Richard Southern

Toronto

Queens Park Reporter at CityNews Toronto

Award-winning Journalist. Queen’s Park reporter for 680 NewsRadio. Tips confidential at [email protected] and in open DM's.

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Articles

Ontario Health atHome CEO fired due to issues with medical supplies shortages

Jan 22, 2025 | toronto.citynews.ca | Richard Southern |John Marchesan

The head of the provincial agency responsible for home-care medical supplies has been fired. Sources confirm to 680 NewsRadio that Ontario Health atHome CEO Cynthia Martineau has been let go after months of issues with the provincial agency which was under scrutiny for struggling to provide medical supplies to those who receive care at home. Ontario Health atHome coordinates in-home and community-based care for thousands of patients across the province every day.
Ford doubles down on plans to buy back Hwy. 407

Jan 10, 2025 | toronto.citynews.ca | Denio Lourenco |Richard Southern

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is sounding more confident about two major transportation proposals that could relieve congestion at a hefty cost to taxpayers. On Friday, the premier signaled that he wants to go forward with a proposed plan to build a tunnel under Highway 401. "We plan on building that infrastructure," Ford told reporters. "These aren't two-year projects, they're 10 to 15-year projects ...
Crombie to pledge support for police funding in Thursday speech

Nov 21, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Richard Southern

680 NewsRadio has learned that Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie will pledge to fund the police in a speech on Thursday to the Police Association of Ontario (PAO). Crombie also takes aim at Premier Doug Ford's record on violent crime in the address, which appears to try to frame her as a law and order candidate. "I am going to fund the police. We need to fund our police," Crombie's speech is expected to read.
New Ford ad signals potential hot-button issues in next election

Nov 15, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Richard Southern |John Marchesan

The latest Progressive Conservative party ad featuring Premier Doug Ford could signal what hot-button issues the party plans to run on in the next provincial election. The new ad shows the premier driving around in his car and meeting with people while promoting the fact he gives his phone number out to "absolutely everyone." He then goes on to touch on some recent policy announcements such as congestion. "They tell me, Doug, I'm sick of being stuck in traffic. It never ends.
Expert pegs ballpark cost of Ford's Highway 401 tunnel proposal

Sep 27, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Lucas Casaletto |Richard Southern

Premier Doug Ford's proposal to construct a tunnel below Highway 401 could cost taxpayers $55 billion, according to Dr. Shoshanna Saxe, an Associate Professor in the University of Toronto's Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering.
MPP Michael Ford taking leave of absence from cabinet

Sep 20, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Meredith Bond |Richard Southern

Michael Ford, Ontario's Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, will be taking a leave of absence from cabinet responsibilities, effective immediately. Ford, who is also Premier Doug Ford's nephew, said in a statement the decision was made after much thought. "While it weighs very heavily on me, it is necessary for me to prioritize my health and well-being over the next couple of months."He added the Premier has been informed and has offered his support.
Ontario's FAO to investigate Ford government's alcohol expansion

Sep 16, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Richard Southern |John Marchesan

The Ford government's decision to expand alcohol sales to convenience stores and gas stations at a cost to taxpayers is now under the official microscope, 680News Radio has learned. The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO), the province's independent financial watchdog, is conducting a value-for-money audit of the expedited expansion to assess the potential financial costs.
Ontario transportation minister brushes aside report Hwy. 413 won't help ease GTA gridlock

Aug 23, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Richard Southern |John Marchesan

The Ford government is brushing aside figures from an internal document showing the building of Highway 413 will do little to help ease gridlock in the GTA. Construction of the 52-kilometre highway, which would connect Highway 400 and include extensions to Highways 410 and 427, is scheduled to begin in 2025 at a cost of $10 billion.
RCMP interviewing current and former Ford staffers as part of Greenbelt investigation

Aug 9, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Richard Southern |John Marchesan

The RCMP have been interviewing witnesses as part of its probe into the Ford government's decision to open up protected Greenbelt lands for development. In a brief statement to CityNews on Friday, the premier's office said current and former staff were being interviewed by the police agency but provided no other specifics as to who may have spoken with authorities. "We've always said we would cooperate.
Most Ontario 7-Eleven's to offer booze for takeout and in-store drinking

Aug 8, 2024 | toronto.citynews.ca | Richard Southern |John Marchesan

Not only are almost all Ontario 7-Eleven stores going to sell beer wine and coolers starting September 5th, when the Ford government allows convenience stores to start offering alcohol, but most locations will soon allow consumers to drink the booze inside its stores.