Image

April 9, 2020

The economic toll of the fight against COVID-19 in Ontario is clearer today.

Statistics Canada released its monthly job numbers showing 402,800 people in Ontario lost their jobs in March. About one million nationwide were without work. Statistics Canada expects that number to rise in April.

The provincial government is setting up an Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee to prepare to restart the economy.

“Health is number one priority,” says Premier Doug Ford. “Once we’ve taken care of people’s health we can get the economy going again.”

Finance Minister Rod Phillips will lead the group which will focus on job creation, opportunities for growth and protecting the province from future threats.

Share This

Image
Front Page

New transitional housing opens at former SCITS

July 31, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent A beloved historic building in Sarnia’s south end is slowly transitioning from a vacated high school into a sober haven for people displaced by life’s challenges. The latest tenant to lease a portion of the 104-year-old former SCITS building is The Anchor, a non-profit that offers 20 bedrooms and living facilities for people in transition, says CEO

Read More

Image
Front Page

Investigation into suspended Sarnia police chief now a criminal matter

July 31, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent The investigation of the actions of Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis is now a criminal matter. That’s according to a letter from the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency sent to the owner of The Sarnia Journal. It was provided to The Independent by Nathan Colquhoun and verified by the LECA as authentic. Colquhoun filed the complaint to the

Read More

Image
Front Page

One person arrested on roof of Harbour Road business

July 31, 2026

The Independent A man is facing charges after the K9 unit tracked him to a roof of a business on Harbour Road. Sarnia Police were called to the business on the waterfront around 1:30 pm July 30 after someone entered the building without authorization and was still inside. The officers called out for the person to leave, but didn’t receive

Read More

Image
Front Page

Early morning crash in Alvinston claims one life

July 31, 2026

The Independent One person has died in a crash at the corner of Courtright Line and Nauvoo Road. Lambton OPP, Brooke Fire Rescue and Lambton paramedics were called to the scene just before 7:30 am this morning. Police say the only person in vehicle, a 21-year-old from Newbury, was pronounced dead at the scene. Lambton OPP and the OPP Traffic

Read More