Scarborough's backyard, just a quick drive from Toronto's skyscrapers, could soon be Canada’s first true urban national park. The Conservative Party, if re-elected, would establish a new national park in the Rouge Valley, according to its campaign platform.

Work to clean an oil spill at Little Rouge Creek continues despite Monday’s heavy snowfall, Ontario’s Environment Ministry says. About six centimetres of snow fell on northeast Scarborough Dec. 6, but it was not enough to impede ongoing efforts to vacuum oil from the creek, said ministry spokesperson Lindsay Davidson.

Oil spilling into Little Rouge Creek contains no gasoline or other chemicals, workers at the site say. Their conclusion contradicts earlier speculation by Ontario’s Environment Ministry.