion will cost province $612M: report

TORONTO -- Ontario's budget watchdog estimates that the government's decision to speed up the rollout of alcohol sales in corner stores will cost the province more than $600 million.

Tariffs from U.S. could cost up to 500k Ontario jobs, Doug Ford says

Tariffs from U.S. could cost up to 500k Ontario jobs, Doug Ford says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says provincial officials estimate that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on Canadian goods could cost up to half a million jobs. Trump has said he would sign an executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all products arriving in the United States from Canada and Mexico on his first day back in office.

Tariffs from U.S. could cost up to 500k Ontario jobs, Doug Ford says

Tariffs from U.S. could cost up to 500k Ontario jobs, Doug Ford says

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says provincial officials estimate that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on Canadian goods could cost up to half a million jobs.

Ontario launching rebates for energy efficient home renovations and upgrades

Ontario launching rebates for energy efficient home renovations and upgrades

TORONTO -- Ontario is introducing two new energy efficiency programs, including one offering rebates for certain home improvements.

Percentage of early childhood educators in Ontario child care declining, despite goal

Percentage of early childhood educators in Ontario child care declining, despite goal

TORONTO -- The percentage of staff in Ontario child-care centres who are registered early childhood educators has been declining over the past few years, moving the province further away from one of its goals in the national $10-a-day system.

New Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place to open in 2029, auditor general says

New Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place to open in 2029, auditor general says

TORONTO -- The timeline for opening a permanent new Ontario Science Centre appears to have been delayed, with infrastructure officials telling the auditor general's office the centre is expected to be up and running in 2029.

Ontario bill would allow sacking of municipal councillors who violate code of conduct

Ontario bill would allow sacking of municipal councillors who violate code of conduct

TORONTO -- Ontario municipal councillors could be removed from office and disqualified from running again under new provincial legislation introduced today that would increase penalties for violating a municipal code of conduct.

Ontario bill aimed at ending encampments to strengthen trespass, drug penalties

Ontario bill aimed at ending encampments to strengthen trespass, drug penalties

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says legislation his government is introducing today to help municipalities clear homeless encampments out of public parks will include stronger trespass laws and fines or jail time for illegal drug use in public.

Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says

Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the country's premiers are meeting virtually Wednesday with the prime minister to discuss the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports. It comes two weeks after the premiers' last meeting with Justin Trudeau, where they discussed how to respond to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's warning that he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on...

Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says

Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says

TORONTO -- Canada's premiers are meeting virtually Wednesday with the prime minister to discuss the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he hopes to talk about the country's approach to negotiations.

Will he or won't he? Signs that Ford may call an early Ontario election stack up

Will he or won't he? Signs that Ford may call an early Ontario election stack up

Inside Ontario's legislature, the halls are decked, the sounds of children's choirs singing Christmas carols waft down the corridors, and in the air there's a feeling of an election. Staff and politicians alike are abuzz with early election speculation, seeing signs big and small stacking up as the legislature prepares for its winter break. Some see the government's fast-tracking of...

Will he or won't he? Signs that Ford may call an early Ontario election stack up

Will he or won't he? Signs that Ford may call an early Ontario election stack up

TORONTO -- Inside Ontario's legislature, the halls are decked, the sounds of children's choirs singing Christmas carols waft down the corridors, and in the air there's a feeling of an election.