Micah Petti

Provincial post-secondary institutions are facing a near perfect storm caused by a tuition freeze, reduced provincial funding (as a proportion of revenues) and deep cuts to international student visas. The crisis is prompting some to consider a tuition increase to ease the crisis. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario universities received about 22 per cent of revenue from provincial sources in 2023-24 (down from about 34 per cent in 2009-10). The Canadian average is about 33 per cent.

Dusty Belisle is having a merry Christmas. For decades, he sold Christmas trees in the parking lot of an iconic retro Dairy Queen near the intersection of Merivale Road and Clyde Avenue. According to Belisle, the property owners planned to develop the site, forcing him to a lot in Bells Corners in 2023. But he said those plans haven’t materialized, allowing him back to his old spot. Belisle has been selling trees for nearly 40 years, along with his trademark “huggy bear” and vintage trailer.

The Tewin housing development appears set to proceed after Ottawa councillors voted down a motion to block the controversial project. The suburban development southeast of the city, approved in 2021, is projected eventually to house 35,000 to 45,000 residents. Critics object to the development because of the costs of connecting the community to water, wastewater and transit services and because there was not adequate consultation with federally recognized First Nations. Bay Ward Coun.