Opinion: Dependence on road salt is an environmental time bomb
The Region of Waterloo is right in pleading with residents to rethink their use of so much salt, writes Jeff Halcrow.
Author: Jeff Halcrow
Budget cuts could further delay Kitchener to Toronto all-day GO service
A recent report notes that two-way, all-day service between Toronto and Waterloo Region may not occur until 2030.
Million-dollar prize up for grabs for AI developers at True North 2019
The jackpot for artificial intelligence developers was assembled through the efforts of Communitech, the Leaders Fund, the Schulich Foundation and the University of Waterloo.
Police RIDE programs ramp up for the holiday season
With the legalization of recreational cannabis this fall, police services across Ontario are preparing to deal with a broader definition of “impaired.”
The good, the bad and the uncertain future of legal drugs
While it’s still too soon to call the legalization of recreational cannabis a complete success, there are already some Canadians calling for a blanket decriminalization of all drugs.
Growing concentration of industry in Toronto threatens economy of Ontario
According to Statistics Canada, while the number of jobs in northern and southwestern Ontario have both shrunk by about 20,000 in the last decade, growth in the GTA has been steady during that same time. While provincial reports may reflect developments and improvements in Ontario, this is far from the whole story.
Love of Music Marathon celebrates its 15th year in Waterloo
Since 2004 the Love of Music Marathon has brought the community together to celebrate local musicians at every skill level. Performances range from members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony to politicians playing duets with volunteer musicians and recitals for music students.
The most dangerous intersections in Waterloo Region
The top two most dangerous intersections, in terms of number of collisions, were recently converted to roundabouts. But check out the other lists here too, involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Opinion: Despite lower risks, transit options need focus on safety
As we modernize public transit in Waterloo Region, let’s not get complacent about the need for keep riders safe, writes Jeff Halcrow.
Fire prevention and safety tips for new renters
As Fire Prevention Week concludes, experts say it’s especially important for students and other first-time renters to know their rights — and what they should expect from their landlords.
Growing Laurier homecoming crowds strain region’s budgets
In what has become an increasingly troubling tradition, Waterloo Regional Police (WRPS) closed Ezra Avenue during homecoming celebrations Saturday at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Eastwood students walk out over curriculum gaps
By Jeff Halcrow, Spoke News Following last week’s Ontario-wide high school walkout, students in Kitchener-Waterloo organized their own protest to challenge the Ford government’s rollback on sexual education and Indigenous programs. One of the latest walkouts took place at 10:45 am on Friday, Sept. 28, at Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, during the school’s lunch period. Most schools in Waterloo Region were unable to observe the walkouts the previous week … Continued
Cambridge councillor pushing separation from region
By Jeff Halcrow, Spoke News With municipal elections next month, one Cambridge city councillor has proposed a radical change to the region, suggesting Cambridge could separate from Kitchener and Waterloo. Ward 8 Coun. Nicholas Ermeta has been sharing the idea of an independent Cambridge with other local politicians and residents of the city. If some would consider separation too extreme, Ermeta has also suggested beginning a regional services board. For … Continued
Rapidly growing economy of Toronto threatens economic stability of Ontario
EDITORIAL By Jeff Halcrow The announcement of a new Microsoft headquarters in the heart of downtown Toronto will no doubt be a boon for the Greater Toronto Area, but will likely only benefit the rest of Ontario in the short term, if at all. Planned to open in 2020, Microsoft Canada will relocate their headquarters from Mississauga to Toronto, creating 500 new full-time positions and generating up to … Continued
