Samwise Southwestern Ontario Newsletter
Saturday, April 11, 2026
London’s Jobless Rate Climbs to 9.1%, Now Highest in Canada
The London area’s unemployment rate hit 9.1 per cent in March 2026, the highest among Canada’s 20 largest cities, after shedding more than 3,000 jobs last month. It marks the eighth straight monthly increase, with London losing roughly 11,200 positions in the first quarter — about 5,000 in January. The rate exceeds Ontario’s 7.6 per cent provincial average and Canada’s 6.7 per cent national figure. Economists attribute the slump to the Canada-U.S. trade war battering the region’s auto and manufacturing sector. Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Windsor, and Barrie follow as the next hardest-hit centres among major Canadian cities.
Sources: CBC News London, Tillsonburg News
Worker Dies at London’s Maple Leaf Foods Plant; Investigation Underway
Police and the Ontario Ministry of Labour are investigating a worker’s death at the Maple Leaf Foods processing plant in south London after a fatal workplace incident on Thursday, April 10. The 660,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2022 and processes up to 100 million chickens annually, became the scene of a ministry and police investigation that same afternoon. Authorities have not released the identity of the worker pending next-of-kin notification. The cause of the accident has not been confirmed. Officials described it as an incredibly difficult time for everyone connected to the plant and for the broader London community.
Sources: CBC News London, CTV News London
Norwich Township Crash Death Toll Rises to Five
The death toll from a March 31 collision in Norwich Township has reached five after two additional survivors succumbed to their injuries. The two-vehicle crash at Highway 59 and Quaker Street killed a 39-year-old Cambridge driver and two Tillsonburg teenagers — aged 13 and 17 — at the scene. A 46-year-old and a 21-year-old from Tillsonburg, both transported with life-threatening injuries, have since died in hospital. Oxford OPP say the investigation is complete and no charges will be laid. The crash, involving an SUV and a transport truck, is among the most fatal road tragedies to strike southwestern Ontario this year.
Sources: CBC News London, CTV News London
SIU Clears London Police After Man Hurt During Mental Health Call
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has cleared London police officers following an incident in which a bat-wielding man was injured during a mental health apprehension. The SIU, which investigates cases where police actions result in serious injury or death, reviewed the encounter and found no grounds to proceed with charges against the involved officers. The man sustained serious injuries. Mental health-related calls place growing pressure on frontline responders across the region, and community advocates continue to call for expanded co-responder programs pairing officers with mental health clinicians for crisis situations. The SIU’s finding concludes the oversight process into this specific incident in London.
Sources: SIU Ontario
Two Supportive Housing Projects Launched in London and St. Thomas
Two new supportive housing projects have launched in London and St. Thomas, providing stable homes for people experiencing chronic homelessness and complex needs. The projects draw on provincial, municipal, and non-profit funding and pair affordable accommodations with on-site supports including mental health services, addiction counselling, and daily living assistance. London has faced escalating pressure on its shelter system as housing costs have surged in recent years. Officials say the new units represent a meaningful contribution toward addressing the region’s housing gap for its most vulnerable residents. Non-profit partners praised the collaborative funding model as essential to delivering long-term housing stability.
Sources: City of London Newsroom
Thames Park Revamp: Pickleball and Spray Pad Arrive, Historic Pool Bows Out
London city council has confirmed that Thames Park’s beloved outdoor pool will not be restored as part of an upcoming revamp of the riverside green space. Four new pickleball courts — designed to withstand flooding — will occupy the former pool site, joined by a nature-themed spray pad and new playground equipment. Construction is anticipated to begin summer 2026. The redesign reflects public engagement findings and the city’s approved budget. Existing tennis courts, community gardens, and pathways will remain unchanged. The decision to permanently close the pool has drawn mixed reactions, with longtime users expressing disappointment while the city emphasizes alignment with contemporary recreation trends.
Sources: CBC News London, City of London
Around the Bay Road Race Brings 10,000 Runners to Hamilton Waterfront
Hamilton hosts the 132nd running of the Around the Bay Road Race on Sunday, April 12, with nearly 10,000 participants registered across four distances: 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, and the 30 km course. It marks the first time North America’s oldest road race falls on April 12, with new start and finish locations along Hamilton Harbour and the waterfront. The 30 km race begins at 9:30 a.m. at Leander Drive near Pier 4. City officials have praised the event as a signature fixture in Hamilton’s growing profile as a destination for active living and sport tourism.
Sources: CBC News Hamilton, Around the Bay Race
Kitchener Rangers Take Game 1 of Round 2 Versus Soo Greyhounds
The Kitchener Rangers opened their second-round OHL playoff series with a 3-1 home victory over the Soo Greyhounds at The Aud on Friday, April 10, taking a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 follows Sunday, April 12, also in Kitchener, before the series heads to Sault Ste. Marie for Games 3 and 4 on April 14 and 16. The Greyhounds arrive in the second round having eliminated the London Knights in five games. The Rangers have leaned on home-ice advantage throughout this playoff run, and maintaining it through the first two games will be critical ahead of the road stretch in northern Ontario.
Sources: Kitchener Rangers, OHL Playoff Tracker
Windsor Spitfires Host Flint Firebirds as Round 2 OHL Playoffs Begin
The Windsor Spitfires opened their second-round OHL playoff series at home Friday, hosting the Flint Firebirds at 7:05 p.m. at the WFCU Centre. Windsor enters the second round as West Division champions and the conference’s second seed after sweeping the Guelph Storm in the opening round, including a dominant 11-3 win in Game 4. Game 2 takes place Sunday, April 12 at 4:05 p.m. in Windsor before the series moves to Flint for Games 3 and 4 on April 14 and 16. The Spitfires’ powerful offence and disciplined structure have established them as one of the favourites for this year’s OHL championship.
Sources: OurSports Central, Windsor Spitfires
SW Ontario Pulse
Weather: London 4°C Clear | Hamilton 5°C Clear | Kitchener 4°C Clear
Windsor: 7°C Partly Cloudy | AQI: 38 Good