NEW: Civil servants will return to the office on Monday. The Ford government, however, won't say if it has enough space for them all. It will only say the 'vast majority' of offices have the space required. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1159724...

NEW: Civil servants will return to the office on Monday. The Ford government, however, won't say if it has enough space for them all. It will only say the 'vast majority' of offices have the space required. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1159724...

🚘🕳️ Through 2025, Colin D'Mello and I invested a lot of time looking into Ontario Premier Doug Ford's dream of tunnelling under Hwy. 401. Through sourcing, freedom of information and lots of questions, here's what we found (in chronological order) #OnPoli

🔎FOI Wrapped, 2025🔍 Requests filed: 147 Stories (so far): 32 Earliest request still not answered: March 1, 2024 (yes, still). It's been another busy year of freedom of information fun at Global News. Below is one FOI story published in each month of the past year. #OnPoli

NEW: An Ontario developer is seeking compensation from the Ford government over how it handled the Greenbelt reversal. Their lawyer says the ordeal sets a dangerous precedent for anyone entering into a contract with the province. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1159350...

Back in October, the minister in charge of Ontario's child welfare said audits of the sector due last spring would be ready in 'weeks.' It's now clear they won't be published in 2025 at all, with no word on when they'll actually be made public. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1150330...

NEW: It's the first winter storm since the Finch West LRT launched and it is shut down. Struggled with debris on the track and now multiple switch issues. TTC says it has little information on what's causing the issue, and blames it on Metrolinx. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1159143...

The tightening of Canada’s international student regime has had ripple effects across higher education, but Ontario college students fear they are set to hurt the most amid cancelled programs and service adjustments. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1159124...

NEW: More than half a decade after the COVID-19 pandemic emptied Toronto’s buses, subways and streetcars, the city’s transit agency is still struggling to recover and hit its ridership targets. #Topoli globalnews.ca/news/1158912...

Some alcohol prices in Ontario could rise in the new year, with several changes to the alcohol marketplace set to take effect, flowing from the Ford government's alcohol liberalization plan. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158898...

How is planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto going? Hard to tell, really. The provincial government is involved in working with the city and has committed almost $100M. Progress and details of the plan are closely guarded. #ToPoli #onpoli

Changes to how new teachers in Ontario are certified are set to be announced next year and will entail a larger practical component, the education minister is signalling. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158769...

NEW: As the integrity commissioner prepares to investigate David Piccini, we found a recent committee appearance where she offered a detailed view into her insights and philosophy. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158710...

NEW: A blow to the Ford government's return to the office mandate as the LCBO tells its staff it won't have the space to accommodate all staff full-time. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158500...

NEW: The NDP and Liberals are again calling on Labour Minister David Piccini to resign after the integrity commissioner accepted their request to launch a formal investigation into his handling of the skills development fund. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158491...

NEW: Ontario’s integrity commissioner has confirmed she will launch an investigation into Labour Minister David Piccini over his handling of the controversial skills development fund. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158411...

NEW: The City of Toronto is facing questions about the cost of guards it deploys at locations like homeless shelters and encampments, with various private security companies signed up to contracts worth a total of roughly $109 million. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158241...

NEW: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is indicating the years-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT is likely to open on the TTC’s preferred schedule, confirming it definitely won’t launch until after an update at the end of January. #ToPoli #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158182...

NEW: The Ford government has been told to again reduce the number of international students who can study at Ontario universities and colleges, as overseas applicants disappear and their tuition revenue falls out of the post-secondary system. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158210...

Curious story from Barrie Today: Taxpayers are paying more than $17.5K to advertise in four national newspapers, thanking the province for Bill 76, which annexes to Barrie more than 4,100 acres from Springwater and Oro-Medonte townships. #OnPoli www.barrietoday.com/local-news/b...

NEW: Ontario is throwing its weight behind a high-stakes pitch for Toronto to be selected as a potential host city for a massive new international defence institution, which will finance military projects for NATO members and their allies. #OnPoli #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158166...

Ottawa and Ontario are set to sign a deal Thursday that will reduce the regulatory burden on large projects, including the road to the Ring of Fire, The Cnadian Press has learned. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158130...

NEW: Traffic levels in Toronto are likely to be as much as 15 per cent higher than normal when the World Cup arrives in June, with plans underway to limit downtown parking, close highway on/off ramps and suspend some major construction projects. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1158054...

NEW: Ontario’s influenza cases are skyrocketing, according to the province’s hospitals, and a growing number of people are being admitted into intensive care. globalnews.ca/news/1158029...

The LCBO will finally replace a Quebec paper bag maker with an Ontario alternative next summer. It's a decision its CEO appears to have weighed in on just once in more than a year, despite the province ordering the Crown corporation to replace the contract ASAP in 2024. #Onpoli

NEW: Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled his Niagara tourism strategy, promising to attract more ‘big, large casinos’ to the city, along with an idea for theme parks, hotels and a scenic tram ride. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157827...

NEW: Bike Share Toronto is looking at introducing a loyalty program, among other revenue streams, in a bid to end years of operating at a financial loss. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157812...

WATCH: The Progressive Conservatives have extended the winter break after shortening the fall sitting. Critics say it's a move to artificially create urgency so laws can be rushed through. #OnPoli

Final Focus Ontario of the year airs tonight at 5:30 on Global. Hard to overstate the work Colin D'Mello puts into this behind the scenes every week to schedule exclusive interviews, line-up the show and ensure an original program, while also filing a story every day. #OnPoli

NEW: Toronto’s transit agency says it is on course to deliver a dedicated Scarborough busway by next September, substantially ahead of its original schedule. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157593...

NEW: The Ford government has fired the TDSB's director of education, with the government-appointed supervisor saying in an internal memo that it was time for a "fresh start." #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157517...

The Ford government wrapped its shortened legislative session on Thursday by shaving five weeks off the spring sitting and setting off on a 14-week winter break. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1157399...

Vanishing act? Between the early election and the 19-week summer break, the Ford government cut 12 weeks from its sitting calendar this year. In total, MPPs sat for 51 days. #OnPoli This is how long they were meant to sit, and then how many weeks were removed. 👇

"We are never going to be the 51st state," Ontario Progressive Conservative House Leader Steve Clark tells the legislature as he justifies a late return of the house next year. Not really sure what the link is. MPPs will not return until March 23. #OnPoli

NEW: Toronto’s newest transit line was forced to shut down briefly on Thursday morning after switch issues apparently brought on by frigid temperatures along Finch Avenue. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157347...

NEW: After a tense meeting between Metrolinx and the TTC over whether or not the Eglinton Crosstown LRT could be opened this year, the transportation minister appears to have yielded to Toronto's timeline. #OnPoli #TOpoli globalnews.ca/news/1157261...

NEW: Request for a judicial review of an order to release Doug Ford’s personal cellphone call logs was heard yesterday. Ford’s lawyer said the order was “make-work” for the premier, others say he’s “recklessly” mixed personal and professional. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157267...

ICYMI: Metrolinx wanted to open the Eglinton Crosstown on Dec. 28. The TTC, however, wants to start running the line on Feb. 8. Those two dates were subject of a tense meeting in early December which included Olivia Chow and Doug Ford. #OnPoli #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157065...

NEW: Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his government’s decision to continue funding a digital mental health platform even as the company faced a provincial audit, which eventually triggered an OPP investigation. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157071...

NEW: The Ford government has signed a memorandum of understanding with five Ontario First Nations to work together on the construction of a massive new transmission line taking power to the north. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157082...

NEW: A battle between the TTC and Metrolinx over when to open the Eglinton Crosstown LRT reached a head on Dec. 5 at a tense meeting attended by Doug Ford and Olivia Chow. Metrolinx wants to open in 2025, TTC says that's not responsible. #OnPoli #Topoli globalnews.ca/news/1157065...

NEW: The Ford government has taken a major step toward constructing its long-promised, signature Highway 413 project, beginning design work for a nearby extension and initial section of the route. #onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1157047...

NEW: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he won’t step in and overrule Mayor Olivia Chow’s plan to increase Toronto’s land transfer tax for multimillion-dollar homes after the local real estate board criticized the plan. #ToPoli #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1157009...

NEW: After complaints of sluggish travel times on Toronto’s brand-new Finch West LRT, Mayor Olivia Chow says she’ll be moving a motion to give trains signal priority and lift speed caps. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1156994...

NEW: Builders have given up trying to sell thousands of condo units in Toronto over the past five years, data shows, as the city’s housing market grinds almost to a complete standstill. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1156913...

NEW: Police in Ontario have officially opened an investigation into a company that received government money, including funds from the controversial skills development fund, after being forwarded the results of an audit by the province. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1156883...

The next step in Ontario’s plan to expand the number of private clinics offering publicly funded health care will roll out early next year, with four centres offering hip and knee replacements. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1156871...

NEW: The Ford government says it is making $20 million available for child care centres to install concrete bollards and other barriers to avoid a repeat of a tragedy earlier this year, when a man drove through the window, killing a toddler. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1156857...

NEW: Toronto will begin capping fares next year, the mayor has announced, letting people ride buses, streetcars and subways for free after a certain number of trips every month. #ToPoli globalnews.ca/news/1156828...

NEW: In Ontario’s jails, contraband “flows like gravy.” Guards have seized fentanyl, methamphetamine and even MDMA, as they battle a rising number of assaults in overcrowded facilities. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1156424...