Ontario Rewards Chatham-Kent With $440,000 Through the Building Faster Fund

The Ontario government is rewarding the Municipality of Chatham-Kent with $440,000 through the third round of the Building Faster Fund, which provides funding to municipalities that achieve at least 80 per cent of their provincially designated housing targets. In 2025, Chatham-Kent broke ground on 577 new homes, achieving 525 per cent of its annual target. The funding will help the Municipality of Chatham-Kent build more homes and community infrastructure while advancing the province’s plan to protect Ontario by investing in projects that support economic growth and keep workers on the job.

“Chatham-Kent’s strong results show what’s possible when municipalities remove barriers and move projects forward,” said Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is recognizing that leadership by reinvesting in the infrastructure needed to sustain this momentum and support long-term growth. By exceeding its housing target, the community is helping create more opportunities for families and workers to find a place to call home.”

Announced in August 2023, the Building Faster Fund is a three-year, up to $1.2 billion program that helps municipalities build more homes faster. The fund rewards municipalities that make significant progress toward their housing targets by providing funding for the infrastructure needed to support new housing and growing communities.

“Chatham-Kent is a community that is trending upwards, and this investment is another example of the opportunities that come with growth,” said Darrin Canniff, Mayor of Chatham-Kent. “When more people choose to live, work, and invest here, it strengthens our communities, supports local businesses, creates jobs, and helps us build a more vibrant future. We are committed to ensuring Chatham-Kent has the housing, infrastructure, and services needed to support continued sustainable growth, and we appreciate the Ontario government’s partnership in helping us make that happen.”

The Ontario government is also helping to speed up the construction of new homes and infrastructure by streamlining development processes and reducing unnecessary costs, most recently through the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, and the HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026.

“Chatham-Kent continues to take meaningful steps to support housing growth and meet the needs of our growing community. This $440,000 investment through the Building Faster Fund recognizes the municipality’s efforts to increase housing opportunities for residents while planning for the infrastructure and services that support sustainable growth. By rewarding communities that are helping to get more homes built, this funding will help ensure Chatham-Kent remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and invest for years to come.” – Trevor Jones, Member of Provincial Parliament for Chatham-Kent

As part of the up to $8.8 billion Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, Ontario has introduced the Development Charge Reduction Program, which will provide funding for housing-enabling infrastructure projects over 10 years. Funding will be prioritized for municipalities that reduce and maintain reductions on development charges. The agreement also supports the removal of the HST on new homes from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, which will save homebuyers up to $130,000 off the cost of a new home. Collectively, these measures help to enhance affordability, support builders as they get shovels in the ground on new homes and keep workers on the job.

Quick Facts

• From January to May 2026, Ontario saw 26,084 total housing starts, an increase of 17.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.
• From January to May 2026, Ontario saw 13,599 rental starts, an increase of 94.9 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. This is a record for rental starts for this time of the year.
• To help make way for more housing opportunities and support growing communities, the government is also giving municipalities more time to spend funds rewarded through the Building Faster Fund, extending the deadline to 2028.

The post Building Faster Fund Nets Chatham-Kent $440K appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Ontario Celebrates National Indigenous History Month

Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, released the following statement in recognition of National Indigenous History Month:

“June marks National Indigenous History Month — a time to honour and celebrate the rich cultures, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Ontario and Turtle Island. We also mark the longest day of the year, known as the Summer Solstice, taking place concurrently with National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.

This month, I encourage all who call Ontario home to take the time to learn the contributions, stories and traditions of Indigenous peoples that have shaped these territories since time immemorial.

Through continued partnership with Indigenous communities, our government remains committed to advancing reconciliation in practical and lasting ways that support strong communities and shared prosperity.”

The post Ontario Celebrates National Indigenous History Month appeared first on Biz X magazine.

First Community Garage Sale Draws Community Support Despite Rainy Weather

The Salvation Army Windsor Centre of Hope successfully recently hosted its first-ever Community Garage Sale, welcoming community members for a morning of treasure hunting, conversations, and connection despite rainy weather and several event adjustments throughout the week.

Originally planned as an outdoor parking lot event, the Community Garage Sale was first postponed due to weather concerns and later moved indoors to ensure the event could continue comfortably for everyone involved.

The free community event featured garage sale tables, a community scavenger hunt for children and families, a Tim Hortons-supported coffee stand, and a variety of second-hand treasures and handmade items throughout the Centre.

• “We were incredibly grateful to see the support, flexibility, and encouragement from the community throughout the entire process. Even with the rain and last-minute changes, people still came through the doors, volunteers stepped forward to help, and the event created many meaningful moments and conversations throughout the morning. It was encouraging to see so many people simply enjoying time together and connecting with one another.” – Jason Linton, Executive Director of The Salvation Army Windsor Centre of Hope

Volunteers played a significant role throughout the event, assisting with unloading, moving items indoors during the rain, set-up support, visitor guidance, and event coordination. Throughout the morning, many participants shared positive feedback and expressed interest in future community events.

Families and visitors also participated in the scavenger hunt activity, creating an engaging experience for children while encouraging visitors to explore the entire event space.

A special thank you is extended to Tim Hortons for supporting the event coffee stand with coffee, hot chocolate, and Timbits, helping create a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the rainy morning.

The Salvation Army Windsor Centre of Hope hopes to continue creating accessible community events that encourage local engagement, participation, and opportunities for connection across Windsor-Essex.

The post Salvation Army Windsor Garage Sale Draws Support appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Zehrs and Transit Windsor Partner Once Again for 2026 Stuff-A-Bus Campaign

Zehrs and Transit Windsor are once again teaming up to support the community through the annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign, returning this spring to collect food, clothing, and monetary donations for the UHC – Hub of Opportunities.

Now in its third year, Stuff-A-Bus invites Windsor–Essex residents to give back at a series of collection events hosted at local Zehrs locations. Donations collected through the campaign will directly support individuals and families who rely on the UHC – Hub of Opportunities for food assistance and other essential services.

“The annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign continues to have a positive impact in the community, highlighting the strength of partnerships and the spirit of generosity that exists within Windsor‑Essex. By working together, Zehrs, Transit Windsor, the City of Windsor, and the UHC – Hub of Opportunities are making it easier for residents to give back and support those experiencing food insecurity. The City is pleased to support initiatives like this that connect vulnerable people with the help they need.” – Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

Each Stuff-A-Bus event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a Transit Windsor bus on site to accept donations at the following locations:

• Saturday, May 9, 2026, Zehrs® Parkway, 7201 Tecumseh Road East
• Saturday, May 16, 2026, Zehrs® Malden, 5890 Malden Road
• Saturday, May 23, 2026, Zehrs® St. Clair Beach, 400 Manning Road
• Saturday, June 6, 2026, Zehrs® Parkway, 7201 Tecumseh Road East
• Saturday, June 13, 2026, Zehrs® St. Clair Beach, 400 Manning Road
• Saturday, June 27, 2026, Zehrs® Malden, 5890 Malden Road

Last year, the campaign collected 2,860 pounds (1,297 kilograms) of food and $1,675 in monetary donations. This ongoing community effort brings together residents, local businesses, and frontline organizations to support those experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship throughout the region.

The campaign also helps build momentum in the weeks leading up to Windsor’s annual Ford Fireworks celebration, where Zehrs continues its long‑standing support by sponsoring free Transit Windsor service on fireworks night, helping residents travel safely and conveniently to and from the downtown event.

More information about the campaign and upcoming events will be shared through the City of Windsor and Transit Windsor websites and social media channels.

The post Zehrs and Transit Windsor Partner for 2026 Stuff-A-Bus Campaign appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Ontario Lowering Eligibility Age for Life-Saving Colon Cancer Screening

The Ontario government is lowering the eligibility age to allow people to access publicly funded colorectal cancer screening to help more people receive life-saving screening services sooner. Starting July 1, the eligibility age will be lowered from 50 to 45 for all individuals and to 40 for those at increased risk. This historic expansion will give more than one million additional people the option to connect to life-saving screening services to detect and treat colorectal cancer sooner.

“Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Canada, with rates rising among younger people,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “That’s why we are taking this critical step to connect more than one million younger Ontarians to detection and treatment as early as possible, so that they can get the care they need, when and where they need it.”

Research has shown that lowering the screening age is critical to detecting colorectal cancer earlier, when it is at its most treatable. Under the current model, patients under 50 need to get a referral following an examination or the signs of symptoms, to access a screening. By lowering the age of eligibility, more than one million Ontarians will now be able to easily access life-saving screening by calling their health care provider or Health811, who will provide them directly with a test without the need of a referral. Ontarians under 40 who, following an examination, receive a referral from a doctor will also continue to access publicly funded screening through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Beginning July 1, eligible people across Ontario ages 45-49 will start to receive letters from the ColonCancerCheck program to help them connect to an initial colorectal cancer screening test. Eligible individuals without a primary care provider can also access the test by calling Health811 at 866-797-0007. In the case of abnormal test results, the patient’s doctor, nurse practitioner or Ontario Health will contact them to provide support and schedule a follow-up colonoscopy.

People at increased risk, meaning they have one first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with colorectal cancer diagnosed before age 60 or more than one relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer at any age, will be eligible for a publicly funded screening at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the youngest age a relative was diagnosed.

This expanded eligibility builds on the province’s previous actions to lower the age of self-referral to mammograms to 40, connecting an additional one million women to important screening services to detect and treat breast cancer sooner. Since coming into effect in Fall 2024, more than 280,000 women have been screened through self-referral.

As part of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government continues to expand access to critical services and innovative treatments ensuring more people receive the right care, including faster access to life-saving cancer therapies, where and when they need it, closer to home.

Quick Facts

• ColonCancerCheck currently performs over 780,000 FITs each year.
• Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer diagnosed in Ontario. It is also the second most common cause of cancer death among Ontario men and the third most common cause of cancer death for women. When colon cancer is found early, 9 out of every 10 people with the disease can be cured.
• Ontario is fast-tracking access to eight new breakthrough cancer drugs, including one that treats colorectal cancer, through the Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments program.

The post Ontario Lowering Eligibility Age for Colon Cancer Screening appeared first on Biz X magazine.