Premier makes campaign-style visit to Waterloo Region
A crowd of employees gathered on the shop floor of a stainless steel equipment maker in Elmira Friday afternoon to greet and shake hands with Premier Doug Ford.
The only evidence of the pandemic were the masks everyone was wearing.
During his visit at Tri-Mach, the premier briefly spoke with the media about issues in Waterloo Region.
REVIEW AT A WCDSB
Last week, Education Minister Stephen Lecce ordered a review of an incident at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board after a principal called the police on a four-year-old child.
Ford weighed in Friday, calling it "unbelievable."
"We have to find out all the details," said Ford. "No matter what the details are, you don't call the police on a four-year-old simple as that. It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
Lecce ordered the review to be conducted by a third-party representative from the Ministry of Education who would have a mandate to recommend actions to the board.
The board's director of education, Loretta Notten, has previously said the actions taken in this situation follow the province's policies and procedures, and said the WCDSB welcomes "the opportunity to learn how the provincial practice can be refined and improved to better serve all our students."
Local NDP MPP Laura-Mae Lindo has called for a system-wide audit.
HOUSING COSTS
This week the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors issued its monthly update, with the average price of any home hitting the $1 million mark in February.
Many local home buyers now feeling priced out of their own market.
The premier acknowledged today this is a major supply and demand issue.
"We’ve got this housing plan that we've put forward. We're working with municipalities to make sure we cut the red tape," said Ford.
Ford noted he will work with the municipalities to reduce permit wait times to 90 days.
The premier did not have any formal announcements Friday afternoon.
His other visits in Waterloo Region included a Kitchener restaurant called Dosa-Twist, the Grand River Transit Facility, and Conestoga College.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
An airplane passenger was spotted in an overhead bin. This was the reaction
Airplane overhead compartments. Home to luggage of all shapes and sizes, the odd coat or two, several duty-free bags, a fair bit of dust and… passengers?
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.
With today's high rates, should you consider an interest-free halal mortgage?
A halal mortgage complies with the Islamic religious, or Shariah, law, which forbids the use of 'riba' (interest). Here's what mortgage experts say those considering 'no-interest' halal mortgages should know.