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Ford government MPP blames U.S. tariffs for job losses in his riding
The Ford government is facing accusations it has abandoned its promise to “protect Ontario” from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs after a major yarn maker shuttered its retail storefront and manufacturing facility in a southwestern Ontario community.
Spinrite — which makes yarn and sewing thread — recently announced the closure of its Listowel, Ont., facility, shedding more than 140 jobs in the community of fewer than 10,000 people.
The decision was so impactful on the small town of North Perth that the local municipality issued a statement calling it “shocking” and promising to help the families of workers at the plant.
The Ford government also acknowledged the closure at Queen’s Park before the legislature rose for its summer break, blaming the job losses on tariffs from Trump.
“I want to share with this House that Spinrite in Listowel, unfortunately, is closing its manufacturing production,” government whip Matthew Rae, who represents the area, said on June 4.
“That was announced yesterday—140 jobs gone from rural Ontario. And the number one reason is the U.S. Trump tariffs, period. That is the reason.”
Government critics, however, pointed out that the Progressive Conservatives ran their most recent election campaign under the promise they would “protect Ontario” from the impacts of tariffs.
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“Ford promised to protect Ontario jobs,” Ontario NDP MPP Catherine Fife said in a statement. “Press releases and empty words won’t stabilize these tariff-vulnerable sectors during this storm. Ontario urgently needs a new industrial strategy that strengthens local manufacturing, making sure workers aren’t left behind. People need action, not excuses.”
The Spinrite closures come as Ontario struggles with growing unemployment figures.
The latest data from Statistics Canada shows the unemployment rate in Ontario sits at 7.9 per cent, with the province facing “an uncertain economic climate brought on by the threat or imposition of tariffs on motor vehicle and parts exports.”
Asked about the unemployment figures, the government has said it is working to make sure “Ontario not only weathers the storm, but emerges stronger and more competitive.”
Auto makers, as Statistics Canada indicated, have been hit particularly hard.
Several major plants located in southwestern Ontario have announced a series of temporary shutdowns and closures since tariffs on auto parts and vehicles were imposed.
Stellantis in Windsor, Ont., has initiated shutdowns, while the Ford plant in Oakville remains closed for retooling. A Brampton Stellantis plant, which was closed for retooling, has “temporarily” paused that work, while GM cut the third shift at its Oshawa facility.
The Ford government has yet to announce direct relief for the auto sector or others in response to tariffs, but it did create several streams in its most recent budget.
The Progressive Conservatives also included a $1-billion-plus manufacturing tax credit and the $5-billion Protecting Ontario Account, which officials said companies could access once they had exhausted other forms of federal or provincial funding relief.
A spokesperson for Vic Fedeli, the minister of economic development, job creation and trade, said the government was working hard to keep jobs in the province.
“In the face of global economic uncertainty caused by President Trump tariffs and tariff threats, our government is taking action to protect the more than 800,000 workers in Ontario’s manufacturing sector,” they said in a statement.
“Through our 2025 Budget, we are providing over $30 billion in tariff relief, including $1.3 billion to expand the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit to ensure manufacturers continue to invest in their operations, employees, and growth right here in Ontario, as well as $11 billion in relief for workers and businesses.”
Global News contacted Spinrite to ask if it had applied for support from the provincial government before closing its Ontario facility. A response was not received in time for publication.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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.”
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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.
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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.
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1950 – Detroit Red Wings
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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
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