Budget committee suspends hiring freeze; restarting Gardiner assesment; lots of casino talk; energy use in Ontario schools; terrible commuters + more news.

Budget committee suspends hiring freeze, hires 10 new full-time paramedics (National Post)

Toronto’s budget committee opts to restart Gardiner’s environmental assessment amid Rob Ford court drama (National Post)

‘This isn’t just a casino or a slot box’: OLG President Paul Godfrey claims Toronto gaming facility is ‘tremendous opportunity’ (National Post)

Ford’s political fate in the balance as critical budget votes loom (Globe and Mail)

Data on energy use by Ontario schools to made public after call by watchdog (Globe and Mail)

Ontario strikes deal with CUPE limiting layoffs for school support staff (Globe and Mail)

Councillor, OLG chair bicker over placement of possible Toronto casino (Globe and Mail)

Toronto’s historic ferries may get wrapped in ads — to pay for a new ferry (Toronto Star)

OLG chair Paul Godfrey called out on ‘stupid comment’ about downtown casino site (Toronto Star)

TTC: Toronto’s terrible commuters (The Grid)