Today marks one year since The Oakville Digest first hit inboxes on January 6, 2025.

What started as a small idea to connect people to the community again, has turned into something much bigger. In the last year we grew from 0 to nearly 14,000 subscribers, delivered over 1.2 million emails, and saw more than 50,000 link clicks from readers like you.

Here are the top 5 biggest hits of 2025:

We're proud of what we've built in just 12 months, and even more excited for what's ahead in 2026. Thanks for reading, sharing, and supporting our newsletter.

Please do us a huge favour and fill out our 2025 Reader Feedback Survey so we know how to best serve you in 2026. ⬇️

Ontario kicked off the new year with several rule changes that touch everyday life, from job hunting to recycling and road safety.

At work, employers with 25 or more staff must now include salary ranges in job postings and disclose whether AI is used in the hiring process, giving job seekers more transparency upfront.

In health care, Ontario is speeding up licensing for out-of-province professionals and expanding what midwives can do, while also adding more prenatal and newborn screening tests.

On the roads, impaired driving laws are tougher, with lifetime licence bans now possible in the most serious cases, and stricter penalties for repeat vehicle theft.

For families, Canadian Disability Benefit payments will no longer be counted as income when determining child-care fee subsidies, which could lower costs for some households.

At home, carbon monoxide alarms are now required on every level of houses, condos, and apartments, improving household safety.

When it comes to recycling, Ontario has introduced a single, province-wide list of what belongs in the blue box, expanding the range of recyclable items and reducing confusion.

And finally, for alcohol sales, large wine containers now have a minimum price, and grocery and convenience stores face fewer rules around how alcohol is displayed and sold.

🗓️ Top 5 Weirdest Stories of 2025

Loki is an active, intelligent pup who’s all about walks, toys, and treats. He’s house trained, great on leash, and opens up quickly once he knows you. If you’re looking for a fun-loving companion who’s always up for an outing, Loki might be your perfect match.

He’s searching for a home with older kids (or dog-savvy younger ones), no cats, and ideally someone who understands his breed and energy. A yard isn’t required, just a lifestyle that keeps his mind and body busy!

Wednesday, January 7, 2026
🌥️ Cloudy with chance of flurries/rain showers
High: 3°C | Low: ‑2°C

Thursday, January 8, 2026
☁️ Cloudy
High: 7°C | Low: -3°C

Friday, January 9, 2026
🌧️ Cloudy with chance of showers
High: 9°C | Low: 0°C