Isaac Callan
@isaaccallan
Online Digital Broadcast Journalist for Global News Toronto focusing on Ontario politics. Tips? Snazzy spreadsheet? 📧isaac.callan@
After extensive use of special circumstance hotel benefits by some Progressive Conservative MPPs over the past several years became public, the government is suddenly moving to scrap the rule entirely. #OnPoli
The Progressive Conservatives have their nomination meeting in Scarborough Southwest tonight. The Liberals have hired a digital billboard which is driving around the area as supporters gather. #OnPoli
Can Ontario meet its goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031? Not according to these internal notes where someone in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing cautions against making anymore promises to build housing quicker. #OnPoli 🔗 globalnews.ca/news/1193754...
Ontario NDP responds to our story today about how a provincial jail has been using a scaled-back operations plan since a cyberattack was identified to have hit some of its servers more than two weeks ago. #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1190809...
WATCH: How Toronto is preparing to ferry hundreds of thousands of soccer fans around the city by transit. And why the TTC is treating it as a legacy opportunity to prove that throwing more resources at streetcars can overhaul the city's surface network. #ToPoli
If you're looking to maybe get off your phone and read a little more, my friend Joel Wittnebel has launched a really cool new project. He's an excellent fiction writer and now he's sharing some of his short stories. Presention is also stunning. 👇 www.joeljwittnebel.com
A new statement from the AG confirms the AI scribe systems showed "one or more inaccuracies at the procurement testing phase." She adds: "there was no evidence of additional testing or evaluation to reduce the risk of fabrication at the time of the audit."
Almost three years after I requested copies of health care briefing documents prepared for Premier Doug Ford, the Ministry of Health has concluded they're too sensitive to release. This request was filed sometime in the fall of 2023 and has only just been addressed now. #OnPoli
WATCH: Minister Stephen Crawford answering questions about the use of AI by doctors after the auditor general found AI Scribe systems were “not evaluated adequately” and sometimes “fabricated information” and offered treatment plans never discussed by a doc. #Onpoli
It was so nice to see so many Hibs fans out last night to join me for the launch of Hibernian Heroes with HSF. A real treat to host Lewis Stevenson, George Craig and Graeme Mathie to tell stories of 2016. Thanks so much to everyone who came and everyone who bought a copy 💚
Finally, a sub four hour marathon. Fortunate to have the most perfect running weather this morning too
WATCH: The freedom of information changes are now law and the government is sending out new rejection letters much quicker than it ever answered requests. Plus, a court challenge? #OnPoli
The westminster system in the age of social media: At committee, Paul Calandra asked stakeholders about his bill. His team are now posting edited clips from that day. Every party does this, but it's not necessarily what parliament's creators envisioned.
NEW: That didn’t take long. It looks like freedom of information requests relating to ministers and their offices are already being knocked back by some FOI departments really only hours after the budget received royal assent. #OnPoli
Ontario NDP has written to RCMP, province's top civil servant and IPC, worrying the changes to FOI could lead to deleted records. Gov says "established records‑retention policies" still cover all records. But Ford's cellphone has government work on it and won't be subject. #Onpoli
Staff wrote to civil servants to let them know about the second break-in in three months.
“If you know off the top that any of these models are not 3-rows that seat 7-8 passengers, feel free to remove them from consideration,” one message read. Here's a two and three-row vehicle parked side by side at Queen's Park for context.
Doug Ford didn’t have time to stop and talk about the FOI changes that were rushed through today. Although the premier said he’d be back, his office said he actually has photos planned and back to back meetings. He’s also taking time to appear on US media today. #OnPoli
WATCH: Doug Ford reveals there are six inmates currently on the run in Ontario, backing his solicitor general for doing a "great job" on jail expansion capacity. #Onpoli
WATCH: The Ford government's solicitor general and associate solicitor general apologize to MPPs for repeatedly and incorrectly telling them wrongly released inmates are immediately reapprehended #OnPoli
This week on Focus Ontario: How jails run by the Ford government accidentally released more than 150 inmates, and then lost some of them for months. Plus, how the government's explanation keeps shifting. #OnPoli
And just like that, the Ford government has reversed its plan to buy a private jet nicknamed the “gravy plane” by critics. Except, the statement suggests the purchase has gone through and that now the government is trying to sell the plane on. #OnPoli
After we revealed Ontario's jails are accidentally releasing inmates, the Ontario Liberals are giving out Doug Ford themed get out of jail free cards at the legislature #OnPoli
WATCH: Solicitor General Michael Kerzner admits "too many" inmates are being accidentally released in Ontario. He stayed to answer some questions, but didn't say what Ontario's doing about it. #OnPoli
