Data-centre playbook, Ford $3,000 expense & $1M condo heist — Ottawa Thursday

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🚨 Crime & Public Safety

Hamilton fugitive wanted in 1991 child sexual-assault probe arrested in Santa Cruz, Calif. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s San Francisco office says Charles Peter Billone, 64, was arrested in Santa Cruz and remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings; Hamilton police confirmed he is the same person wanted in Canada and said they are working closely with the Crown but no extradition proceedings are underway.
Three people face 150 charges after $1M–$1.5M in goods recovered from condo break-ins. Toronto Police say Project Compass recovered about 2,500 stolen items valued between $1 million and $1.5 million; investigators allege suspects posed as construction workers and police linked 21 Toronto break-ins plus another eight–10 incidents while a pawn shop near Queen and Church was implicated.

Health Canada seized unauthorized and counterfeit injectables from Hamilton spa at 45 Wellington St. N. The seized products included items labelled Botox, Juvéderm Ultra 3, Juvéderm Voluma, Restylane Kysse and others that manufacturers confirmed were counterfeit; Health Canada warned unauthorized injectables can contain incorrect ingredients, contaminants or unsuitable concentrations and may cause infection or allergic reactions.
Report finds 10 youth deaths and 48 severe youth e-scooter/e-bike cases in 2025. The Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program survey recorded 48 serious injuries or deaths among youth in 2025, including 26 hospitalizations over two days, 12 ICU admissions and 10 deaths, with head injuries accounting for 47% of reported severe cases.

Doug Ford says he did not approve $3,000 PC expense to follow Bonnie Crombie to Jamaica in 2023. At a Guelph news conference Ford said he learned about the $3,000 party expense “yesterday,” told reporters he doesn’t approve of it and suggested party staff handle such spending during campaigns; opposition leaders have reacted and Global News has not independently verified the original allegations.
Ontario releases a “data centre playbook” as municipalities consider moratoriums on development. The provincial playbook outlines requirements for data companies while Premier Ford told a Guelph news conference Ontarians are “misinformed” about data centres amid local pauses over environmental, zoning and noise concerns and debate over digital-sovereignty arguments.

Toronto Raptors open 2026-27 season at home Oct. 21 vs. Chicago at Scotiabank Arena. The NBA announced the Raptors’ schedule, noting the team’s first road game Oct. 23 in Washington, a busy January with 17 games, 15 announced back-to-backs this season and 80 of 82 games released with two to be scheduled after the in-season Cup tournament.
Some Ontario wineries say they’d reintroduce U.S. wines to ease tariff tensions before Aug. 19 deadline. Wineries and Wine America’s Michael Kaiser told Global News they’d welcome U.S. wines back if it helps resolve tariffs; Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said she’d be open to returning U.S. wines if gains on forestry, aluminum and manufacturing tariffs are made ahead of the Aug. 19 deadline.

Defence minister orders review of military language directive.
Ontario unveils new data centre framework amid local moratorium calls.
Ontario to change social-assistance rules tied to immigration status.
Ford says he was unaware and did not approve PCs following former Liberal leader to Jamaica in 2023.
Review: Canadian Museum of History’s AI chatbot MUSEO tested.
Police search Ottawa and Gatineau homes in explosives investigation.
Mayoral candidate accused of unregistered lobbying faces scrutiny.
Ottawa–Gatineau hit by strong thunderstorms again.
NCC hosting public archaeological digs at Leamy Lake Park.
OC Transpo chief faces questions amid ongoing consultation sessions.
Former ministers urge Quebec to restore protected school book budgets.
Canada Day flood victims say each rainstorm revives fears.