The approval of the Region of Waterloo’s 2026 budget has cleared the way for a long-planned emergency services communications hub, ending months of debate and a dramatic final vote that highlighted deep concerns over cost, oversight, and public accountability. While the budget ultimately passed, the process exposed sharp divisions among regional leaders over the police service’s $176 million capital request — a figure that has drawn heightened scrutiny in the days since the vote. With the budget now finalized, the new communications hub will move forward, marking a significant investment in the region’s emergency response infrastructure and reviving a project…

Prime Minister Mark Carney appeared visibly uncomfortable during a recent exchange involving Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s defence of a controversial tariff-related advertisement aimed at the United States. The moment, which included a nervous chuckle and an apparent eye roll from the prime minister, quickly drew attention and underscored growing tensions over how Canada should position itself in ongoing trade disputes with the U.S., particularly under the influence of former president Donald Trump’s economic legacy. The interaction highlighted differing political styles and strategies between federal and provincial leadership, as well as broader questions about diplomacy, messaging, and Canada’s approach to protecting…

With Christmas just a week away, the pace of life is accelerating for many people across the region. Holiday shopping, school concerts, workplace celebrations, family gatherings, and travel plans are all converging into a busy and often stressful stretch of days. While this time of year is traditionally associated with joy and togetherness, it also brings increased health risks—both physical and mental—that are important to address proactively. Public health officials are urging residents to take simple but effective steps to protect themselves and those around them as respiratory illnesses circulate more widely and emotional pressures rise during the holidays. Holiday…