Quebec fiscal update: $2.1B in new spending, end of tax credit for some older workers

MOOSE JAW, Sask. – A former Saskatchewan Party legislature member has been sentenced to 12 months probation after pleading guilty to assault. 

Gregory Lawrence also faced a charge of assault by choking but it was dropped following the plea in court Wednesday in Moose Jaw, Sask.

A court document says Lawrence shoved and choked a woman during an argument in 2019.

As part of his probation, Lawrence is barred from contacting the victim and going within 50 metres of her home or workplace.

Lawrence resigned from the governing Saskatchewan Party caucus in January as police investigated complaints against him.

He represented the constituency of Moose Jaw Wakamow until October and did not seek re-election.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024.

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ALTONA, MANITOBA, CANADA – Manitoba RCMP have issued an arrest warrant for an Ontario truck driver who was allegedly involved in a crash that killed a woman and an eight-year-old girl.

Brampton, Ont., resident Navjeet Singh has been charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death as well as obstructing a peace officer. 

Police say officers have attempted to locate the 25-year-old in Winnipeg but have been unsuccessful. 

Police were called last week to a rural area west of Altona, Man., where a sport utility vehicle had collided with a semi-trailer that failed to stop at a rural intersection. 

At the time, Singh was transported to a hospital where he was treated and released. 

Police say the deceased woman was 35.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. 

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TORONTO – Ontario Premier Doug Ford says eligible businesses will be getting a share of $2 billion that the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is returning due to a surplus.

This marks the second time the WSIB has given a surplus back to employers, having distributed $1.2 billion in 2022.

Businesses are eligible if they have not been convicted more than once under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act or the Occupational Health and Safety Act since 2020.

As well, the WSIB is cutting the average premium rate employers pay from $1.30 to $1.25 per $100 of insurable payroll.

A new WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program will also give $1,000 to employers that create a new health and safety action plan through the program.

Ford also announced that the province is removing a $150 fee for apprentices taking their first Certificate of Qualification exam, which he says will make it easier for people to start careers in the trades.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.