By Hamutal Dotan

From General to Government Motors (Toronto Star): “Ontario’s $3.5 billion share of the rescue package for General Motors has helped push the provincial deficit to at least $18.5 billion, a record amount that is almost one-third higher than the McGuinty government’s projection made in March.” [More coverage in the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and at the CBC.]
Pearson airport sees fresh influx of Roma refugee claimants (National Post): “The 95 Roma refugee claimants who arrived at Pearson International Airport last week are part of a sudden influx into southern Ontario, and police say they are expecting more.”
Toronto council to debate future of Gardiner (Globe and Mail): “A decision on what to do with the eastern leg of Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway—keep it, tear it down or revamp it—is at least three years away. But Tuesday, the next baby steps to reach that decision are set to play out at Toronto city council’s executive committee when it debates the proposed parameters for an environmental review.” [Previous coverage on Torontoist: Going Nowhere, Slowly?]
No more swine flu notifications for schools, Toronto Public Health says (National Post): “Toronto Public Health says it will no longer be notifying schools of confirmed cases of swine flu within its walls because most cases of the H1N1 virus are mild and similar in severity to the seasonal flu.”
OSPCA to investigate Toronto Humane Society (Globe and Mail): “The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced [yesterday] that it will be investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct at the Toronto Humane Society.” [More coverage in the Toronto Star.]
Bike thefts fall 17% after sting operation (Toronto Star): “In the aftermath of the closing of [Igor] Kenk’s store, The Bicycle Clinic, across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, the question has been out there: Are bike thefts down? The answer is: Yes.” [Related coverage on Torontoist: I Just Kenk Get You Out Of My Head.]
Retailers can keep fees for plastic bags (National Post): “Toronto retailers are free to pocket the change they collect under a new bylaw that came into effect yesterday requiring them to charge a nickel for each plastic bag customers take. The city is strongly ‘encouraging’ merchants—from mom-and-pop shops to big grocery chains—to donate the money they collect to charity or reinvest it in green initiatives.”