CEEH emergency department construction to begin in late October or November
Minimum wage heading up in Ontario
September 29, 2025
The Independent
Minimum wage is going up in Ontario Wednesday.
The hourly rate is going up 40 cents to $17.60 per hour. The provincial government says over 800,000 workers will get the raise which will add about $800 to the yearly full-time pay cheque. About 36 per cent of workers at or below the wage of $17.60 per hour are in retail trade and 23 per cent are in accommodation and food services.
Student minimum wage is also on the way up 40 per hour to $16.60 per hour.
Ontario’s minimum wage has increased from $14 per hour in 2018 to $17.60. The increase Wednesday is based on the Consumer Price Index.
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CEEH emergency department construction to begin in late October or November
September 15, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Construction on Petrolia’s new emergency department will start in late October or early November. That from Bluewater Health officials during a Petrolia Council meeting Monday. Officials revealed KL Construction has won the $14 million contract to build the new ER and the official ground breaking will be held in late October or early November. Construction will begin
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Lambton County Plowing match draws more competitors than usual as 2027 IPM in Petrolia nears
September 14, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent Enniskillen Mayor Kevin Marriott may not have a municipal election contest this year, but he did face some of his political colleagues at the Lambton County Plowing Match. And Marriott, who is also Lambton’s Warden, handily handled the competition. Marriott won the annual plowing contest between politicians over St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar, Plympton-Wyoming Mayor, Gary
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Oil Springs okays asset retirement study
September 14, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent It turns out the cost to complete asset retirement obligation estimates on its five municipally-owned buildings is much less than the Oil Springs council expected. The study will determine the cost of abatement of designated substances, such as asbestos, lead, silica and mercury, during decommissioning and demolition at the end of each building’s life. This will better
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NPHL shrinks as Stratford and Halton Hills bow out this season
September 14, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent The Alvinston Killer Bees will not be taking trips to Stratford or Halton Hills during the upcoming Northern Premier Hockey League season. Following the completion of a league review, the NPHL says the operations of the Irish and Coyotes franchises have been suspended for the coming season and despite the Irish posting that they fully intend on
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