Author: Sophie Mitchell

The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million to support the 2026 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) World Championships in Ottawa, an 11-day global sporting event projected to draw more than 100,000 visits and generate an estimated $25 million in economic activity. The funding, announced Thursday by the Ministry of Sport, is aimed at helping deliver the championships from Sept. 9 to Sept. 19, 2026. The province says the investment aligns with its broader strategy to grow sport tourism, create jobs and strengthen local economies by attracting major international events. “Ontario is proud to host the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball Championships…

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has issued a landmark decision affirming that Canadians and permanent residents have a constitutional right to move freely within the country for any purpose, marking the first time the nation’s top court has explicitly recognized such a broad interpretation of mobility rights under the Charter. In its ruling in Taylor v. Newfoundland and Labrador, the Court concluded that section 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects not only the right to reside and work in any province, but also the right to travel freely between and within provinces for any…

TORONTO — The Ontario government has reached an agreement with global spirits maker Diageo that will see nearly $23 million in new investments directed into the province’s agri-food, manufacturing and beverage alcohol supply chains, while safeguarding jobs and ensuring continued market access for its flagship brands. The deal follows months of discussions between Queen’s Park and the producer of Crown Royal after concerns were raised last year about the planned closure of the company’s facility in Amherstburg, near Windsor. Provincial officials had signalled that companies benefiting from Ontario’s marketplace would be expected to maintain local commitments. Premier Doug Ford said…

The Ontario government is opening a new intake of funding under its $210-million Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF), offering municipalities additional support for traffic-calming projects in school and community safety zones following the province’s ban on municipal speed cameras. The next application window opens February 19, 2026, the Ministry of Transportation said Thursday. The funding is intended to help municipalities implement what the province describes as proven safety measures that do not increase costs for drivers or taxpayers. “Our government is protecting Ontario by keeping costs down for drivers while ensuring our roads remain among the safest in North America,”…

A new crime thriller anchored by an A-list ensemble has arrived in theatres across Canada and internationally, as Crime 101 makes its wide theatrical debut. Backed by Amazon MGM Studios and produced in association with Working Title, the 139-minute feature brings together marquee names including Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo in a stylized Los Angeles-set caper adapted from a bestselling novella. Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 follows an elusive jewel thief portrayed by Hemsworth whose carefully executed heists along the 101 freeway have baffled authorities. As he prepares for what he believes will…

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Emirates has reached a key milestone in its travel retail expansion strategy with the opening of its 10th flagship “Emirates World” store in Abidjan, as the airline accelerates investment in physical retail concepts aimed at reshaping the customer journey. The Dubai-based carrier said it has invested AED 174 million (US$47.4 million) to grow its global travel retail footprint. With the addition of the Abidjan location, Emirates now operates 10 Emirates World Stores and nine other travel retail outlets worldwide. The airline plans to introduce 29 additional travel retail concepts in 2026, bringing its total store…

A newly signed trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan is poised to significantly expand U.S. dairy exports by eliminating tariffs on all American dairy products and addressing potential non-tariff barriers that could restrict trade flows. Industry groups representing U.S. dairy producers and exporters hailed the deal as a major breakthrough for a high-value Asian market that has become increasingly important to American farmers. Taiwan ranks as the third-largest export destination for U.S. fluid milk, underscoring the commercial significance of the agreement. The pact, signed late Tuesday, removes tariffs across the full spectrum of U.S. dairy products and incorporates…

Prime Video has set May 27, 2026, as the global premiere date for Spider-Noir, a new live-action series starring Nicolas Cage in his first leading role in a television production. The series, produced by Sony Pictures Television exclusively for MGM+ and Prime Video, will debut domestically on MGM+’s linear channel on May 25 before launching worldwide on Prime Video two days later. The series will roll out as a binge release across more than 240 countries and territories. In a nod to its stylistic roots, Spider-Noir will be available in two viewing formats: “Authentic Black & White” and “True-Hue Full…

Prime Video is doubling down on its upcoming college drama Off Campus, announcing a Season Two renewal months before the series is set to premiere in May 2026. The early renewal signals strong confidence from the streaming platform in the adaptation of the internationally bestselling book series by author Elle Kennedy. Season One of Off Campus will debut on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide in May 2026, with teaser art for the series released alongside the renewal announcement. Described as a college-set soap, Off Campus centres on an elite ice hockey team at Briar University…

Halifax — Engage Nova Scotia is rolling out a province-wide survey aimed at capturing a comprehensive picture of wellbeing across Nova Scotia, with organizers positioning the initiative as a critical data tool for governments, researchers and community leaders. Beginning February 23, postcard invitations will arrive in mailboxes across the province, inviting households to participate in the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey. The initiative is being delivered in collaboration with the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW), a national research organization based at the University of Waterloo. The survey is designed to gather detailed insights into how Nova Scotians are faring…