Gravy delivered to Ontario legislature sparks police investigation
A suspicious package delivered to Queen’s Park was determined to be powdered gravy following a police investigation in Toronto on Tuesday.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) said officers were called to the Ontario legislature just after 11:30 a.m. for reports of a suspicious package. According to police, employees were evacuated from a small area of the building.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
It was later determined by an officer with the explosives unit that the package contained powdered gravy. Police believe the item was intended as a joke, they said.
The Premier's Office said Tuesday it had no information on the matter.
This is the second time in a week that gravy delivered to Queen's Park has made headlines. Last week, Premier Ford was gifted a can of gravy by Liberal Parliamentary Leader John Fraser after it was discovered that 48 of Ford's staff had made it onto this year's sunshine list.
The gesture was intended to serve as a reminder of the Ford family slogan, ‘Stop the gravy train,’ Fraser said. The premier’s late brother, Rob Ford, used the slogan widely during his campaign for mayor to indicate how he would cut red tape and save taxpayers money. The phrase has been brought back to the legislature by the Ontario Liberals, who say the Ford government has done the exact opposite.
“I did that to remind him that he more than doubled the staff in his office to 48 people who are all on the sunshine list [and] all of whom make more than the median family income in Ontario," Fraser said at the time. “I don't think that's just wrong, I think it’s obscene.”
When reached for comment on Tuesday, Fraser said he was not responsible for the second gift of gravy, but that he’s heard that his gesture has sparked some citizens to do the same.
The Liberal leader expressed empathy to legislature staff who may have been frightened by Tuesday’s incident. While he said it’s obvious some people are “displeased” with the premier, he suggested sending a photo of gravy would be equally sufficient.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.