From the province starting Stage 3 of reopening, to the University of Guelph ranking No. 1 in several research areas, here is what we saw in the news this week.
Ontario begins Stage 3 of reopening
Stage 3 of Ontario’s economic reopening is upon us.
On Monday, the province announced that for select regions, today would see the reopening of almost all businesses, along with increases in the number of people allowed to gather for events; 50 people will be allowed to gather indoors, and 100 people will be allowed to gather outdoors, under continued social distancing practices.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is included in the list of regions allowed to enter Stage 3 today.
“Our success in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and getting Ontario to a place where we are ready to reopen most of the province is a testament to the hard work of business owners, individuals and families right across the province,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“So many have stepped up and played by the rules, demonstrating that we can restart our economy safely and responsibly. Small actions can make a big difference. Now more than ever, we must continue to follow the public health advice to preserve the progress we have made together.”
The Ontario government stated that the Chief Medical Officer of Health, public health experts, and other officials are still monitoring the COVID-19 situation, and allowing areas to move into Stage 3 after considering regional trends in public health indicators, such as transmission rates, contact tracing, progress on testing, and hospital capacity.
There are some businesses that are not allowed to reopen due to the COVID-19 spread risks associated with their operating nature; these include amusement parks and water parks, buffet-style food services, private karaoke rooms, saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars.
For more information on what restrictions apply in Stage 3, the Ontario government asks that you visit this site.
Trudeau apologizes for WE Charity involvement
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued an apology Monday in response to his involvement in discussions around the WE Charity $912-million contract to administer the summer student grants program.
“When it came to this organization and this program, the involvement that I had in the past, and that my family has, should have had me remove myself from these discussions and I’m sorry that I didn’t,” Trudeau said.
On July 3, WE pulled itself from the partnership with the federal government, and Canada’s ethics commissioner announced an investigation looking into Trudeau’s involvement.
The apology for not recusing himself from cabinet discussions involving the WE Charity, which had paid upwards of tens of thousands of dollars to his mother, Margaret, and his brother Alexander to appear at WE Charity events over the past four years, was not received well by everyone.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Signh took to Twitter saying, “Mr. Trudeau, apologizing isn’t enough when the apology is only because you got caught.”
“Saying sorry in front of cameras means nothing when you keep doing the same thing behind closed doors,” Singh said. Singh then went on to list a handful of situations where he claims the prime minister acted similarly.
Former Glee star Naya Rivera dies by accidental drowning
On Tuesday, an autopsy conducted on former Glee star Naya Rivera confirmed the actress’ death due to accidental drowning, after her body was found in Lake Piru in California on Monday.
She was reported missing the afternoon of July 8, after going out hours earlier on a boat with her 4-year-old son Josey.
Autopsy results found no signs of traumatic injury or disease that may have contributed to the drowning, the Ventura Medical Examiner said in a statement.
Rivera made her claim to fame in Glee, a popular musical television program in the late 2000s.
Glee’s official Twitter account has paid tribute to Rivera saying, “Naya was a fierce talent with so much more to do and this is such a terrible tragedy. We are forever grateful for the indelible contribution she made to GLEE, from the first episode to the last. Our hearts are broken and our thoughts go out to her family, friends and young son.”
Rivera’s family made their first public statement since the tragedy on Tuesday saying that they are “so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week. While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honour her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit.”
New Highway 7 to be built between Guelph and Kitchener
The province announced on Wednesday that a new Highway 7 is to be built between Kitchener and Guelph.
According to Guelph Today, the new highway will have an 18-kilometre, four-lane freeway with seven interchanges connecting the Hanlon Expressway with Highway 7 in Kitchener.
While the price tag for the project has yet to be revealed, procurement and tender for the highway could begin as early as 2021.
“Hopefully we will see shovels in the ground quickly and shortly,” Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris said during a Zoom meeting Wednesday morning where he announced the project.
The highway project had been in talks since the 1960s but didn’t gain any traction until 2007 when an announcement was made that the project was moving ahead.
“For whatever reason, it never really went much further than that,” Harris said.
Overpass and environmental assessment work have been done since 2015 as part of the project’s preparations, however, Wednesday saw the announcement of Phase 3 of the project, the actual construction of the highway.
While it remains to be seen who will be working on the project, as well as price point and start date, commuters can expect the highway to be coming sooner rather than later.
International ranking puts U of G at No. 1 for several research areas
On Wednesday, the University of Guelph announced that several of its research areas have been ranked number one in Canada as well as in the top 50 worldwide.
According to the Shanghai Ranking, also known as the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), the University of Guelph ranked 13th in the world and number one in Canada for food sciences, as well as 15th in the world and number one in Canada for veterinary science.
Agricultural sciences and ecology were also ranked 27th and 50th in the world, respectively, as well as second and third in Canada, respectively.
To determine its rankings, the ARWU measures the research output, both in terms of publications produced and overall impact, of more than 4000 universities worldwide, across 54 subject areas in sectors such as natural sciences, engineering and social sciences.
“U of G has performed exceptionally well in this global research ranking, against many of its larger Canadian and international counterparts,” said Vice-President of Research Malcolm Campbell.
“University of Guelph researchers have again proven themselves to be world-class, Canadian leaders, generating impactful discoveries in disciplines of central importance in addressing challenges we face in the world.”
To see the full list of rankings, you can visit the ARWU website here.
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