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TORONTO — There is a lot of COVID-19 circulating in Ontario right now, and levels of both that virus and influenza are on the rise, set to peak over the holiday season, the province's top doctor said Monday.

Ontario will investigate a kangaroo's escape from its handlers east of Toronto during a journey to Quebec, the province's solicitor general said Monday as advocates called for stricter regulations to protect captive wildlife.

Toronto-born filmmaker Charles Officer, an expert chronicler of Black Canadian life, has died. The Black Screen Office, which he co-founded, confirmed the death Monday and touted Officer as a gifted storyteller.

TORONTO — Jason Priestley has joined the cast of the forthcoming CBC TV series "Wild Cards.

TORONTO — DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. says new car sales in November soared 20.7 per cent compared with last year, as vehicle supply improves.

TORONTO — Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. says its deal for Australia's Origin Energy Ltd. has failed to achieve the required shareholder support.

TORONTO — `Russel Metals Inc. has signed a deal to buy seven service centre locations from Samuel, Son & Co. Ltd. for about $225 million. The agreement covers five locations in Western Canada and two in the United States.

GUELPH, Ont. — Braeden Bowman's goal at 5:44 of the third period proved to be the winner as the Guelph Storm edged the visiting Oshawa Generals 3-2 in Ontario Hockey League action on Sunday at the Sleeman Centre.

TORONTO — Ten-year-old Ofri Brodutch had barely been released from weeks of captivity by Hamas in the Gaza Strip before she began talking about her next trip to Canada.

TORONTO — Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: Home sales Home sales numbers for Canada's biggest, and most expensive, cities are expected to come this week.