Stelco Recall Order, Raptors Defence & Argos Rookie — Ottawa Thursday

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Industry minister orders Stelco to recall about 500 laid-off workers ‘immediately’. In a letter dated Oct. 29, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly told Stelco president Paul Simon she expects a “concrete and credible plan for re-engagement” after layoffs affecting roughly 500 employees at the Hamilton plant; Joly warned the federal government could begin legal action within 15 days if layoffs are not reversed. The company says only about 40 Lake Erie jobs have been offered to impacted workers.

2. Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy to table fall economic statement Thursday. Bethlenfalvy said Ontario closed 2025-26 with a $13-billion deficit and this year’s deficit is projected higher, aligned with a spring forecast of $13.8 billion; he also announced Ontario is matching the federal tax break for business capital investment and cited more than $8 billion in joint funding for tariff-hit industries, including $1.67 billion for a provincial steel action fund.

3. One sexual-assault charge dropped against Frank Stronach ahead of Newmarket trial. Lawyer Leora Shemesh confirmed prosecutors withdrew the charge tied to an alleged 2024 York Region incident; Stronach, 94, still faces other charges related to five complainants and is awaiting sentencing after a separate Toronto trial produced a guilty verdict for indecent assault nearly 50 years old, though he was told he would not face a jail term in that case.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Jamal Shead credited with turning the Raptors’ game, supplying bench spark in 129-99 win. Shead scored 13 points, handed out seven assists and had two steals off the bench in Toronto’s rout of Orlando; head coach Darko Rajakovic and Scottie Barnes singled him out for changing the game’s momentum during Wednesday’s matchup.

🏈 Sports

1. Raptors defence leading early NBA season, allowing a league-low 102.5 points. After four games Toronto ranks first in opponent scoring (102.5 points) and leads the league in steals at 14.3 per game, head coach Darko Rajakovic credited disciplined positioning for generating turnovers during the early season stretch.

2. Tyler Kahmann has 77 catches for 1,092 yards and eight TDs in his CFL rookie season. The 26-year-old receiver has surpassed 1,000 yards this season with the Toronto Argonauts, joining three other receivers above that mark, and said adjusting to Toronto’s public transit and pace has been a notable personal change.

📰 Also Today

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• First look shows $16.9B federal budgetary hit from U.S. tariffs.
• Man’s 2024 death near Smiths Falls now ruled a homicide by OPP.
• Ottawa pop star TALK discusses Eurovision bid and new music.
• Belleville police officer who thwarted synagogue attack released from hospital.
• Ottawa’s defence industry posts a year of growth, looks ahead.
• City leaders call road safety news conference during a deadly year.
• Half of eastern Ontario municipalities have elected new heads of council.
• Ontario to provide fiscal update as tariff fight bites into budget.
• More Canadian provinces ending time changes; health effects examined.
• Stittsville singer-songwriter TALK named a Eurovision finalist.
• PQ pledges to abolish time change; impacts for Ottawa–Gatineau questioned.
• PM Carney warns Cleveland-Cliffs not to renege on Stelco commitments.