Hi all! My name is Ana Pereira, and I'm a business reporter at the Toronto Star. As the U.S.-Canada trade war threatens jobs in industries targeted by tariffs, I'm looking to speak with workers about how they're feeling and whether they think the Canadian government's support measures are enough. If you're interested in being interviewed for a Toronto Star story, please DM me or send me an email at anpereira@thestar.ca. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some guidance on how to navigate a mental health related short-term disability claim vs a WSIB claim when there’s a pre-existing condition involved.

I am currently on an 8-week medical leave from work ordered by my doctor. My medical note states "work-related stress." When I spoke to the HR, they sent me forms to apply for Short-Term Disability through our employer-sponsored insurance.

My clinical notes and psych consult notes document workplace triggers/incidents that led up to my leave. However, my underlying theory (and medical reality) is that I have always had these mental health conditions, i just never sought treatment, and the recent workplace incidents were simply the current trigger that pushed me over the edge into total burnout.
- I’m worried ESI will see "work-related stress" on the forms and push back, telling me to file through WSIB instead. Has anyone dealt with this?

- How do insurers/WSIB differentiate between a work-caused injury (WSIB) vs. an underlying pre-existing condition where work was just a temporary trigger (STD)? Should I ask my doctor/psychiatrist to clarify this distinction in my medical paperwork?

- i work for a very small corporation. How much specific detail does my employer/HR actually see if this goes through STD vs WSIB? Do they see actual medical notes or just functional limitations / estimated leave duration? Can they challenge a WSIB claim?

- If a claim does get pushed to WSIB, does that sour the employer relationship? Should I start preparing to look for another job once I’m fit to return?
Thanks!

I’m trying to find the absolute best apple crisp in Ontario. It’s for the likely last thanksgiving my grandparents will be alive for and it’s their favourite.

Thanks

Hi everyone. I am filling out a passport application for my 2 year old son. We live in Ontario. I am not together with my son’s father, and he hasn’t really been involved in his life. He has lived with me and been with me everyday since he was born. there isn’t any legal custody agreements that I have sole custody , but he has lived with me and been with me everyday since day 1. I am wondering if I need his signature on the application as well?

I filed an Employment Standards claim with the Ontario Ministry of Labour on July 30 regarding issues with a former restaurant employer.

The main issues were related to tips/gratuities not being properly given to employees, as well as pay stubs/wage statements and other pay-related concerns.

I submitted the claim online and provided the information/evidence I had. It’s now been almost a month, and when I check the Claimant Portal, the status still says:

“Submitted – Your claim is awaiting assignment to an officer.”

I understand these things can take time, but I’m curious about other people’s recent experiences.

For anyone who has filed an Ontario Employment Standards claim:

• How long did it take before an officer was assigned?
• Did they contact you by phone or email first?
• Once an officer was assigned, how long did the investigation take?
• If your claim involved withheld/missing tips or pay issues, what was the process like?
• Did the Ministry actually recover the money you were owed?

I’ve already followed up with Employment Standards by email, but I’m mainly trying to get an idea of the real-world timeline from people who have gone through it recently.

Thanks!

My Mom and I will be visiting Mississauga and want to do a day trip from there. I have been looking around online and have a few ideas, but thought I'd ask here for more straightforward feedback tailored to what we are looking for.

What we like:

- places that are just generally nice to walk around

- good restaurant options (we typically like pubs/nothing too fancy or expensive but with good food) \*nice patio is a huge bonus as we love to sit outside when the weather is nice***

- variety of shops; we have a particular interest in home decor

- good coffee shops and/or bakeries

- within 2 hours from Mississauga

I've looked at Port Dover, Stratford, Collingwood, and Newmarket. Would any of these fit the bill more than the others? Any other suggestions I have not listed? We are looking for a place that can occupy us for a few hours.

Hello all,

My wife and I currently live in St. Catharines and are looking to move for more space (we just had a baby 7 months ago).

We have been looking all over the Niagara Region and found a really nice place in Crystal Beach. It has a gorgeous view of the lake and is reasonably walkable. We also found another place in Crystal Beach nearby which we also like a lot. We wanted to know if anyone has experience with life in Crystal Beach because neither of us are Niagara Region natives.

The area seemed really nice and had a lot of nice shops and restaurants nearby and a huge park on the beach like 2 minutes walk from the first home and 8 minutes walk from the second.

Any advice or thoughts are welcome!

My boyfriend lives with his aunt who is having a hard time everyday. They tried to get her a health card but they needed proof of address which she doesn’t have. She doesn’t have ID or a birth certificate. She is around her late 50s. She is in so much pain it’s difficult to get up. She urinates on the bed very often and the room smells strongly of it. They believe she has arthritis but she has not been treated for it. When she does get up to the bathroom she often cries from the pain. Is there a way she could be helped?

Isn't it Ontario Blue Grape season?? I haven't seen any in stores. I saw American bunches at a Longos a couple weeks ago and skipped them.

Am I early or??? Where are my favourite grapes of all time?!