Ontario’s minimum wage workers are getting a raise this fall.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills plans to increase the hourly rate to $16.55 an hour starting on October 1.

It’s a 6.8 per cent increase from the current minimum wage of $15.50.

“Our government is putting workers in the driver’s seat,” said Labour Minister Monte McNaughton. “This latest increase is a fair and balanced approach that means more money in their pockets, so they can support their families and continue building a stronger Ontario for all of us.”

The town of Saugeen Shores is working to turn devastation into opportunity following a severe storm that downed hundreds of trees in North Shore Park in Port Elgin in September of 2021.

The storm forced the town  to restore the park, including landscaping, tree planting, and refreshed facilities such as trails and the playground.

The municipality is also considering the return of an historic steam train that once traveled the park. Council is expected to review more details of the proposal at their April 11th meeting.

Bruce County has announced their new Director of Human Services.

The county has hired on Tina Metcalfe, who will be part of Bruce County’s Senior Leadership Team. In her new role, Metcalfe will be planning, advocating and delivering “responsive and innovative services that help individuals and families enhance their level of participation and quality of life in our communities,” according to a county release.

Under Metcalfe’s leadership, the Human Services team will continue overseeing:

Construction equipment is breaking ground at the intersection of Harbour and Queen Street in downtown Kincardine.

The town reminds people that downtown businesses are still open. They have created alternate rear entries and put up signs to help direct vehicle and foot traffic to local businesses.

Sidewalks are open and there’s a new Downtown Dig Passport offered by the Lakeside Downtown Kincardine BIA with chances to win BIA Bucks.

Saugeen Shores Council has issued the building permit for The Cedar Crescent Village plan.

That will allow the developer to proceed on the north phase of the project’s two future buildings.

The permit finalized the structure’s design and drawings, while ensuring the plan meets all appropriate building code regulations. The project also received a Permit to Take Water in November of 2022 from the provincial Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks.

As the London Food Bank kicks off the 36th annual Spring Food Drive, Co-Directors Glen Pearson and Jane Roy are calling on civic leaders to start making real changes that will help solve the city’s food insecurity problem.

More and more community members have been coming to the food bank for assistance lately, according to its leaders.

Roy said there was a 30 per cent increase in demand from 2021 to 2022. The trend has continued with the first three months of 2023, bringing nearly a 41 per cent jump compared to the first three months of 2022.

The provincial government will add more medical school spots to give Ontario students more opportunity.

The government says $33 million will be added over the next three years for 100 more undergraduate medical school spots and 154 postgraduate medical training spots, prioritized for Ontarians.

Police are hoping to find the rightful owner of some recovered military regalia that was recovered from an alleged  thief.

West Grey Police Service recently arrested an alleged thief on March 28 that is accused of having a handful of military regalia that included service medals and badges, including what appears to be a name bar that says “HAYCOCK”. Officers are hoping to return the stolen regalia to its rightful owner.