Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic is set to formally present the city's 2026 budget to city council, marking a significant milestone in a process that will shape the municipality’s financial direction for the coming year and beyond. The proposed budget includes an average annual cost increase of $117 for a typical household, reflecting planned changes to both property taxes and water utility rates. The special council meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon represents the next key step in the approval process. While the draft budget has already been publicly available for several weeks, this presentation will allow councillors to formally review, debate,…

Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Montreal MP Marc Miller as Canada’s new Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture in a targeted cabinet reshuffle aimed at filling vacancies created by the recent resignation of Steven Guilbeault. The change, confirmed during a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on Monday, marks a significant shift in leadership at a time when cultural policy, digital regulation, and national identity are under increasing domestic and international scrutiny. Miller will also assume the role of Minister responsible for Official Languages, expanding his responsibilities in a portfolio that is now expected to play a central part in…

Ontario Premier Doug Ford drew attention and criticism this week after reacting dismissively to concerns raised by several municipalities regarding the province’s new speed signs, intended to replace automated speed cameras. The Premier told reporters he “broke out laughing” when hearing complaints about the size and visibility of the signs, sparking debate over road safety, government communication, and the balance between provincial policy and local priorities. The comments came amid ongoing efforts by the Ontario government to update speed enforcement strategies and modernize traffic management systems across the province. Municipal leaders have warned that the replacement signs may not adequately…