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News Update, 8:00am, Tuesday February 3rd, 2026

News Update, 8:00am, Tuesday February 3rd, 2026
News Desk
Feb 03, 2026 | 8:37 AM

Good morning. It's Tuesday, February 3. Flurries 2 to 4 centimeters and a high of minus 8 today. I'm Daniel Coulombe. Canadians are still feeling the sting of grocery prices up more than 30% since 2020, and Ottawa is rolling out a new grocery rebate to help. The Parliamentary Budget Officer says the plan will cost about $12.4 billion over the next five years, boosting the GST credit for more than 12 million low and modest income Canadians. A family of four could see nearly $1,900 this year, with a 25% GST bump starting in 2026. Economists say it won't fix food inflation, but it will help families eat better. Two former prime ministers, Stephen Harper and Jean Cretien, shared the stage in Ottawa yesterday with a rare message of unity. Both warned that Canada needs to stick together as tensions with the U.S. grow and separatist talk resurfaces in Alberta and Quebec. Harper said sovereignty is There is one issue where politicians should drop the partisanship. Harper also received a gold medal ahead of his official portrait unveiling this week. The town of the Blue Mountains is dealing with a wastewater spill in Thornbury after a force main failed early Monday at Bay and Macaulay. Crews stopped pumping right away and are repairing the line with the area secured and environmental cleanup underway. The spill's been reported to the province and public health and that intersection is now fully closed with detours in place. The town says more updates are coming as work continues. Light 99.3 Sports, some of Ontario's top mixed doubles curlers are sliding into Collingwood this week. The Collingwood Curling Club is hosting the Provincial Mixed Doubles Championship from the 5th to the 8th of February, with 24 teams chasing the title. Past presidents George Rutherford and Mark McLaren are leading a big volunteer crew, and Mayor Yvonne Hamlin will help open the event Thursday. Games run all day, every day, the public's welcome to come watch. William Nylander scored once and added two assists as the Leafs beat the Flames 4-2 last night. Joseph Walls stopped 28 shots for the win. Toronto has now won eight straight against the Flames. They sit seven points back of Boston for the final wild card spot. They continue the Western swing tonight in Edmonton. Raptors play next at home against Minnesota Wednesday night. We will keep you up to date on the weather throughout the morning. From the Light 99-3 News Center, I'm Daniel Coulombe.