Latest news with #CatherineFife
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Ontario funds free building code course as opposition urges more action on trades
Published Aug 12, 2025 • 2 minute read An Ontario college has opened applications to newcomers for a free program intended to address what it describes as a "critical" shortage of building code officials in the province. Photo by Derek Baldwin / Postmedia Network An Ontario college has opened applications to newcomers for a free program intended to address what it describes as a 'critical' shortage of building code officials in the province. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The provincial government is funding the training in a move that opposition politicians say is sorely needed, but that they say is just one step towards closing multiple training gaps in the province. George Brown College says its program was developed in partnership with the Ontario Building Officials Association, and 50 students will be accepted this fall. Applicants must be newcomers or immigrants with a background or education in construction, engineering or other related fields. Catherine Fife, the NDP jobs critic, says Ontario has long had a backlog when it comes to home inspection. She says funding a program was a good step but there are many other labour shortages the government should address. 'There are so many other areas of need across the province of Ontario which require our attention,' said Fife. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'So, if they can do this … then let's also, you know, double down on food processing and agriculture and the skilled trades that we need to build a strong economy.' She argued that post-secondary institutions are 'under attack by not resourcing them appropriately,' a problem that she said needs to be addressed more than ever during a trade war between Canada and the United States. 'We as a province need to be focused on becoming more self-reliant and focused on the talent that we need in this province,' she said, to weather 'the (U.S. President Donald) Trump storm.' George Brown said the building code program is a recurring initiative and just over 50 students have received certificates in the last several years. 'Once graduates receive these certifications, then they can pursue employment as housing and small buildings plans examiners and building inspectors — evolving their career from there,' said Joseph Sirianni, the school's director for corporate training and continuing education. 'We're proud to offer training that meets the evolving needs of Ontario's building industry, while also building meaningful careers.' Read More Toronto & GTA Opinion Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Ont. seniors separated in long-term care reunited after nearly 8 years
Jim and Joan McLeod posed for a photo at Fairview Mennonite Home in Cambridge, Ont. on July 8, 2025. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV News) An elderly couple from Cambridge, Ont. has been living separately in the same city since 2017 – but not by choice. Jim McLeod has been trying to reunite with his 86-year-old wife Joan, who requires long-term care, for nearly eight years. 'I've made over 2,600 trips from here down to Hilltop, the south end of Cambridge,' said Jim. He has been living independently at Fairview Mennonite Home, which has long-term care facilities on-site. Joan was sent to Hilltop Manor due to health complications, which is a 25-minute drive away. Jim lobbied to have her moved to Fairview, but Ontario's long-term care system doesn't prioritize keeping married couples together. Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife joined the fight in 2019 by introducing the Till Death Do Us Part Act. 'Jim and I have been walking this road, which has been very painful, for a number of years now,' said Fife. The proposed law to reunite married couples who are separated when they enter institutional care for seniors died before it could go into effect. It didn't pass on several occasions due to varying factors, but the last time was because a snap election was called, which meant any legislation yet to pass at that point was wiped from the docket. 'So technically, all of the bills for the spousal reunification are no longer valid,' said Jim. But as Joan's condition began to worsen, medical staff at Hilltop Manor wrote to the province and requested that she be transferred to Fairview for proper care and to be closer with Jim. She moved into Fairview's long-term care facilities on June 11. 'It's nice to know we're that much closer,' said Joan, from her new room at Fairview. Jim is now able to visit her without having to leave the building. While Joan and Jim are back under the same roof together, the fight isn't over. The pair have friends in the building who are separated from their spouses. They want to see the Till Death Do Us Part Act become law so other couples don't lose valuable time together. 'Unfortunately, we have seen some spouses pass away and never be unified again,' said Fife. So as Jim continues to push the province, Joan's advice reflected the same words of wisdom she had when they were trying to reunite: 'Don't give up.'
National Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
OCEU President Harry Goslin to Join WSIB Strike Picket Line in Waterloo
Article content WATERLOO, Ontario — Harry Goslin, president of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), will join striking Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) workers on the picket line outside the constituency office of NDP MPP Catherine Fife at 100 Regina St. S. in Waterloo on Thursday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. Article content His appearance follows a renewed call from the union for WSIB leadership to finalize a fair deal before Canada Day, as the strike by more than 3,600 frontline workers stretches over two months. Article content Where: Article content 'This strike cannot drag on any longer,' said Goslin. 'The WSIB has delayed long enough. Our bargaining team is a fully empowered decision-making body. What's missing is a mandate from WSIB leadership — especially the CEO — to finalize a deal and end this disruption.' Article content These essential workers process injury claims, support safe return-to-work plans and deliver critical services to injured Ontarians. Despite repeated efforts by the union to reach a resolution, WSIB leadership has not tabled a final offer or allowed a member vote. Article content 'We're calling on the WSIB to pull out all the stops and get this done before Canada Day,' said Goslin. 'It's time to finish the deal — and restore stability for injured workers across Ontario.' Article content The union's team remains ready 24/7 to reach a settlement. Meanwhile, system breakdowns and mounting service delays have underscored the impact of the ongoing strike. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content For more information, please contact: Article content Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
OCEU President Harry Goslin to Join WSIB Strike Picket Line in Waterloo
WATERLOO, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harry Goslin, president of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750), will join striking Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) workers on the picket line outside the constituency office of NDP MPP Catherine Fife at 100 Regina St. S. in Waterloo on Thursday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. His appearance follows a renewed call from the union for WSIB leadership to finalize a fair deal before Canada Day, as the strike by more than 3,600 frontline workers stretches over two months. Where: Constituency office of MPP Catherine Fife — 100 Regina St. S., Waterloo Time 10:00 a.m. ET 'This strike cannot drag on any longer,' said Goslin. 'The WSIB has delayed long enough. Our bargaining team is a fully empowered decision-making body. What's missing is a mandate from WSIB leadership — especially the CEO — to finalize a deal and end this disruption.' These essential workers process injury claims, support safe return-to-work plans and deliver critical services to injured Ontarians. Despite repeated efforts by the union to reach a resolution, WSIB leadership has not tabled a final offer or allowed a member vote. 'We're calling on the WSIB to pull out all the stops and get this done before Canada Day,' said Goslin. 'It's time to finish the deal — and restore stability for injured workers across Ontario.' The union's team remains ready 24/7 to reach a settlement. Meanwhile, system breakdowns and mounting service delays have underscored the impact of the ongoing strike. mb/cope491
CBC
28-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Voting ends in Waterloo where NDP's Catherine Fife is projected to win again
Social Sharing NDP candidate Catherine Fife is projected to win another term as MPP for Waterloo. Currently the longest-serving MPP in the region, Fife won the seat in a Sept. 2012 byelection and has held it ever since. With 42 out of 61 polls reporting, Fife has 22,220 votes. PC's Peter Turkington is in second with 12,482 votes. Fife even earned the support of a fellow candidate. Earlier this week, Green candidate Shefaza Esmail said to avoid splitting the vote, people should vote for Fife in the election. The candidates in Waterloo were (in alphabetical order by last name): Suja Biber, New Blue. Shefaza Esmail, Green. Catherine Fife, NDP (incumbent). Peter House, Electoral Reform Party. Chris Martin, Ontario Party. Clayton Moore, Liberal. James Schulz, Libertarian. Peter Turkington, Progressive Conservatives. Suja Biber, the New Blue candidate, is a registered massage therapist in Waterloo. Shefaza Esmail, the Green candidate, works at Mohawk College in Hamilton where she manages the low carbon readiness program. She has also worked as a lecturer in the school of environment, resources and sustainability at the University of Waterloo. Esmail was the Green candidate in this riding in 2022. Catherine Fife is the the incumbent and the NDP candidate. She has held the seat since winning a byelection in Sept. 2012. Prior to being elected, she worked at the Toronto District School Board as an educational assistant, community advisor and settlement worker. Peter House is a candidate for the Electoral Reform Party, a party he formed. Chris Martin is the Ontario Party candidate. The party's motto is "freedom, family and faith." Clayton Moore, the Liberal candidate, works for software company BioRender as a senior scientific sales executive. His work focuses on startups and scientific communications. James Schulz, the Libertarian candidate, has run in previous elections for the same party. Peter Turkington, the PC candidate, is the director of communications for the Progressive Conservatives. He also started Turkington Public Relations Consulting in 2004. Riding history The Waterloo riding, as it exists in this election, was formed in 2018. It was created from the riding of Kitchener-Waterloo, which existed from 1999 to 2018. Before 1999, the riding was known as Waterloo North and was established in 1867. The first Member of Provincial Parliament in Waterloo North was Liberal Moses Springer. In the last 50 years, Liberal Edward Good held the seat from 1967 to 1977. He was followed by Liberal Herb Epp, who held the seat from 1977 until he retired in 1990. In 1990, Progressive Conservative Elizabeth Witmer won the seat and held it until 2012, when she stepped down from politics.
