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Residents in Kitchener witnessed a dramatic sky tonight as powerful storm clouds swept across the city. The formation, c...
09/22/2025

Residents in Kitchener witnessed a dramatic sky tonight as powerful storm clouds swept across the city. The formation, captured over a local plaza, signaled the arrival of severe weather that brought heavy rain, strong winds, and the potential for lightning.

Environment officials had issued warnings earlier in the day, urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. The striking sight served as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change during late summer storm season.

EBY News will continue to monitor weather updates and share any alerts affecting the Waterloo Region.

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Canada has formally recognized the state of Palestine, joining the U.K. and Australia in an effort to preserve the prosp...
09/21/2025

Canada has formally recognized the state of Palestine, joining the U.K. and Australia in an effort to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said Sunday that Canada will “intensify efforts” to support reforms by the Palestinian Authority, including governance changes and elections in 2026 without Hamas. The recognition, Carney argued, comes as the chance for a two-state solution is “eroding before our eyes” due to Hamas’s attacks, Israel’s annexation moves in the West Bank, and restrictions on aid.

Israel’s embassy in Ottawa said it was “deeply disappointed” by the move, calling it a reward for Hamas. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed the recognition as a distraction from domestic issues, while Canada’s UN ambassador Bob Rae said it was a “necessary moment” for peace.

The announcement comes ahead of Carney’s meetings with world leaders at the UN General Assembly.

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09/19/2025

Conestoga College staff are on strike!

Colleges in Canada are facing declining enrolment, tuition freezes, and capped international student intake under new federal rules. These measures have directly affected thousands of college staff across the country.

In light of this, contract talks between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employer Council (CEC) broke down, and more than 10,000 full-time support staff at Ontario’s 24 colleges walked off the job on Sept. 11.

Support staff include library technologists, IT workers, disability services staff, financial aid and student services workers, as well as facilities and food service employees. At Conestoga College alone, about 600 staff are affected.

They are asking for protection against layoffs, fair wages, better benefits, and funding stability.

The CEC argues the union’s demands are “unsustainable." However, bargaining is expected to resume this week.

Campuses remain open, while some classes have moved online. Grand River Transit is rerouting buses to stops outside campus entrances. Some services, such as child care centres, are reduced or suspended.

The last strike in 2011 lasted three and a half weeks before an agreement was reached.

How long will this one last? Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to EBY News for more updates on the Ontario college staff strike.

Support staff at Ontario’s 24 colleges, including all Conestoga campuses, walked off the job Thursday after contract tal...
09/11/2025

Support staff at Ontario’s 24 colleges, including all Conestoga campuses, walked off the job Thursday after contract talks between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employer Council (CEC) broke down.

About 600 Conestoga staff are on strike, including library technologists, student success and co-op coordinators, IT, facilities, and food service workers. OPSEU says employees want better wages, benefits, and job security, while the CEC argues demands are unsustainable amid falling enrolment and revenues.

Conestoga reported a $121M surplus this year—less than half of last year’s—and tuition revenue dropped sharply as international enrolment fell 62 per cent. Meanwhile, president John Tibbits’ salary has more than doubled since 2022, reaching $636,107 in 2024. The college recently launched a search for his replacement by 2026.

Classes are expected to continue, but some campus services are disrupted. GRT buses are avoiding campus stops, with temporary ones set up nearby. Students are urged to check eConestoga and the college website daily for updates.

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An Ayr-based water delivery company says Waterloo Region’s speed cameras could put it out of business.Bright Water Servi...
09/10/2025

An Ayr-based water delivery company says Waterloo Region’s speed cameras could put it out of business.

Bright Water Services Inc. argues that while individual drivers pay only fines, trucking firms are penalized with CVOR demerit points. Those points impact insurance rates and can trigger Ministry of Transportation audits.

Owner Wesley Rieck says even minor infractions risk bankrupting small operators: “This issue threatens the very existence of our company.”

The company is urging regional council to remove CVOR penalties tied to automated speed cameras, calling the system a double standard against businesses.

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Conestoga College has begun the process of finding a new president and CEO, with the appointment expected by March 2026—...
09/09/2025

Conestoga College has begun the process of finding a new president and CEO, with the appointment expected by March 2026—months before current president John Tibbits’ contract ends in December of that year.

Tibbits, 80, has led the college for nearly 40 years. He had initially planned to retire in 2024, but stayed on after his contract was extended during Ontario’s ongoing college funding crisis.

The college has issued a request for proposals from recruitment firms, due Sept. 25, to support the search. Officials say the board is committed to a “seamless transition.”

Union leaders welcomed the move, citing long-standing concerns about Tibbits’ leadership style, controversial remarks, and rapid international student growth under his tenure.

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford dumped a bottle of Crown Royal whisky during a Kitchener visit Tuesday, blasting the brand’s o...
09/02/2025

Ontario Premier Doug Ford dumped a bottle of Crown Royal whisky during a Kitchener visit Tuesday, blasting the brand’s owner for moving bottling from Amherstburg, Ont., to Quebec and the U.S.

“They’re hurting the people that work at Crown Royal… You hurt my people, I’m going to hurt you,” Ford said, calling the decision “as dumb as a bag of hammers.”

The Amherstburg plant, the town’s largest employer with 160 workers, is set to close in February. Crown Royal will still be distilled in Canada.

Ford urged Ontarians to support locally made whisky, but confirmed no plans to remove Crown Royal from LCBO shelves.

Photo courtesy: The Record

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08/13/2025

Mark Carney announced on his official Twitter (X) account that Canada is committing over $340 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the latest airlift carried out in partnership with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The aim is to help address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, but opinions among Canadians are divided.

We took to the streets of Waterloo to ask: Do you support Mark Carney’s decision to send this aid? Here’s what people had to say.

What about you? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇

Kitchener has issued a temporary fire ban effective today at 4 p.m. due to hot, dry weather and increased fire risk. The...
08/08/2025

Kitchener has issued a temporary fire ban effective today at 4 p.m. due to hot, dry weather and increased fire risk. The ban includes all backyard recreational fires and suspends new open-air burning permits. Cooking fires, such as barbecues, are still allowed if fully enclosed and supervised at all times.

The townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich have also announced open burn bans. All open-air burning is prohibited, with the only exception being cooking fires in contained pits, which must be monitored continuously and extinguished after use. All existing fire permits in these areas are suspended until further notice, and officials warn the ban could expand to include cooking fires if dry conditions persist.

Residents who ignore the bans could face penalties under municipal bylaws and the Ontario Fire Code. Officials urge everyone to follow the rules to help reduce wildfire risks during this period of extreme dryness.

Stay cool and safe, Waterloo Region☀️

OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5, describing it as its fastest, most capable, and most intelligent AI model so far.T...
08/08/2025

OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5, describing it as its fastest, most capable, and most intelligent AI model so far.

The new version delivers faster responses, deeper contextual understanding, and enhanced multimodal skills — allowing it to work with text, images, audio, and video.

Key Features of GPT-5:
-Different personalities like Cynic, Listener, Robot, or Nerd.
-Natural-language coding with instant preview.
-Customizable interface and voice modes.
-Direct integration to Gmail and Google Calendar for scheduling and planning assistance.

OpenAI says these upgrades will boost efficiency in education, research, content creation, and customer service.

GPT-5 is available now for ChatGPT Plus subscribers.

Cambridge Centre mall was evacuated for about 90 minutes Thursday morning after staff reported an online bomb threat to ...
08/07/2025

Cambridge Centre mall was evacuated for about 90 minutes Thursday morning after staff reported an online bomb threat to Waterloo Regional Police around 9 a.m.

Six police vehicles were seen outside as officers swept the area, while employees waited in the parking lot. A text alert to store managers warned of an “active threat” and instructed them to seek a secure location.

Police later confirmed nothing suspicious was found and said the threat was not credible. The mall reopened shortly after 11:20 a.m. The investigation continues.

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Waterloo Regional Police have recovered over $25,000 worth of stolen bicycles and parts after busting a bike “chop shop”...
07/17/2025

Waterloo Regional Police have recovered over $25,000 worth of stolen bicycles and parts after busting a bike “chop shop” near King Street West and Green Street in Kitchener.

The discovery began with one stolen bike on June 26, leading to a second location where several more were found.

If you believe one of the recovered bikes is yours, contact WRPS at 519-570-9777 or reach out to Cst. Shymko at ext. 6407 with a serial number or a photo of you with the bike.

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