Ontario proposes higher GO Transit fines and new rules to speed up housing development

Ontario has introduced proposed legislation that would raise fines for fare evasion on GO Transit and bring in a series of changes aimed at improving transit access while accelerating housing development.

Under the proposal, the penalty for fare evasion would increase from $35 to $200 for a first offence, with repeat offences rising to as much as $500. The province says the move is intended to address ongoing revenue losses. It also plans to expand the One Fare program to additional transit systems in the Greater Toronto Area, including Hamilton and Halton, to make transfers more affordable for riders.

The bill would also permit rideshare services in select northern communities and restrict municipalities from mandating certain environmentally focused outdoor building features, which the province argues can slow down construction. Other measures include opening HOV lanes to general traffic during off-peak hours, modifying development charge rules, and supporting housing initiatives such as non-profit retirement residences.

Human Rights Tribunal approves Ontario First Nations child welfare deal in discrimination case

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has approved a First Nations child welfare agreement in Ontario, marking a major step in a long-running discrimination case against the federal government.

The decision allows funding to move forward immediately for First Nations communities in Ontario, even as a final ruling is still pending. The agreement follows years of legal action that began in 2007, when First Nations organizations filed a complaint over inequitable child welfare funding. In 2016, the tribunal ruled that the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding on-reserve services.

While a broader national deal worth $47.8 billion was rejected twice by chiefs last year, Ontario First Nations leaders supported a separate regional agreement, citing the urgent need to address ongoing harm within the system. The tribunal said the move recognizes the authority of First Nations in Ontario to make decisions about their own child welfare systems.

Hidden cameras used to track homeowners before Vaughan break-ins

York Regional Police are warning residents after suspects used hidden cameras disguised as camouflage to monitor homes in Vaughan before committing break-ins.

Police say the devices were placed around properties, often near trees or bushes, to observe homeowners’ routines and identify the best time to enter. Investigators are aware of at least two recent cases where cameras and battery packs were found at residential properties. Residents are being advised to stay vigilant and report any suspicious items or activity to police.