Uncategorized
Ontario MPPs could soon perform weddings. Here’s the bill that makes it possible
Cut the red tape and cue the white dress.
Two Ontario Progressive Conservative members of provincial parliament are proposing to remove a layer of bureaucracy and let MPPs such as themselves more easily officiate weddings.
A private member’s bill from Matthew Rae and Dave Smith would automatically grant an MPP the authority to solemnize marriages after they give written notice of their interest, without having to go through a municipality as with most non-religious officiants.
“Not every single municipality actually has their clerk do weddings, so if you want a civil marriage, you have to go through a justice of the peace or a judge,” Smith said.
“When you look at some of the more northern, more remote, more rural ridings, you don’t have as easy access to a justice of the peace or a judge and I just saw this as one of those things that’s almost a red tape thing. We have the ability to make that change. It really doesn’t have a negative effect. So why not do it?”
Rae said engaged couples sometimes reach out to elected officials – including himself – to request that they solemnize their marriage, thinking they’re granted that ability automatically, like judges.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
“Some are family and friends that live in my riding,” he said.
“Obviously, they think it would be kind of neat to have their local MPP perform the ceremony…(it’s) just another provincial service that a local member can choose to offer their constituents if they choose to do so. And so it really is just having that little extra special component to your happy day.”
Rae personally availed himself of that extra special component when he got married last year, using Bill Walker, the former member of provincial parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, as his officiant.
When it comes to politicians and weddings, Walker is the guy, both Smith and Rae said.
Walker went through the whole regular process for becoming a civil marriage officiant, which includes a designation from a municipal clerk, and estimates he has done more than 70 weddings in just a few years.
“It’s humbling, for anybody, to be part of their special day, but especially if you’ve worked with them, or my goddaughters,” Walker said. “It was pretty hard to top those.”
Walker’s side gig as an officiant – he doesn’t take any payment – began with a request from one of his goddaughters.
“(She) thought that we had the right as an MPP to be able to do weddings, because Bill Murdoch, who was my predecessor (as the MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound), had done them up here forever, and I think she just thought it was one of those things you got to do,” he said.
“My other goddaughter said, ‘Well, if you’re marrying her, you’ve got to marry me.’”
It snowballed from there – including other friends, family and Queen’s Park staffers – and Walker has about a dozen weddings on tap for this year.
The bill would allow provincial politicians who ask for the authority to perform marriages to keep that power for a full year after they leave office. That way, a snap election as the province saw earlier this year and an unexpected defeat doesn’t leave an engaged couple with no officiant.
Most private member’s bills that get tabled come from opposition parties, and since this one is from within the government caucus it may be more likely than most to get through, but Rae and Smith said further discussions and debate are expected to be held in the fall.
If the bill does become law, Rae said he isn’t sure if he will set out to officiate weddings, but Smith is game.
“I’ll probably reach out to the minister if this passes, and ask for permission to do it,” he said. “Any time you can break down barriers for people who want to spend their life together, then why not do that?”
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Police in Hanover, Ont., have released an image of a “destroyed” vehicle which they say had been set on fire shortly after a fatal hit and run in the small Ontario community last week.
On Wednesday at around 5:20 p.m., police said emergency services were dispatched to the entrance to Hanover Park after a hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian had been reported.
Police said 66-year-old Hanover resident Sheila Lamont was crossing the street when she was hit by a vehicle, which fled the scene at a high rate of speed.
Lamont was transported to an area hospital by paramedics where she later died due to her injuries.
“Shortly before the collision it was determined the suspect vehicle had travelled along Concession 2 SDR in the former Brant Township, also known as Southline,” a release from police read.
“The vehicle went northbound past the Hanover and District Hospital onto 7th Avenue driving in an erratic manner before striking the pedestrian at the Hanover Park. After the collision, the suspect vehicle continued northbound on Bruce County Road 10, turning westbound on Concession 4 in the former Brant Township.”
Get daily National news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
Two days later, Hanover police chief posted a picture of a burnt-up 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser on X, saying that further details were to follow.
Deputy Chief George Hebblethwaite told Global News on Monday morning that a tip had led them to find the destroyed vehicle in the brush near Morry’s Trailer Sales on Sideroad 25.
“We were speaking with someone who we had been given the name of, and that person turned out to have some information which led us to the car,” he said.
Police believe the fire occurred within a couple of hours of the initial crash and that the vehicle has been examined by OPP forensic officers.
In a release on Sunday police said that “the registered owner of the PT Cruiser has been interviewed and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Although this person was the registered owner, they never had care or control of the vehicle since it was purchased.”
Hebblethwaite also told Global News that police expect to make an arrest on Monday in connection with the case.
“There is a person that we are seeking,” he explained, adding they expect to make an announcement Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.
Hanover is a town of around 8,000 people in Grey County about 100 kilometres north of Kitchener.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ontario Provincial Police say a $50,000 reward is being offered for information that can help solve a 2008 cold case murder in the Belleville area.
Calvin Vanness, 65, was last seen in Belleville on March 26, 2008, driving a grey 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix with flames painted on the side.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
Police say his car was found on April 1, 2008, in a commuter parking lot on Highway 38 in Kingston and investigators believe someone else was driving the vehicle for some of that time.
The OPP and Belleville police have been investigating Vanness’s disappearance as a homicide since April 2010, and they believe someone has information that will help determine what happened to him.
Police say the Ontario government is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the OPP.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Eight teams in NHL history have won Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final to force a seventh game and gone on to win the championship.
The Edmonton Oilers are aiming to become the ninth after falling behind 3-2 to the Florida Panthers. Game 6 is Tuesday in Sunrise, Fla.
Here’s a look at the teams that have completed the comeback:
1942 – Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs trailed the Detroit Red Wings 3-0 before winning four straight to claim the Cup. They remain the only team in NHL history to erase a three-game deficit in the final. Toronto took Game 6 by a score of 3-0 and won Game 7 at Maple Leaf Gardens, 3-1.
Related Videos
1950 – Detroit Red Wings
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
The Red Wings stayed alive with a 5-4 win over the New York Rangers in Game 6, then captured the Cup with a 4-3 double-overtime victory in Game 7. Pete Babando scored the winner.
1964 – Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto stayed alive with a 4-3 overtime win over Detroit in Game 6, then secured a third straight championship with a 4-0 win in Game 7 on the road.
1971 – Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens forced Game 7 with a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, then captured the Cup with a 3-2 win at Chicago Stadium. Rookie goaltender Ken Dryden was named playoff MVP.
2001 – Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche responded to a Game 5 loss by shutting out the New Jersey Devils 4-0 in Game 6. They clinched the title with a 3-1 win in Game 7 in Denver.
2004 – Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay kept its season alive with a 3-2 double-overtime win over the Calgary Flames in Game 6, with Martin St. Louis scoring the winner. The Lightning went on to win their first Cup with a 2-1 victory in Game 7.
2009 – Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in Game 6, then won the Cup with another 2-1 victory in Game 7 at Joe Louis Arena. Max Talbot scored both goals in the deciding game.
2011 – Boston Bruins
The Bruins forced Game 7 with a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, then clinched the series with a 4-0 shutout at Rogers Arena. Boston goaltender Tim Thomas made 37 saves in the deciding game.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
-
Uncategorized5 days agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Uncategorized5 days ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Uncategorized5 days ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Uncategorized5 days ago
The old and New Edition cast comes together to perform
-
Uncategorized5 days ago
Uber and Lyft are finally available in all of New York State
-
Uncategorized5 days ago
Phillies’ Aaron Altherr makes mind-boggling barehanded play
-
Uncategorized5 days ago
Steph Curry finally got the contract he deserves from the Warriors
-
Uncategorized5 days ago
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars