QP Briefing

Crown Royal will remain on Ontario liquor store shelves, after its parent company agreed to $23 million in spending in the province and Premier Doug Ford cancelled his plans for a boycott. 

Premier Doug Ford’s government gave the mayors of more than 200 Ontario cities expansive new “strong mayor” powers that would allow them to override council and veto decisions in order to push through important city business. 

Ontario’s homebuilding industry showed signs of life in the first month of the year, with housing starts finally improving after years of persistent decline in the face of cratering pre-construction sales. 

Ontario Minister Vic Fedeli said this Monday that Prime Minister Mark Carney will go to New Delhi in early March to work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on “the framework for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.” 

Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn says that the multibillion-dollar funding boost for Ontario postsecondary schools announced last week will send an important signal to the province’s employers and its international trade partners. 

The head of Metrolinx is acknowledging the provincial transit agency has spent too much time embroiled in legal battles with its contractors, pledging a new approach after finally finishing the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. 

Losing their leader has helped give the Ontario Liberals a lift in the polls, a new Abacus Data survey suggests. 

The province is rolling out a more rigorous curriculum in September for kindergarten students. 

A mental health company being sued by the Ontario government over alleged fraudulent misrepresentation has filed a statement of defence and a counterclaim against the province, alleging it has damaged the company's reputation. 

Martin Regg Cohn writes in The Star about

 the lessons Doug Ford has learned after “starving” universities and colleges across Ontario.

 explains why Donald Trump can't have the Gordie Howe Bridge.

A roundup of news and agenda items for Tuesday, Feb 17.

Crown Royal is so back: Your morning QP Briefing

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