Lakeshore Launches Free Junior Park Ranger Program Summer 2026

The Municipality of Lakeshore is launching a new Junior Park Ranger program, a free summer offering that gives kids and youth the chance to explore local parks through games, guided discovery, and outdoor learning ahead of the Lakeshore Parks Concert Series running throughout July and August.

Drop-in sessions are open for kids ages 5 to 14 and will run from 6 to 7 PM on the following dates:

• July 17 at Leffler Park (405 Old Tecumseh Road, Lakeshore)
• August 7 at Lakeview Park (535 Lakeview Dr, Belle River)
• August 14 at Millen Park (1925 S Middle Rd, Woodslee)
• August 21 at Lakeview Park (535 Lakeview Dr, Belle River)
• August 28 at Stoney Point Community Park (800 Comber Sideroad, Stoney Point)

Each session will include games, a guided park tour, and a Junior Park Ranger Challenge that helps participants learn about nature, park safety, and how to protect and respect our parks.

“We are proud to introduce the free Junior Park Ranger program as a new way for local kids to connect with Lakeshore’s incredible parks and public spaces,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey. “It is an opportunity for participants to explore, learn, and build confidence while developing a deeper appreciation for how important parks are to our residents and communities.”

Through the program, Junior Park Rangers will put Lakeshore’s Respect and Protect Parks message into action, learning firsthand how small habits like disposing of waste properly and following park rules help keep these shared spaces clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

“This program will help teach our youngest residents how important it is to respect and protect our parks,” added Mayor Bailey. “When young people understand why these spaces matter, and the time and resources needed to keep them safe, we hope they will carry that awareness with them and help us build a community that looks after its parks for generations to come.”

While the free program is drop-in, space is limited. Participants are encouraged to pre-register through ActiveNet. Families can learn more and pre-register online.

Each Junior Park Ranger session is also followed by a free Lakeshore Parks Concert at the same location, so families can stay for live music after the program wraps up. Check out the full line-up.

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Ontario Investing $2.2 Million to Expand Access to Apprenticeship Training in Windsor

Provincial funding will support three organizations to modernize training facilities and prepare more women and youth for in-demand careers in the skilled trades

The Ontario government is investing more than $2.2 million to expand apprenticeship pathways and modernize skilled trades training in Windsor. Through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program and the Apprenticeship Capital Grant, the province is supporting three organizations that will help 80 people prepare for in-demand careers in the skilled trades and ensure students train with the modern equipment and technology used on today’s jobsites. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is helping more workers gain the skills needed to land rewarding careers in the skilled trades and ensure Ontario has the workforce it needs to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.

“Ontario’s future depends on having the skilled workers needed to build it,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is taking action by expanding opportunities for people in Windsor to start rewarding careers in the skilled trades. By investing in hands-on apprenticeship training, modern equipment and pathways into in-demand careers, we are helping more people, including women, youth and other underrepresented groups, develop the skills employers need while strengthening Ontario’s workforce for the future.”

The three organizations funded today include:

• Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor is receiving more than $1.56 million through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 60 women for careers in the industrial electrician, electrician construction and maintenance, refrigeration and air conditioning, sheet metal and cement finishing trades, helping expand opportunities for women in high-demand construction careers.
• St. Clair College is receiving more than $641,000 to expand skilled trades training, including $291,065 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 20 participants, primarily youth and other underrepresented groups, for careers in tool and die making, as well as $350,000 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to upgrade Computer Numerical Control machining equipment and controls with modern, industry-standard technology.
• The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers is receiving $53,720 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to purchase robotic surveying and monitoring technology, giving apprentices hands-on experience with advanced technology used across Ontario’s construction industry.

Together, these investments will expand access to apprenticeship training while ensuring training providers have the facilities and equipment needed to prepare apprentices for careers in high-demand sectors including construction, manufacturing and industrial trades.

Modernizing facilities and expanding access to the skilled trades is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet growing demand and keep Ontario resilient into the future. Through its $236 billion plan to build, the government is delivering critical infrastructure projects that communities rely on while connecting more people to stable, good-paying careers.

Quick Facts

• Over the next decade, Ontario is expected to need over 400,000 workers to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations, across all sectors, due to retirements and job growth.
• The present Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Pre-Apprenticeship program funding is at record levels since the programs began.
• By 2034, about 1 in 6 job openings in Ontario are expected to be in a skilled trades-related occupation.
• In the construction sector alone, Ontario is expected to need nearly 75,000 workers to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations due to retirements and job growth.
• Through Budget 2025, the Ontario government invested $75 million to train up to 7,800 additional students at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes across the province for in-demand jobs in construction and urban planning.
• Recently, the Ontario government announced $1.7 billion to fund 70,000 more seats for in-demand programs at publicly assisted colleges and universities, including skilled trades. This is part of the government’s new long-term funding model, which will bring $6.4 billion to our colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
• The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program and Apprenticeship Capital Grants are supported by labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

“St. Clair College thanks the Ontario government for this significant investment in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training. By supporting modern equipment upgrades and expanding training opportunities for youth and other underrepresented groups, this funding strengthens our local workforce and helps meet the growing needs of the automotive, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. At St. Clair College, Start Here, Go Anywhere is more than a slogan — it reflects our commitment to providing hands-on learning that prepares students for meaningful careers and supports the continued growth of our community.” – Michael Silvaggi, President, St. Clair College

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Ontario Helping More Students Learn About Rewarding Careers in the Skilled Trades

Level Up! Career fairs will help over 50,000 students and jobseekers learn about good-paying, in-demand jobs

The Ontario government is launching its annual Level Up! career fairs to introduce a record number of students, educators and jobseekers to in-demand careers in the skilled trades. Through multi-day events, open house sessions and over 200 interactive exhibitors, the 2025 fairs will inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.

Building on last year’s success, the fairs have expanded from 21 to 29 days in 12 communities, with over 50,000 people expected to attend as the government works to protect and grow a strong, resilient workforce in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.

“Ontario’s greatest strength is our skilled, world-class workforce,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government is investing in training and career opportunities like the Level Up! career fairs that are helping thousands of young people discover good-paying careers in the trades.”

The Level Up! career fairs will showcase dozens of Ontario’s 144 skilled trades – from electricians and boilermakers to heavy equipment operators and automotive service technicians. Students in grades 7 to 12, their parents and jobseekers will be able to explore these careers through dynamic exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and direct conversations with tradespeople and employers.

Career fairs are taking place across 12 communities for a total of 29 days between September 17 and December 12, 2025:

• Grafton: September 17–18
• Barrie: October 1–2
• Sudbury: October 8–9
• Timmins: October 15–16
• Thunder Bay: October 22–23
• Windsor: October 29–30
• Hamilton: November 5–6
• London: November 11–13
• Oshawa: November 18–20
• Mississauga: November 25–28
• Kingston: December 2–3
• Ottawa: December 10–12

Grade 7 to 12 students interested in attending the career fairs are encouraged to contact their school board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter, a teacher or school guidance counsellor to register.

“Level Up! career fairs give students an exciting chance to step into the skilled trades, try them first-hand and connect directly with employers,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “These events help students see a clear pathway from the classroom to rewarding careers in the skilled trades that will set them up for success tomorrow. By investing in students today, we are helping them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed and contribute to Ontario’s future.”

With roughly one in three tradespeople nearing retirement and a growing demand for nation-building projects, these career fairs will help raise awareness and spark interest in good-paying, in-demand careers. The government’s record investments in skilled trades training are helping more youth access the trades with 16,412 youth aged 15 to 24 registered for apprenticeships this year, the highest in the last 10 years.

These fairs build on broader efforts to strengthen Ontario’s workforce, including targeted investments in training and employment pathways. Since 2021, the Ontario government has invested $1.5 billion through the Skills Development Fund to help train more than one million workers for in-demand jobs. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government is investing nearly $1 billion more through the Skills Development Fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion, to support key industrial sectors and expand access to good-paying careers.

Quick Facts

• The Level Up! skilled trades career fairs are open to all students, parents and job seekers. Last year, nearly 45,000 students, parents, friends, and teachers visited the fairs.
• Organizations can support the Level Up! career fairs as potential exhibitors or sponsors. Interested organizations can email Levelup@ontario.ca for more details or visit levelupontario.ca.
• One in five new job openings in Ontario will be in the skilled trades-related occupations by 2028.

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Ontario Building New Addition to School in Windsor

As part of its plan to protect Ontario and prepare students for success in our workforce, the Ontario government has provided the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board with approval to issue the tender for the new addition at St. Joseph Catholic High School to create more student spaces.

“The funding for a new addition at St. Joseph Catholic High School in Windsor is great news for our community. Through this investment, we’re creating opportunities for students to thrive today and well into the future.” – Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh

St. Joseph Catholic High School is located at 2425 Clover Avenue in Windsor.

This project is supported by a total investment of $4.1 million, which includes additional funding of $452,083. When complete, the project will deliver 184 new secondary student spaces for local families.

“Our government is focused on supporting students, teachers and parents while ensuring school boards are equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Once completed, this project will offer an inspiring learning environment that helps students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Our government will continue to provide the resources students need for ultimate achievement.”

Through local infrastructure projects like this one in Windsor, the government says it is meeting urgent needs to address growth related to demographic changes. The investment is part of Ontario’s commitment to invest about $23 billion to support school construction, renewal and improvement over 10 years.

“With nearly $200 billion invested into building, our government’s historic infrastructure plan is getting shovels in the ground to build better schools, transit and communities that Ontarians deserve today and for future generations,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure.

“With a very healthy enrolment of more than 1,300 students at St. Joseph’s, we’re certainly very grateful for the additional funding from the Ministry of Education that’s required to build an eight-room addition there,” said WECDSB Director of Education Emelda Byrne. “We’re looking forward to getting the project started and are confident it will be a top-quality learning space that will exceed the expectations of our students and our staff.”

Quick Facts

• In May 2025, Ontario introduced the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, to strengthen the government’s oversight of school board finances, governance and program performance, to ensure that every dollar invested is preparing students for success.
• Since 2018, Ontario has provided nearly $5 billion for major capital projects, including 169 new schools, 124 permanent additions or renovations to existing school buildings and over 9,600 new licensed childcare spaces in schools.
• For the 2025-26 school year, the province is providing $1.4 billion to school boards for school renewal projects.
• The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 includes measures to help maximize capital assets of boards to support building modern schools faster, and better use current school space.

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Antonino’s Pays for A’s is Back!

School’s out for summer and Antonino’s Pays for A’s is back! One day only—Tuesday, July
22nd—any grade school or high school student that brings in a current, June/July 2025 report card
showing at least one “A” grade or equivalent (80% or higher), an “E” in one of the 6 criteria
under the “Learning Skills and Work Habits” section, or is on an Alternative Learning Plan,
receives one FREE big slice of pizza.

Antonino’s Original Pizza Inc. President, Joe Ciaravino sums up his reasons for this promotion:
“My parents grew up poor in Sicily. They didn’t get the opportunity to go to school much past
the early primary grades. Instead, from childhood, they had to work on the farm, tend to the
household, and in my dad’s case, even risk life and limb doing back-breaking work in the marble
quarries of Sicily. It was their greatest regret not to be able to pursue higher education. It is this
regret that led them to push me to do well in school and go to university.”

Today, Joe honours his parents’ legacy by rewarding academic achievement. Through the Pays
for A’s promotion all 5 Antonino’s locations—South Windsor, LaSalle, Riverside, Tecumseh
and Leamington—give away approximately 1,000 free big slices per year.

The promotion is valid at all five Antonino’s locations, on Tuesday, July 22nd only, and is limited
to one free slice per student. Students may choose from one of our four big slice options.

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