What To Know For October 18…
Headlines you should know for today;
- Former London MPP hired as entertainment executive: After almost a month after leaving politics, former Lambton Kent Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton revealed his new job in the private sector. In a press release on Tuesday, Woodbine Entertainment announced that they will be hiring the former Minister of Labour as their Vice President of industry relations and people experience. CEO Michael Copeland said “We have an opportunity to expand our business in a way that benefits Ontario’s horse racing industry and the families depending on it,”. Woodbine Entertainment supports 25,000 jobs throughout Ontario. It says they operate as a non-profit organization with the goal to grow horse racing in Ontario. McNaughton resigned from Doug Ford’s government back in September to join the private sector. Estimated to create 17,000 jobs, Woodbine Entertainment is one of Canada’s largest property development projects.
- Grocery prices drop as gas prices rise: After two consecutive months of rising inflation. The Consumer Price Index reported a 0.2 per cent drop in inflation for the month of August. This caused the price of groceries and cars to stay fairly level, keeping inflation at 3.8 per cent in September. According to Stats Canada, the price of groceries rose 5.8 per cent, slowing down from August which saw a rise of 6.9 per cent. The price of meat rose 4.4 per cent, 5.1 per cent for fish, and 4 per cent for dairy. Gas prices rose 7.5 per cent following the 0.8 per cent increase in August.
- Three day ‘blitz build’ on Oneida: The Indigenous Tragically Hip tribute band will be hosting a benefit concert Wednesday on the Oneida Nations on the Thames to help raise money for affordable housing. The ‘Image Build’ campaign helps build accessible homes for families in the Indigenous communities. With stories and live music from The Poets, and the Tragically Hip tribute band, the show will be held at Centennial Hall, doors open at 6 pm and show starts at 7 pm. With over $900,000 raised throughout the community, the Image Build campaign has reached its halfway mark to its goal of building four accessible homes. With two of the homes nearing completion, Doug Tarry Homes has tradespeople working around the clock for the three day blitz build taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets to the event will be available through Centennial Hall.
- Road closure: There will be lane restrictions at Veteran’s Memorial between Oxford and River Side Rd from 8 am to 3 pm. Traffic will be reduced to one lane both northbound and southbound.
