QP Briefing

New Democrats have chosen Fatima Shaban as their candidate in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest provincial byelection. 

The Ford government is moving to permanently add third bunks to some of its jail cells, Global News can reveal, as it looks to squeeze as much space as it can from its major corrections expansion plan. 

Ontario saw the largest unemployment rate increase in the country for the second year running, according to its financial watchdog, which also found that new jobs are still being created in the province. 

The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate at 2.25 per cent as expected on Wednesday and said any changes in the rate could be small if its projections for the economy held true. 

Police presence in Toronto during the World Cup may be "stronger than we've ever seen at any event," the force said Wednesday as the federal government announced up to $145 million for security over the upcoming soccer tournament. 

Bail denials rising sharply in Ontario amid national clampdown. 

Education workers are calling on the province to revise its school funding approach, saying chronic underfunding is placing increasing strain on classrooms and staff. 

The province of Ontario has launched what it calls the ‘Roadmap to Protecting Ontario’s Forest Sector.’ It says the strategy is aimed at strengthening the forestry industry, as it struggles to persevere due to American duties and tariffs. 

Ontario’s Bill 33 raises fears of fresh funding cuts to campus media. 

The Ontario government says it is investing $1.6 billion in school construction projects aimed at easing overcrowding and supporting growing communities. The province says the funding will help build new schools and expand existing ones as part of a long-term plan to modernize infrastructure and keep pace with population growth. 

Ontario HST rebate drawing some resale buyers to the new-build arena. 

Ontario is considering tougher restrictions on technology in schools, including a full ban on cellphones and new social media limits for children. 

 about the real odds of Nate Erskine-Smith while the Ontario Liberals leadership race heats up.

And Patricia Goff and Ann Fitz-Gerald write in The Globe and Mail about

 how Canada’s USMCA advisory panel is a smart move, and also what it is missing to succeed.

Scarborough Southwest heats up: Your morning QP Briefing

Headlines

Read this for free.