Author: Sophie Mitchell

Toronto psych-punk band Wine Lips has released its fifth full-length album, TV Dinner, a 13-track record that turns rising living costs, digital overload, consumer culture and the frustrations of everyday life into high-energy garage rock. Released Aug. 28 through Stomp Records, TV Dinner continues the group’s blend of garage punk, psychedelic rock and heavily distorted rock and roll while shifting much of its lyrical attention toward contemporary life. The roughly 35-minute album draws inspiration from acts including The Hives, Osees, Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Bad Nerves and Nirvana. The record arrives as Wine Lips continues to expand its international…

Canadian jazz pianist, vocalist and songwriter Ben Dunnill will return to the Toronto stage this fall, with Massey Hall presenting the multi-instrumentalist for a performance at the Allied Music Centre Theatre on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The concert will bring Dunnill’s blend of jazz musicianship, vocals and contemporary songwriting to the downtown Toronto venue at 178 Victoria Street. Tickets for the performance are now on sale, adding another Canadian date to the musician’s growing live performance profile. Massey Hall Presents Ben Dunnill at Allied Music Centre Theatre Dunnill has developed a substantial international following by combining traditional jazz influences with…

The governments of Ontario and Canada are committing up to $94.8 million to Bradford West Gwillimbury for housing-related infrastructure as the municipality prepares to significantly reduce development charges for new residential construction over a three-year period. The funding, announced Aug. 28, will flow through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) and is intended to support water, road and fire infrastructure needed to accommodate future housing. In exchange, Bradford West Gwillimbury plans to reduce residential development charges by as much as 76 per cent, depending on the type and location of the housing. Development Charge Cuts Aim to Lower New-Home Costs…

Ontario has started construction on a major expansion of Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, committing up to $154.8 million to add more than 100 inpatient beds and approximately 79,000 square feet of renovated acute-care space. The project is expected to support about 200 construction jobs while expanding hospital capacity for one of the fastest-growing areas in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton region. The project at Halton Healthcare’s Oakville hospital is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 and forms part of Ontario’s broader $64-billion hospital infrastructure program. Oakville Hospital Expansion to Add 111 Beds The redevelopment will add up to…

Ontario has marked a major milestone in the expansion of its critical minerals sector, with Glencore Canada reaching first nickel ore at the Onaping Depth Project in Greater Sudbury, a nearly $2 billion investment expected to extend production beyond 2040 and support hundreds of permanent mining jobs. The project extends the existing Craig Mine to a depth of approximately 2,600 metres and is expected to become a significant source of high-grade nickel and copper. Construction generated approximately 7,000 jobs, while the operation is expected to support up to 400 full-time positions when it reaches full production in 2027. Ontario Targets…

Ontario is moving ahead with another phase of the long-running Highway 69 expansion between Parry Sound and Sudbury, investing in the relocation of a Canadian National Railway Company rail line to clear the way for construction of a new Highway 522 interchange. The work is part of the province’s plan to widen the remaining 68 kilometres of Highway 69 from two lanes to four. The unfinished portion will be divided into six construction sections, with four expected to be under heavy construction by the end of 2027. CN Rail Relocation Clears Way for Highway 522 Interchange The rail relocation within…

ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP, Ont. — Ontario is moving ahead with plans to explore new electricity generation at Ontario Power Generation’s historic Lambton site, committing $500,000 in growth-readiness funding as the province prepares for a sharp increase in electricity demand. The funding will support St. Clair Township as it works with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to assess potential generation options, including natural gas and nuclear power. The 1,200-acre property is already zoned to accommodate up to 900 megawatts of electricity generation — enough to power as many as 900,000 additional homes. Ontario Looks to Revive Historic Lambton Energy Site The former…

VAUGHAN, Ont. — August 26, 2026 — The Ontario and federal governments are committing up to $697.2 million to the City of Vaughan for housing-enabling infrastructure as the municipality moves to sharply reduce development charges in an effort to lower construction costs and accelerate residential development. The funding, delivered through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), recognizes Vaughan’s decision to reduce development charges by 50 per cent for residential projects from March 30, 2026, through March 31, 2029. Qualifying projects that reach specified construction milestones can have development charges eliminated entirely between February 25, 2026, and October 31, 2027. Officials…

OSHAWA, Ont. — August 26, 2026 — Ontario has begun major construction at Durham College Oshawa GO Station, launching an expansion designed to increase rail capacity and support two-way, all-day service along the Lakeshore East line. The project will add two tracks and significantly upgrade station infrastructure as the province prepares for increased GO Transit service across Durham Region. The work is also intended to accommodate future electrification and the planned Bowmanville GO Extension, which will push passenger rail service farther east. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making historic investments in public transit to cut commute…

TORONTO — Ontario is recognizing 20 young people for exceptional volunteer service with the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers, the province’s highest honour dedicated specifically to youth voluntarism. The recipients, aged 15 to 24, are being recognized for contributions spanning community organizing, science and technology, health and mental well-being, environmental stewardship, civic engagement and reconciliation education. The province said their work demonstrates the growing role young volunteers are playing in strengthening communities across Ontario. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario will formally recognize recipients from both the 2024 and 2025 award years at a ceremony at Queen’s Park on October 19.…