TORONTO - The chief of staff to Toronto's embattled mayor is no longer in the job.

Mark Towhey left city hall a short while ago escorted by security.

He did not say why he was no longer Ford's chief of staff, but said it followed discussions earlier in the day with the mayor.

He said his leaving did not come as a shock.

Towhey refused to say what advice he had given Ford about an alleged videotape that apparently shows the mayor smoking crack cocaine.

Ford has been dogged by the allegations for almost a week, but has said little about them, beyond calling them “ridiculous.”

(The Canadian Press)

 The federal government is threatening “retaliatory measures” against the United States in a dispute over meat labelling that Ottawa and the World Trade Organization consider discriminatory.

The U.S. government has announced new regulations on “country-of-origin labelling” that would track beef and hogs from livestock right through the meat processing and distribution systems.

Canada objects to the labelling system on the grounds that it is costly, burdensome and will lead to the “disintegration” of the North American supply chain.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says in a statement that the government is “extremely disappointed” with the regulations today released in Washington.

Ritz says the U.S. regulations will not bring the U.S. into compliance with last year's World Trade Organization ruling, which found the labelling system discriminated against foreign livestock and was not consistent with U.S. trade agreements.

The minister says Canada is considering all the options at its disposal, including “retaliatory measures” if necessary.

By Brian Donlevy

Zorra Township is concerned that the larger message around the landfill is not being heard.  Mayor Margaret Lupton says citizens should look closely at what they are sending to landfills and try and control the amount of waste.  According to Lupton, less garbage to landfills will mean fewer landfills will be needed so proposals such as the one from Walker Environmental for the quarry in Centreville will not be necessary.  Lupton is alarmed because there was so much garbage put out in Zorra for the large item pickup it took crews 7 days instead of the usual 5 to gather it all.

Zorra Council got their first look at new design guidelines for the Township.  The in-depth report covers future development whether commercial or residential, transportation needs and the look of the villages to maintain the local flavor and charm.  Council just received the report and are planning to have a special meeting over the summer so they can take a closer look at the report.

Voters in Zorra will not have to adjust to new ward boundaries for the next municipal election.  Council received a report that says there have not been any complaints about the ward system and the electorate is equally represented by the four councilors.  The Mayor will continue to be elected township wide.

Residents of Uniondale are worried about the impact of a proposed nursery on their water supply. Council heard a proposal that would have moved a nursery, as well as a farm equipment sale and repair operation into Uniondale.  County staff recommended that the application be denied because the sales and repair operation are not considered agricultural in nature, in as much as they do not necessarily have to be on a farm or agricultural reserve.  Council was told that if it was strictly a nursery operation it would come closer to fulfilling the intent of the planning rules.  Because of all of the questions around the proposal council voted to defer the entire matter.

By Brian Donlevy

The community hall in Salford is getting solar power.  The 10 megawatt project has been approved for a provincial government FIT program which means extra power produced by the solar units can be sold to the Ontario Power Authority.  South West Oxford Township has received two quotes on the project and because of the price a third quote is needed before they can proceed.  But they do want the solar panels up and producing power by the end of the summer.

Cooperation among building officials of the five rural municipalities in Oxford County has led to an award winning program.  The five put together a hand book to act as a checklist for rural structures.  It makes it easier to ensure that all buildings are constructed properly and follow all of the applicable bylaws.

South West Oxford Township is hoping the new protocols among levels of government and conservation authorities will lead to an easier time when dealing with municipal drains and ditches.  The guidelines focus on the relationships between conservation authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture who is responsible for the drainage act which are the rules governing municipal drains and tile drains. 

By Brian Donlevy

A 13th name has been added to the Oxford County Agriculture Hall of Fame. 
John DeBruyn was part of an extra special ceremony. 
Not only was DeBruyn being inducted into the Hall, he was part of the ceremony at the Oxford County building that will house the Hall. 
Pictures and plaques will now adorn a wall as a permanent recognition of the recipients.  

Debruyn, from South West Oxford Township says he probably feels no different than the other inductees into the hall. 

DeBruyn is proud of the permanent home for the hall.  He hopes that someone seeing the hall will understand the importance of being involved in the community and takes the steps to do so.

By Brian Donlevy

At the end of 2012 the County of Oxford spent almost a million dollars less than they expected.  The audited financial reports for the County showed a year end surplus of $959,052. Some of the savings that led to the surplus was the mild 2012 winter meant less salt and sand was needed, a decrease in the caseload of the Human Services Department and additional provincial funding for Woodingford Lodge. This figure can fluctuate wildly, because it is the result of a number of issues that the County has no control over.

When it comes to long term debt in Oxford County the per household portion dropped last year. The amount of debt last year was $1463 down from $1552 the previous year.  The debt dropped because no new debt was taken on by the County and some long term debt has been paid off.

The County’s annual report and strategic plan was unveiled at Oxford County Council. This year both documents are in an entirely online format, but can be printed.  The annual report looks at all of the accomplishments in the County.  It also gives the citizens of the County a chance to see how their tax dollars are being spent.

A new Oxford tourism guide has hit the market.  This one is called a taste of Oxford and is a culinary and dining guide for the County.  Not only does it highlight local restaurants it also has a list of local artisans and farm markets.  There were more than 40,000 copies of the guide printed and they will be available at tourism information spots, local hotels and motels and other locations throughout the county. 

The group opposing the proposed landfill in Centreville want people to comment on the proposed dump, but they don’t want people to comment right away.  A draft terms of reference document around the landfill has been released and it is inviting comment, but according to OPAL any comments would not have any impact.  The time for meaningful public comment will be once the formal terms of reference have been filed with the Ministry which will be near the end of July.  Once filed the public will have 30 days to respond.  OPAL spokespeople claim that any comments against the dump will be used by Walker Environmental, the company that wants to build the dump, to strengthen their arguments to have the process proceed.

LONDON - British police say two more people have been arrested by officers investigating the hacking death of a U.K. soldier in London.

Scotland Yard said counterterrorism officers arrested a man and a woman - both 29 - on Thursday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Both suspects are in custody at a south London police station.

Two suspects shot and arrested by police at the scene Wednesday - a 22-year-old man and a 28-year-old man - remain hospitalized in stable condition with injuries that are not life-threatening, police added.

Documents obtained by the Committee studying the Liberals’ gas plant scandal make it explicitly clear that the Liberal government knew that the cancelled Oakville and Mississauga gas plants could cost $900 million, PC MPP Vic Fedeli said today.

“Documents from the Ministry of Finance demonstrate that the government was aware that the gas plant cancellations would cost upwards of a billion dollars,” said Fedeli. “The Ministry of Finance knew. Cabinet knew. The Treasury Board knew. Everyone knew that the costs were going to be significantly higher than the $230 million originally cited by the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals.”

Fedeli added that the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals attempted to cover-up that they were willing to spend $900 million to make this gas plant scandal go away. “The documents obtained are clearly redacted and further demonstrate that the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals will do anything to hide the truth from taxpayers.” 

This latest redaction makes it clear: the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals don’t feel that Ontarians deserve honest and truthful answers, continued Fedeli. “The Ontario PCs disagree and feel that the Liberals and NDP need to bring forward the PC’s vote of non-confidence to the Legislature. Ontarians deserve to have the opportunity to express their confidence in the Liberals.”

Fedeli concluded, “The Liberals have the most to lose and will do anything to protect their political power. I hope that the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals will stop lying and come clean about when they knew that the costs could be as high as $900 million.”