Ontario Reaches $23 Million Deal With Crown Royal Manufacturer to Keep Drink on LCBO Shelves

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ontario-reaches-23-million-deal-with-crown-royal-manufacturer-to-keep-drink-on-lcbo-shelves-5985729?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=ontario-reaches-$23-million-deal-with-crown-royal-manufacturer-to-keep-drink-on-lcbo-shelves-0

The government of Ontario says Crown Royal will stay on liquor store shelves after the province reached a nearly $23 million deal with the beverage’s producer.

Premier Doug Ford previously said that Crown Royal whisky, manufactured by Diageo, would be taken off the shelves of Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores after the company announced it would be closing its facility in Amherstburg, Ont.

The company announced in September 2025 that it was moving some of its bottling operations to the United States, and products sold in the Canadian market would be handled by its Valleyfield, Que., facility. Diageo said the Ontario facility would close in February 2026. The move was expected to impact about 170 employees at the facility.

Ford responded by dumping a bottle of Crown Royal whisky on the ground during a Sept. 2 news conference. He repeated several times since then that he would pull the whisky off LCBO shelves unless the company reconsidered its plans.

His government announced the deal on Feb. 13, with Ford saying the investment would “keep Ontario workers on the job, strengthen provincial supply chains and support the local community in Amherstburg and the surrounding area.”

“By standing firm in our plan to protect Ontario workers, we’ve secured nearly $23 million in investments that Ontario would not otherwise have seen,” Ford said. Continue…

Canadian Intelligence in ‘Lockstep’ With US Counterparts Despite Trade Tensions: CSIS Official

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/canadian-intelligence-in-lockstep-with-us-counterparts-despite-trade-tensions-csis-official-5985869?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=canadian-intelligence-in-%E2%80%98lockstep%E2%80%99-with-us-counterparts-despite-trade-tensions:-csis-official-0

Canada is still working closely with the United States when it comes to intelligence, despite its tense trade relationship with its southern neighbour, according to a senior official with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

CSIS Assistant Director Paul Lynd told MPs during his testimony before the House of Commons foreign affairs committee that Canada and the United States have been partners “for decades” and that the two countries’ intelligence departments are still working in unison.

“Despite some of the unpredictable behaviour, I’d say, at the political level at this time, at the intelligence department level we still work lockstep and hand-in-hand with each other, and it’s in our interest to do so on both sides,” Lynd said.

He was answering a question by Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif about what the intelligence agency’s degree of collaboration with the United States looks like now compared to before U.S. President Donald Trump took office roughly a year ago. Continue…

Ontario Elementary School Vice Principal Facing Child Exploitation Charges

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ontario-elementary-school-vice-principal-facing-child-exploitation-charges-5985721?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=medium-1

An elementary school vice principal in Cambridge, Ont., is facing child sexual assault and luring charges.

Michel Pleau, 50, was arrested on Feb. 13 following a joint investigation by the Waterloo Regional Police, the Greater Sudbury Police, and the Toronto Police Service.

Pleau is facing six charges, including the possession, making, and distribution of child sexual assault and exploitation material; making sexually explicit material available to a child; invitation to sexual touching; and luring a child under 16 years of age.

Child sexual abuse and exploitation material was formerly referred to as “child pornography” when making charges.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board said in a statement released Feb. 13 that it was made aware of the arrest by the police.

The school board said it would cooperate fully with police as the matter moves through the courts.

“We understand that this news will be concerning to members of our community,” it said, adding that it confirmed none of the charges related to any students within the school district.

The school board said it remained focused on supporting the school community, and that the safety and well-being of students and staff was the “highest priority.”

Police have asked anyone with information to contact investigators at 519-570-9777, extension 8492, or 705-675-9171.

The charges haven’t yet been tested in court.