war crimes, gas savings and online gambling legalized in Ontario
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Gambling online in Ontario is legal as of today. Photo by John Schnobrich - unsplash.com
Russia-Ukraine – war crimes
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for an international investigation, after reports that more than 400 bodies were discovered in towns recently recaptured near the capital of Kyiv.
The Ukrainian government says many of those killed in the town of Bucha had their hands tied behind their backs and were shot at close range.
French President Emanuel Macron says it’s a clear indication that Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine, and further sanctions are needed.
Russia is denying responsibility, saying it’s been staged by Ukrainian and western governments.
Meantime, heavy fighting continues in the southern port city of Mariupol which has been under siege for more than a month.
British defence officials say Ukrainian troops remain in control of the centre of the devastated city.
Ford keeps promise on gas saving
Reports say the Ford government will introduce measures later today to lower gas prices in Ontario.
The provincial gas tax will be lowered by 5.7 cents a litre, starting July 1st, for at least six months.
That would fulfill the premier’s 2018 election promise to reduce the price of gas by ten cents a litre.
However, the federal carbon tax has already wiped out most of that savings.
Gambling online in Ontario legal today
Ontarians will be able to bet, online, starting today.
I-Gaming Ontario, the provincially-regulated online gambling portal, is now live, with people being allowed to legally bet on sporting events and participate in online casinos.
Provincial officials say 25 companies have registered to offer their gambling online but not all are expected to begin operations immediately.
Ontario is the first province in the country to launch legal online betting.
Affordable access to the Internet
The federal government will soon announce a new program that will allow low-income families and seniors to access high-speed internet for 20-dollars a month.
CBC says the announcement will come later today.
Ottawa has put together the program with Canada’s major telecom operators.
It will be available to families receiving the maximum under the Canada Child Benefit, and seniors who are getting the maximum amount of the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
At least 800-thousand households will be covered.
Federal officials say those eligible will receive a letter from the government, containing instructions on how to sign up.
New Democrats promising universal mental health care
Ontario’s New Democrats are promising to introduce universal mental health care if elected to government in the June provincial election.
The program would start by allowing all Ontarians access to six psychotherapy sessions a year, rising to 12 as the program expands.
The full proposal would cost about 1.5-billion dollars a year.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the program will ensure that Ontarians can have their mental health problems dealt with before they become mental health crises.
