Hamilton Steelmaker Marks Historic Milestone as Coke Plant No. 3 Goes Dark

Hamilton steelmaker ArcelorMittal Dofasco completed the “last push of coke” from its No. 3 coke plant on Monday, marking a significant step in the company’s long-term decarbonization journey. The plant’s decommissioning was announced in 2021, following the shuttering of the No. 1 coke plant in 2015. Employees formerly assigned to the facility are being reassigned to other roles within the company. Dofasco will now operate from a single remaining coke facility, the No. 2 plant. Federal and provincial governments invested in the company’s green steel transition in 2022, with the full decommissioning of blast furnaces and coke plants now targeted for 2050, a timeline extended from the original 2028 commitment.

Sources: CBC Hamilton · CTV News Hamilton

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London, Kitchener-Waterloo and Windsor Post Some of Canada’s Worst Unemployment Rates

New Labour Force Survey data released by Statistics Canada shows southwestern Ontario cities continue to rank among Canada’s most unemployment-burdened regions in March. London claimed the worst rate among the country’s 20 largest census metropolitan areas at 9.1 per cent, with Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo following at 8.6 per cent and Windsor rising 0.5 percentage points to 8.5 per cent. Analysts point to ongoing U.S. tariff pressures, weaker manufacturing demand, and slower population growth as key drivers. Windsor’s economy is forecast to stall before a projected rebound in 2027, with the ramp-up of the NextStar Energy battery plant among the anticipated recovery catalysts.

Sources: CBC Windsor · Statistics Canada

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NDP’s Stiles Calls on Ford to End 244-Day Windsor Factory Lockout

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles concluded a two-day Windsor visit by calling on Premier Doug Ford to intervene in the 244-day lockout at Titan Tool and Die on Howard Avenue, making her appeal directly to the premier in question period on Monday. Stiles met with locked-out workers and former Diageo plant employees during her visit, hosting roundtable sessions at Unifor Hall on jobs and affordability. She is also pushing for legislation to ban the use of replacement workers during strikes and lockouts. The Titan Tool and Die dispute, which began in summer 2025, has become a flashpoint for labour tensions across Windsor-Essex.

Sources: CBC Windsor · CTV News Windsor

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London Celebrates Opening of 50-Unit Supportive Housing Residence

London welcomed a new 50-unit supportive housing residence this week, opened by Christian housing charity Indwell, as part of two projects that will together provide homes and wraparound services for nearly 130 vulnerable individuals across London and St. Thomas. Staff will be on-site around the clock to help residents transition into stable housing, with mental health and addiction support integrated into both sites. Indwell Executive Director Natasha Thuemler described the occasion as “really special,” emphasizing the organization’s five-decade history of transforming lives. The London opening follows a second groundbreaking in St. Thomas, marking continued momentum in the region’s response to chronic homelessness.

Sources: CBC London

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Around the Bay Race Draws Nearly 9,000 Runners Through Hamilton Streets

Nearly 9,000 runners took to the streets of Hamilton on Sunday for the 132nd running of the Around the Bay 30K Road Race, North America’s oldest road race, held this year on April 12 for the first time in the event’s history. The annual event, which supports St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, drew participants from across Ontario and beyond for the 30-kilometre loop around Burlington Bay. In the 5K race, Jack Gregory led the men’s field in 14:53 and Stephanie Nevison topped the women’s results in 17:11. Full results across all race distances are available at bayrace.com.

Sources: CBC Hamilton · Bay Observer

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Windsor Spitfires Rally from 5-3 to Beat Flint 6-5, Take Commanding 2-0 Series Lead

The Windsor Spitfires are in full command of their OHL second-round playoff series after a dramatic 6-5 win over the Flint Firebirds on Sunday at the WFCU Centre. Windsor trailed 5-3 heading into the third period before erupting for three goals to clinch the come-from-behind victory and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Spitfires had taken Game 1 as well. Game 3 shifts to Flint on Tuesday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m., with Game 4 also in Michigan on Thursday. Windsor will host Game 5 on Saturday, April 18, if the series extends.

Sources: OHL / Flint Firebirds

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Kitchener Rangers Win Game 2 Thriller, Take 2-0 Lead Over Soo Greyhounds

The Kitchener Rangers extended their grip on the OHL second-round series against the Soo Greyhounds with a 6-5 victory in Game 2 on Sunday at The Aud in Kitchener. Kitchener had opened the series with a 3-1 Game 1 win and now hold a 2-0 series lead. Head coach Jussi Ahokas, recently named a finalist for OHL Coach of the Year with the winner to be announced April 16, has the Rangers surging in the post-season. The series shifts to Sault Ste. Marie for Games 3 and 4, beginning Tuesday, April 14. Kitchener will return to The Aud for Game 5 on Friday, April 17, if needed.

Sources: OurSports Central

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SW Ontario Pulse

Weather: London 22°C Showers  |  Hamilton 20°C Showers  |  Kitchener 18°C Chance of showers

Windsor: 17°C Light rain  |  AQI: 27 Good