Ford offers no clear stand on safe consumption sites during Timmins visit
Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford made no clear statement on funding a safe injection site in Timmins during a visit to the city Sunday.
Ford was asked twice for his position -- yes or no -- on safe consumption sites, something local medical health officials and physicians have continuously requested.
"I'm in favour of pouring money into mental health and addiction and we're going to continue focusing on that," he responded.
With Timmins PC candidate George Pirie by his side, Ford began his speech by re-announcing a couple of big promises made in recent weeks, such as bringing back the Northlander passenger train service and redoing Highway 101.
"I've heard countless stories of people not being able to access life-saving treatments, not able to see the specialists they need because their communities are cut off from the rest of the province," he said.
"Well that's all changing. We're saying yes, to connecting Timmins. We're saying yes to new roads and rail for northeastern Ontario."
When asked if he was making another visit to Timmins because he thinks Pirie has a chance to beat NDP incumbent Gilles Bisson, Ford took a shot at Bisson.
"I don't think I've heard your representative say diddly the whole time down there," he said.
Later in the day, Bisson told CTV News that was the first time he's been accused of being too quiet.
"Listen, you can accuse Gilles Bisson of a lot of things but you can’t accuse me of not being heard at Queen's Park," he said.
At no time during Sunday's media opportunity was Pirie given an opportunity to speak at the podium. When the question and answer period was wrapped up, Ford and Pirie walked into the museum and shortly afterward, Ford left on his campaign bus.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.