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Ontario city overspent dealing with 2nd-worst winter in 30 years: report

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One of Ontario’s largest cities overspent its winter budget after dealing with what it says was the second-worst winter in 30 years for snowfall.

City of London staff said in a report to the infrastructure and corporate services committee, which meets Wednesday, that this past winter “exposed stress points and areas for potential improvement” within its roadways winter maintenance service.

“Lake-effect snow created uneven impacts, while consistently cold temperatures prolonged snow cover into April,” staff said in the report.

“After two relatively mild winters, road operations delivered a significant increase in service activity. In the 2023/2024 season, the city responded to 43 winter events, with five full deployments. In contrast, the 2024/2025 season saw 121 winter events and 16 full deployments.”

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In total, close to 300 centimetres of snow fell within London this winter, the report showed. The worst winter in 30 years was in 2009-10, when at least 300 centimetres of snow fell, it added.

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London had budgeted $19.1 million to deal with this year’s snowfall, but current projections show the city has spent at least $21 million managing the winter that was. When compared with the previous five winters, the city only overspent once – by $2,682,289 in 2022. It reported surpluses in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Staff did not recommend any budget changes in the report given “mayoral direction to reduce the anticipated property tax levy increase.”

“Cost-neutral potential service improvements are identified and will be pursued via continuous improvement efforts and as opportunities arise via contract renewals and technology advancements,” staff said.

“These include clearer communications, improved contract administration using updated contract terms and technology, better equipment allocation for cul-de-sacs, and continued use of evolving de-icing and anti-icing technologies as possible.”


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Crown Royal bottler closing down Ontario plant, moving operations to U.S.

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Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.

The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.

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About 200 jobs will be affected.

“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.

Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.

The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.

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McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.

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Man faces attempted murder charge after two men struck by car in Toronto: police

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Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.

Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.

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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.

They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.

A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.

Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.


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Intruder in Ontario home invasion case carried a crossbow, court docs say

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A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.

The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.

Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.

The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.

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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.

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McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.

Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”

Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”

Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.

“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.


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