Ontario News

MONTREAL — The Quebec government is hoping to offer free abortion pills later this year. "We believe women in this province do have a choice," Health Minister Gaetan Barrette said Thursday.

OTTAWA — The national unemployment rate was 6.5 per cent in June. Statistics Canada also released seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average unemployment rates for major cities.

OTTAWA — A quick look at June employment (previous month in brackets): Unemployment rate: 6.5 per cent (6.6) Employment rate: 61.6 per cent (61.5) Labour force participation rate: 65.9 per cent (65.

OTTAWA — British Columbia MP Peter Julian pulled the plug Thursday on his bid to lead the federal New Democrats, saying he'd failed to raise the kind of money necessary to stay in the marathon race to succeed Tom Mulcair.

TORONTO — Home Capital Group (TSX:HCG) says it has created a new executive role focused on strategic opportunities, as it strives to reverse its fortunes.

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is shifting from recycling tires to burning them, prompting anger from environmental groups and a company that has invested $5 million to find fresh uses for the scrap rubber.

WINNIPEG — For the first time, on-site first aid crews at the Winnipeg Folk Festival will be carrying naloxone kits to help them deal with opioid overdose.

CALGARY — If it can be deep fried, there's a good chance the Calgary Stampede midway has it. The new offerings on this year's menu include Jell-O cubes, lemonade and chicken feet — all battered and dunked into hot oil until crispy.

An eastern Ontario city is trying to reclaim a neighbourhood it says has been taken over by hordes of feral cats that disturb residents and leave the area covered in animal waste. Those who live on Bergin Avenue in Cornwall, Ont.

ABERFOYLE, Ont. — Provincial police say one person is injured and several mobile homes damaged after an early morning fire at a trailer park southeast of Guelph, Ont. They say the blaze at the trailer park near Aberfoyle, Ont.