Ontario News

Highlights from the news file for Wednesday, March 8 ——— BORDER-CROSSERS FACE BLIZZARD IN MANITOBA: Nineteen asylum-seekers braved a fierce overnight blizzard to cross into Canada near the Manitoba border community of Emerson, the area's reeve said W

TORONTO — Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Canada's five biggest banks are set to announce Thursday a new fund aimed at helping small- and medium-sized businesses access cash to help them grow, according to sources familiar with the matter.

REGINA — Chants of "no ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts" rang out on the front steps of the Saskatchewan legislature Wednesday as several hundred people rallied against the government.

Conservative leadership hopeful Kevin O'Leary says the prime minister has ended up with a mediocre cabinet because he was more concerned about diversity than competence.

EDMONTON — An Edmonton mother has been charged after her seven-month-old infant was left in a parked vehicle while the temperature outside was -28 C.

TORONTO — Prepare to see Mounties, beavers, buffalo-plaid shirts and plenty of Canadiana as the National Ballet of Canada puts a homegrown spin on its debut production of "Pinocchio.

ST-JEROME, Que. — Another alleged victim of Bertrand Charest testified at his sex-assault trial Wednesday and said the former ski coach put his hands down her pants when she was about 16.

LOS ANGELES — A spokeswoman for Peter Nygard says the Canadian clothing manufacturer plans to appeal a ruling in the Bahamas that found he violated a 2013 court order to stop dredging near his beachfront home.

TORONTO — The loonie fell to its lowest level of the year, oil prices plunged more than five per cent and Canada's main stock index shed more than 100 points Wednesday in what shaped up to be a disappointing day on the markets.

EMERSON, Man. — Nineteen asylum-seekers braved a fierce blizzard and whiteout conditions on the open prairie to cross into Canada near the Manitoba border community of Emerson, the area's reeve said Wednesday. "It was not pretty out here.