From Doug Ford winning a majority government in last week’s provincial election, to a special graduation ceremony for the pandemic classes, this is what The Ontarion noticed in the news this week.
Doug Ford wins majority government during provincial election
This year’s provincial election has marked a majority win for the conservative party as of last Thursday. Doug Ford will remain as premier of Ontario.
CBC News’ seat counter shows the conservatives holding a total of 83 seats, well over the 60 needed for a majority. Meanwhile, the NDP followed with a total of 31 seats, the liberals with eight, the greens with one, and the independent party with one.
As premier, Ford has announced many promises, including but not limited to lowering the gasoline tax, keeping housing costs down, keeping Ontario open amid this phase of the pandemic, ending political party subsidies, and reducing greenhouse emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 from Ontario’s 2005 levels.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he looks forward to continuing working with Ford and the conservatives. “Over the past several years, the federal government, working with the province, has delivered historic investments in retooling our auto sector to build cleaner vehicles while creating and securing thousands of good jobs in communities across the province,” he said in a CTV article.
Meanwhile, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner won the Guelph seat against competing candidates Peter Sherry for the conservatives, James Parr for the NDP, and Raechelle Devereaux for the liberals. As such, Schreiner will remain as the city’s representative among the MPPs.
In a Global News article, he said, “I say to the people of this province and in my community over the last four years, I fought hard to be your voice, and I will fight the next four years to be a strong opposition voice in the legislature.”
U of G hosting convocation ceremonies for recent alumni on campus
University of Guelph students who missed out on their chance to cross the stage due to the pandemic are finally getting the graduation ceremony they hoped for. On the 16 and 23 of June, recent alumni graduates can attend an in-person convocation on campus.
The June 16 event will be reserved for the class of 2021, and the class of 2022 will celebrate during the June 23 ceremony. This way, the university hopes to offer those who missed out on the “traditional convocation experience” an opportunity to celebrate with friends and family, according to a U of G news release.
“The event is going to be really special and pretty unique among universities in Ontario,” said Claire Alexander, associate director of ceremonies and events, in the release. “We are really excited to be able to bring our grads back together for one last celebration of all they accomplished during their time at U of G.”
Both event dates will include giveaways and a photobooth. The UC courtyard will have karaoke and dueling pianos, Brass Taps will have a marathon trivia night, and Peter Clark Hall will host an Aggie pub with all-request music, line dancing, and mechanical bull rides.
For those looking for a quieter way to celebrate, the Lookout café on the fifth floor of the UC will offer complimentary dessert and coffee.
As for the graduation ceremonies themselves, alumni can choose one of four ceremony times to attend with their loved ones, space permitting.
Those unable to attend their respective convocation can still attend GradGala and walk the red carpet at the Gryphon fieldhouse and take photos by various U of G backdrops on June 25. Further, alumni can also attend one of several fall convocation ceremonies on Oct. 10.
Hedley frontman trial ends, new charge surfaces
Jacob Hoggard, former frontman for Canadian rock band Hedley, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting an Ottawa woman and aquitted of two other sex-related charges involving a 16-year-old fan who was 15 at the time of the alleged incident.
According to CBC News, Hoggard’s trial began on May 5 after several delays due to the pandemic, and he pleaded not guilty to all charges. After deliberations that lasted over 40 hours, the jury announced their decision on Saturday.
Additionally, CBC reported Hoggard will be facing a new count of sexual assault causing bodily harm for an incident that occured in Kirkland Lake, Ont., in 2016.
Hoggard has denied the new claims and has a new court date of Aug. 4.
Many women have come forward to speak about sexual violence. If you or someone you know is in need of sexual violence support, please visit: https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/sexual-violence-support whenever you feel comfortable.