1. Transparency fight heats up at Queen’s Park — Premier Doug Ford accuses Information and Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim of “politicizing” his government’s plan to exempt the premier, cabinet, parliamentary assistants and their staff from freedom-of-information (FOI) rules; Ford says he has “nothing to hide” and cites 75,000 FOI requests a year, while Kosseim says she wasn’t consulted and would have offered alternatives. 2. [ID: 2169] City builds a counterterrorism team — Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw announced a standalone counterterrorism unit after recent synagogue shootings and a U.S. consulate shooting, with tactical patrols and rifles planned around places of worship and tourist hubs as the city prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches in June–July. 3. [ID: 2162] Oakville priest charged with sexual assault — Rev. Ranjan D’Sa was arrested after a February probe and now faces one count of sexual assault; he’s been a priest since 2010, worked at St. Dominic’s since 2016, is released on an undertaking with a Milton court date, and police urge anyone with information to call 905‑825‑4777 ext. 8970. 4. [ID: 2170] BMO Field ready for World Cup as 45,000‑seat Toronto Stadium — Renovations are complete: the 30,000‑seat venue was expanded to 45,000 with temporary stands to host five group‑stage games and one knockout match; Toronto’s World Cup run starts June 12 and the city’s last match is July 2. 5. [ID: 2163] Friends of murdered teen demand parole reforms — Friends of 14‑year‑old Darren Pepin criticized the Parole Board after Darren Scott Ray, convicted in 1986 of first‑degree murder, was granted three 72‑hour unescorted absences (one used in March); locals want municipalities notified when high‑risk offenders are released. 6. [ID: 2164] Stadium upgrades unveiled in detail — MLSE COO Nick Eaves and officials highlighted 17,000 temporary seats, a new pitch, upgraded hospitality (32 new suites, ~4,000 hospitality seats), LED boards and other work; the project is part of a $380 million program (including $146M stadium renovation) and the stadium is to be handed to FIFA on May 13. 7. [ID: 2166] Pride festivals ask feds for $9M over three years — Pride Toronto, Fierté Montréal and Vancouver Pride want $9 million total ($3M/year) to help cover rising costs, artist fees and sponsor pullbacks; festivals currently get about $1.5M for security and warn around 200 festivals could benefit from stable funding. 8. [ID: 2160] Justice minister rebuffs premiers on judicial picks — Justice Minister Sean Fraser rejected a push from Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan premiers (including Doug Ford, François Legault, Danielle Smith, Scott Moe) to appoint provincially pre‑approved judges, saying the current federal appointment process is working. 9. [ID: 2171] Nominate Toronto’s worst roads — The Canadian Automobile Association opened nominations until mid‑April for Ontario’s annual “worst roads” list (potholes, signage, safety); three of the top 10 in 2025 were in Toronto and public tips help push repairs. 10. [ID: 2172] Peel police dog Kylo dies of cancer — Kylo, a general service dog since January 2019, died March 20 after a cancer battle; he made more than 100 arrests, worked at Pearson Airport with CBSA and RCMP, and was remembered as “one of the friendliest” service dogs. 11. [ID: 2173] Pilots named after LaGuardia crash — The two Air Canada pilots killed when their plane hit a firetruck at LaGuardia were identified as Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther; the flight had 72 passengers (over 40 hospitalized) and the crash is under U.S. investigation. 12. [ID: 2167] Queen’s Park braces for OSAP protest — Thousands expected to protest changes to Ontario Student Assistance Program (students now must repay a larger portion of loans after grant ratio changes); after earlier vandalism and arrests, Speaker Donna Skelly wrapped statues and warned protesters to stay peaceful. 13. [ID: 2168] Watchdog urges government to pause FOI overhaul — Information and Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim says she wasn’t consulted on sweeping FOI changes that would broadly exempt politicians and staff, calling for reconsideration before a bill is tabled while opposition leaders warn the move hurts public oversight.