Around Ontario

TORONTO — As coach of the transatlantic Wolfpack, Brian McDermott doesn't have the presence or profile of some of his Toronto coaching counterparts. But the 49-year-old Englishman has a compelling back story.

TORONTO — The injury-depleted Toronto Blue Jays' rotation got a boost Thursday with the reinstatement of left-hander Clayton Richard from the 10-day injured list.

TORONTO — Ten former Ontario health ministers across the political spectrum urged the provincial government Thursday to reverse its cuts to public health funding, saying work such as preventing disease outbreaks is being put at risk.

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Florida Panthers assistant coach Paul McFarland for the same role on head coach Mike Babcock's staff. McFarland replaces D.J. Smith, who was named head coach of the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

TORONTO — The federal government is providing $4.3 million to help Canada prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Kirsty Duncan, minister of science and sport, made the announcement Thursday morning at BMO Field.

INNISFIL, Ont. — Police say two people in their 20s who were airlifted to hospital in critical condition after a head-on collision north of Toronto are now stable. South Simcoe police say a 23-year-old man from Innisfil, Ont.

MOOSONEE, Ont. — Provincial police are searching for a missing boater in northern Ontario after she and a male companion ran into trouble on the water on Wednesday.

TORONTO — Ryan Telfer's goal in the 71st minute lifted the Canadian Premier League's York9 FC to a 1-0 win over AS Blainville on Wednesday night to advance to the second qualifying round of the Canadian Championship.

TORONTO — Boston's Michael Chavis hit a solo homer off Jimmy Cordero in the 13th inning as the Red Sox outlasted the plucky Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.

TORONTO — Casey Plett has won the Amazon Canada First Novel Award for "Little Fish," her book about a trans woman's exploration of her past and future. The Windsor, Ont.