Restaurants, bars and fitness centres can begin welcoming more customers starting Monday under a long-awaited easing of Ontario’s COVID-19 capacity limits, the Star has learned.

A 2008 letter obtained by the Star reports accusations by two students that Andy Orchard made advances toward another student. Orchard denied it. A professor emeritus described earlier complaints of inappropriate touching of students.

The federal government is slated to spend $7.4 billion on a revamped suite of targeted pandemic supports throughout the coming months, bringing to an end several major relief programs that will expire for good on Saturday.

Federal officials say they are confident that other countries will accept the “pan-Canadian” standardized document, but that work is ongoing to ensure international partners are familiar with it.

The prime minister says he’s prepared to work with his political rivals, but just how well is a little less obvious, Stephanie Levitz writes.

Independent director John A. MacDonald will take on the role of chairman while Edward, the son of company founder Ted Rogers, will remain on the board.

Nick Lazzarini and Travis Wall deny the allegations and Break the Floor says it’s working hard to improve.

‘We’ve got to take action soon, or things are going to get way worse,’ says Mayor Kennedy Stewart in unveiling his Making Home member’s motion.

Meanwhile, Russia registered the highest daily numbers of new coronavirus infections and deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Thursday that the new Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit will take effect Sunday, replacing the CRB.