New Simcoe County warden named
There's a new warden in Simcoe County.
On Tuesday, 32 mayors and deputy mayors from across Simcoe County converged in Midhurst to vote on who would lead council for the next two years.
The nominees were Ramara Township Mayor Basil Clarke and Bradford West-Gwillimbury Mayor James Leduc.
After the votes were tallied, Clarke was named the newest Warden, adding his name to a long list spanning 175 years.
"There are so many good people here counting on me, and I'm looking forward to the years. As I said before, I'm really hoping I don't let them down," said Clarke.
Clarke takes over the role from outgoing warden George Cornell.
Clarke, a 20+ year political veteran, began his career in 2000 as a Ramara Township councillor before being named deputy mayor in 2006 and mayor in 2014.
He said he plans to hit the ground running, with hopes of finding a compromise with the Ontario government on the controversial Bill 23.
"That is the important issue that is in front of us right now that we can find a way to move forward with Bill 23 that benefits both us at the municipal level as well hits the goals that province is trying to reach," said Clarke.
The province passed Bill 23, which overrides some municipal zoning laws and eliminates some development fees, to follow through on its goal of building 1.5 million homes.
Several county council members said they're looking forward to working with Clarke on key issues, like building more housing.
"We have several issues but, of course, some assistance with our development and more affordable housing that we need," said Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith.
Clarke will lead council with Springwater Mayor Jennifer Coughlin, who was elected as Deputy Warden. Coughlin was elected mayor in the fall after starting her political career as a town councillor and deputy mayor in 2014.
"Getting to know everyone and getting to learn how everyone works together is my strength. I think so is bringing people together," said Coughlin.
Clarke and Coughlin will lead county council until their term ends at the end of 2024.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. soldier shot self in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump's Las Vegas hotel, officials say
The highly decorated U.S. Army soldier inside the Tesla Cybertruck that burst into flames outside U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel shot himself in the head before the explosion, officials said Thursday.
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
Toys "R" Us Canada closing 5 stores, expand HMV and add play spaces to some shops
Toys "R" Us Canada says it is closing five Ontario stores and revamping several others as it works to "optimize" its business.
FORECAST
FORECAST Weather warnings issued in 7 provinces and territories
Wintry weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind chill values around -55, prompted warnings in seven provinces and territories Thursday.
5 things we know and still don't know about COVID, 5 years after it appeared
The virus is still with us, though humanity has built up immunity through vaccinations and infections. It's less deadly than it was in the pandemic's early days and it no longer tops the list of leading causes of death. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
Who are Canada's top-earning CEOs and how much do they make?
Canada's 100 highest-paid CEOs earned $13.2 million on average in 2023 from salaries, bonuses and other compensation, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Bruce Springsteen says Jeremy Allen White 'sings very well' in upcoming biopic 'Deliver Me from Nowhere'
Bruce Springsteen is singing Jeremy Allen White’s praises for his performance as The Boss himself in the upcoming biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere.”
Father stabbed while daughter was in the back seat, teen arrested: Niagara police
A man is in critical condition after the 17-year-old driver of the car he was in stabbed him following an argument on New Year's Eve.
Kitchener
-
Perth County resident loses $320K in computer scam involving gold bars
A Perth County resident has lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam after receiving a notification there was a security breach of their personal information.
-
UPDATE
UPDATE Snow events declared in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge
Winter is making its return to southwestern Ontario with heavy snow and squall watches for parts of Waterloo Region, Stratford, Wellington County and Brant County.
-
Kitchener, Ont. artist designs new Raptors logo for Indigenous Heritage Game
The Toronto Raptors have unveiled a reimaged Indigenous-inspired logo, created by Kitchener, Ont. visual artist Luke Swinson.
London
-
London president named to the Order of Ontario 2025
A local president and CEO has been named to the Order of Ontario for 2025.
-
Snow squall warning in effect for parts of Midwestern Ontario
Parts of Midwestern Ontario are under a snow squall warning, according to Environment Canada. Other areas are under a weather advisory.
-
Toys "R" Us Canada closing 5 stores, expand HMV and add play spaces to some shops
Toys "R" Us Canada says it is closing five Ontario stores and revamping several others as it works to "optimize" its business.
Windsor
-
Vehicle crashes into Running Factory window during theft on Walker Road
Windsor police are investigating after a break-in and theft at a business on Walker Road.
-
'Suspicious' person charged with voyeurism in Leamington
Essex County OPP have charged a man following a suspicious person investigation in Leamington.
-
Man accused of taking upskirt photos of women on New Year’s at downtown business
Windsor police have arrested a Sarnia man for taking upskirt photos of a woman at a local business.
Northern Ontario
-
Body of one drowning victim recovered in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police's underwater search and recovery unit has found the remains of one of two victims of Sunday's drowning in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
-
Charges after transport driver in northern Ont. fixed window with duct tape
A transport truck driver has been charged after a motorist alerted police about a commercial motor vehicle that had duct tape covering the driver's side window.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Anonymous tip results in charges and seizure of alcohol, lacquer in northwestern Ont.
Provincial police in northwestern Ontario have seized a significant amount of lacquer and alcohol from a vehicle travelling on Highway 596 following a traffic stop.
-
Sault motorist stopped at green light charged with impaired driving on New Year’s Eve
A New Year’s Eve traffic stop in the Sault has led to impaired driving charges for a local resident.
-
Suspended driver from Alberta charged with stunt driving in northern Ont.
A driver was caught speeding at more than 160 km/h on Highway 17 near Blind River, Ont., Ontario Provincial Police on Thursday.
Ottawa
-
ByWard Market restaurant closes after more than 35 years
Blue Cactus has closed its doors in Ottawa's ByWard Market after serving customers for more than 35 years. A sign on the restaurant's door at 2 ByWard Market Square says Blue Cactus will be "closing its doors effective immediately."
-
4 youths facing charges following ‘multiple incidents’ in eastern Ontario: OPP
Four youths from eastern Ontario are facing multiple charges after they were involved in multiple incidents stretching from Smiths Falls to Cornwall, Ont. on New Year’s Day, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
OPP warn of scammers using name of former tow truck company in Bancroft, Ont. area
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Bancroft, Ont. are warning drivers of a fake tow truck company that charges for services but never shows up.
Toronto
-
'Disgusting': Police say victim in Scarborough shooting may have been targeted because of his neighbourhood
Police have arrested two more people in connection with the deadly shooting of a 21-year-old Scarborough man who investigators say may have been targeted solely because of the neighbourhood he lived in.
-
Father stabbed while daughter was in the back seat, teen arrested: Niagara police
A man is in critical condition after the 17-year-old driver of the car he was in stabbed him following an argument on New Year's Eve.
-
Pickering pausing in-person meeting due to alt-right threats, mayor says
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe says the city is pausing all in-person meetings, moving them to a virtual format, for the time being due to “alt-right” threats.
Montreal
-
'Really disappointing': Organizer says Montreal New Year's Eve fireworks show interrupted by 'technical issue'
New Year's Eve is usually a time when spirits are high and everyone is in a celebratory mood, but if you spent the night at the Old Port in Montreal chances are you might have been let down.
-
Top paid CEO list creates 'flawed perspective': Montreal Economic Institute
The annual list of Canada’s highest paid CEO’s has drawn criticism from a Montreal economic thinktank which suggests there is selective data being used to make a 'big splash.'
-
Quebec emergency rooms overflowing for the sixth day in a row
Quebec hospital's stretcher occupancy rate exceeded 100 per cent for the sixth day in a row on Thursday. According to data from the Index Santé website, it stood at 128 per cent at around 12:30 p.m. This is the highest level since the start of the holiday season.
Atlantic
-
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
-
Man charged with murder in Saint John, N.B., Christmas Eve suspicious death case
A 26-year-old man is facing a murder charge in connection to a suspicious death in Saint John, N.B., on Christmas Eve.
-
Man who barricaded himself inside Porters Lake home found dead: N.S. RCMP
A man who barricaded himself inside a home in the Porters Lake, N.S., area Thursday morning has died.
Winnipeg
-
St. Andrews home a total loss following fire
A home in St. Andrews is a complete loss following an early morning fire on Thursday.
-
Manitoba premier says work is underway on measures to fight election interference
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says work is underway on a bill aimed at protecting provincial elections from foreign interference, forged images and videos, and other issues that could unfairly affect the vote.
-
Winnipeg man dies following two-vehicle crash: RCMP
A 32-year-old man from Winnipeg has died following a two-vehicle crash on New Year’s Eve.
Calgary
-
Calgary's 5 most expensive homes for sale right now (January 2025)
A look inside the five most expensive homes for sale in Calgary right now.
-
Two 'prolific offenders' arrested for armed robbery shortly after release: RCMP
Two men from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation are facing 27 combined charges, following an alleged armed robbery and vehicle theft days after they were released from prison.
-
Calgary army reservist and museum curator killed while ice climbing in B.C.
A Calgary army reserve officer was killed in an ice-climbing accident in eastern British Columbia over the holidays.
Edmonton
-
'Persons of interest' sought in connection with suspicious June fire
Photos were released on Thursday of two people who police are calling "persons of interest" in a suspicious fire in June.
-
Fire at central boarded-up property caused $1.2M in damage
A fire in central Edmonton that prompted the precautionary evacuation of an apartment building next door was caused by people, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services says.
-
Have your say on Canada’s greenwashing rules
The Competition Bureau wants to know what Canadians think of its proposed guidelines to ensure companies are truthful about environment and climate claims for their products.
Regina
-
'Got some work to do': With one sellout in 2024, Riders focus is on attendance in 2025
Despite a home playoff game and a hot start to the 2024 regular season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sold out just one game this past year, the Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
-
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
-
Regina police charge 2 following armed robbery investigation
Regina police have charged two people following an unsuccessful robbery attempt outside a business on News Year's Day.
Saskatoon
-
Escaped Sask. prisoner faces new charges after fleeing from police
The Saskatchewan RCMP says an inmate who escaped from federal prison in Prince Albert faces new charges.
-
Man seriously injured following a shooting in Saskatoon
Police say a 20-year-old Saskatoon man is recovering in hospital after being shot while at a residence on the 100 block of Avenue V South.
-
'Got some work to do': With one sellout in 2024, Riders focus is on attendance in 2025
Despite a home playoff game and a hot start to the 2024 regular season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sold out just one game this past year, the Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Vancouver
-
Woman found dead at Port Moody marina, criminality not ruled out
A woman was found dead in the water in Port Moody on New Year's Day, according to police, who say criminality has not been ruled out in the case.
-
Calgary army reservist and museum curator killed while ice climbing in B.C.
A Calgary army reserve officer was killed in an ice-climbing accident in eastern British Columbia over the holidays.
-
Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.
Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. property values flat across much of province, especially in urban centres
British Columbia's latest property assessments show values have been relatively flat in many parts of the province, especially major urban areas such as Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.
-
Calgary army reservist and museum curator killed while ice climbing in B.C.
A Calgary army reserve officer was killed in an ice-climbing accident in eastern British Columbia over the holidays.
-
Eyewitnesses to unsolved Vancouver homicide urged to co-operate with police
Vancouver police are urging witnesses to a fatal stabbing several years ago to "do the right thing" by coming forward and co-operating with investigators.
