News
The Planning and Development Committee meeting was postponed from January 21st and 28th because of weather, but should happen tonight at 6:00 in Shire Hall.
For travellers and commuters: Metrolinx is warning of ongoing delays this afternoon and evening after a GO train derailment near Toronto’s Union Station threw the morning commute into chaos and disrupted service across the entire network. A slow-moving train leaving Union Station came off the tracks and made contact with a track switch, causing signal problems, and reducing the movement of other trains. Commuters should leave earlier if possible and allow for extra time to get to their destinations. The derailment also caused a temporary suspension of the UP Express train service between Union Station and Pearson International Airport earlier today. UP Express trains are now moving but there may be a longer-than-usual wait. GO Transit is asking people to use the TTC as an alternative, if possible, until the issue is resolved.
In climate news: young activists behind a legal challenge of Ontario’s climate plan are set to ask the province’s highest court to revive their case and ensure a final decision is made on whether the province’s plan violates the Charter. Premier Doug Ford’s government put the case in limbo late last year when it gutted its own climate legislation days before it was to answer for its weakened emissions target in court. The government’s move to repeal the law was seen by some legal experts as the Ontario government’s attempt to dodge accountability. The premier’s office cited U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty when the government repealed in November the legal requirement to set an emissions-reduction target and routinely update its climate plan. The plan was included at the end of the government’s fall economic statement and hurried through the legislature days before the scheduled hearing.
And finally, in personal finance news: according to a new survey from TD Bank, two-thirds of Canadians plan to cut back their spending this year, up sharply from just half of Canadians in 2025. Nearly six in 10 respondents said they expect to reduce their monthly budgets by as much as $1,000, reflecting ongoing pressure from high living costs and lingering economic uncertainty. The pullback is especially pronounced among younger Canadians. This gap underscores how affordability pressures continue to fall hardest on younger households. When it comes to trimming budgets, discretionary spending is first on the chopping block. The most common changes Canadians say they plan to make include spending less on entertainment, retail purchases, and subscriptions. We also plan to do more comparison shopping, and switching from name-brand to store-brand products. While many look to tighten their 2026 budgets, Canadians also say they are becoming more intentional about where they spend. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said their desire to buy Canadian is stronger than last year, suggesting cost-conscious consumers are still weighing values alongside price.
Sports
In the AHL tonight, the Belleville Senators visit the Rochester Americans. The Sens are only two points behind the fifth-place Americans, but they’ve played four more games.
Three Canadian teams were in action last night in the NHL. The Leafs defeated the Oilers 5 – 2 in Edmonton for their third straight win. And the Ottawa Senators lost 4 – 3 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Five Canadian teams play tonight. The Montreal Canadiens face the Jets in Winnipeg. In Pacific Division action, the Oilers visit the Calgary Flames, and the Vancouver Canucks are in Las Vegas. The Habs and the Oilers are still the only Canadian teams in a playoff position, and the Canucks continue in the league basement.
In the NBA tonight, the Toronto Raptors host the Minnesota Timberwolves, looking to win their second of five games at home.
Sixth-seeded Leylah Fernandez was eliminated in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open tennis tournament yesterday.
And in English football yesterday, Arsenal earned a trip to Wembley Stadium for the English League Cup final, with a 1-0 win over visiting Chelsea in the second leg of the semi-final, sealing a 4-2 victory on aggregate. The other semi-final, second leg is played today. Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 2 – 0 in the first leg.
